McDonald's kiosks don't accept cash, may need replacement

The new kiosks, which are part of the chain's Experience of the Future remodels, exclude 40% to 60% of the chain's diners. And if the tech is modified or replaced, the costs could fall to franchise operators.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 13, 2019

4 challenges McDonald's new CEO must overcome

Chris Kempczinski inherits a tense relationship with franchisees and employee frustration over sexual harassment and minimum wage — issues he must deescalate to keep the world’s largest fast food chain on top.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 12, 2019

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

Subway enforcing 20-year lease agreements to stem store closures, NY Post reports

Franchisees told the publication those who don't renew their five-year leases must complete a corporate questionnaire to try and find replacement operators.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 11, 2019

Reduce restaurant theft with better onboarding and reporting practices

Businesses need to review training materials and offer a clear way to address issues swiftly to prevent serial theft, says Ethics Suite president and co-founder Juliette Gust. 

By Juliette Gust • Nov. 8, 2019

Shift Change: McDonald's CEO, chief people officer out; Papa John's restructures senior management

This week's Shift Change also has executive news from Ike's Love & Sandwiches and Guy Fieri's new Chicken Guy concept. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 8, 2019

Wendy's offers franchisees chance to opt-out of breakfast

As the fast food chain prepares for its 2020 breakfast launch, it is considering a fail-safe in case operators find the daypart unprofitable after a year.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 7, 2019

Subway pilots employee career development program

The partnership with Penn Foster will offer 331 employees in Central Florida an online career readiness boot camp and high school program, part of an ongoing QSR trend to offer educational perks for employees. 

By Lauren Manning • Nov. 7, 2019

A chaotic wait for the Popeyes sandwich spotlights Chick-fil-A's operational edge

Restaurant Dive stood in line and found that while Popeyes' sandwich may win the taste battle, its store experience could lose it the chicken sandwich wars.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 6, 2019

Food service hiring leads jobs growth ahead of the holiday season

The restaurant industry grew 48,000 jobs in October leading all job categories, despite an ongoing labor shortage, and competition from more attractive segments like retailers.   

By Ryan Golden , Julie Littman • Nov. 5, 2019

Chipotle, Panera, Starbucks have fastest in-store pickup times, survey finds

Dedicated pickup systems and an emphasis on mobile ordering capability helped the three QSRs outpace the seven other fast food chains analyzed by Rakuten Ready.

By Lauren Manning • Nov. 5, 2019

Restaurants need flexible scheduling to secure holiday workers, study says

Restaurants will have to rely better hours to win out over retailers in the labor battle during the holidays, according to a Bluecrew study. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 4, 2019

Fast food chains are losing $178M at the drive-thru annually

Complicated menu boards that impact the back-of-house can cause slower service times and inaccurate orders.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 4, 2019

P.F. Chang's targets Miami party crowd with late-night concept

Chang's After Dark will include live entertainment and craft cocktails, and reflects a growing trend among casual restaurants to provide more in-store experiences to differentiate.

By Lauren Manning • Nov. 1, 2019

IHOP to open 94 units in its largest franchise deal ever

The casual brand partnered with TravelCenters of America to open restaurants at TA and Petro Shopping Centers, a strategy that is in line with IHOP's push to open in more alternative locations. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 30, 2019

How TGI Fridays uses machine learning to scale personalization

"We're not Google," said the chain's Chief Experience Officer Sherif Mityas, but leveraging the tech has been key to tripling the restaurant's off-premise revenue.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 29, 2019

Taco Bell franchisee pays $225K for allegedly requesting too much info from green card holders

It's important to remember that employers cannot impose different or more stringent employment requirements on the basis of citizenship status or national origin.

By Jennifer Carsen • Oct. 28, 2019

Popeyes chicken sandwich spurs best quarter in 20 years

Despite selling out after 14 days, the popular menu item helped increase store traffic 218% in July and attract new guests during the third quarter. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 28, 2019

Popeyes stores are already selling out of its chicken sandwich, reports say

Just three days after its relaunch, customers claim the chain has run out of its star menu item at stores across the country, according to Forbes and Bloomberg.

By Peter Adams , Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Nov. 5, 2019

Impossible Whopper drives 5% of Burger King's Q3 US comp sales

The sandwich helped drive the chain's strongest U.S. growth rate since 2015, and could kick-start the creation of a plant-based platform both domestically and abroad for the restaurant. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 28, 2019

Shift Change: Rave Restaurant Group appoints new CEO, Your Pizza hires first CMO

This week's Shift Change also highlights executives at Restaurant Brands International, Global Franchise Group, Paris Baguette and Muscle Maker Grill.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 25, 2019

Q4 delivery roundup: Chains end exclusive deals to pursue more diners, market share

Jack in the Box and BBQ Holdings saw delivery sales gains while Chuy's, Papa John's and others expand relationships with more third-party aggregators. 

By Julie Littman , Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Nov. 21, 2019

Lunch Break: White Castle's COO shares how its tech, culture help labor retention

Wearables with real-time data updates and 40-hour weeks for GMs are helping the burger chain grow talent, Jeff Carper said, but as the labor shortage grows, it is eyeing cafeteria-style payment and additional benefits.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 23, 2019

Chipotle to build 60 Chipotlanes by year's end

The company expects digital to become a $1 billion business, and mobile pickup lanes will be a growing part of the chain's strategy as it evaluates real estate needs. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 23, 2019

McDonald's improves drive-thru times by 20 seconds

Faster food prep, menu simplification and tech implementation helped the largest fast food chain boost speed of service and improve customer satisfaction. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 22, 2019

Burger King India sales grew 66%, report says

The chain, which has found a niche with pricing and its vegetarian menu, plans to open 500 units by fiscal year 2023, which will better position it against McDonald's.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 22, 2019