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

Taco Bell expands PTO benefits for managers, eyes filling 5K positions

At 1,200 company-owned locations, general managers will receive up to four weeks of accrued vacation time annually and additional parental leave. 

By Julie Littman • April 6, 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

Starbucks will use analytics to track promotion decisions in diversity push

Other initiatives, including the hire of an independent labor economist, come after Starbucks resolved EEOC allegations of discriminatory practices against the chain.

By Julie Littman • April 5, 2021

New deal looks to bring ghost kitchens to apartment communities

C3 is partnering with Akara Living to integrate ghost kitchens into one of its residential properties, offering dining options like Umami Burger and Krispy Rice.

By Alicia Kelso • April 1, 2021

How Flynn Restaurant Group renovates underperforming Arby's units with little down time

The franchisee will go market by market and overhaul several restaurants, many of which haven't been updated in 20 years, within two weeks.

By Julie Littman • April 1, 2021

Shake Shack CFO to become CEO of life science company

Tara Comonte's responsibilities will be transitioned to other leadership team members until a new CFO is found. 

By Jane Thier • March 31, 2021

Saladworks to open 90 ghost kitchen locations in US and Canada in 2021

Through a deal with Ghost Kitchen Brand, the company will open 60 units in the U.S. and 30 in Canada, with most located inside Walmart stores.

By Julie Littman • March 30, 2021

Pizza Hut adds drive-thru lanes to over 1,500 US restaurants

Nearly a year after it debuted contactless curbside pickup, the chain has added digital order pickup windows in a continued effort to modernize its system.

By Julie Littman • March 30, 2021

Noodles & Company's new CFO talks how ghost kitchens, drive-thrus will shape the chain's future

Carl Lukach, who started at the chain in November, says 70% to 80% of the stores built this year will have a drive-thru pickup window.

By Julie Littman • March 29, 2021

Biden signs PPP extension into law, pushes deadline to May 31

The law gives the Small Business Administration until June 30 to close pending Paycheck Protection Program applications. 

By Anna Hrushka • Updated March 31, 2021

EEOC: IHOP manager conditioned leave, scheduling on accepting sexual advances

More harassment claims are filed in the restaurant industry than in any other industry, sources have said.

By Lisa Burden • March 26, 2021

Domino's franchisee to deliver $3M to settle drivers' wage and hour claims

The plaintiffs claimed they were not reimbursed for their own delivery expenses such as vehicle maintenance and insurance.

By Lisa Burden • March 25, 2021

Olive Garden parent to raise hourly wage to $10 and offer $17M in bonuses

Pay will then rise to $11 per hour in January 2022 and $12 per hour in January 2023, in Darden Restaurants' latest move to improve compensation since the start of the pandemic. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 25, 2021

7-Eleven opens first restaurant drive-thru

The convenience store chain's newest Evolution Store model in Dallas is part of its ongoing restaurant expansion across the U.S.

By Julie Littman • March 24, 2021

Starbucks to improve sustainable coffee sourcing, reducing its largest carbon culprit

In a show of priorities, the company said it would take actions that make green coffee carbon neutral instead of tackling emissions from transportation, packaging and roasting operations.

By A.B. Brown • March 24, 2021

Domino's teams with Datatron to streamline AI and machine learning tech

The platform is automating and standardizing the deployment, monitoring, management, governance and validation of the pizza chain's artificial intelligence models. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 23, 2021

Chicago 1 year later: Winter froze restaurant sales amid strict restrictions

Brutally cold weather is a staple of life in Illinois' restaurant capital, but the coronavirus forced many operators into hibernation, risking the future of one of the most impactful industries in the region.

By Julie Littman • March 22, 2021

British QSR Leon shutters US locations

The company managed to keep only one American location open over the past 12 months, with volume down 85%, Leon USA president Glenn Edwards said. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 17, 2021

Starbucks rolls out services to help visually impaired customers navigate US stores

Building on the chain's moves to improve accessibility, the tech provides diners with access to remote agents, who can describe store surroundings via phone.

By Julie Littman • March 16, 2021

Seattle 1 year later: Many restaurants are 'just holding water'

During the pandemic, downtown eateries are struggling to stay in business with no office workers to serve, while neighborhood spots find ways to appeal to the work-from-home crowd.

By Julie Littman , Thai Phi Le • March 15, 2021

Famous Dave's takes table service out of its next concept

The full-service restaurant is also exploring drive-thrus, which would add to its ever-growing portfolio that now includes ghost kitchens and smaller formats.

By Julie Littman • March 12, 2021

Walmart explores ghost kitchens

The retailer's Canadian division is testing the virtual food court concept at several locations that will have meals from brands like Quiznos, Saladworks, Taco del Mar and The Cheesecake Factory Bakery.

By Jeff Wells , Emma Liem Beckett • March 12, 2021

Sonic diners can now tip carhops through its app

The functionality, which CMO Lori Abou Habib said is a top request from customers, is available at 1,000 of the chain's 3,500 locations and will be available systemwide by the end of 2021. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 11, 2021

Starbucks' real-time alerts allow for disruption response in days, not weeks

This tool is part of the coffee chain's initiative to create a more agile and resilient supply chain, making it easier to solve operational and logistical emergencies.

By A.B. Brown • March 11, 2021

Waitr buys Florida-based Delivery Dudes for $23M

Th acquisition expands Waitr's footprint, especially in South Florida, and comes on the heels of its plans to diversify into more verticals including alcohol and cannabis delivery. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 10, 2021