Operations: Page 2

  • A picture of an IHOP server taking an order using a tablet.
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    Courtesy of IHOP
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    IHOP’s POS migration is boosting speed, check totals

    The diner chain has nearly completed a two-year migration of 1,500 restaurants to Tray’s platform, which integrates with handheld server tablets to trim order and pay times at tables. 

    By • April 30, 2024
  • A photo of a sign in the window of a Foxtrot site. It says "Thanks a lot! As of today, we are closing for the final time. Thank you for the time we had together."
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    Permission granted by Camille Gramont
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    Column

    Pardon the Disruption: What the sudden loss of Foxtrot and Dom’s means for retail

    Their demise underscores just how difficult it is to bring new, innovative ideas to life in the shadow of large-scale competitors and the grinding need for efficiency.

    By Jeff Wells • April 30, 2024
  • Homeroom Restaurant in Oakland, California Explore the Trendline➔
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    Permission granted by Homeroom
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    Trendline

    Independent restaurants

    In an industry built on in-person interactions and long-term relationships with customers, the pandemic has dealt a serious blow to independent operators, but many have pivoted and found new ways to reach diners.

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • An image of Burger King's Sizzle remodeled restaurant
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King commits additional $300M to accelerate remodels

    The chain will give top-performing restaurants cash incentives to complete remodels and expects to overhaul up to 90% of its U.S. units by 2028.

    By • April 30, 2024
  • A picture of a building with Domino's signage and a car parked on the left side.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s Q1 US sales driven by loyalty, promotions

    Domestic comps rose 5.6%, the highest increase since 2021, due to rewards member growth, successful marketing campaigns and improved operations.

    By • April 29, 2024
  • An image of food bowls from Chipotle's experimental fast casual brand, Farmesa Fresh Eatery.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle pulls plug on Farmesa fast casual concept

    Farmesa Fresh Eatery marks the third spinoff that the company has attempted but shuttered in the past decade. 

    By • April 26, 2024
  • A hand dips a chicken tender into a dipping sauce.
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    Courtesy of Sticky's
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    Chicken tender chain Sticky’s Finger Joint files for Chapter 11

    Low foot traffic in Manhattan, exacerbated by high prices for chicken and potatoes, left 12-unit Sticky’s in a weak position.

    By • April 26, 2024
  • A bank of windows below a red sign that says "Chipotle." A man stands in the background inside the restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Chipotle makes order fulfillment, not fancier tech, its top CX focus

    Faster order speed is “one of those things that cascades into everything being a lot better,” CEO Brian Niccol said.

    By Bryan Wassel • April 25, 2024
  • Chipotle workers prepare food
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle’s traffic rose 5% in Q1 despite price hikes

    Visits outpaced the fast casual industry during the quarter thanks to the chain’s strongest throughput in four years and Barbacoa and Carne Asada promotions.

    By • April 25, 2024
  • The exterior of a Cava in Chicago
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    Permission granted by Cava
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    Cava’s Chicago store marks Midwestern debut

    The Wicker Park location is part of the chain’s push to add units after reaching profitability in 2023 and completing its Zoës Kitchen conversions.

    By • April 25, 2024
  • Unionized Starbucks workers strike
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    Permission granted by Starbucks Workers United
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks meets 150 workers at the bargaining table in Atlanta

    While the company still plans store-by-store contract ratification, it is discussing issues impacting all employees with a bargaining committee of union members.

    By • April 24, 2024
  • A bank of windows below a red sign that says "Chipotle." A man stands in the background inside the restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Study: Chipotle, Starbucks have highest burnout among major restaurants

    Chipotle, which recently added new worker benefits to attract hires, had the second-highest burnout rating of any company in the study, surpassed only by Progressive.

    By • April 24, 2024
  • Inside a Papa Johns location
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    Permission granted by Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns franchisees accelerating growth this year in light of incentives

    Operators who open new units in 2024 don’t have to pay a national ad contribution for five years, which could save $330,000 in development costs, per a BTIG report. 

