Del Taco expands Presto partnership, bringing voice AI to drive-thrus

The chain will roll out the technology across its system after three months of testing and concurrent demand from franchisees, Presto founder Rajat Suri said at ICR on Tuesday. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 10, 2023

Five Guys says breach may have compromised applicant data

The fast food chain said in letters to consumers that it first became aware of the breach in September 2022.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 10, 2023

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

UKG lost, destroyed employee data, P.F. Chang’s alleges in lawsuit

Emails viewed by HR Dive portray a combative back-and-forth between attorneys for the two companies.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 10, 2023

6 ways restaurateurs can fight “Lunchflation” as costs rise

With consumers changing their spending habits, what are some ways restaurateurs can fight inflation?

By Deborah Findling and Kaitlin Keefer • Jan. 9, 2023

Jamba by Blendid kiosk makes hospital debut

The robot smoothie kiosk will open this month at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, where it will be operated by foodservice giant Sodexo.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 4, 2023

Uber Eats, Cartken debut autonomous robot delivery in Miami area

This partnership builds on Uber Eats’ existing relationships with delivery robot providers, including Motional, Serve Robotics and Nuro. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 15, 2022

Survey: 79% of diners expect option to use technology to order from casual restaurants

Online ordering is used most frequently by consumers under 30, followed by phone and the restaurant's app, according to a HungerRush report.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 13, 2022

Starbucks ties NFTs to loyalty program in beta launch

Starbucks Odyssey allows users to complete interactive challenges in exchange for NFTs and rewards points that unlock exclusive experiences.

By Jessica Deyo • Dec. 12, 2022

Kiwibot launches first autonomous campus partnership at Loyola Marymount

Twenty-five self-driving robots will deliver food from campus restaurants and convenience stores to drop-off locations across the university’s grounds.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 12, 2022

Top trends for food tech and automation in 2023

Automation is here to stay. 2023 is set to be the year robotics turn labor shortages into profitability.

By Yegor Traiman, CEO of Remy Robotics • Dec. 12, 2022

Grubhub, Kiwibot to roll out robotic delivery at colleges

The partnership builds upon Grubhub’s existing relationships with Cartken and Starship, which have deployed robots to nearly a dozen colleges. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 9, 2022

MarginEdge secures $45M in capital

The capital infusion, which the restaurant tech firm will use to grow its team and improve its core products, brings its total funding to over $70 million. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 8, 2022

McDonald’s opens off-premise test unit in Texas

The restaurant, located near Fort Worth, Texas, features both a mobile order and traditional drive-thru lane, as well as a food and beverage conveyor belt. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 2, 2022

Computer vision: An essential extension to drive-thru voice automation

The future of the drive-thru is now. Here are four capabilities your drive-thru computer vision technology should have.

Nov. 28, 2022

Domino’s will deploy over 800 electric vehicles to enhance delivery fleet

The chain, which has been working to bolster its delivery workforce, said these vehicles could attract drivers who don’t have their own cars. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 21, 2022

Chuck E. Cheese parent creates YouTube-inspired virtual brand

LankyBox Kitchen, a collaboration between Virtual Dining Concepts and CEC Entertainment, expands Chuck E. Cheese’s virtual brand offerings, which include Pasqually’s Pizza & Wings. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 18, 2022

Subway plots growth through automated vending fridges

The smart fridges, which debuted at the University of California, San Diego in September, are seeing interest from franchisees. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 14, 2022

Why restaurants need to start thinking like tech companies

Rapid testing. Agile processes. Today’s leading restaurants look a lot like tech companies.

Nov. 14, 2022

Tim Hortons offers Scan & Pay option for loyalty app

Rewards members can pay for orders and earn or redeem rewards with a single scan if they link a credit card or Tim Card to the restaurant’s mobile app. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 11, 2022

RBI opens first virtual food hall in Miami, with plans for a second

The concept, called Kylo, offers menus from Burger King, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs alongside local restaurant fare.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 10, 2022

Taco Bell adds in-app delivery with DoorDash

The Mexican chain’s Fire Tier rewards members will first get access to the channel, which leverages the delivery giant’s driver fleet.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 4, 2022

6 questions to evaluate drive-thru voice automation technologies

The creative use of enterprise-grade automation and optimization solutions can help restaurants meet macroeconomic challenges head-on.

Oct. 31, 2022

Starbucks inside NYC Amazon Go files for union election

Recent election filings indicate the campaign is regaining organizing momentum, which slowed this summer, union sources told Restaurant Dive.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 28, 2022

McDonald’s CEO says affordable digital channels will help chain face recession

Value offerings, especially via online and delivery channels, helped diners tolerate Q3 price hikes of 10% year-over-year, Chris Kempczinski told investors.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 27, 2022

DoorDash is testing in-app reservations

Expedite found New York-area diners can book restaurant reservations in DoorDash’s app. Restaurant Dive found the feature is also live in Chicago, and booked a table in Los Angeles.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 25, 2022