Family Dining

Leadership

First Watch names Matt Eisenacher chief brand officer

Before joining First Watch in 2019, Eisenacher was COO of Piada Italian Street Food.

Operations

IHOP adds AI capabilities to online ordering

The family chain said the system will spotlight options that align with a user's demonstrated preferences on variables like spiciness and price.

The former Olive Garden marketing chief will seek other opportunities, Cracker Barrel said. Her departure was announced two weeks after the transition to a new CEO began.

He "ceased to be an executive officer" as of Tuesday, the company said in a securities filing. But he will serve in a "non-executive" capacity through the remainder of the fiscal year.

Reality Check: But there's an asterisk. The delivery-only brands have found their happy place in family dining.

Both of the company's concepts will focus on their menus, one to stress value, the other to underscore on-site prep.

The drop-off pushed traffic into negative territory, but executives say a simultaneous rise in on-site business is better for the concept.

The new CEO says sharpening the brand positions of the venerable family-dining chains is a top priority.

The steak-and-salad-bar concept is running ads again, playing off the signature deals that made it a 1980s hit.

Pancake Tacos take the breakfast favorite into new meal territory as IHOP continues its drive to expand lunch and dinner.

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