Summer 2026 Restaurant Labor Law Updates.
Stay compliant with key restaurant labor regulations in Summer 2026, including minimum wage increases, scheduling laws, and retirement requirements.
Jul 24, 2026
Stay compliant with key restaurant labor regulations in Summer 2026, including minimum wage increases, scheduling laws, and retirement requirements.
Jul 24, 2026
Learn how to calculate, benchmark, track, and improve restaurant payroll percentage while balancing staffing costs, sales, service, and profitability effectively.
Jul 24, 2026
Cicis Pizza’s systemwide sales have surged over 50%, fueled by digital innovation, modern operations, and a revamped franchise strategy. Learn what restaurant owners can take away from Cicis’ transformation.
Jul 24, 2026
Discover how restaurant apps help owners manage labor, payroll, inventory, food safety, reporting, and back-office operations more efficiently every day.
Jul 24, 2026
Fogo de Chão has announced Daniel Duran as its new CFO, marking a strategic leadership transition designed to enhance global growth and financial innovation for the renowned restaurant brand.
Jul 24, 2026
KFC Global has selected experienced leader Maria Cacciapuoti as its new Chief Operations Officer. Discover how her extensive expertise will help shape KFC’s global operations and franchise partnerships.
Jul 23, 2026
Ziggi’s Coffee welcomes Stacey Pool as Chief Growth Officer to spearhead national expansion and enhance franchise profitability as the brand celebrates a decade of franchising success.
Jul 23, 2026
Portillo’s welcomes industry veteran Christopher Hansen as Executive Chef and Senior Director of Culinary Innovation to steer menu strategy and fuel national growth.
Jul 23, 2026
Cinnabon grows 30% in U.S. units, adding 308 net stores as flexible formats expand into travel centers and convenience; 95 more openings forecast and 359 in pipeline.
Jul 22, 2026
QDOBA targets 2,000 restaurants in 10 years, powered by franchising and recent securitizations, aiming for $5B sales, $2.7M AUV, and 28% margins.
Jul 22, 2026
Explore Sweetgreen's new SG Rewards program designed to cater to consumer desires for a flexible rewards program and its potential impact on the fast-casual industry.
Photo by Aubrey Odom
Sweetgreen, the acclaimed fast-casual salad chain, has recently unveiled its highly anticipated loyalty program, SG Rewards. This innovative program was strategically crafted in response to the evolving demands of today's consumers. Nicolas Jammet, Co-Founder of Sweetgreen, emphasized that SG Rewards is designed to offer unparalleled value, enhanced flexibility, and diverse ways for patrons to savor the Sweetgreen experience.
The SG Rewards program aims to redefine the traditional approach to loyalty programs by introducing a myriad of benefits. Members can expect not only exclusive deals and special perks but also daily surprises and personalized offers. This strategic shift towards a more fluid and engaging rewards system showcases Sweetgreen's commitment to enhancing customer satisfaction and retention.
To incentivize adoption and usage of the SG Rewards program, Sweetgreen has rolled out enticing time-limited perks. New members signing up and completing a purchase during April stand to earn a substantial 1,000 bonus points, equivalent to the rewards from a $100 expenditure. Existing members making eligible purchases before April 11 will also receive this generous bonus, translating to exciting benefits such as complimentary orders of Sweetgreen's popular air-fried Ripple Fries.
With a strategic vision towards transaction growth, Sweetgreen's SG Rewards program, coupled with investments in menu innovation and personalized offerings, is poised to drive positive momentum for the brand. Despite facing stiff competition in the fast-casual sector, Sweetgreen managed to achieve commendable traffic and same-store sales growth in the previous year. However, the brand remains focused on overcoming challenges and solidifying its position as the leader in the rapidly expanding fast-casual salad market.
In a dynamic market environment, Sweetgreen faces competition from emerging players like Just Salad, who are making strategic moves to challenge its market dominance. Just Salad's recent initiatives, such as offering heartier dinner options, introducing drive-thrus, and securing substantial capital investments, are reminiscent of Sweetgreen's innovative approach. As consumer preferences shift and industry dynamics evolve, Sweetgreen's ability to adapt and differentiate itself will be crucial in maintaining its competitive edge.