Rick Zambrano 
Dunkin’ began serving its Breakfast Tacos to boost the morning daypart. Store staff start with a warm flour tortilla, adding scrambled eggs, melted sharp white cheddar cheese. The tacos are topped off with fire-roasted corn, and finished with just a drizzle of tangy lime crema.
Max Wetzel becomes the new chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants. The parent of Carl’s Jr and Hardee’s announced the appointment of Wetzel, who will succeed Ned Lyerly.
Chipotle Mexican Grill rolled out Chicken al Pastor protein in the United States, Canada and its markets in Europe. The global launch is a first for the Newport Beach, Calif.-based restaurant company. The Chicken Al Pastor reflects a savory flavor from a blend of adobo, morita peppers and ground achiote. A splash of pineapple, fresh lime and cilantro are also added.
In March, Velvet Taco will open a new restaurant on Gallatin Avenue in East Nashville, Tenn. The unit brings the taco-shop chain’s hip vibe and eclectic menu to Nashville—its third location in the city. The new location follows openings in the Assembly Food Hall on Fifth & Broadway and in Midtown Nashville.
The restaurant industry, facing ongoing challenges due to global inflation and labor shortages, will grow its sales to $997B at eating and drinking places in 2023. The increase, which is partially due to higher menu prices, is well-deserved and will help offset cost increases on various fronts. This data, generated by the National Restaurant Association in its 2023 “State of the Restaurant Industry” report, affirms the challenges and several opportunities that restaurants have.
Little Caesars will expand in New York City with a new deal with Suhel Ahmed and Saurabh Desai, established franchise leaders in the market. Consummating the deal will mean another 10 locations in the Bronx and upper Manhattan by 2026.
A new report from Overproof, analyzing data on the ever-popular and quite lucrative margarita, provides new insights. The findings from the data provider to top-tier alcohol brands reveal that the margarita is the top cocktail in the US market, garnering a 12.4% market share. The martini is the second-top cocktail with a 10.2% market share. Meanwhile, the next top cocktail—Old Fashioned—recorded a distant third position with a 5% market share.
New York City restaurant owners have not fully recovered from the pandemic, according to a report commissioned by TouchBistro. The 2023 “New York City State of Restaurants” report finds that these restaurant owners have regained sales to 76% of pre-pandemic levels.
Cava Group is considering an IPO, according to a statement the restaurant company released today, February 6. The Washington, DC-based company filed a form S-1 registration statement confidentially with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews named Brian Sullivan vice president of culinary & beverage innovation. The move is part of the burger chain’s recent initiatives in increasing investment in food quality and refreshing the menu. The current “North Star” five-point turnaround plan to drive improved business performance includes such initiatives.
