This week on Nation's Restaurant News, the top story was Chick-fil-A is testing two new restaurant designs to meet digital demand. Chick-fil-A is testing two new restaurant designs – an elevated drive-thru concept and a walk-up concept – aimed at meeting consumers’ changing needs, including and especially their digital needs. Both concepts are set to open in 2024 and are run by local owner/operators. The goal of the tests is to ensure the company is future proofed as it continues to grow.
In other news, Damola Adamolekun will step down as CEO of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro. Rohit Manocha, co-founder and managing director of TriArtisan Capital Advisors, an owner of P.F. Chang’s, has been named interim CEO while the board works with an independent recruitment firm to find a permanent replacement.
Adamolekun has been the restaurant chain’s CEO since July of 2020 after he helped lead the 2019 deal in which Paulson & Co and TriArtisan Capital Advisors acquired it from Centerbridge Partners. He will return to Paulson as a partner focusing on investments.
Also, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democrats introduce $17 minimum wage legislation. After a $15 minimum wage initiative failed in 2021, Democrats are trying again with the Raise the Wage Act but the restaurant industry does not approve the tip credit elimination.
See what else was trending on NRN.com.