Quick Service

Welcome to the wrap battle

By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 21, 2024

Menu wars raged over the fried chicken sandwich a couple years back, but now wraps are duking it out on the quick-service battlefield. Here’s why these players have joined the fray.

Leadership

Taco John’s names Heather Neary CEO

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 20, 2024

Neary spent 15 years with Auntie Anne’s and most recently served as brand president at quick-service franchisee KBP Brands. She’s charged with ushering in a “new era of growth” at the Mexican fast-food chain.

Beverage

Sonic launches Blackout Slush Float to tie into solar eclipse

By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 18, 2024

Fans can score a free pair of viewing glasses with every purchase, plus eclipse watching tips from a former NASA astronaut to prepare for the April 8 event.

Operations

Cinnabon and Carvel are about to have a baby

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 18, 2024

The new Cinnabon Swirl concept from GoTo Foods will debut in Hawaii this summer, with a second unit coming to Oregon. It's a mashup brand with its own identity as the multi-brand restaurant franchise platform promotes more co-branding.

Food

Pizza Hut rolls out a pizza-bagel mashup in NYC and LA

By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 13, 2024

The chain partnered with Yeastie Boys food trucks to launch the Big New Yorker Pizza Bagel.

Premium

Financing

How can brands win back lower-income consumers?

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 11, 2024

The Bottom Line: People making $50,000 or less have cut back on dining as prices have soared. But that group remains an important source of industry traffic.

Workforce