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 automated pizza making technologies are transforming the restaurant industry, with insights from industry leaders and examples of pioneering initiatives.
Photo by Vita Marija Murenaite
The collaboration between Appetronix and Donatos to introduce a pizza vending machine partnership signifies a significant milestone in the restaurant industry. By automating the pizza making process, these technologies offer unparalleled speed and convenience to customers, revolutionizing the quick-service restaurant (QSR) space. Nipun Sharma, co-founder and CEO of Appetronix, describes this advancement as a transformative leap that goes beyond mere innovation.
According to Kevin King, President, and CEO of Donatos, airport locations provide an optimal setting for automated pizza makers due to the high demand for quick and accessible food options in such spaces. The fast-paced nature of airports makes automated pizza vending machines a convenient solution for travelers seeking efficient dining experiences while on the go.
Photo by Vita Marija Murenaite
While the fully automated location in Columbus, Ohio, marks a significant innovation, it is not the first instance of automation in pizza making. Capriotti’s and Piestro's partnership in 2022 to install a pizza kiosk at Capriotti’s flagship store in Las Vegas, as well as 800 Degrees Pizza implementing automated pizza cabinets in 2021, demonstrate a growing trend towards integrating automation in food service operations.