Operations: Page 36

  • An image of Panera's bakery shakes
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    Permission granted by Panera
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    Panera whips up milkshakes in menu test

    The three shakes, which are available for $5.79, are being tested in select markets in Texas and could be rolled out nationwide next year.

    By • Nov. 17, 2022
  • Pepsi opens ghost kitchen Pep's Place for food and beverage delivery
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    Courtesy of Pepsi
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    PepsiCo adds ghost kitchen capabilities for foodservice partners

    Partners will have access to a turnkey, scalable option to bring menu items to new or existing markets, increase off-premise sales and boost revenue.

    By • Nov. 17, 2022
  • 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
  • Caribou Coffee
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    Permission granted by Caribou Coffee
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    Caribou Coffee opening first US franchised unit

    The store in Wooster, Ohio, is part of the company’s first multi-unit agreement with Mike Mariola, who intends to develop locations in several Ohio markets. 

    By • Nov. 16, 2022
  • A picture of a Chipotle with a pickup lane.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle’s 500th Chipotlane opens in Kentucky

    The company is on track to open 235 to 250 new restaurants this year, 80% of which will include its digital pickup lanes. 

    By • Nov. 16, 2022
  • An image of a building with Hawaiian Bros branding
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    Permission granted by Hawaiian Bros
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    Deep Dive

    As chains expand drive-thrus, speed of service becomes paramount

    Drive-thru ordering remains in high demand long after dining room lockdowns, and chains are making sure their design and layouts help maximize efficiency. 

    By • Nov. 16, 2022
  • Dutch Bros Coffee's president, Christine Barone will replace Joth Ricci as CEO. Pictured is a Dutch Bros unit.
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    Permission granted by Dutch Bros
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    Deep Dive

    Drive-thru drag: Construction delays, rising costs slow development

    Inflation and labor disruption are forcing restaurants to get creative with site selection to obtain prime drive-thrus and mobile pickup window real estate.

    By • Nov. 15, 2022
  • An image of a Subway sandwich in a plastic package.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway plots growth through automated vending fridges

    The smart fridges, which debuted at the University of California, San Diego in September, are seeing interest from franchisees. 

    By • Nov. 14, 2022
  • Image of customer choosing food items
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    Shutterstock.com/MOLPIX

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    Sponsored by Esper

    Why restaurants need to start thinking like tech companies

    Rapid testing. Agile processes. Today’s leading restaurants look a lot like tech companies.

    Nov. 14, 2022
  • Food Rocket
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    Ultrafast delivery firm Food Rocket debuts hot meal delivery in Chicago

    The startup, which has received financial backing from Alimentation Couche-Tard, plans to open 200 hot meal kitchens by the end of the year.

    By Brett Dworski • Nov. 11, 2022
  • An image of a happy hour sign at a restaurant.
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    claudio.arnese via Getty Images
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    Report: Deals, promotions aren’t driving QSR traffic

    Foodservice deal occasions were down 1% and non-deal traffic was down 2% in the quarter ending September, The NPD Group found in its latest data. 

    By • Nov. 11, 2022
  • McDonald's drive thru sign
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    5 QSR CEOs dish on inflation

    The top brass at McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Restaurant Brands International, Papa Johns and Chipotle have seen shifts in diner behavior, but are confident they can weather economic headwinds.

    By , • Nov. 10, 2022
  • An image of the inside of Panera's urban store format
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    Panera opens first updated urban store format in NYC

    This model is 40% smaller than a traditional Panera restaurant and offers limited counter seating, updated order kiosks and a digitized menu. 

    By • Nov. 8, 2022
  • An image of customers sitting inside a restaurant.
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    Permission granted by TaKorean
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    Franchise spotlight: TaKorean turns food truck concept into burgeoning franchise

    The six-unit chain is based in Washington, D.C., and is seeking single-unit franchisees in new markets.

