Hardee's Taps Alisa Gmelich as New President
CKE Restaurants names marketing veteran Alisa Gmelich President of Hardee's, tasking her with rebuilding franchisee trust and driving growth.
Oct 7, 2026
CKE Restaurants names marketing veteran Alisa Gmelich President of Hardee's, tasking her with rebuilding franchisee trust and driving growth.
Oct 7, 2026
Understand overtime rules for restaurant employees, including eligibility, pay calculations, hours worked, compliance requirements, timekeeping, and overtime management.
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POS data helps restaurant owners control food costs by improving purchasing, reducing waste, optimizing portions, analyzing profitability, and managing inventory.
Oct 7, 2026
Hangry Joe's promotes insider Brandon Wilhelm to CEO, prioritizing franchisee profitability over rapid unit growth as the chain expands past 90 locations.
Oct 6, 2026
Portillo's chief people officer Jill Waite departs as new CEO Brett Patterson reshapes leadership with layoffs and fresh executive hires.
Oct 6, 2026
Uber is paying $2.3 billion to acquire ezCater, merging its catering network into Uber Eats and Uber for Business to enter workplace catering.
Oct 6, 2026
A new lawsuit claims McDonald's pricing tool pressures franchisees into algorithmic price-fixing, raising fresh antitrust questions for the chain.
Oct 6, 2026
True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, closing 12 locations and shrinking to 34 restaurants across 14 states amid $42.1 million in debt.
Oct 5, 2026
Snooze Eatery names industry veteran Amy Hom as COO, starting Sept. 28, to strengthen hospitality and operations ahead of its next growth phase.
Oct 5, 2026
Opening a second restaurant location requires readiness, clear goals, financial planning, funding, smart strategy, standardized operations, strong teams, and careful launch monitoring for sustainable growth.
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Discover how Chipotle's collaboration with Alsea can revolutionize its international expansion and market reach.

Partnering with Alsea presents Chipotle with a unique opportunity to tap into diverse international markets. With Alsea's extensive presence across various countries, including Mexico, Spain, Argentina, and several others, Chipotle gains access to a wide range of consumer bases and preferences. This strategic alliance allows Chipotle to leverage Alsea's local expertise and established infrastructure to navigate unfamiliar territories effectively. By aligning with a seasoned operator like Alsea, Chipotle can accelerate its global expansion plans and enhance brand visibility on a global scale.

Alsea's experience in managing both QSRs and full-service restaurants positions Chipotle for strategic market penetration. The operator's successful partnerships with renowned U.S. brands demonstrate its ability to adapt to diverse market segments and consumer demands. By joining forces with Alsea, Chipotle can leverage this expertise to tailor its offerings to local preferences, ensuring a seamless entry into new markets. This collaborative approach not only facilitates market entry but also establishes a strong foundation for sustained growth and brand loyalty in international territories.

Chipotle's long-term vision of reaching 7,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada reflects its ambitious growth strategy. With over 3,700 units already in operation, the brand's focus on opening 315 to 345 new restaurants this year underscores its commitment to expansion. The company's emphasis on international units, particularly in Canada and the U.K., highlights the significance of global markets in its growth trajectory. By concentrating on key regions like Canada and the Middle East for growth opportunities, Chipotle aims to diversify its revenue streams and strengthen its market position.
During Chipotle's Q4 2024 earnings call, CEO Scott Boatwright emphasized the importance of exploring new markets and validating the economic viability of expansion plans. Boatwright's emphasis on building a growth pipeline in Europe and expanding into adjacent markets underscores Chipotle's strategic intent to capitalize on untapped opportunities. The positive performance indicators in the U.K. signal a positive outlook for Chipotle's international ventures, paving the way for potential expansion into Western Europe and beyond. Boatwright's vision of establishing thousands of restaurants in new markets signifies the brand's confidence in its partnership with Alsea and the potential for sustained growth on a global scale.