Utah-based drink chain Swig coined “dirty soda” back in 2010. Fifteen years later, the trend is fueling innovation everywhere from PepsiCo to McDonald’s, infusing the sluggish beverage category with new life. “Dirty soda” drinks use pop as a base, followed by flavored syrups, cream or other ingredients. While Swig claims credit — and the trademark…
After two decades going to Starbucks every day at 4:30 a.m., longtime customer Tony Dennis abandoned the company last year. “I was frustrated,” he told CNBC. The customer experience he used to love had disappeared. Baristas didn’t engage with him, despite his daily visits. At the same time, the cost of his double-shot tall nonfat…
Customers walk out of a Taco Bell and Pizza Hut restaurant during lunchtime in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian | Getty Images Looking for the next CEO for your restaurant chain? Try mining the ranks at Yum Brands. The restaurant conglomerate, which owns Pizza Hut, KFC and Taco Bell and reported quarterly results Tuesday, has…
Chipotle Mexican Grill’s new Adobo Ranch dip Source: Chipotle Mexican Grill Restaurant brands are hoping hot new menu items will drive visits among younger costumers. Hot, in this case, is literal. Spicy items like chicken sandwiches, seasoned sides and sauces are cropping up more often on menus at major fast-casual and quick-service chains. The idea…
Customers order at a Starbucks in Manhattan Beach, California, on July 19, 2024. Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images As Starbucks aims to bring back customers and assuage investors with its turnaround strategy, it is also winning over its store managers with promises to add more seating inside cafes and promote internally. Since CEO…
A Starbucks store is shown in Encinitas, California, on Feb. 24, 2025. Mike Blake | Reuters Starbucks plans to roll out a generative artificial intelligence assistant created with Microsoft Azure’s OpenAI platform to 35 locations this month as part of its strategy to simplify baristas’ jobs and speed up service in its cafes. The coffee…
Private equity firm Roark Capital has bought a majority stake in Dave’s Hot Chicken, the company announced on Monday. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Dave’s CEO Bill Phelps said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that the reported $1 billion valuation for the deal is “pretty close.” Since its founding in a Los Angeles parking lot…
Yum Brands on Wednesday reported mixed quarterly results as Pizza Hut’s same-store sales dropped more than expected. Shares of the company fell more than 1% in premarket trading. Here’s what the company reported for the first quarter compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG: Earnings per share: $1.30…
Chipotle Mexican Grill logo is seen in Manhattan, New York, United States of America, on July 6th, 2024. Beata Zawrzel | Getty Images Chipotle Mexican Grill will open its first location in Mexico early next year as the latest stage in its international expansion. The company announced Monday that it has signed a development agreement…
Chick-fil-A pineapple dragonfruit beverages. Courtesy: Chick-fil-A Fast-food chains are going all in on fun beverages to attract younger consumers. Chick-fil-A, known for its straightforward menu of fried chicken and waffle fries, is selling seasonal Pineapple Dragonfruit drinks. Yum Brands’ Taco Bell installed a beverage concept called Live Mas Café inside one of its California locations….
