Operations
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Jack in the Box eliminates COO position
Tony Darden will leave his position as SVP and COO and Ryan Ostrom, current EVP and chief marketing and digital officer, will assume responsibility for Jack in the Box’s operations.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 27, 2024 -
ozgurcankaya via Getty Images
Over a third of consumers plan to order takeout, delivery for Thanksgiving
Of the consumers planning to order out, a majority said it was easier and a third said it’s cheaper or equal to the cost of buying groceries and cooking, according to Popmenu.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 26, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
TrendlineBack-of-house Technology
From voice AI at the drive-thru to robot-powered makelines, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Permission granted by Chipotle
‘Not just the beef’: How Chipotle’s supply chain helped bring back smoked brisket
The return of the popular menu item required what CEO Scott Boatwright called “a huge cross-muscle effort.”
By Philip Neuffer • Nov. 26, 2024 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks scheduling tools crippled by Blue Yonder outage
A ransomware attack against the software vendor has pushed the coffee chain to temporarily rely on manual scheduling to ensure workers are paid for hours.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 26, 2024 -
Permission granted by Cava
The restaurant industry’s Q3 winners and losers
2024 has hammered many chains with closures, declining sales and problems of brand perception. But some, like Cava and Chili’s, have managed to rise above the fray.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 26, 2024 -
lechatnoir via Getty Images
Are customers tipping more? Here’s what the data says.
While customers feel more pressure to tip across industries, they still tip a relatively stable 18% at restaurants.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 25, 2024 -
Courtesy of Union of Southern Service Workers
Waffle House claims NLRB process is unconstitutional
The casual chain has faced union organizing activity for over a year, and now wants the court to weaken the agency tasked with regulating labor law.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 22, 2024 -
Permission granted by McDonald's
McDonald’s to launch value platform in January
The platform will include the $5 Meal Deal, exclusive in-app offers, local food and drink deals and Buy One, Add One for $1.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 22, 2024 -
Permission granted by Maggiano's
Maggiano’s is just getting started with menu updates, remodels
In his first months as the chain’s VP of innovation and growth, Anthony Amoroso helped create new menu items like Rigatoni al la Vodka and updated the Caesar salad, both of which are already driving sales.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Permission granted by Perkins
Perkins signs 10-unit agreement for fast casual concept
In its largest deal since the concept was introduced in September, Griddle & Go will open in New Jersey in October 2025.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle reaches 1K Chipotlane milestone
The fast casual chain is also on track to open a record number of restaurants this year in the range of 285 to 315 units.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 20, 2024 -
Courtesy of Peet's Coffee
Deep DiveHow do coffee chains design, market and analyze their seasonal LTOs?
While flexibility is important, many brands plan coffee LTOs more than a year in advance, meaning next year’s holiday drinks are already in the works at places like Peet’s and Dutch Bros.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 19, 2024 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
McDonald’s invests $100M to help franchisees recover from E. coli outbreak
About $35 million will go toward marketing programs that will help drive traffic and rebuild consumer trust.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 18, 2024 -
Courtesy of Portillo's
Chains struggle to stand out amid ‘noise’ of value wars
Papa Johns, Popeyes and Burger King’s value messages did not break through, while Portillo’s sought to sidestep deep discounting.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 18, 2024 -
Permission granted by Grubbrr/Bojangles
Bojangles to install ordering kiosks across its system
The chicken chain said its pilot of the Grubbrr technology had high adoption rates and helped increase throughput.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 15, 2024 -
Courtesy of Subway
Subway’s newest design focuses on improving the dining room experience
During concept testing, guests said the Fresh Forward 2.0 image, which includes warmer wood tones and improved lighting, increased their chances of eating inside a Subway.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 14, 2024 -
Courtesy of Red Lobster
Red Lobster brings back old favorites, new items in menu remake
The casual chain added seven new dishes and revived classics like hush puppies and popcorn shrimp.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 12, 2024 -
Courtesy of Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux signs first franchise deal to build smaller restaurants
Operator Port Royal Brands will develop 20 units in Georgia and Tennessee using a prototype that will be half the size of Walk-On’s traditional restaurants.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 12, 2024 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
Deep DiveWhat restaurants, suppliers can learn from McDonald’s E.coli outbreak
The fast food giant’s initial response to the outbreak was quick, but guest sentiment suffered from a lack of direct consumer messaging.
By Julie Littman , Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 12, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle names Scott Boatwright permanent CEO
Boatwright, who has been interim CEO since August, said on an earnings call that the chain will continue its current strategies and focus on operational efficiency.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 11, 2024 -
Permission granted by Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen to launch points-based loyalty program
The chain is shifting its approach after customers found its tiered program, which includes a free and paid subscription, was too complicated.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 11, 2024 -
Courtesy of Domino's
How QSR pizza chains are competing on value
Domino’s focus on promotions and discounts helped increase sales, while Papa Johns and Pizza Hut struggled with similar offerings.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 7, 2024 -
Permission granted by Walk-On's
Walk-On’s to open first corporate stores since 2016
The chain will open multiple corporate-owned locations next year that feature a new interior and exterior in addition to updated kitchen equipment.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 7, 2024 -
Courtesy of Popeyes
Popeyes didn’t focus on value in Q3 and paid for it
The chain lacked enough compelling promotions to attract price-sensitive customers during the summer, contributing to negative comparable sales.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 6, 2024 -
Courtesy of Burger King
Burger King’s LTOs met with stiff competition in Q3
The chain’s summer promotions, including its Fiery menu, had trouble cutting through QSR value messages, resulting in softer than expected sales in Q3.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 5, 2024
