Emma Liem Beckett
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Lead Editor @RestaurantDive | McAllister Editorial Fellow | Formerly at @FoodDive | OC → DC → LA
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Articles by Emma Liem Beckett
Don't miss tomorrow's restaurant industry news
Last year was one of the strangest in the restaurant industry since the end of the pandemic, with business results sharply bifurcated between winners and losers as consumers grew choosier in their spending habits. With macroeconomic uncertainty continuing in 2026, it’s harder than ever to predict the outcomes of major trends. But a few factors do seem certain — at least in the year’s opening weeks. Beverages are poised to grow.
6 restaurant trends to watch in 2026 Original
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. In 2026, restaurants may be backed into a financial corner. Turbulent trade policies could raise food costs when many diners are already tightening their discretionary spending, forcing operators to get creative to keep sales healthy.
Yelp adds AI Host and Receptionist to restaurant toolbox
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Yelp launched Yelp Host and Yelp Receptionist — two customizable artificial intelligence solutions for answering restaurant phones 24/7 — to facilitate reservations and “collect project details,” the company announced on Tuesday. The services can answer diner questions, ask follow-up questions, take messages, transfer calls and identify spams.
Yelp adds AI Host and Receptionist to restaurant toolbox
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Yelp launched Yelp Host and Yelp Receptionist — two customizable artificial intelligence solutions for answering restaurant phones 24/7 — to facilitate reservations and “collect project details,” the company announced on Tuesday. The services can answer diner questions, ask follow-up questions, take messages, transfer calls and identify spams.
Pizza Hut operator to close 68 UK stores
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. DC London Pie Limited, an operator that runs a large number of Pizza Hut U.K. restaurants, will close 68 restaurants and 11 delivery sites after entering administration to manage outstanding debts. The move comes just 10 months after DC London Pie Limited bought Pizza Hut’s U.K. locations from insolvency, BBC reports.
Pizza Hut operator to close 68 UK stores
This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter. DC London Pie Limited, an operator that runs a large number of Pizza Hut U.K. restaurants, will close 68 restaurants and 11 delivery sites after entering administration to manage outstanding debts. The move comes just 10 months after DC London Pie Limited bought Pizza Hut’s U.K. locations from insolvency, BBC reports.
Subway taps Burger King vet as CEO
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Subway has hired Jonathan Fitzpatrick as CEO effective July 28, the sandwich chain announced Monday. Fitzpatrick has over 20 years of franchising and QSR experience, with past roles including executive vice president and chief brand and operations officer at Burger King. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of automotive services company Driven Brands.
Will restaurants be hit hard by tariffs? 6 experts weigh in
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Despite pausing so-called reciprocal tariffs for 90-days as of April 9, the U.S. is still maintaining a 10% baseline tariff. That level of taxation on imports across the board will be a significant cost driver for businesses, but less immediately threatening than the country-specific duties floated in early April.
Tracking the same-store sales of 21 major restaurant chains
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. From Applebee’s to Starbucks, publicly traded chains have implemented a wide range of strategies in the past eight quarters to boost same-store sales in a time of high consumer price sensitivity. Some of these efforts have already borne fruit: Chili’s same-store sales skyrocketed in the past few quarters. Other casual chains continue to experience a sales slump.
Tracking the same-store sales of 18 major restaurant chains
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. From Applebee’s to Starbucks, publicly traded chains have implemented a wide range of strategies in the past eight quarters to boost same-store sales in a time of high consumer price sensitivity. Some of these efforts have already borne fruit: Chili’s same-store sales skyrocketed in the past few quarters. Other casual chains continue to experience a sales slump.
Tracking the same-store sales of 24 major restaurant chains
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Editor’s Note: March 10, 2026: This tracker has been updated to reflect the most recent earnings reports. Q4 2025 saw little change to the sales weakness that many chains struggled with in the first half of the year.
What’s the restaurant outlook for 2025?
