Operations: Page 12

  • An image of a man standing in front of a gray background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks names Brian Niccol as its CEO

    Brian Niccol, who has been CEO at Chipotle since 2018, joins the chain as it continues to face declines in traffic and comparable sales.

    By • Aug. 13, 2024
  • An image of sweetgreen's automated kitchen in Naperville, Illinois
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sweetgreen automated kitchen concept improves retention, margins

    The first establishment with the chain’s Infinite Kitchen technology has seen restaurant level margins of 31% and a 45% lower turnover rate than a traditional location.

    By • Aug. 12, 2024
  • A photograph of a Potbelly sandwich shop sign.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Potbelly boosts value scores with $7.99 Skinny Combo

    The deal hits a sweet spot for consumers who feel like they’re getting a filling meal without having to break the bank, CEO Robert Wright said. 

    By • Aug. 12, 2024
  • A photograph of a pink building with white polka dots with a sign that says "The Original Rainbow Cone."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by The Original Rainbow Cone
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    Dessert concepts are seeing record growth. But are they just a fad?

    To stay relevant, chains like The Original Rainbow Cone and Dirty Dough are expanding their menus beyond their core offerings.

    By • Aug. 12, 2024
  • Picture of a pizza with various toppings
    Image attribution tooltip

    Paul Strabbing

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Bel Group

    Meet a new pizza trend customers will eat up

    How restaurants can capitalize on consumers’ growing appetite for upscale pies that boost the bottom line in an economical way.

    Aug. 12, 2024
  • An image of Burger King's Sizzle remodeled restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Burger King
    Image attribution tooltip

    Burger King remodels driving double-digit sales lifts

    The chain is on track to renovate 400 stores in 2024, with revamps partly offsetting sectoral sales troubles.

    By • Aug. 9, 2024
  • People enter a McDonald's restaurant that has posters on the windows advertising meal deals.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Consumers’ curtailed fast food consumption in Q2 hit packaging earnings

    From McDonald’s to KFC, quick-service restaurants’ Q2 results generally haven’t been finger lickin’ good. Their packaging suppliers hope promotions will lure back inflation-weary consumers.

    By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 9, 2024
  • Rendering of a store design.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Knuckies Hoagies
    Image attribution tooltip

    Walmart adds hoagies to in-store restaurant roster

    The retailer plans to open 14 in-store Knuckies Hoagies locations across six states just weeks after announcing partnerships with Crave’s Hot Dogs and Mr. Gatti’s Pizza. 

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Aug. 8, 2024
  • Pedestrians walk by a Chipotle restaurant in San Francisco, California
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Restaurant industry to grow 0.5% in 2024, IFMA says

    The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association forecasts continued demand for eating out from high-income cohorts, despite a drop off in low-income consumers. 

    By • Aug. 8, 2024
  • An image of Papa Johns sign on a store
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Papa Johns
    Image attribution tooltip

    Papa Johns wants to improve its value perception

    After posting a comparable sales decline of 3.6% in North America, the chain is working to highlight its value offerings instead of just its premium products.

    By • Aug. 8, 2024
  • An evening shot of a Portillo's restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Portillo's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Portillo’s pilots ordering kiosks

    Facing traffic pressure as a result of QSR discounting, Portillo’s is testing in-store kiosks, a tech proponents say can boost average check size, in Illinois. 

    By • Aug. 7, 2024
  • Outback Steakhouse exterior
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Outback is planning to turn around same-store sales declines

    The chain is implementing technological investments and will simplify its menu to create more value.

    By • Aug. 7, 2024
  • An image of a man wearing a Brooklyn Dumpling Shop vest in front of a blurred out sign.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Brooklyn Dumpling Shop
    Image attribution tooltip
    Q&A // Meet the exec

    Brooklyn Dumpling Shop’s first CEO has big plans for the brand

    With his extensive experience with franchised models, Jeff Galletly plans to refine the model for the chain, allowing it to expand into new markets with local operators.

