Restaurant news to know: June 17, 2014

Popeyes parent buys recipes from chain's founder (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc. has bought the chain's original recipes from the Copeland family, which founded the chain, for $43 million, saving it $3.1 million in annual royalties and helping to ensure its legacy.

—Bret Thorn

Domino’s CEO: Voice technology is way forward (CNBC)
Domino’s CEO Patrick Doyle discusses his company’s “significant investment” in voice-activated ordering, which has generated a lot of buzz. In a sit-down with CNBC — which tests the functionality on air — Doyle says “the days of people using their thumbs to text and enter things are over … you’re going to see things move to voice commands.”

—Sarah Lockyer

Whataburger expands line of packaged grocery items (Beaumont Enterprise) 
San Antonio-based Whataburger is expanding its line of packaged grocery items, which launched last year with ketchups, mustard, pancake mix and snack fries. In its partnership with the H-E-B and Central Market chains, Whataburger is adding honey butter, which is an ingredient in the chain’s Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, and one-pound pork sausage rolls, which will be in the grocery freezer section.
 
—Ron Ruggless

Culver’s to open in Chicago city limits (Crain’s Chicago Business)
A Culver’s franchisee will open the 500-plus-unit chain’s first outlet within the city limits of Chicago. Though about 40 percent of the brand’s sales can come from the drive thru, the urban location cannot accommodate a drive thru, but franchisees nonetheless said the population density in Chicago’s northern neighborhood of Wrigleyville, Ill., would alleviate any concerns.

—Mark Brandau

Which state has the most burger restaurants? (Christian Science Monitor)
Need a burger? California is where you’ll most likely find one. According to data firm CHD Expert, the U.S. has roughly 1.6 burger joints for every 10,000 Americans.

—Lisa Jennings