Restaurants must tackle serious obstacles in 2025. Competition for price-sensitive diners is still white hot, and operators must thread the needle to offer menu items that satisfy demand for trending ingredients, quality and affordability. Fast casual chains are consistently delivering on this value proposition, intensifying a battle for market share within that segment and pushing QSR and casual brands to refine their offerings.
Fat Brands will grow a new tri-branded snack concept
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Fat Brands opened its first Great American Cookies, Marble Slab Creamery and Pretzelmaker tri-branded restaurant in Roanoke, Texas, the company announced Wednesday. The restaurant giant operates multiple co-branded Great American Cookie and Marble Slab Creamery locations, but hopes to capture growing diner interest in snacking occasions by growing the new tri-branded store model with Pretzelmaker.
KFC taps CEO from Taco Bell North America
Yum Brands promoted Scott Mezvinsky to KFC Division CEO effective March 1, the company announced on Monday. He will replace Sabir Sami, who will exit the role on Feb. 28. Mezvinsky, who currently serves as president of Taco Bell North America and International, will report to Yum CEO David Gibbs. During Mezvinsky’s tenure at Taco Bell, which included serving as global chief strategy & financial officer,he made the Mexican QSR a $20 billion brand.
Bartaco promotes president to CEO
Name: Anthony Valletta New title: CEO, Bartaco Previous title: President, Bartaco Valletta was promoted to CEO on Friday, and co-founder and former CEO Scott Lawton will become chairman of the board at Bartaco, which was founded in 2010 and has more than 30 restaurants. Valletta has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality sector and held leadership positions at Mina Group, Del Frisco’s and Darden Restaurants.
Just Salad joins the drive-thru game
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Fast casual chain Just Salad opened its first drive-thru restaurant on Monday in New Jersey, the company announced in a press release. Just Salad plans to open multiple additional drive-thru units throughout 2025, but didn’t share where these will be located.
Starbucks’ late-night delivery pilot ‘doubled our business,’ CEO says Original
Starbucks launched a pilot last quarter where a third-party partner prepared Starbucks orders for delivery offsite between the hours of 5 p.m. and 5 a.m., when the chain’s cafes are traditionally closed, CEO Laxman Narasimhan said last week on an earnings call. During the test, the company “doubled our business,” he said. The coffee giant now aims to build a $2 billion business out of this model over the next five years, Narasimhan said.
IHOP’s point-of-sale migration is boosting speed, check totals
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. IHOP has almost completed a two-year migration of 1,500 restaurants to a new, cloud-based point-of-sale system with Tray, the company announced on Tuesday. IHOP’s previous POS system was 15 years old. Throughout the transition, IHOP restaurants have trimmed table turn times and grown tip and check totals, Justin Skelton, CIO and SVP of information technology at IHOP parent company Dine Brands, said in a press release.
IHOP’s POS migration is boosting speed, check Original
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. IHOP has almost completed a two-year migration of 1,500 restaurants to a new, cloud-based POS system with Tray, the company announced on Tuesday. IHOP’s previous POS system was 15 years old. Throughout the transition, IHOP restaurants have trimmed table turn times and grown tip and check totals, Justin Skelton, CIO and SVP of information technology at IHOP parent company Dine Brands, said in a press release.
Cava plots ‘3.0’ store design as Q4 revenue soars 52% Original
Cava captured whopping revenue gains of 52% in Q4 and almost 60% for FY2023 despite increased labor investments, the company announced in an earnings release Tuesday. The Mediterranean chain’s “particularly affluent visitor bases” were likely more insulated from last year’s economic challenges than the average consumer, per a Placer.AI report, which probablysupported its 30% unit growth year-over-year, and a 5.2% same-store traffic bump in Q4.
Inspire Brands buys delivery tech firm Vromo Original
Inspire Brands bought Vromo, a delivery software platform, for an undisclosed sum on Monday, the restaurant company confirmed via email. This marks Inspire’s first purchase since its $11.3 billion acquisition of Dunkin’ in 2020. Inspire said Vromo can “make delivery channels more profitable,” echoing Yum Brands’ purchase of Australian delivery management firm Dragontail Systems in 2021 to improve the delivery experience.
