Operations: Page 34

  • An exterior shot of a Red Robin restaurant, which is lit from inside, at night
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    The image by Cbraccialini is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Red Robin unveils comeback plan for sales, brand positioning

    The restaurant chain will focus on improving its basic operations, including labor practices and food quality, that have floundered in recent years.

    By • Jan. 10, 2023
  • Graphic image of drive-thru system
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    Permission granted by Presto Automation Inc.
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    Del Taco expands Presto partnership, bringing voice AI to drive-thrus

    The chain will roll out the technology across its system after three months of testing and concurrent demand from franchisees, Presto founder Rajat Suri said at ICR on Tuesday. 

    By • Jan. 10, 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
  • A building is seen from a parking lot with a sign that reads "UKG."
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    Photo: Obtained by Industry Dive

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    UKG lost, destroyed employee data, P.F. Chang’s alleges in lawsuit

    Emails viewed by HR Dive portray a combative back-and-forth between attorneys for the two companies.

    By Ryan Golden • Jan. 10, 2023
  • A phone screen displays a window for downloading TikTok.
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    Survey: 10% of small businesses that use TikTok go viral

    TikTok may help small and mid-sized brands compete with major companies on the strength of authentic brand engagement, a Capterra survey shows.

    By • Jan. 9, 2023
  • An image of a red building with Peter Piper Pizzeria branding
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    Permission granted by CEC Entertainment
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    Why CEC Entertainment is extending Peter Piper brand with fast casual concept

    A year after opening its first off-premise-only Express units, the company is opening a fast casual version of the brand in Kansas City, Kansas.

    By • Jan. 9, 2023
  • A person carrying three plates of food on their arms and hands while they have a square device wrapped around their waist.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    6 ways restaurateurs can fight “Lunchflation” as costs rise

    With consumers changing their spending habits, what are some ways restaurateurs can fight inflation?

    By Deborah Findling and Kaitlin Keefer • Jan. 9, 2023
  • An image of Panera's three toasted baguette sandwiches.
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    Permission granted by Panera Bread
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    Panera expands sandwich line with toasted baguettes

    The fast casual chain’s latest menu addition builds on its “warm and hearty” offerings, which include flatbread pizzas and grain bowls. 

    By • Jan. 6, 2023
  • An image of a storefront with Auntie Anne's and Jamba branding
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    Permission granted by Focus Brands
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    Focus Brands to open over 50 multi-branded units this year

    The company identified four multi-branded opportunities, including Cinnabon Swirl, its first co-branded Carvel/Cinnabon concept. 

    By • Jan. 5, 2023
  • A man and woman looking at receipts inside a cafe
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    Ridofranz via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    5 trends that will shape the restaurant industry in 2023

    Restaurants will experiment with dynamic menu pricing, cater to diners who are trading down and move away from ghost kitchens as inflation pressures the bottom line, experts predict.

    By , , • Jan. 5, 2023
  • A person holds a smartphone showing the Starbucks app
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks to update rewards program in February

    Instead of 50 stars, customers will need to earn 100 stars for a hot coffee or tea, but some items will cost fewer points. 

    By • Dec. 30, 2022
  • An image of a man setting up an opening soon sign.
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    Rawpixel via Getty Images
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    Franchise spotlight: How various brands are accelerating growth

    Franchisors are turning toward entrepreneurs and multi-unit operators to expand their unit counts, and many are building significant pipelines.

    By • Dec. 22, 2022
  • Papa John's Papadia sandwich
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    Retrieved from Papa John's/Business Wire on February 26, 2021
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    BTIG: Papa Johns’ value menu attracting new base of customers

    The Papa Pairings platform, which offers guests $6.99 menu items, is attracting customers earning $60,000 or less annually, according to a BTIG report.

    By • Dec. 22, 2022
  • wawa
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    Retrieved from Wawa website.
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    Consumers are spending more on c-store foodservice as 2022 comes to a close

    In the three months ending in November, foodservice sales rose 8% and the number of trips where customers bought food and drinks rose 2%, according to The NPD Group.

