How to Calculate the Right Menu Price for Each Item
Learn how to calculate menu price by analyzing ingredient costs, labor, overhead, demand, and contribution margin for stronger restaurant profits.
Jun 17, 2026
Learn how to calculate menu price by analyzing ingredient costs, labor, overhead, demand, and contribution margin for stronger restaurant profits.
Jun 17, 2026
Explore best Areas in Chicago to open a restaurant by matching neighborhood demand, concept type, costs, traffic, and customer behavior.
Jun 17, 2026
BJ's Restaurants has appointed Monika Saxena as brand president, bringing over two decades of experience from LongHorn Steakhouse and Darden Restaurants, where she helped drive 20 consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales growth.
Jun 17, 2026
Blue Bottle Coffee has introduced Kyoto-Style Espresso, a slow-drip cold espresso made without machines, launching across its 152 global locations on June 16 with seven new cold drinks designed specifically for the way modern customers order coffee.
Jun 17, 2026
Hungry Howie's has appointed Jimmy Simonte as Executive Vice President of Marketing, bringing more than 25 years of Domino's experience to the Michigan-born pizza brand as it undergoes a major technology overhaul and prepares to launch a new loyalty programme.
Jun 17, 2026
Starbucks CFO Cathy Smith is transferring her principal accounting officer role to Val Bauduin, who will continue serving as SVP of corporate finance and development while reporting to Smith amid the chain's ongoing turnaround.
Jun 17, 2026
Yum Brands has agreed to sell Pizza Hut through two separate transactions totalling $2.7 billion, with Long Range Capital acquiring the global business for $1.5 billion and Yum China Holdings purchasing the China operations for $1.2 billion.
Jun 16, 2026
Scooter's Coffee is running a buy-one-get-one drink offer from June 19 to 21, available exclusively through its mobile app after 11 a.m.- giving customers three days to treat dad to a free drink this Father's Day weekend.
Jun 16, 2026
A group of Twin Peaks franchisees has been named strategic advisor to the chain's new owners following its sale out of bankruptcy, with a clear path to acquiring the brand outright within the next 12 to 16 months.
Jun 16, 2026
Denny's is launching The Clock's Off Menu on June 24, combining breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites available any time of day, alongside new Slammin' Meal Deals Under $10 and exciting rewards for new members.
Jun 16, 2026
Explore how Santhosh Kumar, the new Chief Information Officer at Panera Bread, is poised to drive technological advancements and innovation at the prominent bakery cafe chain.


Santhosh Kumar, with a stellar background in technology leadership, has transitioned from his role as the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at United Natural Food to the position of Chief Information Officer at Panera Bread, a move highly anticipated within the industry. With his commencement scheduled for February 12, Kumar's responsibilities will include steering Panera Bread’s extensive technology organization, overseeing the development, integration, and deployment of technology solutions at over 2,200 cafes.

Panera Bread has consistently been a trailblazer in adopting cutting-edge technologies to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiencies. The introduction of drive-thru AI in 2022 and the pilot testing of Amazon One palm scanners in 2023 are just a few examples of the brand's commitment to innovation. These initiatives align seamlessly with Kumar's expertise, positioning him as a catalyst for further advancements within the company.

During his tenure at United Natural Food, Santhosh Kumar spearheaded transformative projects such as a multi-year warehouse modernization program and cloud migrations, driving significant operational enhancements and cost savings for the organization. His deep understanding of core application modernization, retail point-of-sales systems, and electronic payment technologies will undoubtedly bring a fresh perspective to Panera Bread's technological landscape.

Prior to his role at United Natural Food, Kumar garnered over two decades of experience at Dunkin' Brands, where he played a pivotal role in driving technological innovations. Notable achievements include the implementation of new POS and back-office systems across Dunkin' restaurants in the U.S. and the successful launch of Dunkin's loyalty program. Kumar's extensive background in leading global IT teams showcases his ability to drive widespread technological transformation.
As Panera Bread continues to expand its technological capabilities, the addition of Santhosh Kumar to the leadership team signifies a strategic move towards fostering innovation and growth. With recent hires in key positions such as brand and innovation, culinary, and development, Panera Bread is poised for a technology-driven evolution under Kumar's expert guidance.