Operations: Page 8

  • An image of a sign that says $5 Meal Deal on a window of a McDonald's
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s posts first decline in US comp sales since 2020

    Guest counts declined during the quarter, but the chain’s $5 Meal Deal has started to bring back low-income consumers and shift sentiments regarding its value proposition.

    By • July 29, 2024
  • A white building with windows on the front with a large sign that says Cava
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava wants to improve its dining room ambiance. Should other QSRs follow suit?

    QSRs typically don’t want people to linger, but experts say there are steps operators can take to forge a deeper connection with diners while also keeping them moving.

    By Danielle McLean • July 29, 2024
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
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    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
  • Checkers fries
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    Courtesy of Checkers & Rally's
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    Checkers & Rally’s opts for outsourced distribution

    By partnering with McLane Company, the fast food franchise is seeking a more streamlined and cost efficient logistics model.

    By Philip Neuffer • July 29, 2024
  • An image of a brown building with a "Texas Roadhouse" signage
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    Northwalker. (2022). Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
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    What drove Texas Roadhouse’s 9% same-store comps

    The casual chain has not seen a drop off in consumer demand and has not resorted to promotions to drive traffic.

    By • July 26, 2024
  • A restaurant inside a grocery store.
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    Courtesy of Cameron Karsten
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    Town & Country Markets debuts in-store restaurant

    The Seattle-area grocer collaborated with chef and restaurateur Ethan Stowell on Field House, which opened last week in the Mill Creek, Washington, store. 

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • July 26, 2024
  • A worker takes a bowl of processed avocados from a prototype of Vebu's Autocado.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle’s advanced equipment strategy takes a step forward

    The fast casual giant said its avocado processing machine and automated digital makeline are in the final steps before in-restaurant testing.

    By • July 26, 2024
  • A rendering of Marco's store design includes a front pickup counter, beverage cooler and a small waiting area.
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    Courtesy of Marco's Pizza
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    Marco’s opens first location with new digital-focused design

    The prototype, which has the option for a pickup door and window, is expected to accelerate the chain’s growth while improving customer services. 

    By • July 25, 2024
  • An image of Red Loster sign on the outside of a restaurant
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Red Lobster expects positive net income by fiscal 2026

    The chain also anticipates adjusted EBITDA growth of 43% from fiscal 2025 to 2027 after emerging from Chapter 11.

    By • July 25, 2024
  • Casey's
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    Retrieved from Casey's.
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    C-stores see higher loyalty retention than QSRs, data shows

    However, they sign up new members much more slowly than quick- and full-service restaurants, according to data from Paytronix.

    By Jessica Loder • July 24, 2024
  • A building with white and brown siding with two black cars at a drive-thru. Signage says Bojangles
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    Permission granted by Bojangles
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    Bojangles to deploy voice AI at hundreds of drive-thrus

    The chicken chain is positioning itself as an aggressive early-adopter of drive-thru voice AI, and says Hi Auto’s tool is more than 95% accurate.

    By • July 23, 2024
  • An image of a cheeseburger, chicken sandwhich, chicken nuggest, fries and a drink on a blank background. The image includes "$5 Meal Deal" wording.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    How chains are competing in the 2024 value wars

    From McDonald’s and Burger King’s $5 meals to Del Taco’s $2 menu, fast food chains ramped up their value meals this year to attract price-sensitive guests.

    By • July 22, 2024
  • Man in kitchen
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    Permission granted by Tattle
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    Sponsored by Tattle

    The true cost of not having enough guest insights for your restaurants

    Restaurants are bleeding revenue because they overlook these crucial operational insights.

    July 22, 2024
  • A white plate with the words "sizzler" and "family steakhouse" with a burger, fries and pickles. The photo also includes a basket of cheese toast, wrapped silverware and two drinks.
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    Permission granted by Sizzler
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    Sizzler upgrades burger menu

    The Prime Rib Burger and Crispy Bacon Burger are part of the chain’s efforts to refresh its image, said Robert Clark, Sizzler USA’s chief growth officer.

    By • July 19, 2024
  • A photo of a plate with two fried eggs, two slices of bacon and two pancakes with syrup.
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    Permission granted by Perkins
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    Perkins enters value wars with breakfast trios

    The chain’s Great American Trio sells at a price point of $5 to $7, making it competitive with similar meals offered by Denny’s and IHOP. 

    By • July 19, 2024
  • Tender Greens and Tocaya merged in 2021 to become One Table Restaurant Group.
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    Permission granted by One Table Restaurant Group
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    One Table Restaurant Brands files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections

    Fees on third-party orders and rising debt costs meant a partial recovery from 2020 was not enough to allow the parent company of Tender Greens and Tacaya to repay its creditors.

    By • July 18, 2024
  • Two sandwiches on plates from Panera Bread
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera Bread spices up sandwich menu

    The chain also added two avocado toast flavors and revived blueberry and sesame bagels as part of its latest menu change.

    By • July 18, 2024
  • An image of a pink building with a Chuy's sign on the side.
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    The image by Michael Rivera is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Darden to buy Chuy’s for more than $600M

    The all-cash transaction will add a Tex-Mex chain to Darden’s portfolio of restaurants, which includes Olive Garden and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

    By • Updated July 17, 2024
  • A hand pours sauce on a cut of fish.
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    Courtesy of Hilton
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    Hotel restaurants use storytelling, immersive experiences to draw repeat guests

    Successful concepts center narratives, offer signature experiences and are well-attuned to changing customer tastes, experts say.

    By Brian Martucci • July 17, 2024
  • Beef O' Brady's restaurant
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    Permission granted by Beef O' Brady's
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    Beef ‘O’ Brady’s launches SoundHound’s automated phone ordering system

    After launching in over 30 corporate locations, the technology, which claims to be “highly accurate,” is now available to over 100 franchised units.

    By • July 17, 2024
  • The Beastie Boys
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    Bryan Bedder via Getty Images
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    Beastie Boys sue Chili’s parent Brinker over ‘Sabotage’ video

    The rappers contend that the restaurant chain appropriated their 1994 hit and music video for social media use without permission.

    By Justin Bachman • July 15, 2024
  • An image of a white and red building with Red Lobster signage on the front.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    The biggest restaurant bankruptcies so far this year

    From Red Lobster to Rubio’s, several chains and franchisees went bankrupt as they faced declining traffic, rising costs and other economic factors. 

    By • July 15, 2024
  • A sign advertising a digital ordering app is displayed at a McDonald's.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Mobile apps drive fast food satisfaction — so long as service is speedy

    High-quality mobile apps can be central to the fast food experience if they enable improvements across the entire customer journey.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 15, 2024
  • Shot of a group of young friends enjoying delicious milkshakes at a diner
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    Kobus Louw via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by MARS Foodservices

    Boost profits by crafting an irresistible snack experience

    Here are four top tips to help you develop more enticing snack options that will attract additional diners.

    July 15, 2024
  • A Potbelly storefront with green decor. A pillar says grand opening.
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    Potbelly opens shop inside the Pentagon

    The chain is focusing on expanding at military bases and installations, with two shops also set to open at Fort Liberty in North Carolina later this year.

    By • July 12, 2024
  • A rendering of a store front inside Walmart. The green sign says "Mr. Gatti's Pizza"
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    Permission granted by Mr Gatti's Pizza
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    Mr Gatti’s Pizza to open 92 units inside Walmart

    The Walmart partnership and a recently developed c-store model play into the pizza chain’s strategy to expand via non-traditional channels. 

    By • July 12, 2024