Restaurant trend outlook for 2024
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As the restaurant industry settles into 2024, operators are deploying new strategies to overcome persistent business challenges. To offset sluggish traffic and diner concerns about rising prices, restaurants are developing new value menu offerings that boost visits and brand loyalty.
By Emma Liem Beckett Verified, Aneurin Canham Clyne Verified, Julie Littman Verified, Danielle McLean Verified
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Restaurant Dive
Verified
Craveworthy Brands buys major stake in Dirty Dough Cookies
Craveworthy Brands, owner of 10 restaurant chains including Genghis Grill and Lucky Cat Poke, will buy “a significant stake” in Dirty Dough Cookies, the companies announced Wednesday. The precise percentage Craveworthy will acquire was not disclosed. Gregg Majewski, founder and CEO of Craveworthy, is replacing Jill Summerhays as CEO of Dirty Dough.
7 restaurant industry trends to watch in 2024
The outlook for the restaurant industry in 2024 is clouded by many of the pressures that defined 2023. Inflation, diner price sensitivity, sluggish traffic and scarce capital will continue to plague operators, experts said. “Right now is the hardest it has ever been in the 25-plus [past] years of running restaurants,” Bryan Solar, chief product officer at SpotOn, said. These challenges may push restaurants to embrace new solutions this year, experts said.
7 restaurant industry trends to watch in 2024
The outlook for the restaurant industry in 2024 is clouded by many of the pressures that defined 2023. Inflation, diner price sensitivity, sluggish traffic and scarce capital will continue to plague operators, experts said. “Right now is the hardest it has ever been in the 25-plus [past] years of running restaurants,” Bryan Solar, chief product officer at SpotOn, said. These challenges may push restaurants to embrace new solutions this year, experts said.
Denny’s, Franklin Junction strike 250-unit virtual brand deal
Denny’s struck a 250-unit partnership with virtual restaurant brand company Franklin Junction on Monday. Per the agreement, Franklin Junction will provide “geographic exclusivity ... to accelerate Denny’s market presence” through its host kitchen platform. Through the collaboration, Denny’s will “host new virtual concepts through their vast restaurant footprint,” Franklin Junction CEO Rishi Nigam said in a statement.
Starbucks will accept diners’ personal mugs for drive-thru, app orders Original
Starbucks now lets customers use personal reusable mugs for drive-thru and app orders at all company and some licensed stores in the U.S. and Canada, the chain announced Wednesday. Diners can order all beverages in all sizes for any clean personal cup, and will receive a 10-cent discount or 25 Bonus Star-reward for loyalty members. Starbucks has added“a new, custom beverage craft smallware” for baristas to help standardize the the process of ordering a drink in a personal cup brought from home.
Walmart expanding in-store poke restaurants
Walmart plans to grow the number of its locations that have in-store poke restaurants through its partnership with Uncle Sharkii Poke Bar. Uncle Sharkii Poke Bar will begin opening its fast-food-style poke bars inside the retailer’s stores across the country starting with the rollout of 10 new locations throughout California over the next 5 months, according to a December press release.
The biggest franchise agreements of 2023
In 2021, franchising began booming as more opportunities for growth arose following the closure of nearly 80,000 restaurants. That second generation space provided a cheaper alternative to ground-up development. Despite rising menu prices, restaurant experiences remained in high demand from customers, and many new and existing operators jumped into the segment to expand profitable chains.
Brix hires TGI Fridays alum as CFO Original
Name: Rick Brown New title: Chief financial officer, Brix Holdings Previous title: Chief financial officer, TGI Fridays Brix Holdings, the parent company of Friendly’s, Red Mango Yogurt Cafe & Juice Bar, and several other restaurant and foodservice chains, has hired Rick Brown as CFO, effective today, according to a press release emailed to Restaurant Dive. Brown spent the preceding 14 years at TGI Fridays, per his LinkedIn profile, joining that chain after a long stint at Blockbuster.
