PJ's Coffee Joins C-Store Franchise Lineup
Estepp Energy, known for multi-unit brands like Little Caesars, is adding PJ's Coffee to its Kentucky convenience stores, marking a strategic expansion into specialty coffee.
Jun 24, 2026
Estepp Energy, known for multi-unit brands like Little Caesars, is adding PJ's Coffee to its Kentucky convenience stores, marking a strategic expansion into specialty coffee.
Jun 24, 2026
A seasonal menu helps restaurants attract repeat customers, match seasonal demand, control food costs, promote limited-time items, and improve profitability.
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Noodles & Company partners with Coca-Cola to launch an exclusive Fanta Vanilla Cherry Spritz, paired with limited-time Mac & Cheese deals for July. Learn how this innovative LTO strategy can inspire your restaurant’s menu innovation!
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Miso Robotics has acquired Zume Pizza’s technology deck, giving new life to pizza automation and food robotics for forward-thinking restaurant operators.
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Carl's Jr. has launched a "Pass on Jack" marketing campaign rewarding loyalty members with a free Sourdough Star burger for driving past a Jack in the Box to reach a Carl's Jr. location- a direct shot at its California-based burger rival.
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Discover how the Korpal brothers are driving Golden Chick's expansion across Texas with innovative operational strategies, team culture, and community engagement.
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Taco Bell launches L.O.C.O.S., an international marketing initiative leveraging emotional support tacos and immersive brand experiences across global markets. Discover how this strategy sets new industry benchmarks.
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A restaurant is ready to franchise when its systems, numbers, brand, training, supply chain, legal structure, and support can scale.A restaurant is ready to franchise when its systems, numbers, brand
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Domino's has announced that CEO Russell Weiner will retire on October 1, with COO and US President Joe Jordan named as his successor- a leadership transition that comes as the pizza giant pursues its most ambitious growth targets yet.
Jun 23, 2026
Starbucks is hiring more than 300 coffeehouse coaches nationwide following a successful 62-store pilot, as the coffee giant works to double store leadership capacity and fill 90% of retail leadership roles through internal promotions.
Jun 23, 2026
Discover the latest menu innovations at Panera Bread with Scott Uehlein taking over as VP of Culinary. Learn about the brand's evolution and recent menu transformations.


With an impressive background in menu development and culinary excellence in chain restaurants, Scott Uehlein's appointment as the vice president of culinary at Panera Bread marks a significant shift for the brand. Uehlein's extensive experience, including roles at Papa Johns, MOD Pizza, and Sonic Drive-In, brings a wealth of knowledge and innovation to Panera's culinary team.

Uehlein's track record speaks for itself, with notable achievements such as winning the 2018 MenuMasters Award for "Healthful Innovation" during his time at Sonic Drive-In. The creation of the Signature Slinger, a dish that incorporated mushrooms into the ground beef, showcased his commitment to healthful and inventive menu offerings. This background hints at a promising future for Panera Bread's menu under his leadership.

Panera Bread's recent menu evolution under Uehlein's guidance has been evident, with the launch of the Asiago Bagel Stacks as a prime example. These new offerings, priced at $7.99 each, featuring sandwiches like Chicken Roma, Spicy Steak, and Zesty Tuscan, highlight the brand's commitment to using popular ingredients in innovative ways to delight customers.

Noteworthy was Panera's significant menu overhaul nearly a year ago, described as the largest in the brand's history. This transformation included the introduction of 20 menu updates, encompassing nine new items and the elimination of categories like flatbreads. Additionally, the brand made changes to its ingredient claims and manufacturing processes to align with evolving consumer preferences and culinary trends.
Over the past year, Panera Bread has continued to refine its menu offerings, bringing back beloved items like sesame seed and blueberry bagels while introducing new items such as avocado toast and a spicy chicken sandwich. These updates reflect the brand's agility in responding to consumer demands while staying true to its core values of quality and innovation.
The recent departure of Panera Brands CEO José Alberto Dueñas has brought about changes in the brand's leadership structure. As the parent company of Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee, and Einstein Brands, these shifts are poised to impact the overall strategic direction and culinary landscape of these beloved chains. However, with Scott Uehlein's expertise leading Panera Bread's culinary team, the future looks promising for continued menu innovation and culinary excellence.
As Scott Uehlein settles into his role at Panera Bread, customers can anticipate further menu developments and culinary delights under his culinary vision. With a focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Panera's menu is set to evolve in exciting ways, catering to the ever-changing tastes of its loyal patrons.