    By • April 22, 2024
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    Lamb Weston/Dan Dunson 

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    Sponsored by Lamb Weston

    Cultivating a greener future – The Journey of sustainability in restaurants

     Sustainability is more than a buzzword. It is a core value that is becoming indispensable to guests.

    April 22, 2024
  • An image of Chuck E. Cheese menu items and kids playing at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant
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    Courtesy of Chuck E. Cheese
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    6 restaurants that plotted international growth during Q1

    Chains like Fazoli’s, Marco’s Pizza and Chuck E. Cheese secured deals to enter new countries as part of ongoing global expansion plans.

    By • April 19, 2024
  • An image of Red Loster sign on the outside of a restaurant
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Why Red Lobster could be headed toward bankruptcy

    The chain only paid a quarter of its bills on time in February and over half were 61 to 90 days late, according to data from Creditsafe.

    By • April 19, 2024
  • An image of TGI Fridays signage with red and white stripes
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    4 things to know about TGI Fridays’ acquisition by Hostmore

    The chain’s biggest franchisee has been reducing expenses since 2022, which should help the combined company start on stronger financial footing in the U.K.’s public market.

    By • April 18, 2024
  • An image of a beige building wiht both Fatburger and Round Table Pizza signage
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Fat Brands expands hybrid Fatburger/Round Table Pizza model to NorCal

    Fat Brands franchisee California Burger will add the burger concept to 40 pizza restaurants over the next 10 years, with the first to be completed this year.

    By • April 17, 2024
  • Wendy's
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
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    Why dynamic pricing sours restaurant dining experiences

    Nearly two-thirds of consumers had a negative reaction to dynamic pricing, a HungerRush survey found.

    By Kristen Doerer • April 17, 2024
  • Kiosks with biometric cameras at Steak n Shake
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    Permission granted by Steak n Shake
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    Steak ‘n Shake installs facial recognition at self-ordering kiosks

    The chain, which completed its move from full-service to self-service last year, first tested PopID’s technology in October and began deploying it in January.

    By • April 16, 2024
  • An empty, dark restaurant has chairs stacked on top of the tables.
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    Halfpoint via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Ask an expert: How can brands protect struggling franchisees from bankruptcy?

    A bad franchisee can do “irreparable harm” to its parent chain, but early intervention can help avoid sales shortfalls and covenant defaults, said Chris Desiderio of Nixon Peabody.

    By • April 15, 2024
  • An image of Domino's New York Style Pizza crust
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s adds New York Style Pizza to menu

    As the most popular style of pizza in the country, the new crust option could continue transaction and comp sales momentum noted during Q4. 

    By • April 15, 2024
  • The inside of a Noodles & Company restaurant with views of tables, chairs, booths and the front counter
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    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
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    Noodles & Company bets menu innovation will help drive traffic

    As part of a five-point overhaul plan, the chain will use digital capabilities, expanded catering and improved operations to reverse sales declines.

    By • April 12, 2024
  • An image of a white building with red stripes and KFC branding.
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    Moses Robinson via Getty Images
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    KFC names new CFO amid push to boost sales

    The finance leadership change comes as KFC struggles with dwindling traffic in a dicey economic environment.

    By Alexei Alexis • April 11, 2024
  • An image of Buffalo Wild Wings with its to-go branded section
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    Courtesy of Inspire Brands
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    Buffalo Wild Wings opens 100th to-go concept, with 600 more planned

    This year, the chain expects to reach 150 Buffalo Wild Wings Go units as it sees ongoing interest from new and existing franchisees.

    By • April 11, 2024
  • An image of a woman ordering at a drive-thru speaker box.
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    MartinPrescott via Getty Images
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    4 ways restaurants can add AI to their operations

    The technology can help employees improve customer satisfaction, cook food to a brand’s standards and accurately refill inventory, executives say. 

    By Danielle McLean • April 11, 2024