Chuck E. Cheese extends menu with items for adults
Chuck E. Cheese is launching a Grown-Up Menu, which includes four pizza flavors, spicy meatballs, wings and desserts meant for adults, the company said in a press release Monday. The menu will roll out across its almost 600 locations nationwide this week.
Donuts and do nots: Krispy Kreme’s first ESG report reveals carbon emissions spike
Doughnut chain Krispy Kreme released its inaugural ESG report last week, unveiling an increase in scope 1 and scope 2 emissions compared to the previous year. Emissions amounted to over 70,000 tons of CO2 equivalent in 2022, up from approximately 65,000 tons of CO2 equivalent in 2021. The company aligned with the Task Force for Climate-related Disclosures to report on climate-related risks, opportunities and key metrics.
Cava is bolstering customization through catering, loyalty strategy
In the wake of its June IPO, Cava has turned a profit and posted significant traffic gains — standing out from many competitors who reported flat or dwindling visits. The Mediterranean fast casual is looking to deepen engagement with existing customers and win new fans by extending the customization its serving line offers through catering expansion and a new loyalty program.
The 5 biggest restaurant M&A deals of 2023 Original
Merger and acquisition activity was muted this year due to high interest rates, but the deals that did go through were substantial. Subway agreed to sell itself to Roark Capital for about $9.5 billion, after months of searching for a buyer willing to pay the high price. Darden purchased Ruth’s Hospitality Group for $715 million. Fat Brands bought Smokey Bones, marking its 18th acquisition to date.
Cava is bolstering customization through catering, loyalty strategy
In the wake of its June IPO, Cava has turned a profit and posted significant traffic gains — standing out from many competitors who reported flat or dwindling visits. The Mediterranean fast casual is looking to deepen engagement with existing customers and win new fans by extending the customization its serving line offers through catering expansion and a new loyalty program.
Cava is bolstering customization through catering, loyalty strategy
In the wake of its June IPO, Cava has turned a profit and posted significant traffic gains — standing out from many competitors who reported flat or dwindling visits. The Mediterranean fast casual is looking to deepen engagement with existing customers and win new fans by extending the customization its serving line offers through catering expansion and a new loyalty program.
CosMc’s service model, pricing unlikely to hurt Starbucks, analysts say
McDonald’s new CosMc’s concept is unlikely to pose an immediate threat to coffee competitors, like Starbucks and Dutch Bros, in part because of the brand’s format and because of a limited discount relative to those brands, according to a report from analyst firm William Blair.
McDonald’s doubles down on geofencing
McDonald’s is expanding its Ready on Arrival pilot — which uses geofencing to alert employees when a mobile order customer is nearing the restaurant so they can get the customer’s food ready — to its top six markets by 2025, the company said during its Investor Day last week. The chain deployed geofencing on its mobile app in March, but tested the technology as early as 2017.
McDonald’s doubles down on geofencing
Emma Liem Beckett December 11, 2023 at 8:05 AM·2 min read Dive Brief: McDonald’s is expanding its Ready on Arrival pilot — which uses geofencing to alert employees when a mobile order customer is nearing the restaurant so they can get the customer’s food ready — to its top six markets by 2025, the company said during its Investor Day last week. The chain deployed geofencing on its mobile app in March, but tested the technology as early as 2017.
How to create entertainment that keeps your guests eating, drinking and having fun
Guests seated at your restaurant table or sports bar have already made the commitment to buy a drink, appetizer, or meal. But they’ll leave once they’ve finished eating– unless they have reason to stay to order that extra drink or dessert. Providing valuable entertainment content gives guests a reason to stay and encourages them to enjoy more food and drink.
