Brian Niccol has the chops for the job. He spent years with Yum Brands, at Pizza Hut and then Taco Bell, where he was chief marketing officer and then president before he was named CEO in 2015.| Illustration by Nico Heins
Restaurant Business Exclusive Content
Financing
Why Starbucks needs to change its marketing
The Bottom Line: Brian Niccol’s early vision for his new company included an important comment: “We won’t let others define who we are.” That’s a key change for the coffee shop giant.
Emerging Brands
Carvel finds an unusual partner in Houston fine-dining operator Berg Hospitality
The two operations have collaborated on a co-branded venture called Buttermilk Baby, the first of 10 that are planned for Texas.
Financing
TGI Fridays' would-have-been buyer gets a harsh lesson
The Bottom Line: Hostmore, the U.K. franchisee that has backed off its purchase of the casual-dining chain, cannot sell its restaurants for their debt. Welcome to the modern market for restaurant mergers and acquisitions.