    By • Aug. 6, 2024
  • An exterior image of a white restaurant with a yellow decoration and signs that say Church's Chicken
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Church's Chicken
    Image attribution tooltip

    Church’s Texas Chicken rolls out loyalty program

    The launch of Real Rewards is part of the company’s buildout of its digital ecosystem, which also includes a revamped app and website.

    By • Aug. 6, 2024
  • A view of a Wendy's restaurant on May 12, 2021 in Pinole, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wendy’s is ‘confident’ experience improvements will drive loyalty — and growth

    A $15 million investment in its app and loyalty program is starting to pay off, CEO Kirk Tanner said. 

    By Kristen Doerer • Aug. 6, 2024
  • An image of a beige brick building with a large sign that says "Buca di Beppo."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Clayton Chase via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Buca di Beppo files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, facilitates sale

    The chain closed 13 units last week after shuttering numerous locations across the country over the past several months.

    By • Aug. 5, 2024
  • Walmart storefront.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kaarin Vembar/Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Walmart grows roster of fast-casual, in-store dining partners

    The retailer is entering a tie-up with Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ to house the restaurant’s Express Model in select locations.

    By Peyton Bigora • Aug. 5, 2024
  • A photograph of two drinks, one blue and one green on a table. There is a tablet in the center that says "my chili's rewards," "play games" and "pay now."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chili's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chili’s deploys Ziosk pay-at-table tech

    The tabletop tablets, which Chili’s previously used up until four years ago, are expected to increase guest engagement and loyalty enrollment.

    By • Aug. 5, 2024
  • Shake Shack opened its first drive-thru location in Maple Grove, Minnesota Dec. 6, 2021.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Shake Shack
    Image attribution tooltip

    Shake Shack’s drive-thru times are way too long, CEO says

    Customers right now have to wait twice as long as they should in the key service area, Rob Lynch said. To speed things up, the company is taking steps like combining menu items.

    By • Aug. 2, 2024
  • A Denny's location in Emeryville, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Denny’s ramps up value with relaunch of popular menu

    The $2, $4, $6, $8 menu will return in the next few weeks with the addition of a $10 category after initial tests revealed an uptick in traffic and improved customer perception of value.

    By • Aug. 2, 2024
  • An image of a building with "Rubio's Coastal Grill" on the outside.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Rubio's Coastal Grill
    Image attribution tooltip

    Rubio’s accepts $40M sale bid

    TREW Capital Management, which is owned by former BBQ Holdings CEO Jeff Crivello, will buy the brand months after acquiring its secured debt.

    By • Aug. 1, 2024
  • An image of various chicken wings products and French fries inside green containers.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wingstop
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wingstop cracks $2M AUV in another record-breaking quarter

    The fast casual chain’s same-store sales were up 28.7%, the highest growth rate since Q2 2020, which puts it in stark contrast to chains like McDonald’s and Starbucks that posted declines.

    By • July 31, 2024
  • A rendering of a sports bar with people scattered throughout on the right there are batting cages and screens.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Batbox
    Image attribution tooltip

    Batbox secures $7.3M financing, plots US expansion

    The baseball-focused eatertainment chain will open its first location in Texas in early 2025 and plans to have 25 units by 2030.

    By • July 31, 2024
  • An image of a drive-thru digital menu board with a Taco Bell restaurant with white and purple paint in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip

    Taco Bell to deploy drive-thru voice AI to hundreds of US locations

    The technology is part of Yum’s ongoing strategy to create a digital ecosystem that can improve operations and boost profits. 

    By • July 31, 2024
  • Starbucks Summer Berry Refreshers beverages, blue drinks with red pearls.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks’ US traffic troubles continue

    Domestic comparable traffic fell 6% in Q3 despite the chain’s efforts to drive sales with product launches and improved operational throughput.

    By • July 31, 2024