Lisa Jennings

The Houston-based mega restaurant group has bid $22 million to acquire assets like Café Fiorello, Trattoria Dell’Arte and Bond 45 out of bankruptcy. Ciao Hospitality’s Jeff Crivello was a co-bidder.

Domino’s is the latest restaurant chain to tap the Minecraft IP for a marketing campaign. The pizza chain on Wednesday announced a comprehensive global collaboration with Minecraft Dungeons II, the action/adventure game launched in late September. The company is leveraging the IP to promote its individual, Detroit-style pizza, the Domino, with themed, collectible boxes, in-game items, branded skins, and a 20,000-game giveaway. Even the chain's signature Pizza Tracker will feature an interactive Minecraft Dungeons II theme. Notably, McDonald's had a tremendous amount of success with its Minecraft Meals last year, which generated double-digit traffic lifts, while Crumbl’s sales slump rebounded in September due to a highly successful Minecraft-themed cookie promotion.

The three-unit Burger She Wrote is growing with the help of seasoned veterans. It's a smashburger concept that stands out in a city crowded with meat lace.

Taco Bell and PepsiCo have renewed their partnership for another 11 years. As part of this updated agreement, PepsiCo will serve as Taco Bell’s beverage partner in the U.S., Canada, Thailand, Ireland, and the United Kingdom through 2036. Throughout their 20-plus-year history, the brands have collaborated to create innovations such as the Mountain Dew Baja Blast, which has since grown into a $1 billion brand, and Doritos Locos Tacos. The companies said they are particularly focused on appealing to Gen Z consumers with “crafted, functional, and energy beverages, as well as developing products aligned to new morning and afternoon occasions.” This announcement comes about a week after Taco Bell's Yum Brands sibling chain KFC announced it is switching to Coca-Cola after 40 years with Pepsi.

The Week in Restaurants: This week’s episode of the weekly restaurant news discussion podcast looks at Wendy’s closures, more Crumbl news, Olo, and ramen noodles.

The new PLNT Café is coming to Washington, D.C., and will bring together elements of the burger brand with a virtual taco concept in a new all-day format.

The luxury Greek restaurant founded by Costas Spiliadis would like to expand globally with the right capital.

The luxury Greek restaurant founded by Costas Spiliadis would like to expand globally with the right capital.

New incentives are tied to the fast-casual chain's transformation efforts. They also signal a growing arms race among restaurant chains to grow and recruit top-performing leaders.

The smashburger-and-craft-beer chain has 22 units across the Southeast.