KFC names first global chief brand officer amid identity overhaul
Why 2026 is the year of employee retention
According to Toast's 2026 Restaurant Industry Voice survey, hiring intentions in the restaurant industry have cooled significantly, while the importance of employee retention strategies is increasingly prominent. The survey shows that the proportion of operators planning to expand hiring dropped from 60% in 2025 to 49%, while the proportion planning to maintain current workforce levels rose to 48%. The industry is addressing labor challenges through optimized scheduling, technology adoption, and internal promotions, while some large chain brands continue large-scale hiring to support expansion.
Del Taco leans on catering in turnaround plan
Del Taco announced upgrades to its catering service on Thursday, allowing customers to order directly through the brand's website and adding taco salads to the menu. This move is part of the Project Del Sunrise revival plan, launched after the acquisition by Yadav Enterprises, to reverse declining sales. Other industry brands such as Chipotle and Denny's are also intensifying their efforts in the catering market.
Dunkin’ partners with Walmart for delivery
Walmart announced on Thursday that it will offer delivery of Dunkin' food and beverages through its website and app, initially covering 150 in-store Dunkin' locations and gradually expanding to most Walmart stores nationwide. This move aims to strengthen its competitiveness in the food delivery sector, with Inspire Brands as the partner.
Mamdani makes NYC outdoor dining year-round
New York City Mayor Mamdani signed a bill this week to remove seasonal restrictions on roadway dining structures, making outdoor dining year-round. Meanwhile, a fall ballot proposal aims to shorten the application process and reduce fees. This move has gained support from the restaurant industry and may serve as a reference for other cities.
Uber, Wonder issue layoffs
Uber and Wonder recently announced layoffs respectively, with Uber cutting about 3,000 jobs and Wonder about 150, aiming to simplify organizational structures and focus on core businesses.
Can restaurants avoid the next Cyclospora outbreak?
This summer, a large-scale Cyclospora outbreak in the United States infected tens of thousands of people, with case numbers approximately 26 times higher than in previous years. The outbreak exposed the fragility of the food supply chain in the face of parasitic contamination, increasing the legal liability risk for the restaurant industry due to upstream contamination. Experts call for enhanced water source monitoring and supply chain traceability capabilities.
Half of Air Travelers Would Switch Airlines Over a Carry-On Fee; Service Reputation Is the Only Premium Driver | Restaurant Dive
The report "Non-Negotiables in Hospitality Customer Experience" by Sogolytics, based on a survey of 1,003 American adults, reveals that in the aviation, hotel, and restaurant industries, consumers have extremely low tolerance for fees on services that were once free, and service reputation is the only cross-industry premium driver.