Operations: Page 29

  • Toast Inc. point of sale device
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    Courtesy of Toast Inc.
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    Toast adds reservation, waitlist management product

    Toast’s latest module could pit it against OpenTable, which recently partnered with Square to manage tables, floor plans and view guest preferences.

    By • April 25, 2023
  • An image of the interior of Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux and Bar.
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    Permission granted by Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and Bar
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    Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and Bar to double store count with 100-unit pipeline

    The full-service concept, which was founded by two college athletes, is aiming to open 20 to 25 units per year.

    By • April 25, 2023
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet. Explore the Trendline➔
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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
  • An image of a refreshed Subway.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway boasts 11.7% same-store sales growth in North America

    The sandwich chain, which has increased its focus on digital promotions in the U.S., saw a 21% uptick in Q1 digital sales for the region. 

    By • April 24, 2023
  • An image of Sweetgreen's rewards program on a smartphone.
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    Permission granted by Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen launches two-tiered loyalty program nationwide

    After testing loyalty elements in 2022, the chain settled on a free tier and a $10 monthly subscription tier, which includes a daily $3 order discount. 

    By • April 24, 2023
  • Starbucks cup going into a recycling bin
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks ups recycled content in cups while abandoning recyclability target

    Despite an eye toward reuse, just 1.2% of all beverages sold this past year were in reusable vessels. The company is currently testing personal cup acceptance for drive-thru and mobile orders.

    By Maria Rachal • April 24, 2023
  • An image of Jonathan Ojany, KFC U.S. CFO.
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    Retrieved from KFC on April 20, 2023
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    KFC US hires Coca-Cola exec as CFO

    Jonathan Ojany joins the chicken chain after eight years in various leadership roles at the beverage company. 

    By • April 21, 2023
  • An image of Layne's Chicken Fingers' first drive-thru-only location in Houston.
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    Permission granted by Layne's Chicken Fingers
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    How Layne’s Chicken Fingers plans to grow to 50 units by 2027

    The 10-unit chicken chain, which began aggressively selling restaurants last year, wants to expand within its home state of Texas and enter new markets. 

    By • April 21, 2023
  • An image of a hand scanning a QR code in a restaurant.
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    LeoPatrizi via Getty Images
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    Study: 47% of consumers not comfortable using QR codes in restaurants

    Despite more QR codes to view menus, order and pay, 65% of consumers aged 60-plus are uncomfortable using the tech, per a William Blair survey.

    By • April 19, 2023
  • An image of Sweetgreen's Low Carbon Collection menu items.
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    Permission granted by Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen highlights low-carbon menu items with latest collection

    The Low Carbon Collection, which allows diners to see which bowls generate the least carbon emissions, follows the chain’s 12% reduction in carbon emissions since 2019. 

    By • April 18, 2023
  • 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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    Yum completes exit of Russia with sale of KFC units

    The sale to local operator Smart Service includes all 1,112 Russian KFC units and the trademark for the Rostik’s brand, which KFC bought in 2011. 

    By • April 18, 2023
  • An image of a sign saying "Staff wanted" at a restaurant.
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    Ceri Breeze via Getty Images
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    Independent restaurant hiring reaches 6-month high

    In March, 61% of independent operators hired permanent and temporary employees compared to 50% in February, according to Alignable data. 

    By • April 17, 2023
  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop names 72andSunny creative AOR to grow brand awareness

    The chain has recently expressed a desire to increase visibility on delivery platforms that have been key to its growth streak.

    By Peter Adams • April 17, 2023
  • An image of McDonald's McDouble and Big Mac.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    McDonald’s tweaks its iconic burgers

    The fast food chain began rolling out new recipes for its Big Mac, McDouble and classic burgers across the West Coast and plans to offer these new versions nationwide by 2024. 

    By • April 17, 2023
  • Subway's reimagined interiors put in place in 2021 as part of its Eat Fresh Refresh.
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    Permission granted by Subway
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    Subway transfers 230 restaurants to 5 multi-unit owners

    One of the deals includes an existing operator, which acquired 100 restaurants, expanding its Subway portfolio to 140-plus units. 

    By • April 17, 2023
  • An image of three brand presidents at Inspire Brands.
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    Courtesy of Inspire Brands
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    Inspire appoints brand presidents across 3 restaurant chains

    The company has promoted existing employees to leadership roles at Sonic, Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings. 

    By • April 13, 2023
  • An image of a sky blue Pollo Tropical restaurant
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    Courtesy of Fiesta Restaurant Group
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    Fiesta Restaurant Group makes interim CEO permanent

    Since becoming interim CEO in December, Dirk Montgomery has been working on various initiatives to improve company transactions and margins. 

    By • April 13, 2023
  • A woman sits at a coffee table looking at a tablet.
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    andresr via Getty Images
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    Restaurant menu prices outpaced grocery prices in March

    Menu prices were up 8.8% last month while grocery prices were up 8.4%, according the the Consumer Price Index. 

    By • April 13, 2023
  • An image of a Starbucks sign
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks appoints litigator to general counsel

    Brad Lerman brings over 30 years of legal and regulatory experience in the public and private sectors to his position at the coffee giant. 

    By • April 13, 2023
  • A picture of Burger King signs.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Carrols Restaurant Group hires Toys ‘R’ Us vet as CEO

    Deborah Derby, who has served on the board at the Burger King and Popeyes franchisee since 2018, becomes the company’s top executive a few months after former CEO Paulo Pena died unexpectedly. 

    By • April 13, 2023
  • An image of Square's integrated platform with OpenTable
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Square integrates with OpenTable, Facebook to enhance products

    Square added nearly 100 features to its platform, including an integration with Facebook and Instagram which allows operators to add “Order Food” buttons to social media platforms. 

    By • April 12, 2023
  • An image of sweet Wetzel's Pretzels bitz served at Twisted by Wetzel's
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    Permission granted by Wetzel's Pretzels
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    Wetzel’s Pretzels gears up to open streetside concept

    The first Twisted by Wetzel’s unit, expected to open in Southern California this spring, will offer menu items targeting younger demographics.

    By • April 12, 2023
  • A photograph of Freddy's off-premise-centric prototype in Belleville, Illinois
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    Courtesy of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
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    Freddy’s latest restaurant design features drive-thru, mobile pickup window

    The prototype includes a grill press and separate custard freezer for mobile and delivery orders, which are expected to optimize operations.

    By • April 12, 2023
  • Domino's integration with Apple CarPlay
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s gasses up in-car ordering with Apple CarPlay integration

    The latest innovation from the "e-commerce company that sells pizza" could help the brand boost sales after a quarter that disappointed investors.

    By Chris Kelly , • April 10, 2023
  • Jamba Auntie Anne's drive-thru
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    Retrieved from Focus Brands on May 17, 2021
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    Why a Focus Brands franchisee is betting on cobranding

    Trifecta Restaurant Group, which opened an Auntie Anne’s/Cinnabon unit in December, reported triple its expected sales volume in its first month.

    By • April 10, 2023
  • Three meal kits on a counter.
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    Courtesy of Blue Apron
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    DoorDash and Blue Apron cook up meal kit expansion

    The online food ordering and delivery platform’s DashMarts now have the meal kit maker’s Heat & Eat options available in 11 markets, including New York City.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • April 6, 2023