Deliveroo's 'rescue team' will convert struggling restaurants to delivery-only

The initiative, which offers participating stores space in its virtual kitchens and help with menu development, branding and pricing, marks the platform's latest bid to stay competitive in the U.K. market. 

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 9, 2019

Why major restaurants want to land airport locations

From Shake Shack to Panera and Pret A Manger, fast casuals are targeting traveling consumers as a new area of growth.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 8, 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

Popeyes sells out of chicken sandwiches

Supply was meant to last through September, but sold out in two weeks. The chain directed consumers to its app to receive notifications once it's available. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Aug. 27, 2019

Waitr teams with Olo to streamline POS systems

The partnership could strengthen restaurant loyalty by simplifying operations and providing solutions to order errors and delays, a growing trend in the competitive delivery space. 

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 7, 2019

What the dine-in sector can learn from the Just Eat merger

In-restaurant mobile ordering hasn't yet reached the ubiquity of delivery, says Wi5 Chief Strategy Officer Gavin Peters, but restaurants who don't anticipate this shift will lose out to digital-first brands.

By Gavin Peters • Aug. 6, 2019

Aramark buys college food delivery service Good Uncle

Growing competition from third-party aggregators is pushing college foodservice providers into offering delivery and pickup. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 6, 2019

How 4 chains changed their models to ride the delivery wave

From pickup windows to shelves, fast casual and QSR chains are modifying their operations to improve the flow of off-premise traffic.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 6, 2019

21% of diners willing to pay more at eatertainment than traditional night venue

While activities are a top consideration for where consumers choose to go out, quality food also is top of mind, according to a SevenRooms report. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 5, 2019

Taco Bell global brand chief departs, duties split between 2 SVPs

Marisa Thalberg plans to retain an advisory role at parent company Yum Brands, which recently appointed retail vet Mark King as Taco Bell's CEO. 

By Peter Adams • Aug. 5, 2019

Tabletop tech speeds up service and boosts profits, study says

Research into the impact of POS technology at a casual dining chain found that it bridged gaps in waiter performance without impacting staff numbers.

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 5, 2019

Taco Bell blames supplier for the great tortilla shortage of 2019

After a nine-day lapse in supply at some locations that led one customer to call 911, Yum Brands' CEO said the company has spoken to its supplier and hopes to avoid similar situations in the future.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 5, 2019

Shift Change: Domino's adds HR exec; Mendocino Farms appoints CEO

This week's Shift Change also highlights new leadership at Punch Bowl Social, Black Bear Diner and more. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 2, 2019

Chipotle smashes TikTok records with #GuacDance challenge

In TikTok's top branded challenge in the U.S. to date, the burrito chain saw 250,000 video submissions for its National Avocado Day dance-off.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 2, 2019

Times Square McDonald's takes infill building to the extreme

Constructing the $10 million, eight-month-long project on such a heavily trafficked site meant overcoming myriad challenges and safety issues, said Schimenti's Gregg Chappell.

By Jennifer Goodman • Aug. 1, 2019

Pizza Hut could temporarily close up to 500 stores over next 2 years

Underperforming units will be transformed into express stores focused on carryout and delivery with existing or new franchisee partners.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 1, 2019

Navigating customer ratings and employment discrimination in restaurants

Businesses that rely on diner feedback to make personnel decisions need to ensure those reviews are not tainted by prejudice, says labor and employment litigator Kyle Winnick. 

By Kyle Winnick • July 31, 2019

Taco Bell Spain debuts vegan meat substitute

The chain has opted for a more robust vegetarian menu in the U.S. as the list of QSRs going plant-based grows.

By Lauren Manning • July 31, 2019

Chipotle rolls out AI for phone orders

The chain has tested artificial intelligence-generated voice assistants for mobile orders since 2018, and plans to expand the system to all 2,500 stores by the end of the year.

By Alicia Kelso • July 31, 2019

31% of restaurants offer health insurance to workers, survey finds

While climbing turnover rates are pressuring chains to beef up their employee benefits, only 14% of restaurant owners surveyed in Toast's 2019 Restaurant Success Report offer paid family leave. 

By Rosie Bradbury • July 31, 2019

Sweetgreen's new store layout eliminates assembly line

The new store, which will open in New York City this fall, also swaps out chalkboard menus for digital displays and lets customers order from kiosks or staff with iPads.

By Lauren Manning • July 30, 2019

EEOC sues McDonald's franchisee for rejecting applicant over religious beard

The hiring manager told the applicant he would have to shave it to comply with the grooming policy and denied his request to wear a beard net.

By Lisa Burden • July 29, 2019

Panera takes off into airport segment with new partnership

The fast casual chain signed a multi-year, multi-unit development agreement with operator HMSHost to expand the brand in U.S. airports and travel plazas starting in 2020. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 26, 2019

McDonald's revs up personalization rollout to 8K drive-thrus

Within two weeks, the chain expects Dynamic Yield software will be available at over half of its U.S. units and fully implemented by the end of the year. 

By Julie Littman • July 26, 2019

Q3 delivery report: Chains expand footprint with new partnerships

Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden and more have deployed different strategies to improve the overall guest experience and reach more customers.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman , Rosie Bradbury • Updated Sept. 20, 2019

Chipotle unwraps #GuacDance challenge on TikTok for Avocado Day

The guacamole-themed dance-off is its second challenge on the social app after a lid-flipping effort in May.

By Robert Williams • July 26, 2019