    By • Nov. 7, 2022
  • A picture of a brown crispy rice treat from Sweetgreen.
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    Permission granted by Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen enters dessert category

    The salad chain’s Crispy Rice Treat, which costs $2.95, is part of a push to broaden its menu to reach more customers and dayparts.

    By • Nov. 7, 2022
  • Worker looking at tablet
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    iStock / reklamlar

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    Sponsored by MENU Technologies

    Why unified ecommerce is the only way to build an effective and efficient restaurant business

    Discover reliable unified solutions that save costs and staff hours without adding complexities and exploding innovation costs.

    Nov. 7, 2022
  • Mature couple are enjoying sharing some paella from a christmas market stall
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    DGLimages via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Waze

    3 ways to attract on-the-go diners this holiday season

    As holiday shoppers hit the stores, here’s how leading QSRs and fast casual chains can entice them to stop for quick pick-me-ups.

    Nov. 7, 2022
  • An image of a small restaurant with shelves and an ordering counter.
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    Permission granted by Chili's
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    Chili’s launches its first delivery, takeout-only restaurant

    The 1,600-square-foot unit near Southern Methodist University in Dallas will provide better access to customers who prefer off-premise to dine-in service.

    By • Nov. 4, 2022
  • TravelCenters of America
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    Retrieved from TravelCenters of America press release.
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    TravelCenters of America to open new proprietary restaurant brand

    In addition to the new dining option, TA is also increasing its partnership with IHOP as restaurant revenue increased 10% during its third financial quarter.

    By Brett Dworski • Nov. 3, 2022
  • An image of a Del Taco resturant in Florida
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    Retrieved from GlobeNewswire on November 02, 2022
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    Jack in the Box to sell company-owned Del Tacos to franchisees

    The Cypress Group will manage the sale of select Del Taco units to new and existing operators as part of Jack in the Box’s push for an asset-light model.

    By • Nov. 3, 2022
  • Jack in the Box
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    Permission granted by Jack in the Box
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    Jack in the Box: ‘We have a lot to offer the c-store industry.’

    The QSR currently operates more than 90 locations adjacent to convenience stores and is “making a push” to expand that number across the country.

    By Brett Dworski • Nov. 3, 2022
  • An image of a man and a woman looking at a tablet and doing financials in a restaurant.
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    Dan Rentea via Getty Images
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    How bad is restaurant inflation? Here’s what the data shows.

    As rising wages and operating costs push chains to increase menu prices, consumers are trading down and seeking more value-focused dining options.

    By • Nov. 3, 2022
  • Restaurant diners eat outside
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    Spencer Platt / Staff via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    For restaurants still struggling, preserving outdoor dining is key to their survival

    Since outdoor dining has become such a boon for local businesses, the question should not be whether we keep outdoor dining, but how we make it enjoyable for all, writes Austen Asadorian, SVP of sales at SevenRooms.

    By Austen Asadorian • Nov. 2, 2022
  • An image of Chase Elliot, Nascar racer, with chicken tenders.
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    Permission granted by Hooters of America
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    Hooters, Chase Elliott rev up off-premise with virtual brand

    The chicken tender concept developed with the NASCAR driver is Hooters’ newest virtual brand, joining Hootie’s Burger Bar and Hootie’s Bait & Tackle. 

    By • Nov. 1, 2022
  • An image of a beige building with 810 Billiards & Bowling sign on the outside.
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    Permission granted by 810 Billiards & Bowling
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    Franchise spotlight: 810 Billiards & Bowling creates upscale eatertainment

    The entertainment concept, which features bowling, billiards and bocce ball, wants to sign eight to 12 franchise agreements annually over the next two to three years.

    By • Oct. 31, 2022
  • A picture of a beige building with Tropical Smoothie Cafe branding
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    Permission granted by Tropical Smoothie Cafe
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    Tropical Smoothie Cafe opens first double drive-thru

    The Oklahoma City restaurant spans about 1,140 square feet on a small lot, with a traditional drive thru-lane and one for delivery and curbside pickup. 

    By • Oct. 28, 2022