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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Understand sports bar startup expenses, including location, construction, kitchen equipment, televisions, licenses, insurance, staffing, supplies, and cash reserves for operations.
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Learn how to increase restaurant sales during the World Cup final through smarter planning, staffing, promotions, inventory, menus, and operations.
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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.
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Explore how automation is reshaping the restaurant industry, focusing on Donatos' innovative strategies and the wider trend towards AI integration.

Under the leadership of CEO Kevin King, Donatos has positioned automation as a core strategy to drive efficiency and enhance customer engagement. By leveraging technology, particularly AI and innovative menu approaches, the company aims to increase customer frequency while empowering employees to focus on delivering exceptional hospitality.

Revmo’s AI system, seamlessly integrated into Donatos' point-of-sale platform, offers advanced capabilities such as secure credit card processing over the phone and intelligent coupon recognition. The system's proprietary 'INSANO Mode' voice engine provides customers with a personalized, human-like ordering experience, streamlining the process and reducing errors and wait times.

Technology plays a pivotal role in Donatos' growth strategy as it targets increased comparable sales and store-level EBITDA margins. By signing multi-unit deals and expanding into new markets like North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas, Donatos is building a robust system to scale its operations. The focus on automation is particularly vital in Texas, where the company envisions establishing 100 locations over time.

Donatos is not the only restaurant chain embracing automation; several others like Taco Bell, Bojangles, Wendy’s, Torchy’s Tacos, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, and Portillo’s are investing in technology to improve operational efficiency. From drive-thru voice AI systems to phone AI ordering and even computer vision for enhancing drive-thru speeds, automation is becoming a standard across the industry.