Domino’s leadership is changing as Russell Weiner plans to step down by late September. Joe Jordan, who joined the company in 2011, is set to take over. Starting as vice president of innovation, Jordan later expanded his responsibilities to include marketing, international operations, and U.S. services. His promotion to chief operations officer in 2025 reflects his broad experience. Jordan stressed the importance of aligning with franchisees to shape investment decisions, describing the brand as a project in progress that requires ongoing improvements.
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LongHorn Steakhouse, which belongs to Darden Restaurants, recorded a 9.5% rise in same-store sales for the three months ending May 31. This is the highest growth since late 2022. Company leaders attributed the increase to investments in food and service, a record Mother’s Day, and a viral social media post promoting lamb chops. While LongHorn led the way for Darden, other brands like Olive Garden also saw gains, with 2.4% higher same-store sales. The results show continued efforts to attract customers and improve operations across multiple chains.
Starbucks is experimenting with a new way to boost employee involvement by letting selected workers create content. This move reflects a larger trend of viewing employees as brand advocates. In the past, staff using social media could face consequences, but now it’s part of marketing strategy.
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Jordan’s journey to becoming Domino’s CEO included roles in innovation, marketing, and international operations. His appointment as president of U.S. and Global Services in 2022 and later as chief operations officer in 2025 show his growing role. Jordan’s emphasis on working closely with franchisees aims to ensure investments align with business goals. He described the brand as evolving, highlighting the need for continuous improvements. His experience across departments prepares him to handle challenges as Weiner leaves.
The strong performance of LongHorn Steakhouse demonstrates the effect of strategic choices. The 9.5% sales jump was fueled by a viral post about lamb chops, which increased interest. Executives noted that customer traffic and satisfaction also improved, contributing to overall growth. While LongHorn led the way, other Darden brands like Olive Garden also saw positive results. The outcomes suggest that focused initiatives, paired with good service, can drive sales even in tough markets.
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Starbucks’ experiment signals a growing trend of using employee-created content. This approach differs from previous policies that penalized social media use. The pilot could change how brands connect with audiences, using real-time, relatable content from within the workforce.