Work-life balance, Darden earnings, Jersey Mike’s

Welcome to a very special edition of Restaurant Daily, as we round up some of our favorite gaffes of 2024. The podcast is taking a holiday break but will return with a new (blooper-free) episode on Jan. 7. Happy holidays and thank you for listening. 

Chefs are getting creative when it comes to work-life balance. Olive Garden got a boost from all-you-can-eat pasta. Plus, it’s been a big year for Jersey Mike’s.

Traffic finally turned positive for QSRs this fall. The union drive has come home to Starbucks. And why are so many legacy brands spinning off new concepts?

KFC is launching a new restaurant concept. Grubhub owes millions of dollars to settle a lawsuit brought by the FTC. And Boston Market is expanding again. Just not in the U.S.

Starbucks is increasing parental leave for baristas. Insurers could be liable for lost pandemic sales after all. And Buffalo Wild Wings is celebrating the Heisman Trophy winner.

McDonald’s is debuting a new store format. Raising Cane’s is flexing its marketing mojo. And workers at LAX are getting a big pay bump.

Papa Johns is laying out its growth mindset. Might one well-known restaurateur become the next ambassador to Italy? Plus, Domino’s is making a big move.

Dave & Buster’s is looking for a new CEO. Krispy Kreme was hit with a cyberattack. And restaurant menu inflation is normalizing.

Starbucks China is looking to grow. SPB sold a group of brewery concept. And a meal-deal battle is brewing at casual-dining chains.

Another small restaurant chain has declared bankruptcy. Taco Bell’s flashy menu preview is returning. And full-service restaurant pay has increased. A lot.