The top 25 stories of 2019

25. Labor Department makes ‘80/20’ switch official

GetUpStudio/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Wage and Hour Division will no longer prohibit tipped wage for side work.

24. P.F. Chang’s agrees to sale

Steve Anderson Photography

TriArtisan Capital, Paulson plans to buy the casual-dining chain from Centerbridge.

23. 5 more companies tackle plant-based meat alternatives

Before the Butcher

Is there room for competition in a market dominated by Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods?

22. Chipotle’s next big menu tests: lemonade, carne asada, nachos

Chipotle

CEO Brian Niccol says digital sales could nearly double to 30%.

21. Pizza Hut to close 500 underperforming restaurants over 2 years

The company will replace dine-in stores with modern express units.

20. Why Red Robin is under siege

A series of missteps have led to the erosion of the shareholder value, analysts say.

19. McDonald’s adds Donut Sticks to breakfast menu

Courtesy of McDonald's

The chain is hoping the LTO treat will reverse its breakfast slump.

18. Boston Market shutters 10% of stores

The 45 closures are part of the struggling brand’s ‘transformation plan.'

17. Perkins & Marie Callender’s bankruptcy filing may be condition of sale

The Family-dining brand says it is in the ‘process of being sold.’

16. A McDonald’s Stroopwafel McFlurry for 20 pence?

Courtesy of McDonald's

For a limited time, the burger chain will accept any foreign currency for the new global menu items.

15. Cheesecake Factory's fast-casual spinoff set to open

Social Monk to debut on Monday as the company lays groundwork for the North Italia acquisition.

14. Restaurants Unlimited files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

The Seattle-based company closes six of 41 restaurants.

13. OpenTable tightens control on consumer information

The move raises questions from restaurant operators about data ownership.

12. Half of McDonald’s Happy Meal customers pass on soda

The chain sees shift in produce, water and low-fat dairy orders.

11. 2019 Top 200 Countdown: No. 50-No. 1

10. Subway executive James Walker resigns

Walker helped roll out the chain's $80 million Fresh Now initiative.

9. In-N-Out makes decor changes at 20 restaurants

Brady MacDonald

The classic yellow ‘Quality You Can Taste’ neon sign is now green.

8. Cheesecake Factory to acquire Fox Restaurants in $353M deal

The casual-dining company plans to buy rest of North Italia as well.

7. Red Robin closes 10 underperforming restaurants

The same-store sales fall by 3.3% in Q1; guest counts down 5.5%.

6. Carl’s Jr. launches plant-based burger in 1,100 restaurants

The chain becomes Beyond Meat’s largest U.S. restaurant partner.

5. Steak ‘n Shake temporarily closes 44 locations amid refranchising effort

The company blames the lack of ‘fast and friendly’ service for the sales slump.

4. McDonald’s phasing out premium Signature Crafted burgers

The company adds upgraded fresh beef options to the Quarter Pounder.

3. Here are the 29 closed Perkins, Marie Callender's restaurants

The closures are tied to a bankruptcy restructuring by the parent company.

2. Taco Bell eliminating 9 menu items

The menu 'decluttering' includes the exit of 2 Doritos Locos Tacos flavors.

1. Shake Shack tests four-day workweek for managers

The CEO Randy Garutti says incentive is needed to recruit, retain supervisors.