Dave Shula Returns as President of Shula's Restaurant Group
Dave Shula rejoins Shula's Restaurant Group as president, leading growth into Palm Beach Gardens and a 2027 Thomasville, Georgia expansion.
Sep 23, 2026
Dave Shula rejoins Shula's Restaurant Group as president, leading growth into Palm Beach Gardens and a 2027 Thomasville, Georgia expansion.
Sep 23, 2026
McDonald's commits $8.5 billion through 2036 to modernize restaurants, boost cash flow by $100,000 per store, and grow chicken and beverage sales.
Sep 23, 2026
WKS Restaurant Group promotes Jay Spongberg to president and COO after he helped grow the company from 65 to 382 restaurants over 16 years.
Sep 23, 2026
Smokey Mo's BBQ names Von Dawson, a Dine Brands veteran, as VP of Franchise Development to lead its Texas expansion strategy.
Sep 23, 2026
Meritage Hospitality's Chapter 11 filing pulls 5% of Wendy's U.S. stores into bankruptcy, exposing cracks in franchising's bigger-is-safer bet.
Sep 21, 2026
Jack in the Box names Rachel Ruggeri to its board as Michael Murphy retires, amid a CEO transition and deal with investor GreenWood.
Sep 21, 2026
Improve restaurant Google Maps rankings by optimizing your business profile, selecting accurate categories, gathering reviews, adding photos, and strengthening local relevance signals.
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Restaurant inventory tracking helps owners monitor stock, control food costs, reduce waste, improve purchasing, and make informed operational decisions.
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Explore the latest trends in restaurant operations, sales performance, and consumer preferences. Learn about the shift from vegetable oil to beef tallow in cooking and its impact on customer satisfaction.
Photo by S O C I A L . C U T
The recent ICR Conference provided valuable insights into the current state of the restaurant industry. Operators emerged cautiously optimistic about sales trends and returning foot traffic. Many brands shared their fourth-quarter results during the conference, highlighting improved performance. Despite this positive outlook, the year 2024 concluded with a slight downturn in restaurant sales, indicating a need for strategic adjustments to boost revenue.
Photo by S O C I A L . C U T
According to retail sales data from the U.S. Census, restaurant and bar sales experienced a 0.3% decline in December compared to November. While there was a 2.4% increase from the previous year, this growth rate was lower than the 3.6% rise in menu prices during the same period. This discrepancy signals a potential mismatch between pricing strategies and consumer spending habits, necessitating a reevaluation of pricing models to align with market dynamics.
Photo by S O C I A L . C U T
Steak ‘n Shake's decision to switch from vegetable oil to beef tallow for frying its french fries reflects a broader movement towards traditional cooking methods. The use of beef tallow aims to enhance the authentic flavor of shoestring fries, catering to consumers seeking a nostalgic culinary experience. This change not only aligns with consumer preferences for minimally processed ingredients but also taps into the growing demand for 'heritage' cooking techniques that evoke a sense of tradition and quality.
The shift from vegetable oil to beef tallow has sparked varied reactions among consumers. While some applaud the move as a return to classic flavors and healthier options, others express concerns over the higher saturated fat content of beef tallow. This debate underscores the complexity of balancing taste preferences with nutritional considerations in the evolving landscape of food choices. Moreover, the industry's response to this change may set a precedent for future culinary trends and operational decisions within the restaurant sector.