Panera’s dough, Wingstop slows, Chili’s surges

Someone wants to buy Olo. McDonald’s sales took a hit. And get ready for Shake Shack combo meals. Welcome to Restaurant Daily, a look at the most important restaurant news of the day from the editors of Restaurant Business and Nation’s Restaurant News. I’m Jonathan Maze, editor in chief of RB.

Panera is getting out of the fresh-dough business. Wingstop is seeing a sales slowdown. But Chili’s continues its upward trajectory.

Subway closed more restaurants last year. Portillo’s is making nice with its activist investor. And Sweetgreen has a new COO.

There’s yet another new CEO in the chain restaurant universe. Dessert chain Crumbl is being sued over the music it uses in social media. And Domino’s Pizza is feeling the squeeze of declining consumer confidence.

Chipotle blamed its sales decline on consumers slowing their spending. Bertucci’s has filed for bankruptcy for a third time. And the legal battle between Uber and DoorDash is heating up.

There’s big CEO news at two restaurant brands. Chipotle did something it hasn’t done since the pandemic. And McDonald’s is adding a new menu item.

Consumers are expected to cut back on restaurant spending this summer. North Italia has reinvented its brunch and happy hour menus. And the fast-casual Currito chain is accelerating its growth.

Maggiano’s is leaning into luxury. With value-focused pricing. Salad and Go has a new CEO. And pizza chains are feeling the pinch from third-party delivery.

McDonald’s is giving thanks for Minecraft. Chipotle is heading to Mexico. And did the potential restaurant industry tech disruptors actually disrupt anything?

Cookie chain Crumbl had a solid 2024. There’s new energy at IHOP. And here’s the inside story of the rise, fall and possible rebirth of Hooters.