Domino’s, Taco Bell, Starbucks
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June 24, 2026
Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner has announced his retirement from the company after 18 years. He started in 2008 as chief marketing officer, spearheading the now famous “Oh Yes We Did” campaign admitting that the chain’s pizza was subpar and facilitating an entire recipe revamp. It was a risk that has paid off in droves. At the time, about one in 10 domestic pizza orders were from Domino’s. Now, about one in four are, as the company has accumulated 30% of the category market share. Weiner was named CEO in 2022 and in that role has focused on digital ordering, loyalty, and third-party delivery. On October 1, he will move into the executive chairman role, replacing Dave Brandon who has served the company for 28 years. Weiner will be replaced by current chief operations officer Joe Jordan, who has spent 15 years with the company in various capacities.
Taco Bell has launched a global platform to offer customers “emotional support tacos,” The L.O.C.O.S. (which stands for Loss Or Celebration Outcome Support) are now available as part of the chain’s rewards program and features personalized, gamified experiences built around customers’ moods, whether they’re celebrating personal victories, having a meltdown, going through a breakup — whatever. The launch will be supported by activations across international markets. This platform comes as more chains add gamified and personalized features to their loyalty programs to stand out and build affinity. Offering emotional support tacos is also a way to bolster loyalty by offering food as comfort.
Starbucks is adding a bunch of new leaders to its coffee shops. The Seattle-based chain said it plans to hire 300 coffeehouse coach roles this month and thousands by the end of this year. That follows a successful test of their use in 62 locations in multiple markets this year. The company said that the leaders help stores operate better and provide baristas with a clearer path toward advancement. Starbucks also said they provide relief to store managers because there’s better leadership coverage throughout the day.
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About the Authors
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister
Managing Editor
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister is a managing editor for Informa’s Foodservices Vertical, specifically Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Hospitality, and Foodservice Director. Leigh Anne works on all of the brands’ special reports, including Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual Top 500 report and Restaurant Hospitality’s Best Cocktails and Best Sandwiches contests. She also manages the group’s digital engagement team, and was the managing editor for Supermarket News until December 2024.
Leigh Anne lives in New York City, but also claims Phoenix, Dallas and Cleveland as hometowns. Leigh Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, where she also studied European history.
Email Leigh Anne at [email protected]
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister’s experience:
Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-present)
Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)
Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)
Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)
Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)
Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)
Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-present)
Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)
Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)
Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)
Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)
Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)
Lisa Jennings
Executive Editor, Restaurant Business
Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts. Her experience includes other industry publications as well as the daily newspaper The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., where she was Food Editor. Her work has been cited in the Los Angeles Times, Business Insider, FoodBeast, The Huffington Post, Time.com and more.
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Source: This story originated with Nation's Restaurant News.
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