Operations: Page 9


  • 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
  • A photo of the exterior of a convenience store in Nebraska. The side of the building says "Quiznos" and "Pump & Pantry."
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    Permission granted by Quiznos
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    Pump & Pantry expands Quiznos partnership

    After a “highly successful” initial rollout over the past two years, the companies decided to grow the deal from four to 10 sites by 2026.

    By Jessica Loder • July 11, 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
  • An image of a taco, burrito and chips and guacamole under words that say "Del's Real Deal $2 and under.
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    Courtesy of Del Taco
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    Del Taco unveils $2 value menu

    As chains continue to roll out low-price lineups, Del Taco is looking to stand out by offering more than a dozen items under the eye-grabbing price point.

    By July 11, 2024
  • MOD Pizza
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    Permission granted by MOD Pizza
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    Mod Pizza acquired by Elite Restaurant Group

    The transaction comes several months after the chain closed underperforming locations and will help it avoid bankruptcy, which it was reportedly considering.

    By July 10, 2024
  • A man takes orders at a Starbucks counter.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Starbucks streamlines beverage making, creates role to speed service

    The Siren Craft System, rolling out across the U.S. and Canada by the end of July, aims to help baristas and managers anticipate demand.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 10, 2024
  • A rendering of Potbelly's 1,800 square foot design
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    An inside look at Potbelly’s small-format restaurant

    The company joins a list of chains turning to smaller store footprints as a way to decrease development and operational costs while accelerating growth.

    By July 10, 2024
  • A hand holds up a reusable cup being filled by a soda fountain. The purple cup says "Sip, Return, Repeat."
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    Permission granted by Closed Loop Partners
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    Starbucks, KFC, Peet’s Coffee collaborate on citywide reusable cups project

    Closed Loop Partners describes the Petaluma, California, project as a first-of-its-kind initiative for a U.S. city in which reusable to-go cups are the default option across multiple restaurants.

    By Maria Rachal • July 9, 2024
  • An image of a woman ordering at a drive-thru speaker box.
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    MartinPrescott via Getty Images
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    ConverseNow buys competitor Valyant AI

    The companies expect the business combination will help speed up the deployment of voice AI at the drive-thru. 

    By July 9, 2024
  • A waiter serves a table at a nice restaurant
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    Rawpixel via Getty Images
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    Restaurant customer satisfaction grows despite rising prices, ACSI finds

    Consumers want premium experiences to help make the meal feel worth the cost, according to ACSI’s Forrest Morgeson.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 8, 2024
  • A rendering of a dining room with chairs, tables and booths with green interiors and framed pictures on the walls.
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    Permission granted by Perkins
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    How Perkins’ multifaceted refresh aims to accelerate growth

    The company is “elevating and adapting the brand” with its new name, store updates and an upcoming menu overhaul, President Toni Ronayne said in an interview.

    By July 8, 2024
  • workers toil on a hot construction site with the orange sun in the background
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    SonerCdem via Getty Images
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    OSHA proposes rule to protect workers from extreme heat

    The standard would require employers to provide water and rest breaks when high heat creates a hazardous work environment.

    By Zachary Phillips , July 2, 2024
  • An iamge of Eric Matrino, Hard Rock Cafe president, in a gray suit crossing his arms and smiling
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    Courtesy of Hard Rock International
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    Hard Rock appoints cafe division president

    Eric Martino, who has over 30 years of hospitality experience, will oversee operations at nearly 200 eateries around the world.

    By July 1, 2024
  • Burritobar's barbacoa bowl. Slow cooked, pulled beef on top of a variety of Tex-Mex ingredients.
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    Courtesy of Burritobar
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    Burritobar signs 93-unit NJ master franchise deal

    Burritobar will target secondary and tertiary suburban markets anchored by shopping centers in its initial phase of U.S. expansion, CDO Jeff Young said.

    By Updated July 2, 2024
  • A view of a Wendy's restaurant on May 12, 2021 in Pinole, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s inks deal with solar company to cut restaurant emissions

    The collaboration with Ampion Renewable Energy will help provide renewable electricity to local utility grids and decrease restaurants’ reliance on fossil fuels.

    By Zoya Mirza • July 1, 2024
  • A white sign with black text reading 'Compass Coffee' in front of and below a lighted neon saying reading 'Georgetown'
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Deep Dive

    Compass Coffee responds to union drive with mass hiring

    The union plans to challenge the voter eligibility of scores of workers the Washington, D.C.-based chain added to its roster ahead of a scheduled mid-July election.

    By June 28, 2024
  • The exterior of a Panera Bread restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
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    Panera faces potential class-action lawsuit over data breach involving employee information

    Corporate files were accessed during a security incident in March, but workers weren’t informed about sensitive data being exposed until June, the lawsuit claims.

    By Carolyn Crist • June 28, 2024
  • Sacramento, California, outside the capitol building
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    DustyPixel/iStock via Getty Images
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    California changes junk fee disclosure for restaurants

    The state’s exemption says restaurants, bars, grocery stores and grocery delivery services don’t need to list mandatory fees as required by rules set to go into effect Monday.

    By June 28, 2024
  • An image of a woman and a man standing next to a calkboard sign that says "we are open for brunch lunch dinner."
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    Rawpixel via Getty Images
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    Back to Basics: 5 ways restaurants can prepare for a successful grand opening

    Training, research, marketing, influencer buzz and loyalty programs can all ensure patrons walk into the restaurant on day one, and return during the weeks after, experts say. 

    By Danielle McLean • June 28, 2024
  • Three breakfast sandwiches from Panera stacked in a pyramid.
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera cooks up new breakfast menu

    Its April menu refresh consisting of sandwiches, salads and mac and cheese categories has received strong guest and staff member feedback. 

    By June 27, 2024
  • A chef cooks a real hot dish.
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    vgajic via Getty Images
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    California adopts rule limiting indoor workplace heat exposure

    Employers will have to provide workers with cool down spaces and water if the indoor temperature or heat index cracks 87 degrees Fahrenheit. 

    By June 27, 2024
  • An image of a Hashbrown Shepherd's Pie offered in a cast iron skillet. A hand with a fork has beef at the end.
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    Permission granted by Cracker Barrel
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    Cracker Barrel begins menu transformation with 14-store test

    The company is testing 20 menu items and an easier-to-navigate menu that it says reduces recipe complexity.

    By June 26, 2024
  • A White Castle at night. The sky is dark. The store is not.
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    Courtesy of White Castle
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    White Castle bolsters late-night staff to help drive and satisfy increased sales

    Orders placed between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. are an increased percentage of sales at the fast food chain, and it hopes to capitalize on growing demand. 

    By June 26, 2024
  • Arby's drive-thru
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    Permission granted by Arby's
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    Arby’s franchisee files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

    Miracle Restaurant Group declared its second bankruptcy since 2010, citing financial pressures, rising costs, negative same-store sales and its inability to sell a number of low-performing stores.

    By June 26, 2024
  • An image of a box with 10 burgers and sides next to a pitcher of pink liquid and a large salad. The box has "The Habit Burger" on it.
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    Permission granted by The Habit Burger
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    Habit Burger Grill launches catering with ezCater

    The fast casual chain joins chains like Bojangles and Perkins which have added catering through ezCater this year.

    By June 25, 2024
  • A photograph of a building with brown exteriors and orange trim with a Hooters sign that has an owl on an O.
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    Courtesy of Hooters
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    Hooters closes locations across the country

    The casual chain joins TGI Fridays, Bloomin’, Rubio’s and Red Lobster in shuttering several locations this year following declining market conditions.

    By June 25, 2024