Which is harder: getting into Harvard or landing a job at Dutch Bros? Which Middleby unit just re-branded itself? When will the impact of rising gas prices peak? Answers to these questions and more, This Week in Foodservice.

Which is tougher: getting into Harvard or getting a job at Dutch Bros? The answer might surprise you.

Last year, Dutch Bros received more than 780,000 job applications for “just” 19,000 open positions, per a Restaurant Business story. That’s a 2.4% acceptance rate. To put that into context, Harvard’s acceptance rate for its class of 2029 was 4.2%. And the demand is not just high among job seekers. The company has a pipeline of nearly 500 people waiting to be promoted to operate one of its new locations, the story added.

So, what’s the deal? “We create a fun, high-energy environment for our broistas while also providing clear and compelling futures through internal growth and leadership development,” said Dutch Bros CEO Christine Barone.

Foodservice News

• Higher gas prices are starting to take a toll on restaurant sales, per a CNBC story. As evidence, the story points toa 2.3% decline in consumer traffic during March compared to the same period last year. The story also notes that chains like Chipotle, Dominio’s, and Applebee’s reported softer sales in March. Some CEOs, though, see a challenging economic period as an opportunity to take sales from their competitors.
• Dine Brands plans to 80 dual-branded units open by the end of 2026, per a Restaurant Dive story. These mainly consist of its Applebee’s and IHOP locations. Remodels will also play a key role in Dine Brands’ tactics in the coming months. Applebee’s is in the second year of a remodel and the chain expects 40% of its units to be considered “current” by the end of the year.
• Another restaurant industry IPO is percolating. Dunkin’ parent company Inspire Brands has confidentially filed for an initial public offering, per various published reports, including this one from CNBC. Roark Capital, the private-equity firm that owns the multiconcept operator, is seeking a $20 billion valuation for Inspire Brands, which also owns such restaurant chains as Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and Jimmy John’s, among others. This is the second IPO in as many months. In April, Jersey Mike’s filed its plans to go public.
• Asian-inspired convenience stores are having a moment, according to C-Store Dive. Interest in the various aspects of Asian culture, including the food, is driving this trend and the popularity of operators such as Seoul Station and Busan Mart.
• Expect c-stores to continue to leverage quick-service restaurants to drive foot traffic. The latest example comes courtesy of Refuel, which is poised to open its first Whataburger unit, per a CSP Daily News Story. Refuel owns and operates more than 240 locations across five states. This comes on the heels of Refuel launching its grab and go program.
• Star Holdings Group will now go to market as Star Brands, per a company press release. A division of Middleby Corp., Star Brands consists of several foodservice equipment lines, including MagiKitch’n, Bakers Pride, Lang, Wells, Star and APW. 

Economic News

• Inflation rose by 3.8% for the 12-months ending in April 2026, per data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents the highest increase since May of 2023, per a CNBC analysis. The index for energy rose 3.8% in April, accounting for more than 40% of the monthly all items increase. The shelter index also increased in April, rising 0.6%. The index for food increased 0.5% over the month as the index for food at home rose 0.7% and the index for food away from home increased 0.2%.
• When will the impact of rising oil and gas prices finally peak? During the second quarter, per an analysis from The Conference Board. During that period, The Conference Board also projects inflation will peak at 4.0% and GDP growth will slow to 1.0%.
• The outlook among small business owners remains muted but stable. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index increased 0.1 points in April, which is positive. But at 95.9, the study remains below its 52-year average of 98.0. “Inflationary pressures continue to be a challenge for Main Street,” said Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB’s chief economist. “While small business optimism is currently fragile, the benefits of the Working Families Tax Cut Act should start to feed into the private sector over the next few months.”
• Existing-home sales increased 0.2% in April, per the National Association of Realtors. Month-over-month sales increased in the Midwest and South. “Despite mixed macroeconomic signals — including a record-high stock market and historically low consumer confidence — home sales were modestly boosted by the continued improvement in housing affordability,” said Dr. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “Mortgage rates are lower from a year ago, and average income growth is outpacing home price gains.”
• The U.S. economy added 115,000 jobs in April, per data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. At 4.3%, the unemployment rate was unchanged, per the BLS. Job creation was roughly twice what economists had projected, showing the resilience of the labor market, as this PBS Newshour story That said, labor force participation did decrease, showing some challenges on the supply side.
• Private employers added 109,000 jobs in April, per the ADP National Employment Report. Employers in the education and health services sector led the way adding 61,000 jobs. Closer to home, leisure and hospitality added 4,000 jobs.
• Labor productivity increased 0.8% in the first quarter of 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Output increased 1.5% and hours worked increased 0.7%. Compared to the same quarter in 2025, labor productivity increased 2.9% in the first quarter of 2026. Unit labor costs increased 2.3% in the first quarter of 2026.