Pizza Hut celebrates delivery drivers with QR code doormat and free pizza
Pizza Hut is gifting free pizza to all delivery drivers this holiday season through a new Reverse Delivery doormat, the company said in a press release. Emblazoned on the doormat are the words “Leave a box, get a box” and a QR code that delivery drivers can scan to be directed to a microsite to redeem a free pizza. Consumers from Dec. 6-10 could order the product for display on their doorsteps, and drivers can redeem the offer through Dec. 27.
McDonald’s doubles down on geofencing
McDonald’s is expanding its Ready on Arrival pilot — which uses geofencing to alert employees when a mobile order customer is nearing the restaurant so they can get the customer’s food ready — to its top six markets by 2025, the company said during its Investor Day last week. The chain deployed geofencing on its mobile app in March, but tested the technology as early as 2017.
6 key details about CosMc’s, McDonald’s new fast food chain
Five months after McDonald’s announced the impending arrival of CosMc’s — a spinoff QSR chain “with the DNA of McDonald’s but its own unique personality” — the company has pulled back the curtain on the mystery restaurant. There were some surprises.
McDonald’s CosMc’s chain is coming for Starbucks customers
McDonald’s is opening its first CosMc’s restaurant — a small-format, beverage-forward concept — in Bolingbrook, Illinois, this week, CEO Chris Kempczinski said during McDonald’s Investor Day presentation on Wednesday. The company will open 10 total CosMc’s restaurants by the end of 2024, and will test the units for at least one year before evaluating their performance, Kempczinski said. Nine units will be located in the Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metro areas.
McDonald’s CosMc’s chain is coming for Starbucks customers
Dive Brief: McDonald’s is opening its first CosMc’s restaurant — a small-format, beverage-forward concept — in Bolingbrook, Illinois, this week, CEO Chris Kempczinski said during McDonald’s Investor Day presentation on Wednesday. The company will open 10 total CosMc’s restaurants by the end of 2024, and will test the units for at least one year before evaluating their performance, Kempczinski said. Nine units will be located in the Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metro areas.
McDonald’s CosMc’s chain is coming for Starbucks customers
McDonald’s is opening its first CosMc’s restaurant — a small-format, beverage-forward concept — in Bolingbrook, Illinois, this week, CEO Chris Kempczinski said during McDonald’s Investor Day presentation on Wednesday. The company will open 10 total CosMc’s restaurants by the end of 2024, and will test the units for at least one year before evaluating their performance, Kempczinski said. Nine units will be located in the Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metro areas.
6 key details about CosMc’s, McDonald’s new fast food chain
Five months after McDonald’s announced the impending arrival of CosMc’s — a spinoff QSR chain “with the DNA of McDonald’s but its own unique personality” — the company has pulled back the curtain on the mystery restaurant. There were some surprises.
McDonald’s aims for 50K units by 2027, plans AI deployment
Dive Brief: McDonald’s is plotting the fastest growth period in the company’s history, aiming to reach 50,000 units by the end of 2027, the company announced Wednesday ahead of its 2023 Investor Day presentation. The burger chain operated 41,198 restaurants in more than 100 countries as of Sept. 30. This expansion clip would translate to between 4% and 5% annual unit growth, and roughly 1,000 gross restaurant openings in the U.S. and international operated markets in 2027.
McDonald’s aims for 50K units by 2027, plans AI deployment
McDonald’s is plotting the fastest growth period in the company’s history, aiming to reach 50,000 units by the end of 2027, the company announced Wednesday ahead of its 2023 Investor Day presentation. The burger chain operated 41,198 restaurants in more than 100 countries as of Sept. 30. This expansion clip would translate to between 4% and 5% annual unit growth, and roughly 1,000 gross restaurant openings in the U.S. and international operated markets in 2027.
Fueling Up: People hate Wawa’s pizza. Here’s what the company can do about it.
Fueling Up is a column from C-Store Dive offering a fresh perspective on the top news and trends in the convenience store industry. Few events grabbed the attention of both the c-store industry and consumers this year more than when Wawa threw its hat into the pizza ring.
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