Pizza Hut’s $1.2B China Sale Shakes Up Market
Yum! Brands has finalized a $1.2B deal to transfer Pizza Hut China to Yum China Holdings, signaling big strategic moves for both global franchisors and operators.
Aug 7, 2026
Yum! Brands has finalized a $1.2B deal to transfer Pizza Hut China to Yum China Holdings, signaling big strategic moves for both global franchisors and operators.
Aug 7, 2026
Panera Bread appoints industry veteran Andy Rebhun as Chief Marketing Officer, ushering in a new era of brand growth and consumer engagement.
Aug 7, 2026
Portillo’s trims 18% of its corporate staff in a bid to refocus resources on restaurant excellence and navigate operational challenges. Discover what the changes mean for the chain’s future.
Aug 7, 2026
Scheduling software helps restaurants save time, control labor costs, improve communication, prevent conflicts, support compliance, and make smarter staffing decisions.
Aug 5, 2026
Portillo’s trims corporate and field roles by 18% in a strategic shake-up to support future growth after soft traffic and sales. Read what this means for multi-unit operators.
Aug 6, 2026
Dutch Bros invests $105 million to acquire Salad and Go’s closed locations, targeting rapid expansion in key southern markets. Learn what this means for multi-unit restaurant owners and operators.
Aug 6, 2026
Salad and Go's bankruptcy and closure offer key lessons on growth, risk management, and market dynamics for restaurant leaders. See what every operator can learn.
Aug 5, 2026
Learn how to calculate prime cost, track food and labor expenses, measure percentages, identify problems, and improve restaurant profitability consistently.
Aug 5, 2026
Portillo’s announces industry veteran Kevin Kalicak as its new CFO and Treasurer, underscoring the brand’s growth strategy and financial vision.
Aug 5, 2026
Skye Anderson will lead McDonald's USA as its new president, stepping in to accelerate growth and revive sales. Learn how her leadership could shape the future of the restaurant industry.
Aug 4, 2026
Direct orders tighten control over guest relationships, while loyalty programs shift to experiential growth. A new era for pizza delivery unfolds.
Photo by Lukas Bee.
Direct orders are taking center stage as pizza operators balance two core pressures: rising third-party commissions and the erosion of first-party data. Aggregators offer breadth and convenience, but brands worry about losing control of the guest relationship and the long-term value of repeat visits. In this new reality, loyalty and direct-order initiatives are no longer optional; they are strategic must-haves that define the path to sustainable growth. The industry sees the battlefield shift from breadth to the quality of the owned channel experience. The short-term uplift from marketplace networks is acknowledged, but the real prize is a frictionless journey that keeps guests on owned platforms. The time to act is now: Stage is set for a direct-to-consumer pivot:
Direct orders are taking center stage as pizza operators balance two core pressures: rising third-party commissions and the erosion of first-party data. Aggregators offer breadth and convenience, but brands worry about losing control of the guest relationship and the long-term value of repeat visits. In this new reality, loyalty and direct-order initiatives are no longer optional; they are strategic must-haves that define the path to sustainable growth. The industry sees the battlefield shift from breadth to the quality of the owned channel experience. The short-term uplift from marketplace networks is acknowledged, but the real prize is a frictionless journey that keeps guests on owned platforms. The time to act is now: Stage is set for a direct-to-consumer pivot:
Zach Goldstein, founder and CEO of Thanx, puts the market reality bluntly: “It’s been proven that the answer is yes, you have to play with third-party. It’s part of how diners expect to get food from restaurants.” Yet he cautions there’s a data gap. “It’s a battle for the lifetime value of the customer. It’s very difficult to drive repeat purchasing from customers on third-party when you don’t really have a way to influence them.” The takeaway is plain: efficiency and frictionless digital experiences on owned channels are the new battleground for repeat visits, even as brands acknowledge the short-term uplift from third-party networks. Success hinges on aligning orders, loyalty, and data access in one seamless flow. The market is testing this alignment now, with early pilots and measured metrics guiding the way: