QSR.pro Weekly: Chipotle, Wendy's, Applebee's, Dutch Bros, and more.
Originally sent (Pacific)
Plus a Goodwill coach in nine Applebee's, Brinker's growth plan, 7 Brew's Salad and Go bid and a Wendy's franchisee in Chapter 11.
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Chipotle aims for an Apprentice in every company-owned restaurant
people ·
Chipotle plans to place an Apprentice in every company-owned restaurant by the end of 2027. The company said roughly three-quarters of its restaurants currently have someone in the role.
Apprentices help interview, schedule and train restaurant teams while preparing for the General Manager role. Chipotle said the expansion will create more opportunities for Crew Members to advance. It operates more than 4,200 company-owned restaurants and expects 350 to 370 openings in 2026.
Thrive put a Goodwill coach in nine Wichita restaurants
people ·
Thrive Restaurant Group put a Goodwill community success coach inside nine Wichita Applebee's restaurants. After one year, more than 80 of about 300 local employees had used the help, KLC Journal reported September 18.
The first four months had no requests. Nearly three-quarters of participants stayed, short of an 80% hope. Thrive has approved a national rollout with no date.
Brinker targets 30 annual restaurant openings by fiscal 2029
finance ·
Brinker International plans to reach 30 new restaurant openings a year by fiscal 2029. The Chili's parent is pairing new development with additional investment in remodeling existing restaurants.
The plan follows fiscal 2026, when Chili's company-owned comparable restaurant sales rose 9.2%. Brinker also forecast fiscal 2027 capital spending of $265 million to $285 million.
7 Brew outbids Dutch Bros for 72 Salad and Go drive-thrus
finance ·
7 Brew won the August 31 bankruptcy auction for 72 closed Salad and Go drive-thru leases. Dutch Bros had agreed in August to buy site assets at up to 65 of those locations and later declined to raise its bid. That agreement did not close.
The debtors listed cash consideration of $143,177,777.77 before site adjustments. Dutch Bros is the backup bidder for 60 days. The bankruptcy court has not approved the sale; a hearing is set for September 23.
Meritage files for Chapter 11, plans to keep restaurants operating
finance ·
Meritage Hospitality Group filed for Chapter 11 protection on September 17. In its announcement, the company said it expected its restaurants to keep operating during the restructuring.
Meritage said it operated 314 Wendy's restaurants and employed approximately 9,000 people when it filed. It was seeking debtor-in-possession financing and court approval to continue paying wages and benefits, and said it intended to pay suppliers for goods and services provided on or after the filing date.