Wow Bao to open ghost kitchen locations in Walmart stores

The chain is already on its way to reaching 1,000 locations this year, and its new 100-unit partnership with Ghost Kitchen Brands will allow it to enter into the grocery store space. 

By Julie Littman • May 3, 2021

Modern Restaurant Concepts tested ghost kitchens but won't pursue them

CEO Rob McColgan said driving diner awareness in trade areas without physical locations was too challenging, but shared virtual brand Honest Pizza Co. has been successful and could be scaled across its network.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 3, 2021

Explore the 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

Shake Shack aims for gender parity, 50% POC restaurant leadership by 2025

The QSR is also striving for 30% of corporate leadership roles to be made up of people of color and has launched a training program to provide shift managers with skills to advance.

By Alicia Kelso • April 29, 2021

New Uber feature allows users to pick up restaurant orders during their ride

The company also announced other updates, including the ability for a customer to make multiple orders at one time and pre-ordering when an establishment is closed.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 29, 2021

Businesses can only expect limited boost from stimulus checks: Fed study

Households have channeled federal stimulus checks primarily towards savings or reducing debt, giving businesses just a limited lift from consumer spending, according to the New York Federal Reserve.

By Jim Tyson • April 28, 2021

Starbucks' digital success partially driven by AI engine, CEO Kevin Johnson says

Deep Brew personalizes diner offers to secure loyalty and drive more frequent engagement. Though transactions were down 10% for Q2, ticket prices rose 22%.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 28, 2021

DoorDash launches 3-tiered commission fee structure

The 15%, 25% and 30% commission plans come amid operator complaints of high third-party fees during the pandemic and as markets consider making temporary delivery caps permanent. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 27, 2021

After bombshell quarter, Chipotle's CFO focuses on sustainability

Amid discussions of carbon neutrality, a $15 federal minimum wage and a quickly evolving fast casual landscape, Jack Hartung says the chain remains committed to its employees and agricultural partners.

By Jane Thier • April 26, 2021

3 priorities for a post-pandemic restaurant industry

Restaurants should improve their energy optimization, save money by cutting down food waste and explore cost-effective service models like ghost kitchens, says Therma founder and CEO Manik Suri.

By Manik Suri • April 26, 2021

Chipotle CFO: $15 minimum wage would be 'very manageable' with menu price hikes

A 10% increase to the burrito chain's pay would hike menu prices 2% to 3%, CFO Jack Hartung said on an investor call Wednesday.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 22, 2021

Chipotle's digital sales surpass 50% as chain doubles down on mobile pickup

Just over half of the restaurant's digital sales were from order-ahead transactions as the company continues to add Chipotlane models to its footprint.

By Alicia Kelso , Emma Liem Beckett • April 22, 2021

Grubhub settles lawsuit over non-partnered listings

As part of its agreement, the third-party aggregator said it would add a form to allow restaurants to take ownership of listings, as well as request updates to menus and hours or removal from the platform.

By Julie Littman • April 21, 2021

New Blaze Pizza CFO: 'We all have to assume the world will get back to normal'

Brad Reynolds left the ghost kitchen industry for the fast casual segment, and believes Blaze will emerge from COVID-19 bigger than ever.

By Jane Thier • April 20, 2021

Study: Over 50% of consumers planning a private event in 2021 will cater it

Seventy-two percent of consumers are planning to hold an in-person event this year, with private restaurant space the fourth-most in demand location, according to a survey by Tripleseat and SevenRooms. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 20, 2021

WOWorks teams with Combo Kitchen to grow via ghost restaurants

The partnership aims to grow Saladworks and Frutta Bowls at a rate of five to seven locations monthly through 2021.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 19, 2021

Walmart expands grocerants with la Madeleine, Nathan's Famous

The retailer's tie-up with the hot dog chain is a part of its ghost kitchen trials, and it has partnered with the French bakery and cafe chain on a fast-casual format for 10 Dallas-Fort Worth area stores.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • April 19, 2021

Judge dismisses OFW lawsuit against Olive Garden parent over tipping policy

Because One Fair Wage isn't an employee of Darden, it doesn't have standing to challenge its employment practices, a U.S. District Court judge ruled. 

By Julie Littman • Updated Sept. 16, 2021

Jack in the Box CIO to depart in May

The fast food chain will be "separating" from SVP and CIO Andrew Martin on May 7, according to an SEC filing. 

By Katie Malone • April 15, 2021

McDonald's will require anti-harassment training at all restaurants in 2022

The training will impact 2 million employees at the chain's 39,000 restaurants worldwide regardless of whether they work at corporate-owned or franchisee-operated locations, CEO Chris Kempczinski announced Wednesday.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 14, 2021

Slice secures $40M in additional funding

The company plans to expand its vertical platform for its 15,000-plus pizzeria partners, add new products and scale its Slice Accelerates program, which provides $15,000 worth of tech assistance. 

By Julie Littman • April 14, 2021

Taco Bell's newest Cantina rolls out with kiosk-only ordering

The Times Square location, which opens Wednesday, also offers 15 order-ahead mobile pickup cubbies, which could be particularly effective for stores without space for drive-thrus.

By Julie Littman • April 13, 2021

WOWorks pursues acquisitions, ghost kitchens to drive growth

Kelly Roddy, the holding company's CEO, says it plans to buy two to three more brands by the end of the year, as well as increase units via delivery-only locations and franchising.

By Julie Littman • April 12, 2021

McDonald's to close hundreds of Walmart locations

The burger chain is pulling out more of its restaurants as the pandemic hurts in-store traffic, The Wall Street Journal reported. 

By Jeff Wells • April 9, 2021

Restaurants could see up to 30% check boost from latest stimulus, Rabobank predicts

This forecast is double what the previous two rounds of stimulus checks provided restaurants. During the four weeks immediately after those payments were made, restaurant spending was up 10% to 15%.

By Alicia Kelso • April 7, 2021

OpenTable launches restaurant restriction heat map for diners

The reservation platform will also roll out a hub for operators on Thursday called At Your Service, which includes flow controls to limit the number of covers or parties that can book a reservation.

By Alicia Kelso • April 6, 2021