Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

You can now customize your Little Caesars order using ChatGPT. The pizza chain has launched an app in the popular AI chatbot that connects to its website or app for seamless conversational ordering functionality. Users can also plan meals, receive personalized recommendations, and customize orders within ChatGPT. Little Caesars ChatGPT feature comes two days after Starbucks made a similar announcement with the AI company, though that partnership is currently a beta test.

El Pollo Loco is bringing new Loco Tenders to restaurants April 23. They are available in classic and spicy varieties and are paired with signature dipping sauces, including the new Pollo Loco Sauce and Baja Lime. They are the latest menu innovation to come from the chain since Liz Williams was named CEO in 2024, joining Mango Habanero Fire-Grilled Chicken, Fresco wraps, quesadillas, burrito bowls, and more. This work has helped create momentum for the brand, including 2.1% same-store sales growth in Q4, as well as margin and traffic improvements. We can expect the momentum to continue as El Pollo Loco tests loaded quesadillas, crisp grilled chicken sandwiches, and beverages.

Jersey Mike’s is planning an IPO. The sandwich chain has confidentially filed documents for an initial public offering this year, the company said Monday. Details haven’t been shared yet, but it could be one of the industry’s biggest offerings in years. Previous reports have suggested the company might seek a valuation of about $12 billion. The move comes two years after Jersey Mike’s was sold to private-equity firm Blackstone for an $8 billion valuation. The chain generated $4.2 billion in U.S. sales last year and added 300 units for a total of about 3,300 shops in the U.S., and 15 international.

Starbucks is spending $100 million on its Nashville support center. The coffee shop giant plans to open the office in the city next year, though it plans to open a temporary office in the city this year. The company expects the center to ultimately house 2,000 workers, including some technology teams that will be relocated from Seattle and new employees. The company said that Seattle will remain its global headquarters but said that opening an office in Nashville will help with growth in the south and east while bringing the company close to some suppliers.

The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback spoke at the Restaurant Leadership Conference

A big Hardee’s franchisee has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. ARC Burger, whose restaurants closed late last year after their franchise agreements were terminated, filed for liquidation this week, ending a legal dispute with the fast-food chain. The franchisee was sued late last year and in a counter suit accused Hardee’s of a litany of problems, including failing to provide marketing and technology support. It also accused the company of failing to disclose a bunch of problems with restaurants it acquired in 2023, including equipment and technology issues.

The month also brought a wave of finance and development hires, high-profile brand and digital appointments, and board refreshes

Taco Bell is launching its Cantina Chicken Mexican Pizza nationwide starting May 21 for a limited time. This mashup combines two of the chain’s most popular menu items and features slow-roasted Cantina Chicken and black beans layered between crispy tortilla shells, topped with green chile sauce, three-cheese blend, purple cabbage, and pico de gallo. It is priced at $6.49. A new Jalapeño Citrus Salsa made with red jalapeños and guajillo chiles accompanies the launch. Global Chief Food Innovation Officer Liz Matthews said the Mexican Pizza is iconic and the company didn’t want to reinvent it, but rather build on it. We can expect more Mexican Pizza innovations to come later this year.

Theo Schweitz shared his advice at the National Restaurant Association Show

Wendy’s has a new CEO. The fast-food chain on Wednesday named Bob Wright to the post. Wright spent years with the company as an executive before he was named CEO of Potbelly, guiding that chain during and after the pandemic until its sale to the convenience-store chain RaceTrac last year. He takes over as Wendy’s largest shareholder, Nelson Peltz, considers buying the chain.