A once-hot California pizza chain is getting cooked. Pieology Pizzeria, the build-your-own pizza empire backed by NBA superstar Kevin Durant that once boasted roughly 150 restaurants nationwide, has been reduced to a shell of its former self. After a years-long closing spree and bankruptcy filing, just 27 Pieology locations remain, according to The Street. The … Read more
A classic California diner could soon be reduced to rubble. The future of Mel’s Drive-In in Santa Monica is uncertain as the site’s owners have submitted plans to raze the iconic diner and replace it with a hulking mixed-use building. Plans for the new building call for an eight-story structure with 138 apartments. There will … Read more
Souplantation is ready for seconds. The adored all-you-can-eat-soup-and-salad chain, which abruptly vanished from California during the pandemic, is plotting a Golden State comeback — six years after leaving legions of fans mourning its bottomless bowls and mountains of salad. But Souplantation may find somebody sitting in its old seat when it gets back. Sign up … Read more
Adios. Popular Mexican restaurant Dos Coyotes has closed its last Bay Area location as the chain’s footprint begins to shrink. Dos Coyotes Border Café announced that Thursday, September 24 was the last day of operation for their location on Crow Canyon Place in San Ramon, California. Sign up for the California Morning Report newsletter The … Read more
A new KFC restaurant in McKinney, Texas, is about much more than debuting a new design. “This is the Kentucky Fried comeback made real in one restaurant,” KFC US President Catherine Tan-Gillespie told Fox News Digital. The restaurant, dubbed Open House, serves as a testing ground for how the 75-year-old fast-food chain that Colonel Harland … Read more
In-N-Out may inspire religious devotion among American burger fans, but apparently even the faithful have complaints. The California-born fast-food institution has spent decades cultivating a cult following around its wallet-friendly burgers and famously fresh ingredients — but a new article tackling top chain customer gripes has exposed cracks in the sainted empire. From soggy spuds to … Read more
That’s a lotta flippin’ money. In-N-Out has revealed the shocking six-figure salaries of managers at the classic California-based fast food chain. The company confirmed to Inc. that managers now make an average of $200,000 per year. “Our founders, Harry and Esther Snyder, believed not only in taking great care of our Customers, but also in … Read more
Olive Garden is good for more than just unlimited breadsticks, and a recent survey found the Italian restaurant chain is a top choice among baby boomers. YouGov’s U.S. restaurant brand rankings asked 7,500 adults ages 65 and older which casual dining chain they would consider visiting next. Of those 7,500 adults, 33.8% responded that they would choose … Read more
Bring it on down to Biscuitville. The North Carolina-based chain has claimed the title of America’s best fast-food breakfast for the fourth year in a row. Despite operating in just three states, its breakfast has beaten out all other national chains. It earned the top spot in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards and … Read more
Coq-fight! California is at or near the top of a lot of lists lately, but usually for things like being too expensive to survive in, or places that people can’t wait to leave, or places where everything seems like it’s going wrong, all of the time. Every once in awhile, however, the Golden State is … Read more
It’s officially lights out on a popular restaurant and bar after abruptly closing down. After 55 years slinging drinks and plates of Southern comfort food, Nashville-based hot spot O’Charley’s has closed all remaining locations. Earlier this year, the national chain had 52 restaurants, according to multiple reports. All locations closed down on Wednesday, September 9, … Read more
A Southern California institution is taking its pricey lattes across the pond. Urth Caffé — the celeb-friendly cafe chain that grew from modest origins to a SoCal staple — revealed it will open an outpost in London’s Covent Garden in early 2027. “London is calling…and Urth Caffé has answered,” the company announced on Instagram — calling … Read more
Bahama Breeze is about to blow away for good. Earlier this year, parent company — Darden Restaurants — announced all Bahama Breeze locations would close down for good, sailing away after 30 years. The Orlando-based chain revealed 14 of its restaurants would shut down while 28 would be converted into other Darden brand eateries (Olive … Read more
A video has emerged purportedly showing a Panda Express employee stepping around food while cleaning a frying station, as meals were being prepared. Paul Elisha Finger, who captured the footage, told Storyful that he “noticed the gentleman jump on the fryer that the lady had just put food into” when he visited a Panda Express location in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in early … Read more
These diners have got major beef with the steakhouse. The beef behemoth is facing growing boycott calls after a TikTok went viral alleging a Facebook group called “White and Proud” was targeting black customers. The TikTok, posted by user Sannie Yeanay, read aloud that white servers were deliberately contaminating food. The user said that the … Read more
Florida’s only Pizza Hut Classic, featuring the nostalgic red plastic cups, vinyl booths, Tiffany-style lamps and checkerboard tablecloths reminiscent of the 1980s, has become so popular that employees from other locations have been brought in to help accommodate the influx of guests at the Homosassa Springs restaurant. “We have a big responsibility,” Tim Sparks, president of Wichita, … Read more
California may have a reputation for sunshine, celebrities and impossible-to-afford real estate — but the Golden State’s true crown jewel might just be its burgers. And once again, one Santa Barbara-born chain is proving it doesn’t need a huge following or a trendy secret menu to take the throne. The burger battle has a repeat … Read more
Enough is enough. There’s no denying that tipping culture in America has gotten out of hand. It doesn’t matter if it’s a $7 coffee or a hefty bill at a bougie restaurant — everyone’s hands are extended out asking for a gratuity. It’s a hot topic that everyone seems to have an opinion on, including … Read more
Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright said Wednesday the fast-casual chain is seeing improvement in customers’ perceptions of affordability. Speaking on Chipotle’s second-quarter earnings call, Boatwright said the company’s brand tracking showed improved perceptions of value across “all income groups and age cohorts.” “As it relates to value, I’m happy to report our brand tracker showed really solid progress across all … Read more
A beloved cafe in Calabasas is closing its doors after nearly three decades of business. The Marmalade Cafe at The Commons will serve its last meal this Sunday. The cafe has been a regular spot for people in Calabasas for California-inspired cuisine and classic American comfort food. They serve signature items like Marmalade Spicy Chilaquiles, … Read more