3 takeaways from a former Starbucks exec's leadership philosophy

"The people that you hire are going to change your organization," Howard Behar said at #SHRM19 — so companies might as well enable them to do so.

By Kathryn Moody • June 25, 2019

Maintaining mouthfeel: The challenge of preserving food texture on the shelf and during delivery

Manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, restaurants and packaging designers are all working together to make sure the consumer gets items that feel freshly made — wherever they are.

By Alicia Kelso • June 25, 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

Chipotle's new bonus program includes an extra month of pay

The chain's employee retention play also includes tuition reimbursement, free meals and English as a second language classes once certain goals are met.

By Julie Littman • June 25, 2019

7-Eleven adds location-based delivery option

The convenience store's latest in-app feature, which allows consumers to order hot and fresh food from a public place like a park, makes it more competitive against restaurant delivery.

By Julie Littman • June 24, 2019

Shift Change: Texas Roadhouse president retires, Wendy's hires new CMO

This week's Shift Change highlights leadership changes at Texas Roadhouse, Wendy's and Checkers & Rally's. 

By Julie Littman • June 21, 2019

McDonald's pilots robot fryer in kitchen

The fast food chain is also testing voice-activated drive-thrus and automated beverage systems to decrease wait times and improve customer service and employee satisfaction. 

By Julie Littman • June 21, 2019

Papa John's invests $80M in marketing, franchisee relief

In addition to marketing and brand initiatives, the funding will go toward royalty relief for operators, many of whom have struggled since founder John Schnatter's downfall. 

By Julie Littman • Updated June 21, 2019

FAT Brands acquires Elevation Burger for $10M

With this latest transaction, FAT Brands grows to over 400 restaurants and annual systemwide sales of more than $400 million.

By Julie Littman • June 20, 2019

Off-premise, not delivery, is a growing focus for Olive Garden

The casual dining chain has grown its sales in takeout and catering by 9% in the most recent quarter without the help of third-party delivery. 

By Julie Littman • June 20, 2019

Pizza Hut brings back iconic red roof logo

The logo, which was used between 1967 and 1999, is part of the company's marketing strategy to get back to its roots. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 19, 2019

Panera tests expanded dinner menu

Just months after its breakfast revamp, the fast casual chain is looking for ways to boost sales for the final meal of the day. 

By Julie Littman • June 19, 2019

Dunkin' leverages Grubhub's geofencing to optimize NYC delivery

The test is the first phase of a nationwide delivery rollout through the platform, which will integrate directly into the coffee chain's point-of-sale system to monitor traffic and delivery times. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 18, 2019

Kroger tests 30-minute delivery as restaurant competition grows

As the threat of services like Grubhub and Uber Eats looms, the grocer is offering delivery of fresh produce, beverages and heat-and-eat meals through its Kroger Rush program.

By Jeff Wells • June 18, 2019

86% of delivery app users stop engaging within 2 weeks

A constant stream of new apps and the hunt for the cheapest and quickest service are making user loyalty hard to achieve, according to research from marketing platform CleverTap.

By Lauren Manning • June 17, 2019

Domino's begins driverless delivery test with Nuro in Houston

The pilot will allow the pizza chain to learn how diners interact with the robot and how these deliveries affect store operations. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated April 12, 2021

Why B.GOOD's foray into ghost kitchens is just a taste of its digital strategy

CEO Chris Fuqua shares how the restaurant is transforming its technology to include a loyalty program and app to help drive off-premise and dine-in sales. 

By Julie Littman • June 17, 2019

Shift Change: Inspire Brands adds 2 to C-suite, McAlister's Deli hires CMO

This week's Shift Change highlights executive changes at Inspire Brands, sweetgreen, McAlister's Deli, Wahlburgers and more. 

By Julie Littman • June 14, 2019

Dems urge McDonald's to enforce franchise sexual harassment policies

Lawmakers called the chain's working conditions "unsafe and intolerable" and said its alleged pervasive pattern of harassment must end.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • June 13, 2019

Burger King flips Whoppers 'upside down' for 'Stranger Things' tie-in

In advance of the third season of the hit Netflix series, Burger King is partnering with Coca-Cola and DoorDash for giveaways and exclusive content.

By Barry Levine • June 13, 2019

McDonald's is the most popular fast food chain, survey says

The chain beat out major competitors like Wendy's and Burger King in a UBS survey that found that consumers prefer the company's value and promotions. 

By Lauren Manning • June 13, 2019

Uber Eats drone delivery nears liftoff in San Diego

Restaurants participating in the pilot expected to begin this summer will place an order on a drone, which will then fly the food to a courier who will complete the last leg to a customer's door.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 12, 2019

Subway giving franchisees $10K remodel grants

The sandwich chain's new grant program will cover about 25% of the cost of its new Fresh Forward design updates for franchisees. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 12, 2019

Sweetgreen buys meal delivery company in first-ever acquisition

The deal with Washington, D.C.-based Galley Foods will give the salad chain access to new logistics technology, production capacity and "unparalleled insight into delivery," sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman said. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 11, 2019

Amazon Restaurants to close US operations

The online retailer is leaving the competitive restaurant delivery segment after only four years.

By Julie Littman • June 11, 2019

Perkins & Marie Callender's declares bankruptcy, will sell Perkins business

The casual dining firm entered into an asset purchase agreement with Perkins Group, a newly formed entity, for the sale of its Perkins' and Foxtail bakery businesses. Marie Callender's is still in talks with potential buyers and investors.

By Julie Littman • Updated Aug. 5, 2019