Canada
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Chowbus raises US$81M to build AI platform for culturally rooted independent restaurants
While the company built its reputation around integrated POS and management tools for Asian and immigrant-owned restaurants, leadership now intends to expand into operational services including marketing automation, accounting workflows, supply ordering, and insurance.
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Hungry swallows Hungerhub, creating US$110M powerhouse for North American workplace dining
The combined entity now stands among North America’s larger workplace food platforms, in a field long dominated by fragmented local players with narrower offerings.
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Avolta wins 12-year dining deal at Toronto Pearson, bringing Canadian flavors to 57,500 square feet
The new lineup includes Mary Brown’s Chicken, the country’s fastest-growing fried chicken chain; OEB Kitchen + Bar, a breakfast-and-brunch concept famous for its creative eggs Benedict; and Libretto Slice Shop, serving up New York-style pizza by the slice.
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Starbucks creates 8,000 new assistant manager roles to strengthen store leadership across North America
The assistant manager role aims to improve daily operations, enhance team coaching, and deliver a superior customer experience.
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Wingstop announces major expansion into Calgary, marking a key step in Canadian growth strategy
The expansion forms part of a larger 100-location development deal with JPK Capital, the exclusive master franchisee for Wingstop across Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
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Starbucks announces closure of around 400 company-operated stores as part of US$1B restructuring initiative
The stores slated for closure are mainly underperforming locations or cafés where the company cannot provide the desired customer experience or achieve a viable path to profitability.
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Starbucks rolls out AI technology to revolutionize inventory management across North American stores
The system uses advanced image recognition and machine learning to monitor inventory levels with exceptional speed and precision.
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Applebee’s hires Jerrold Wong, Michelle Chin as COO, CMO to drive operations, marketing growth
These appointments form part of parent company Dine Brands’ strategy to enhance the guest experience and engage the next generation of loyal Applebee’s customers.
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DoorDash introduces loyalty program options to its platform, closing gap with competitors Uber Eats, Grubhub
The launch of this loyalty program fills a longstanding gap in DoorDash’s offerings, aligning it with competitors like Uber Eats and Grubhub, which have provided in-app merchant loyalty program features for years.
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Subway appoints Damien Harmon as North America President, to drive growth, enhance customer experience
Drawing on his strong background in retail operations and customer engagement, Harmon is expected to play a key role in guiding Subway’s transformation with a strategic and forward-thinking approach.