Operations: Page 25

  • A worker takes a bowl of processed avocados from a prototype of Vebu's Autocado.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle wants to improve speed with grills, robots

    The fast casual chain is trialing automated kitchen equipment that can trim prep time in half, in some cases, as it looks to improve accuracy and throughput.

    By • July 28, 2023
  • An image of a two-story Chick-fil-A drive-thru that has four lanes
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    Permission granted by Chick-fil-A
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    Chick-fil-A to open elevated drive-thru, pickup-only prototypes in 2024

    The units are part of the company’s ongoing strategy to accommodate growing digital sales, while also providing its traditional service model. 

    By • July 27, 2023
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet. Explore the Trendlineâž”
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    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Back-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
  • A man carrying orange bags with the word Grubhub on the side.
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    Courtesy of Grubhub
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    Just Eat Takeaway CEO: Grubhub sale attempt has been ‘complicated’

    Conversations with potential buyers have proven difficult due to the impact of existing fee caps, especially in New York City.

    By • July 27, 2023
  • Grimace Celebrating Birthday with McDonaldland Friends
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s says Grimace birthday push shook up strong Q2 earnings

    A darkly funny trend around the brand mascot and a limited-edition purple shake that went viral on TikTok was cited as a driver of growth.

    By Chris Kelly • July 27, 2023
  • An image of a Boston Market restaurant with red and beige trim.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Boston Market sued by US Foods for $11M in unpaid bills

    The food distributor joins a growing list of vendors, landlords and employees that have sued the chain over missed payments within the last few months.

    By • July 26, 2023
  • An image of Michael Casey, chief development officer at SPB Hospitality. He is wearing a suit in front of a brown background.
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    Permission granted by SPB Hospitality
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    SPB Hospitality appoints chief development officer

    Michael Casey, who has worked at Bloomin’, Yum and Jamba, joins the company as it focuses on growth.

    By • July 26, 2023
  • 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 September loyalty update will target takeout customers

    The updates, including a lower point redemption threshold, are expected to drive delivery sales and appeal to carryout diners, who tend to spend less. 

    By • July 24, 2023
  • Brinker International launched its second virtual brand, Maggiano's Italian Classics, in 2021.
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    Retrieved from Maggiano's Italian Classics on August 18, 2021
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    Friday Feedback: How are you thinking about virtual brands?

    Restaurant Dive wants to know if you are using delivery-only brands as part of your operations.

    By • July 21, 2023
  • An image of a man wearing a suit in front of a white background.
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    Courtesy of Brinker International
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    Maggiano’s president will retire in August

    Steve Provost will leave after three years in his post, 40 years in the restaurant business and over a decade at Brinker International.

    By • July 21, 2023
  • A photograph of Ming-Tai Huh.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Square’s new GM for restaurants targets bigger operators with new tech

    Ming-Tai Huh shares how his position as a restaurant operator and a tech executive has given him a singular view of the restaurant industry’s challenges.

    By • July 20, 2023
  • A portrait photo of Arthur Valdez, Starbucks' incoming EVP of global supply and customer solutions.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks hires former Target exec to lead supply operations

    With Arthur Valdez joining Starbucks as EVP of global supply, the company is looking to achieve efficiencies in its supply chain, which is threatened by climate change. 

    By • July 20, 2023
  • The In-n-Out logo is displayed on the front of an In-n-Out restaurant on October 28, 2021 in Pleasant Hill, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    In-N-Out to discipline employees for wearing masks without a doctor’s note

    The policy applies to all store and support associates working in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah, with some exceptions.

    By Ryan Golden • Updated July 21, 2023
  • Toast Inc. point of sale device
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    Courtesy of Toast Inc.
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    Toast axes 99-cent fee

    The restaurant payments company said Wednesday it would remove the customer-paid order processing fee by the end of this week.

    By Caitlin Mullen • July 19, 2023
  • An image of a building with Cracker Barrel branding
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    Courtesy of Cracker Barrel
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    Cracker Barrel appoints Taco Bell vet as CEO

    Julie Felss Masino, Taco Bell’s international president, succeeds Sandra Cochran, who served as CEO and president of Cracker Barrel since 2011.

    By • July 18, 2023
  • A woman sits at a coffee table looking at a tablet.
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    andresr via Getty Images
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    Readers Respond: Menu price hikes aren’t scaring off diners

    Respondents to a Restaurant Dive survey raised prices to keep pace with higher costs, but operators have employed strategies to minimize the impact on their menus.

    By • July 16, 2023
  • Burger King's newest design for restaurants following COVID-19 pandemic
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    The 6 biggest restaurant bankruptcies of H1 2023

    Restaurant companies have filed for Chapter 11 protections this year for reasons ranging from the death of a founder, declining foot traffic, efforts to reduce litigation expenses and more. 

    By • July 13, 2023
  • Woman standing behind counter and cash register serves ice cream cone.
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    Permission granted by Lynne Marek
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    Will Toast get burned by 99-cent fee?

    The restaurant payments software company’s rivals needled Toast over the addition of a fee to be paid by consumers.

    By Caitlin Mullen • July 12, 2023
  • An exterior image of Schmackary's cookie shop in NYC.
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    Permission granted by Schmackary's
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    NYC-based cookie shop Schmackary’s plots growth beyond Big Apple

    After 10-plus years in business, Schmackary’s will expand into new markets through franchise deals.

    By • July 11, 2023
  • A Waffle House in Alabama.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Waffle House workers strike over safety at South Carolina store

    Meal deductions are also at the root of a strike at a Columbia, South Carolina, unit. The demonstration is backed by the Union of Southern Service Workers. 

    By • July 10, 2023
  • Image of delivery person with parcel
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    Permission granted by Mars Foodservices
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    Sponsored by Mars Foodservices

    How restaurants can leverage ghost kitchens

    Discover 10 ways ghost kitchens can drive efficiency and boost revenue for restaurant operators.

    July 10, 2023
  • An image of Dawn Gillis, CIO of Golden Corral
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    Permission granted by Golden Corral
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    Golden Corral appoints 7-Eleven vet as CIO

    Dawn Gillis, who also worked at Freebirds and Torchy’s Tacos, will oversee the buffet chain’s digital growth strategy and modernize its tech stack.

    By • July 7, 2023
  • A stock image of a consumer examining a receipt.
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    Patpitchaya via Getty Images
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    Friday Feedback: How are you approaching menu pricing?

    This new series seeks reader input on pressing topics in the restaurant industry.

    By • July 7, 2023
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Can opt-in rules help restaurants, diners stick to sustainable packaging?

    Consumer interest in biodegradable and reusable restaurant packaging is still growing, and a push to ditch single-use cutlery and condiments may spark bigger behavior changes.

    By Kristine Sherred • July 6, 2023
  • A picture of Subway's Deli Heroes
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway spent $80M on deli slicers for latest menu revamp

    To support its Deli Heroes menu update — Subway’s third since 2021 — the chain revamped its supply chain and installed meat slicers in 20,000 units.

    By • July 5, 2023
  • An image outside the NYSE with Cava sign
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    Permission granted by NYSE
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    The biggest restaurant IPO news of H1 2023

    Cava defied analyst expectations with its $318 million IPO in June, followed by Gen Restaurant Group’s $43 million public debut. Now, H2 could see Panera Brands and Pinstripes go public.

    By • July 5, 2023