Identifying key brand ingredients. More third-party delivery news. Plus, consumer confidence takes a dip. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Plus, technology’s role in restaurants’ recruitment and retention efforts. Middleby brews a new division. Consumer outlook takes a turn.

Plus, Taco Bell’s big appetite for growth. Small business owners' uncertain outlook. These stories and more, This Week in Foodservice.

Initial thoughts on The NAFEM Show. A closer look at the state of the independent operator. More tariff talk. These stories and more, This Week in Foodservice.

What’s Dine Brands’ plan for dual-branded Applebee’s/IHOP locations in 2025? Which restaurant chain is using AI to modernize its kitchens? How have consumers reacted to all the tariff talk? Answers to these questions and more This Week in Foodservice.

Welbilt plans a bigger Texas presence. CPK refines its approach to non-traditional locations. Popeye’s and Freshii update their equipment packages. Kudos to KaTom’s president. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

How is return to office impacting restaurants? What’s new at Jason’s Deli? How did Chili’s become America’s favorite restaurant? Plus, a breakdown of how proposed tariffs might impact foodservice operators and the industry’s supply chain.

One chain uses AI to enhance the guest experience. Consumers’ mindset is a focus of two studies. A legendary member of the National Restaurant Association team announces his retirement: these stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Can virtual brands have a real impact on brick and mortar? What’s driving Shake Shack’s appetite for growth? Can three chains operate under one roof? Answers to these questions and more This Week in Foodservice. 

If you give a robot lemons can it help make lemonade? How has CosMc’s orbit changed? How are c-stores satisfying consumers caffeine cravings? Which foodservice equipment manufacturer is updating its Texas presence? How can you support restaurants impacted by the California wildfires? Answers to these questions and more This Week in Foodservice.

Chicken’s finger-licking appeal. Meet a concept that emphasizes community and convenience. Recognition for a world-renowned chef’s humanitarian efforts. Hoshizaki updates its distribution network. Fears abound about the latest fee imposed by a major metropolitan city. These stories and more, This Week in Foodservice.

Why are activist investors taking an interest in the restaurant space? Can an iconic fast-casual chain learn new tricks? Where is Parts Town’s new fulfillment center? Answers to these questions and more This Week in Foodservice.

A legendary local gets a new owner, while another legacy brand plots its comeback. Plus, small business operators’ optimistic outlook. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Movie theaters regain the spotlight. A New England chain goes the fast-casual route. Ghost kitchens prove to be anything but haunting. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Chipotle reaches a milestone. Examining Domino’s recent success. The staying power of the value meal. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Subway rolls out a design update. Sodexo expands its East Coast operations. Restaurant sales keep rolling. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Another chain gets acquired out of bankruptcy. C-stores continue to expand their footprint. Consolidation comes to the robotics and automation segment. These stories and a few more This Week in Foodservice.

Can McDonald’s franchisees repair their ice cream machines? Which trade association changed its name? Answers to these questions and more – lots more – This Week in Foodservice.

Casual dining continues to have its struggles on both the national and regional levels.

Restaurant industry sales grew in September. Dirty sodas are having a moment. Pizza Hut gets nostalgic. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

C-stores continue to act more like restaurants. Solo dining is having a moment. A chain prepares to unveil a new take on the café experience. Restaurant remodeling gains momentum. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Restaurant industry performance remains a mixed bag. An Olympic athlete prepares to go for gold in the restaurant industry. Chain restaurants continue to expand their footprint: these stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

How are consumers reacting to higher restaurant prices? Which chain is mulling its financial options? How is Firehouse Subs spicing up its guest experience? Answers to these questions and more This Week in Foodservice.

What do reduced interest rates mean for the restaurant industry? How can telling its story help a restaurant withstand the tests of time? What can chain restaurants learn from independent operators? How has inflation impacted school foodservice spending? Answers to these questions and more This Week in Foodservice.

What is in store for the Infinite Kitchen? Which chains filed for bankruptcy this week? Answers to these questions and more This Week in Foodservice.

Which high-profile merger was called off? How did 7-Eleven’s parent company respond to a potential merger? What’s the latest on Red Lobster’s bankruptcy plan? And which broadline distributor just made a large commitment to Feeding America’s Direct to Neighbor initiative? Answers to these questions and more This Week in Foodservice.

How did restaurants fare in July? Why is a shareholder taking Starbucks to court? Who is Henry, the fry robot? Answers to these questions and more This Week in Foodservice.

Chick-fil-A continues its digital dance, Taco Bell rethinks breakfast and Los Angeles lets the robots roll. One fast-casual chain files for bankruptcy, while another seemingly gets closer to doing so, too. Two concepts change owners while another gets a financial boost. Plus, consumer confidence improves. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

From inflation to inflated labor rates to consumers feeling the pinch, well, everywhere, operators faced no shortage of business challenges during the first part of 2024. Yet the results were far from universal. Some chains had success while others struggled to generate customer traffic and some restaurant chains even filed for bankruptcy.

IFMA looks at operator spending for the rest of 2024, while digital kitchens remain in bloom for a fast-casual chain. Also, we look at some of the fastest hiring chains and the rise of solo dining This Week in Foodservice.