
Cracker Barrel’s CEO reset: Is Bloomin’ Brands’ David Deno the right fit to rebuild brand trust?
Cracker Barrel appoints David Deno as CEO to rebuild trust
Restaurant Business is a publication in Burnaze's franchise knowledge graph, mentioned since 2016. 741 stories link here, each summarized from the original publisher. * El Pollo Loco CEO Liz Williams and P.F. Chang's CEO Jim Mazany will discuss brand transformation in an executive exchange session, focusing on driving innovation and growth while staying true to their brand roots and values [[2026-10-30 Leader to Leader, An Executive Exchange Session - The Foundation of an Influenti (a256ad)]]. * DoorDash has proposed a $17 billion acquisition of Instacart, a grocery delivery company, which could increase its dominance in the delivery market and give it more leverage over restaurants and supermarket brands [[2026-10-30 How will the DoorDash-Instacart deal affect restaurants (1bb87d)]]. * Christine Barone, CEO of Dutch Bros, is being honored as the 2026 Restaurant Leader of the Year for leading Dutch Bros to significant growth and transforming the drive-thru experience [[2026-10-30 Restaurant Leader Of the Year Award and Fireside Chat (52fca0)]]. * Burger King's King Jr. meals have seen a 40% sales growth, driven by adults, with the company's same-store sales rising 8.4% in the U.S. last quarter [[2026-10-30 More Burger King customers are getting kids’ meals, and not just kids (555035)]]. * NCR Voyix has launched Aloha Next, a modern and nimble POS system, which is being tested by Bruster's Ice Cream and will be rolled out to its 230 locations by the end of next year [[2026-10-30 NCR Voyix rolls out a more modern Aloha (af35d7)]]. * Chipotle's recruitment of Fernando Machado as chief brand officer has led to successful marketing campaigns, including the 100 Creators campaign and limited-time offers like Pollo Asado and Chili Lime Chips [[2026-10-29 Chipotle’s BOGO barrage is paying off (ba27cf)]]. * Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management has made an official offer to buy Wendy's for $7.35 per share, a 20% premium from the company's closing price on Tuesday [[2026-10-29 Nelson Peltz tries buying low on Wendy’s (260d6f)]]. * PopUp Bagels, a bagel concept, ranked first in the 2026 Future 50 list after starting its first drive-thru in 2021 and expanding to 23 locations through franchising by 2025 [[2026-10-29 PopUp Bagels (a10830)]]. * Qahwah House, a Yemeni coffee cafe, has expanded to 29 locations across the US with $28.8 million in sales, a 56% year-over-year increase [[2026-10-29 Qahwah House (7e8b08)]]. * Prince Street Pizza, founded by the Morano family in 2012, has expanded across the US and Canada with a menu featuring traditional and specialty pizzas [[2026-10-29 Prince Street Pizza (bb00e2)]]. * Toastique's founder Brianna Keefe opened the chain's first location in Washington, D.C. and has since expanded to over 65 locations nationally through franchising [[2026-10-29 Toastique (578b8c)]]. * Mexican Sugar Cocina,

Cracker Barrel appoints David Deno as CEO to rebuild trust

Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright aims for 7,000 units in North America.

In the end, the Fat Brands bankruptcy process didn’t take that long after all.

Noodles & Company CEO Joe Christina reports 10.3% same-store sales growth

Create Restaurant Group acquires Hazelwood Food and Drink for $23.1 million.

Wendy's evolves loyalty program with merchandise drops and exclusive rewards

The Phoenix-based chain said Thursday that it has rolled out enhancements to signature salads, refreshed ingredients, and upgraded flavor profiles, and added a new flame-seared steak as a protein option.

In August 2017, the late, great Kent Taylor was asked about third-party delivery, which was just bursting onto the scene at the time.

Three experts discuss restaurant financing options and importance of pacing yourself.

How will Jersey Mike’s upcoming IPO impact the market for restaurant mergers and acquisitions?

When Nick Wuest arrived at Shake Shack in 2019, lemonade was the only housemade drink on the menu, with one or two flavor extensions.

Mark King returns to the restaurant business as interim CEO of Jack in the Box

Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner homed in on increased order counts during the company’s second-quarter earnings call earlier this week, noting that they fuel long-term growth for both the brand and its franchisees.
Burger King president Tom Curtis says the chain is only 20% finished with its improvements.
Years before the beverage boom boomed, Sharon Arthofer had an inkling that the time was right for innovation in the drink world.

Red Lobster restaurants are getting their biggest facelift in years as the chain continues its trek back from bankruptcy.

Taco Bell traffic drops after cyclospora outbreak affects 4 states

Restaurant investors demand proof over promises with valuations at 5 to 10x EBITDA

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream surges with 173 units and 621% sales growth

Texas Roadhouse doesn’t really need to offer delivery. It’s one of the hottest restaurant chains in the industry, currently riding a streak of positive same-store sales that dates back to 2010, excluding the pandemic.

This is from the weekly restaurant finance newsletter The Bottom Line.

Shipley Do-Nuts expects to have a good 2026, certainly from a development perspective.

P. Terry's Burger Stand adopts Employee Ownership Trust to prevent private-equity buyout

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive looks at the cyclospora outbreak, which has now been linked to lettuce from Taylor Farms served at Taco Bell locations.