Operations: Page 67
-
Papa John's centralizes phone orders to improve delivery
The chain expects the system to be in place chainwide by the end of 2020, and hopes the model will give staff more time to make pizza and fulfill deliveries.
By Alicia Kelso • March 4, 2020 -
Logan's Roadhouse parent closes all restaurants
The COVID-19 outbreak has complicated CraftWorks' bankruptcy plans. The company lost its debtor-in-possession financing and may have to permanently shutter all of its restaurants.
By Julie Littman • Updated March 23, 2020 -
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 -
Jersey Mike’s to spend $150M on franchisee remodels
The sandwich chain plans to cover the $75,000 cost per store for these revamps, which it expects will result in a 10% increase in sales.
By Alicia Kelso • March 3, 2020 -
Impossible slashes prices by 15% for distributors
The reduction is a competitive incentive for restaurants looking to capitalize on the plant-based trend without further eroding thin margins.
By Emma Liem Beckett • March 3, 2020 -
Wendy's breakfast challenges rival offerings
In the wake of Wendy's nationwide breakfast launch Monday, McDonald's offered diners free Egg McMuffins and Burger King pushed its Croissan'wich on Twitter.
By Julie Littman • March 2, 2020 -
Sonic Drive-In shifts away from '2 Guys' to showcase real families
The chain's first work with new agency Mother includes a brand identity refresh that focuses on real people.
By Dianna Christie • March 2, 2020 -
5 ways Dine Brands is combating traffic declines
CEO Steve Joyce explains how the company's growing catering platform and new focus on urban markets are among the ways it is trying to bring in more guests.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 28, 2020 -
Shake Shack takes on procure-to-pay, supplier management in tech upgrade
A digital transformation and new enterprise resource planning systems gives Shake Shack a more granular picture of its procurement operations and frees up in-restaurant teams from administrative tasks.
By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 28, 2020 -
Lawsuit filed against Jimmy John's over serving contaminated sprouts
A food safety law firm has filed one of the first lawsuits against Jimmy John's on behalf of a customer who got sick after eating E. coli contaminated sprouts.
By Alicia Kelso • Updated March 6, 2020 -
Cosi files for bankruptcy, again
This marks the chain's second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in just four years, despite its attempt to leverage catering to strengthen its performance.
By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 25, 2020 -
Taco Bell CEO says chain will 'definitely' add plant-based protein
Mark King told Nation's Restaurant News he's met with Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods and the restaurant could launch new products by year's end.
By Lauren Manning • Feb. 25, 2020 -
Cousins Subs fights turnover by treating employees like family
"It's tough out there" for food-service employers, one exec admits, yet the chain thrives in part by being intentional about giving thanks.
By Ryan Golden • Feb. 24, 2020 -
Domino's zeros in on tech to improve service, labor costs
Tools like GPS tracking, a newly launched Pie Pass program, autonomous delivery tests and AI platforms for staffing could help franchisees drive efficiencies and profitability in a tight labor market.
By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 21, 2020 -
Column
Shift Change: Checkers & Rally's, Focus Brands hire new CEOs
Additional executive news includes The Cheesecake Factory's new board member and Papa John's chief development officer hire.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 21, 2020 -
Wendy's pays $400K to settle Massachusetts child labor charges
Several of the nation's biggest restaurant chains, including Chipotle and Qdoba, have been charged with violating Massachusetts' child labor laws.
By Lisa Burden • Feb. 21, 2020 -
Domino's CFO: Carryout business is 'on fire'
The pizza chain boasted a 3.9% increase in same-store sales on carryout in the U.S. and will continue to lean heavily on growing this business, which makes up about half of its sales and outpaced delivery growth last year.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 20, 2020 -
Pizza Hut's largest franchisee reportedly considering bankruptcy
If NPC International files for bankruptcy, the move could help the company renegotiate lease agreements with landlords, Bloomberg reports.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 20, 2020 -
Chili's wants you to 'laugh so hard you pee a little' with new campaign
Focusing on its on-premise experience, the Brinker International chain dabbles in ASMR, experiential marketing and more.
By Dianna Christie • Feb. 20, 2020 -
Cheesecake Factory now accepts Yelp reservations
A limited number of tables are available to book at all U.S. restaurants, which could help boost traffic for the casual dining chain and bypass its sometimes hours-long wait times.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 20, 2020 -
Inspire Brands explores ghost kitchens
Inspire, which would be one of the first multi-brand owners to explore the model, told Restaurant Dive it wasn't ready to comment on its ghost kitchen trademarks as of Tuesday.
By Lauren Manning • Feb. 19, 2020 -
New CFO takes reins at Yelp as it struggles to monetize site traffic
More than six months after CFO Lanny Baker left the company to head finance at Eventbrite, Yelp has named an experienced replacement whom it hopes will spur momentum.
By Jane Thier • Feb. 18, 2020 -
Domino's speeds up pizza pickup with Pie Pass
This investment reflects growing focus on optimizing pickup, since 95% of diners report collecting their order on time is the most important aspect of the service.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 18, 2020 -
Lunch Break: Firehouse Sub's VP of operations services shares strategies for tech deployment
Rich Goodman talks about how the sandwich chain, with a 98% franchised system, approaches upgrades, from new online guest experiences to digital education resources for employees.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 18, 2020 -
WeWork launches Food Labs in NYC amid struggles
The company opened its newest food-focused co-working space and innovation lab, which is designed to promote research and development and collaboration.
By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 14, 2020 -
Meijer opens sushi restaurant and craft beer bar
The new concept serves beer from local Bell's Brewery to accompany chef-made rolls and non-sushi dishes like Asian chicken wings.
By Krishna Thakker • Feb. 14, 2020