Could Starbucks buy Chipotle? It could happen. The coffee shop giant has reportedly talked with advisors on a potential purchase of the fast-casual burrito chain, according to a published report in Financial Times. That deal would potentially be the biggest in restaurant industry history. Chipotle’s market value is $39 billion. The largest restaurant deal to date happened in 2014, when Burger King paid $11.4 billion for Tim Hortons. The report sent Chipotle’s shares 7% higher while Starbucks shares declined 4%. Brian Niccol was the CEO of Chipotle before he left in 2024 to take the Starbucks job.
Uber’s plan to acquire ezCater is raising questions for restaurants, and some concerns. The $2.3 billion deal would bring together the largest workplace catering service and one of the world’s largest food delivery companies. It could help restaurants boost their catering business, and even move it beyond the office into parties and other group occasions. But restaurants that use both services are wondering exactly what a combined Uber-ezCater will look like, especially as it relates to their order commissions. Others are wary of yet more consolidation in the restaurant tech market. The deal is expected to close in the coming months.
Subway is going to be looking a bit different in many other parts of the world. The company on Thursday unveiled a new prototype called Blueprint, which is being rolled out next year across units in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It’s a comprehensive re-imagining of the concept. The restaurants will be more modern and digitally oriented, with kiosk ordering as an option. There’s more grab-and-go, and breakfast offerings with a coffee program. At night, the atmosphere will change to a Subway After Dark concept with different lighting and a playlist, as well as late-night menu options like mac and cheese or footlong pizzas and waffle fries, made to order. The concept has been tested in the UK and the Netherlands. Subway franchises 35,000 globally, including roughly 5,000 in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, though the chain hopes to double that footprint over the next five years.
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