CAVA’s leadership believes its success has less to do with bowls and more to do with building a differentiated cuisine category that continues to attract consumers across income levels, markets, and occasions. Speaking at Bernstein’s Strategic Decisions Conference, CEO Brett Schulman and CFO Tricia Tolivar outlined a growth strategy based on value, hospitality, disciplined pricing, […]
For a brief moment, Clover Food Lab seemed destined to become another casualty of the industry’s difficult post-pandemic recovery. The Boston-area plant-based chain announced in late May that it would close all of its restaurants after years of grappling with inflation, lingering shifts in consumer behavior, and a challenging fundraising environment. The company had already […]
Chipotle has been making big marketing moves recently, with the hire of Chief Brand Officer Fernando Machado, a man who changed the face of QSR marketing at Burger King. We’ve yet to get any hints of the approach Machado will take at Chipotle, and how he might match some of his wild and experimental Burger […]
The state of quick-serve restaurants is in uncharted territory. While no stranger to challenges, QSRs are battling both stiff competition and shifting consumer confidence. QSRs, like many businesses, are also impacted by financial and consumer factors beyond their control. Furthermore, the way QSRs interact with guests is changing, whether through human-to-human interaction or visit frequency. […]
Clover Food Lab isn’t shutting down after all. The plant-based chain will reopen on June 9 after previously announcing that it had to shutter all locations because of the lingering effects of COVID, unbearable inflation, and a lack of funding. Breakfast service will return on June 10. When operations resume next week, Clover will focus […]
Some analysts have suggested Chipotle is too busy. Not in the consumer sense, but in the number of initiatives unfurling across the brand, from menu to equipment to digital. But CEO Scott Boatwright counters this is nothing new. Chipotle is merely being more transparent given what’s happened over the past year. And one note he […]
It appears Yum! Brands and Pizza Hut are closer to parting ways. Reuters and Bloomberg reported that Yum! is discussing selling the pizza giant to private equity firm LongRange Capital. A potential agreement could be finalized in weeks. Sycamore Partners and Apollo Global Management were among other firms in talks to buy the brand. The […]
Ice cream concept Salt & Straw is reportedly exploring a sale that could value it at over $200 million, according to Reuters. The publication noted that Salt & Straw, which has roughly 60 locations nationwide, earns more than $100 million in annual revenue. The brand is working with investment bank Piper Sandler. “Over the years, […]
Paris Baguette continues to plant shops across North America. The bakery-café brand is on pace to reach 400 North American locations this year and plans to open 150 more units in 2026 after expanding into 10 new states and Canadian provinces in 2025. The is also company investing in the infrastructure needed to support that […]
For nearly 70 years, McDonald’s has measured itself against a simple promise. As CEO Chris Kempczinski reminded employees and franchisees in a recent systemwide message, founder Ray Kroc built the company around “great tasting food, served with a smile, at a good value.” The formula helped transform McDonald’s into the world’s largest restaurant brand. Now, […]
