Biography

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor

Lisa Jennings, executive editor. Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts. Her experience includes other industry publications as well as the daily newspaper The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., where she was Food Editor. Her work has been cited in the Los Angeles Times, Business Insider, FoodBeast, The Huffington Post, Time.com and more.

Operations

Shake Shack reinvents the labor deployment model

The burger chain joins a growing number of fast-casual chains using AI-driven technology to better manage staffing.

Financing

Arizona-based Wildflower acquired by Japan-based restaurant conglomerate for $28.2M

It's the second U.S. restaurant brand buy for Tokyo-based Create Restaurants Holdings, which also bought Il Fornaio in 2019.

Financing

Playa Bowls acquired by private-equity firm Sycamore Partners

The 250-unit acai bowl and smoothie franchise has runway for more growth, new investors say.

Marketing

These 5 university campuses eat the most Chipotle

The fast-casual chain has a unique partnership with The Ohio State University because it's one of the top five schools that love Chipotle the most. We asked: What are the other four?

Operations

Signs of financial distress are mounting for Shari's Restaurants

The 45-year-old family-dining chain faces multiple accounts of unpaid rent and taxes, eviction notices and unit closures.

Leadership

Chipotle execs granted big retention bonuses to stick around

The departure of CEO Brian Niccol is speeding up previously announced C-suite moves. The planned retirement of CFO Jack Hartung is now on hold indefinitely.

Operations

Shake Shack to close 9 underperforming units

The restaurants to be shuttered are in California, Ohio and Texas. The company blamed changes in the trade areas and cannibalization from its nearby restaurants.

Marketing