Trending this week: What the Inspire Brands-Dunkin’ Brands deal could mean for restaurant mergers and acquisitions going forward

<p>After a muffled M&amp;A period, the proposed $11.3 billion acquisition may get others in the restaurant industry buzzing.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/inspire-brands-dunkin-brands-deal-clea... full article&gt;&gt;</a></p>

<p>Miller’s appointment comes as the company continues to shore up its human-resources division; Miller previously worked at VF Corporation, parent of brands such as Vans, Timberland and The North Face.</p>

<p>Taco Bell drive-thrus served 30 million more cars during the last quarter; quarterly digital sales at Yum Brands reached $4 billion; CEO David Gibbs is leaning into franchising for The Habit Burger Grill.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/pizza-hut-closes-672-units-while-taco-... full article&gt;&gt;</a></p>

<p>Amici Partners Group bought the struggling family-dining chain's assets, including 50 company-operated stores; Amici is an affiliate to Red Mango and RedBrick Pizza operator BRIX Holdings; Sun Capital recently sold Johnny Rockets to FAT Brands.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.nrn.com/family-dining/sun-capital-partners-owned-fic-restaur... full article&gt;&gt;</a></p>

<p>Plus additions at Auntie Anne’s , Bartaco, Boston’s Pizza Restaurant &amp; Sports Bar, California Pizza Kitchen , Church’s Chicken, Donatos, Fatburger, Golden Krust, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Huddle House, The Hummus &amp; Pita Co., Nathan’s Famous, Pizzeria Locale, The Salad House, Slater’s 50/50, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, Velvet Taco, Wienerschnitzel, Zalat Pizza, Zaxby’s and Zombie Burger.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.nrn.com/menu/menu-tracker-new-items-boston-market-dunkin-and... full gallery&gt;&gt;</a></p>

<p>Thanksiving is the family-dining chain's busiest time fo year, and the VP of menu development has new things in store.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.nrn.com/casual-dining/cracker-barrel-old-country-store-s-che... full podcast&gt;&gt;</a></p>

<p>The coffee chain lost $1.2 billion in sales in Q4, but CFO Patrick Grismer says the company is recovering faster than expected.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/starbucks-close-another-100-us-stores"... full article&gt;&gt;</a></p>

<p>The owner of Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic Drive-In, Jimmy John's and Rusty Taco will acquire Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins to create one of the world's largest restaurant companies.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/inspire-brands-buy-dunkin-brands-113-b... full article&gt;&gt;</a></p>

<p>Affiliates of Roark Capital had held the fast-casual brand since 2011.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.nrn.com/fast-casual/corner-bakery-cafe-sells-boston-market-o... full article&gt;&gt;</a></p>

<p>The casual-dining company says the Southeast Asian kitchen concept will shut by the end of the year.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.nrn.com/casual-dining/cheesecake-factory-plans-close-rocksug... full article&gt;&gt;</a></p>