Popular Articles

July Food-Service and Lodging Hires Nearly Matched Departures

July accommodation and food-service hires nearly matched separations. The September JOLTS release shows why stable headcount can still require substantial recruiting.

SEP 1, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

APR 24, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

HEAL’s Toronto plan adds a company store to franchise growth

The planned Queen Street West opening sits alongside 39 reported open locations and a much larger development pipeline.

June’s Hospitality Jobs Decline Calls for a Closer Look at Summer Hiring

June’s employment report points to weaker seasonal hiring. Restaurant staffing decisions still depend on local demand, shift coverage and retention.

JUL 2, 2026 · 4 MIN READ

finance

MAR 20, 2026 · 8 MIN READ

The Franchise Disclosure Document Red Flags Every Buyer Misses

The FDD is 300+ pages of legal disclosure that most franchise buyers barely skim. Items 7, 19, and 20 contain the most critical financial information, and the red flags hiding in them can mean the difference between a profitable franchise and a $2 million mistake.

MAR 24, 2026 · 6 MIN READ

The Restaurant Tech Delusion: Why 53% of CEOs Think Systems Work While Only 17% of Operators Agree

Qu's seventh annual Restaurant Technology Benchmark Report reveals a striking gap between C-suite confidence and operational reality: 53% of CEOs report no major system instability affecting their brand, while only 17% of their own operational leaders agree. The report is a warning shot for any chain betting on AI to solve problems their foundational systems cannot yet handle.

marketing

Marketing & Growth

Panda puts brisket at the center of its summer barbecue dish

Panda schedules Cantonese BBQ Brisket for June 2 through August 10, while supplies last. Point and flat cuts and a char siu-style glaze define the summer dish.

MAY 28, 2026 · 2 MIN READ

OCT 11, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

Kinetic12 plans to bring MenuData research into foodservice consulting

Kinetic12 plans to use MenuData’s menu, flavor and pricing intelligence in foodservice consulting.

operations

Operations & Management

Mokas’ nine-store agreement spans Missouri counties and three Kansas cities

Cornerstone’s Mokas agreement covers six Missouri locations and three Kansas markets. Its 2027 opening target sits alongside an earlier franchisee’s separately staged development plan.

AUG 26, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

MAY 16, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

Bear Robotics introduces Servi Q for tighter restaurant routes

The Servi Q launch claims an 18-inch minimum passage and reverse movement, adding a compact option to Bear’s service-robot lineup.

MAY 12, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

Restaurant365’s AI Launch Has Two Different Adoption Timelines

A May 12 availability map separates current tools from early-access projects. Employee records and reporting definitions will shape the work behind either choice.

SEP 25, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

Starbucks plans 250 North American closures

Starbucks estimates $300 million in restructuring charges and lowers its global net-opening forecast to about 440.

Riko’s buys two franchise restaurants without adding system locations

Riko’s completed its purchase of Merrick and Levittown restaurants August 31. The transfer changes ownership within a 13-location system as another Long Island site remains planned.

SEP 1, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

OCT 13, 2026 · 1 MIN READ

MarginEdge: Fast-casual sales growth tops full service’s in September

September’s reported sales-growth gap was 4.88 percentage points.

finance

APR 28, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

Starbucks traffic rises as North American operating profit falls

North American revenue rose $421.1 million while operating income fell $68.4 million. A constant-margin comparison helps explain the size of the gap.