Trending this week: How White Castle plans to grow

10. Panera Bread appoints Brian Krause as chief development officer

Panera Bread

Krause joins the fast-casual company from GoTo Foods, where he served as CDO for the portfolio company

9. McDonald’s extends partnership with AI company to streamline finance, HR functions

McDonald's Corp.

The chain will leverage Cognizant’s cloud, enterprise AI, and generative AI systems for things like payroll processing and franchisee management

8. Noodles & Company’s shares rise past $1 after announcing preliminary Q4 results

Noodles & Company

7. Menu Tracker: New items from Blaze Pizza, Rita’s Italian Ice, and Corner Bakery Cafe

6. Lettuce Entertain You promotes R.J. Melman to CEO

Eric Wolfinger

Kevin Brown to transition to executive chair role and will focus on Lettuce Consulting

5. Hot ‘n Now is planning a comeback this year

Photo Courtesy of GLI

The drive-thru burger concept, once owned by Taco Bell and once counting over 100 units, now operates a single location in Michigan

4. Denny’s plans to get back to net unit growth by 2026

Denny's Corp.

The company is experiencing momentum from its remodeling program and its value platform and is also leveraging its fledgling Keke’s brand for franchising opportunities

3. Red Robin gains momentum from local marketing efforts

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc.

The company’s preliminary fourth quarter results exceeded expectations as its turnaround plan, which also includes a new managing partner program, continues to take hold

2. P.F. Chang’s is testing a fast-casual concept called Pagoda Asian Grill

P.F. Chang's

1. How White Castle plans to grow under outside leadership

White Castle

The restaurant company’s new president, Anthony Joseph, and fourth-generation Ingram family CEO, Lisa Ingram, discussed the future of the family-owned brand