Trend-Toppers Edition: Starring Starbird, 'star' plants

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

In the annals for hot food trends, chicken and plant-based menu items are definitely having their "moments." For proof, look no further than chicken-centric…

Del Taco to open Mesa location in Phoenix-area expansion

September 24, 2020

Del Taco's largest multi-unit operator, Brent Veach, is opening his 57th location of the chain on South Power Road in Mesa, Arizona, a news release said. Veach…

White Castle's drive-thru AI: NOT 'Mr. Roboto'

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Can artificial intelligence really help a QSR extend a sense of hospitality in the drive-thru? White Castle leadership certainly thinks so, as evidenced by its…

'Dog Days' of August = better days for restaurants

September 23, 2020

Despite on-premise dining restrictions in slightly less than a quarter of restaurants in August, the rate of traffic and dollar declines eased slightly…

The Local Culinary adds 5 brands to portfolio

September 23, 2020

Following the launch of its ghost kitchen franchise model in July, The Local Culinary has added five brands to its roster of offerings, which includes 5…

What all the really 'cool' kids will wear this year: McFlurry B-Day suit

September 23, 2020

It's been a quarter-century since McDonald's introduced its McFlurry, and the brand is hauling out a "birthday suit" for the frozen treat to celebrate.

Popeyes, Burger King, Tim Hortons parent adds Canadian executive to board

September 23, 2020

Canadian capital market executive Jason Melbourne has been named to the board of Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons parent company, Restaurant Brands…

Taco John's names QSR operations veteran as COO

September 23, 2020

Taco John's has named Greg Miller, the former Jack in the Box division VP of operations, as COO, a news release said. Miller brings 30 years of industry…

McDonald's is major player in grasslands conservation program

September 23, 2020

McDonald's is joining with the World Wildlife Fund, Walmart Foundation and Cargill on a million-acre grazing program to help restore grasslands in the U.S. and…

Del Taco names former hotel exec to top marketing tech job

September 23, 2020

Del Taco has named Erin Levzow, former Marcus Hotel & Resorts marketing VP, as its vice president of marketing technology. The brand said in a news release…

SpotOn Transact secures $60M in funding

September 23, 2020

SpotOn Transact, Inc. a software and payments company, has secured $60 million in Series C funding. The round was led by DST Gobal, an investment firm, with…

ICX Association names Elevate Award winners

September 22, 2020

The Interactive Customer Experience (ICX) Association presented its annual Elevate Awards during a livestream earlier today.

Ordrslip, Postmates team up to offer delivery services

September 22, 2020

Ordrslip, a SaaS provider, is partnering with Postmates to give restaurants another way to offer delivery. The duo allows brands to create custom-looking white…

Carl's Jr, Hardee's parent adds 2 C-suite execs

September 22, 2020

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's parent company, CKE Restaurant Holdings Inc., has named two C-suite executives to key positions. Former Jack in the Box CFO Lance…

Dunkin' aims to 'own' National Coffee Day

September 22, 2020

Dunkin' has unofficially renamed the unofficial "holiday" of National Coffee Day on Sept. 29 as National Dunkin' Day. And of course, the brand is willingly…

Dream Dinners expands menu, home delivery

September 22, 2020

Meal kit company, Dream Dinners, has expanded its menu to 20 dinner options, including four new entrees, available for pickup or delivery from 70 locations in…

Cleveland-based pizza QSR heats up fall offerings

September 22, 2020

Cleveland, Ohio-based Rascal House has introduced the Fiesta Crunch Pizza, available until Nov. 1, at all five Rascal House restaurants, a news release…

The big bonuses of building better benefits for QSR employees

That old notion that you only get out of something what you put into it applies equally well to QSR employees, as Checkers & Rally's discovered through recent…

PepsiCo creator Donald Kendall passes away

September 21, 2020

Donald M. Kendall Donald M. Kendall, who engineered the merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay and built PepsiCo Inc. into one of the largest food and…

Impossible Burger is big in Canada

September 21, 2020

Only two weeks after its launch in Canada, Impossible Foods has partnered with nearly 200 burger chains — including Wahlburgers, Burger Priest and Red Robin …