Popeyes teams with Megan Thee Stallion on hot sauce, franchising

El Pollo Loco CEO Bernard Acoca resigns

Brand’s board names CFO Larry Roberts to interim post.

Menu Tracker: New items from McDonald’s, Domino’s and Subway

Plus innovation at Baskin-Robbins, Cava, Culver’s, Dominos, Dunkin’, Eggs Up Grill, Eureka!, Fields Good Chicken, Frutta Bowls, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Hard Rock Cafe, Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar, Lemonade, McDonald’s, Norms, Pieology, Pita Mediterranean Street Food, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews, Robeks, Shake Shack, Slim Chickens, Snooze An A.M. Eatery, Subway, Tocaya Modern Mexican, Velvet Taco, Wing It On!, Yalla Mediterranean and Yogurtland.

NRN editors discuss McDonald’s new McPlant burger, Domino’s negative same-store sales and Megan Thee Stallion becoming a Popeyes franchisee

Plus, hear two interviews this week, both filmed live on the floor of CREATE.

Starbucks directly asked its employees to vote ‘no’ on unionizing

Starbucks is being accused of union busting leading up to unionization vote in Buffalo, N.Y.

Del Taco raises wages, limits operating hours amid Q3 labor pinch

Quick-service brand also signs deal with Reef for delivery-only ghost kitchens.

Knead Hospitality + Design to test a variation on four-day work week for restaurant-level workers

4Days@Work is designed to give managers and chefs more flexibility to do some of their job duties at home.

McDonald’s to test McPlant in 8 U.S. restaurants, starting Nov. 3

Plant-based patty has already been introduced in some markets abroad.

Caribou Coffee announces national franchising under newly formed Panera Brands platform

The 700+-unit brand will expand to new markets with both its traditional and smaller Caribou Cabin store prototypes.

Domino’s ends positive same-store sales streak after 10 years as labor struggles continue

CEO Ritch Allison said they have raised corporate wages and introduced a new applicant tracking system to offset these challenges.