Thomas Keller Group Settles EEOC Case for $2 Million
Thomas Keller Restaurant Group will pay $2M to settle an EEOC harassment and retaliation case tied to Bouchon Las Vegas, closing a long-running action from 2018.
Jul 19, 2026
Thomas Keller Restaurant Group will pay $2M to settle an EEOC harassment and retaliation case tied to Bouchon Las Vegas, closing a long-running action from 2018.
Jul 19, 2026
Fresh Kitchen names Bill Knopf and Matt Livingston to lead operations and development as the clean-label bowl brand targets growth beyond 100 locations.
Jul 18, 2026
Hardee’s franchisee Superior Star filed Chapter 11 after a 2023 deal revealed unpaid taxes, costly repairs, and lease burdens; plans to reject leases and refocus.
Jul 18, 2026
Cinnabon posted a net gain of 308 U.S. units in 2025 and launched Seattle’s Best Coffee in 2026 to boost beverage mix, margins, and franchise-driven expansion.
Jul 18, 2026
Craveworthy taps master franchisee Unisan Bowls to launch Genghis Grill and Dirty Dough in India, targeting Hyderabad first amid tight U.S. financing.
Jul 17, 2026
Buffalo Wild Wings launches Poppin’ Ranch, a 99-cent popping-candy ranch add-on, designed to spark sensory buzz and impulse trials ahead of Wing Day.
Jul 17, 2026
Wonder closed a $650M Series D at a $9B valuation to expand locations and invest in robotics, AI, and delivery tech, accelerating its automation-first restaurant model.
Jul 17, 2026
Understand sports bar startup expenses, including location, construction, kitchen equipment, televisions, licenses, insurance, staffing, supplies, and cash reserves for operations.
Jul 16, 2026
Learn how to increase restaurant sales during the World Cup final through smarter planning, staffing, promotions, inventory, menus, and operations.
Jul 16, 2026
Mother-daughter duo Ciara Boyce and Tracey Pidge bring Hotworx to Wasilla, the first of four Alaska studios, extending a fast-growing 800+ location brand.
Jul 16, 2026
Explore how Casey’s fresh food innovations, including specialty pizza flavors, cookies, and coffee assortment, are driving growth and customer satisfaction.
Photo by Barbara Burgess
Casey’s recent success can be attributed to its focus on fresh food innovations over traditional promotional activities. By introducing new and diverse menu offerings, such as specialty pizza flavors and hot sandwiches, the company has experienced significant growth. According to Rebelez, when the company gets innovation right, it leads to outsized growth, showcasing the importance of adapting to changing consumer preferences.
Photo by Barbara Burgess
One key element of Casey’s menu development strategy is its emphasis on unique and enticing flavors. The company's strength in the dessert subcategory, particularly with cookies, highlights how innovative flavors can attract customers looking for a sweet indulgence. By offering flavors that differ from standard packaged sweets, Casey’s has successfully tapped into a market of customers seeking affordable yet gourmet options.
Photo by Barbara Burgess
Rebelez noted a trend where customers are moving away from pricey packaged sweets towards more budget-friendly bakery items. This shift showcases the effectiveness of Casey’s strategy to align with changing consumer preferences. By providing bakery items as a sweet indulgence alternative, the company has catered to customers seeking a balance between affordability and quality, further enhancing its menu diversity.
The introduction of Casey’s Darn Good Coffee with a revamped assortment has proven to be a strategic move for the company. Despite being in the early stages of the launch, the shift towards positive unit growth indicates a positive response from customers. This success underscores the importance of offering quality coffee options to meet the growing demand for diverse beverages in the dining industry.
Casey’s decision to add chicken wings to its menu at select locations has garnered high satisfaction scores from customers. While the program is currently limited to specific areas, the positive reception hints at the potential for further expansion. By continuously evaluating customer feedback and preferences, Casey’s can strategically expand its menu offerings to capitalize on emerging food trends.