    By Jessica Loder • Dec. 22, 2022
  • Food Rocket
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    Retrieved from Food Rocket website.
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    How Circle K is working with ultrafast delivery firm Food Rocket

    The c-store company is treating the startup like one of its business units, while Food Rocket is leaning on the Couche-Tard’s infrastructure to help it grow, executives said.

    By Brett Dworski • Dec. 21, 2022
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    Jack in the Box
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    Jack in the Box signs largest deal since relaunching franchising

    The 37-unit deal with Cedar Tree Restaurant Group also includes the purchase of 46 existing units across four Southeastern markets. 

    By • Dec. 21, 2022
  • An image of hot dogs on a table.
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    Permission granted by DogHaus
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    Franchise spotlight: Dog Haus to more than triple store count with 100-unit pipeline

    The 51-unit hot dog brand is generating 10 to 20 calls from prospective franchisees each day, and expects momentum to continue well into 2024. 

    By • Dec. 21, 2022
  • An image of a chef disposing vegetable waste into a composting bin.
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    stockstudioX via Getty Images
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    Report: 92% of franchisees concerned by environment, climate change

    Over half of respondents to a Budderfly survey said they are now working to reduce their environmental impacts.

    By • Dec. 16, 2022
  • foodservice
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    Nadia Bormotova via Getty Images
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    How can c-stores challenge fast food restaurants in 2023?

    Offering more discounts on meals and creating a relaxing in-store environment can go a long way, one expert says.

    By Brett Dworski • Dec. 15, 2022
  • Food hall in grocery store
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    Courtesy of Kitchen United
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    Saladworks opens 2 units in Kitchen United Mix Food Halls

    The fast casual chain is offering on-the-go meals, takeout and delivery at two food halls within Kroger grocery stores in Columbus, Ohio.

    By • Dec. 14, 2022
  • A turned over blue bag of Doritos and several dishes prepared with the chips sit under multi-colored neon branding reading, "Doritos After Dark."
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    Retrieved from Frito-Lay North America on December 14, 2022
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    Doritos opens ghost kitchen catering to late-night cravings

    Doritos After the Dark runs through the winter solstice and features globally inspired dishes, like a sandwich based on a banh mi.

    By Peter Adams • Dec. 14, 2022
  • Menu items from Nathan's Famous
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    Permission granted by Nathan's Famous
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    Nathan’s Famous offers 50% off franchise fee for store conversions

    Operators who convert their restaurants to Nathan’s Famous can save roughly $15,000 on fees and gain access to the hot dog chain’s virtual brands. 

    By • Dec. 14, 2022
  • Uber Eats online ordering feature that launched July 2020
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    Permission granted by Uber Eats
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    Survey: 79% of diners expect option to use technology to order from casual restaurants

    Online ordering is used most frequently by consumers under 30, followed by phone and the restaurant's app, according to a HungerRush report.

    By • Dec. 13, 2022
  • A photograph of a beige building that says Eggs Up Grill
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    Permission granted by Eggs Up Grill
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    Franchise spotlight: Eggs Up Grill leans into hot breakfast segment, accelerates growth

    Twenty-five years after opening its first restaurant in South Carolina, the breakfast chain signed a 30-unit development deal, its largest yet.

    By • Dec. 12, 2022
  • love's
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    Retrieved from Love's press release.
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    Love’s grows franchise partnership with Bojangles next year

    The retailer will open its 10th Bojangles in February in Jacksonville, Florida, as part of its 40-location franchise agreement.

    By Brett Dworski • Dec. 12, 2022
  • Man and woman looking into laptop inspecting food ingredient
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    Permission granted by Remy Robotics
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    Sponsored by Remy Robotics

    Top trends for food tech and automation in 2023

    Automation is here to stay. 2023 is set to be the year robotics turn labor shortages into profitability.

    By Yegor Traiman, CEO of Remy Robotics • Dec. 12, 2022