All articles tagged with #restaurant chains
Chefs highlight five restaurant chains—In-N-Out, Shake Shack, La Birra Bar, Bareburger, and McDonald's—that serve cheeseburgers rivaling gourmet quality, emphasizing ingredient quality, cooking techniques, and unique toppings.
Planet Hollywood was founded in 1991 by Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger as a Hollywood-themed restaurant chain inspired by the '90s celebrity culture. Despite its initial success and expansion worldwide, the chain faced decline by the early 2000s, filing for bankruptcy twice, and now only a few locations remain. Willis and Stallone continue to hold stock in the company, which has become a symbol of celebrity-driven dining trends of the era.
US consumers are tightening their belts, leading to financial challenges for restaurant chains, as highlighted by the Financial Times, which discusses the broader economic implications and subscription-based insights.
Dutch Bros, an Oregon-founded coffee chain, ranked third in a study of employee satisfaction among major restaurant chains, with 78% of employees recommending their job. The company plans to move its headquarters from Grants Pass, Oregon, to Arizona, sparking mixed reactions among fans. The study highlights In-N-Out as the top-ranked chain for employee happiness for a decade.
Dave's Hot Chicken, a rapidly growing Nashville-style hot chicken chain founded in 2017, has been acquired by private equity firm Roark Capital in a deal valued at $1 billion. The company plans to continue its growth with 400 locations worldwide and will retain its leadership team, including CEO Bill Phelps, as it aims to expand further and innovate in menu offerings.
In 2024, several struggling restaurant chains, including Chi-Chi's, Fuddruckers, and Sweet Tomatoes, have made significant comebacks by implementing strategic changes and new leadership. Chi-Chi's plans to reopen locations after 20 years, while Fuddruckers and Sweet Tomatoes are expanding their footprints. Other chains like Burger King and Corner Bakery are also seeing improvements through investments and restructuring efforts. These revivals highlight the potential for struggling brands to recover and thrive with the right strategies.
Several fast food chains in California, including Burger King and In-N-Out, have raised prices for menu items following the implementation of a new $20 minimum wage law for restaurants with at least 60 locations nationwide. The price hikes, ranging from 25 cents to $4, have been observed at various locations, while some chains like Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, and McDonald’s have not increased prices despite potential impacts from the wage increase. The new law also establishes a "Fast Food Council" to oversee further pay raises and working conditions, with the minimum wage increase in California resulting in a minimum annual salary of $41,600 for workers.
National Burrito Day is being celebrated with various deals and promotions at popular restaurant chains across the United States, including buy-one-get-one offers, free delivery, and discounts for rewards program members. Participating chains such as Baja Fresh, Chipotle, El Pollo Loco, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Qdoba, Sheetz, and Taco Bell are offering special deals on burritos to mark the occasion.
Fast food workers in California are facing job losses as the state's minimum wage is set to increase to $20 on April 1. Chains like Pizza Hut and Round Table Pizza are announcing cuts, with hundreds of jobs being axed, hours reduced, and hiring frozen. The Fast Act, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, requires fast food chains with 60 or more locations nationwide to meet the wage increase, impacting 80% of the workforce. Some businesses are attempting to find exemptions, while others, like Chipotle and Starbucks, are evaluating the impact and considering price increases.
Inflation data shows a 5.1% year-over-year increase in dining out costs, while grocery prices rose by 1.2%. Rising labor costs, minimum wage hikes, and impending wage increases in several states are expected to impact restaurant chains, leading to potential customer pullback and transaction size reduction. Brands like McDonald's, Wendy's, Domino's, Taco Bell, and Starbucks are already feeling the effects, with some adjusting their strategies to cater to changing consumer sentiments. Meanwhile, consumer staples companies supplying grocery stores, restaurants, and bars may be well positioned, with PepsiCo expecting to gain market share within the restaurant industry. However, moderating inflation is unlikely to result in lower grocery prices, as consumer staples companies are expected to hold higher prices and reinvest profits behind their brands.
National Pizza Day is on February 9, and several restaurant chains are offering discounts and freebies to celebrate. Fazoli’s is offering a $9.99 whole pizza with breadsticks, Home Run Inn is giving a free 12-inch frozen pizza with the purchase of an extra large pizza, Marco’s Pizza has a $5.99 Pizzoli deal and $3 off specialty pizzas, Papa Murphy’s is offering 25% off online orders with code NPD24, and Round Table is offering a large Double Play Pepperoni Pizza for $22.99 with code DOUBLEPLAY. Toppers Pizza is also giving a free medium pizza to customers who spend $10 in the Toppers app from February 9-14.
Two Indian restaurant chains, Moti Mahal and Daryaganj, are embroiled in a legal battle over the origins of popular dishes butter chicken and dal makhani, with Moti Mahal claiming to have invented them in the 1930s and Daryaganj asserting a partnership with Moti Mahal's founder. The lawsuit, seeking damages and alleging website and restaurant design infringement, has captured public attention in India, raising concerns about court time allocation amid a significant backlog of cases. The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the case in May.
In honor of Veterans Day, several restaurant chains are offering free meals and deals for veterans and active-duty military members. Participating chains include Chili's, Applebee's, Red Robin, Bob Evans, Golden Corral, Outback Steakhouse, Logan's Roadhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, Starbucks, Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, Wendy's, and White Castle. These offers typically require a valid military ID and are available for dine-in customers only.
Here are some of the healthiest breakfast options to order at major restaurant chains: First Watch's Power Wrap with veggies, lean turkey, and egg whites; Denny's Loaded Veggie Omelet with spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and Swiss cheese; IHOP's plant-based meal with scrambled egg whites, fruit, and multigrain toast; Starbucks' Spinach, Feta, and Egg White Wrap for a low-sugar, high-protein option; Tim Hortons' avocado toast for a nutrient-rich choice; Another Broken Egg's Skinny Shrimp Benny with shrimp, mushrooms, and peppers; Marie Callender's oatmeal with raisins and a side of turkey sausage; Dunkin's Wake-Up Wrap with turkey sausage for portion control; Chick-fil-A's Greek Yogurt Parfait with granola for probiotics; Panera Bread's Avocado, Egg White, Spinach, and Cheese on Sprouted Grain Bagel Flat; and Waffle House's "Egg Breakfast" with tomatoes and wheat toast as healthier alternatives.
Cracker Barrel and Olive Garden are struggling to attract older customers back to their restaurants, even as the Covid pandemic recedes. The over-65 age group, which is particularly value-conscious, has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels of foot traffic due to health concerns and inflation. Both Cracker Barrel and Darden Restaurants, the owner of Olive Garden, have reported declining visits from older customers, while younger consumers have held up better. Despite overall traffic declines, Darden Restaurants has seen an increase in younger consumers. Cracker Barrel's sales have been driven by higher prices, while its retail stores have experienced a decline.