Kitchen United secures $100M

The firm plans to grow from 15 locations to over 500 using malls, shopping centers and supermarkets operated by new investors, Business Insider reports.

By Julie Littman • July 25, 2022

Lunchbox reportedly lays off 60 employees

The job cuts reduced the restaurant tech firm’s staff, including engineering and technology roles, to 120 workers, Business Insider reports.

By Julie Littman • July 22, 2022

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

Reef opens virtual food hall at Raleigh-Durham airport

The ghost kitchen platform plans to offer delivery to travelers at gates throughout the airport as part of its first foray into airport foodservice. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 21, 2022

Piestro and Capriotti’s pilot automated pizzeria in Las Vegas

The sandwich chain plans to buy up to 100 Piestro Pods in the five years following the pilot, and to incorporate the pods in future store layouts. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 21, 2022

Chipotle invests in kitchen automation platform Hyphen

The tech firm and mushroom-based protein company Meati are the first recipients of Chipotle’s venture fund Cultivate Next.

By Julie Littman • July 21, 2022

Jamba by Blendid to open in Love's Travel Shops

The robotic smoothie maker will first pilot in a Love’s Travel Shop in Williams, California, with additional locations and kiosk operations to be announced.

By Julie Littman • July 19, 2022

Arby's franchisee opens double drive-thru unit

Kang Foods LLC, a franchise group in Northern California, said the restaurant is one of a small number of such models in the chain’s system.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 18, 2022

ChowNow lays off almost 100 employees

The company, which helps restaurants create digital ordering storefronts across multiple social platforms, said the job cuts will ensure long-term stability.

By Julie Littman • July 15, 2022

C3 lands more capital to expand further into hotels, stadiums

The virtual restaurant company, which secured $80 million in funding last summer and $10 million in October, said the capital will also allow it to grow into new cities and suburbs.

By Alicia Kelso • July 13, 2022

Nextbite faces second round of layoffs

Nextbite is laying off an undisclosed number of employees following an earlier round of job cuts in April, when the company shed less than 10% of its staff.

By Alicia Kelso • July 11, 2022

Burger King hires new chief digital officer

Thibault Roux, who held digital leadership roles at Optum, UnitedHealthcare and Target, will guide the chain’s digital strategy on the guest experience. 

By Julie Littman • July 11, 2022

Latent loyalty: How restaurants can improve customer retention and profits through a digital-first loyalty program

Restaurants need the right partners to help them identify customers offering them promotions that lead to increased loyalty.

July 11, 2022

DoorDash will shutter Chowbotics 18 months after acquisition

DoorDash acquired the robotics firm, which builds salad-making robots dubbed “Sally,” in February 2021. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 8, 2022

Report: 38% of consumers interested in metaverse would add restaurant purchases to experience

Twenty percent of consumers are familiar with the metaverse and 18% have participated in the virtual environment, Paytronix and PYMNTS research finds. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 7, 2022

Piestro, Serve Robotics partner to offer robot delivery from automated pizzerias

The robot can carry up to four pizzas at a time and complete deliveries in about 15 minutes.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 7, 2022

Study: Gen Z diners visit restaurants less often than older demographics

Pandemic pressure and higher menu prices driven by inflation have discouraged Gen Z from dining out, NPD Group finds.

By Alicia Kelso • July 6, 2022

Chipotle rolls up texting, sports and loyalty to drive results

Despite not being an official sponsor of the NBA, the chain hid a code in its TV ads during the Finals that loyalty members could text to unlock a special offer.

By Robert Williams • July 5, 2022

McDonald's stakes out virtual summer camp in mobile app

Featuring merchandise, menu hacks and music performances, the 27-day effort offers another sign the chain views its app as a linchpin to winning Gen Z.

By Peter Adams • June 30, 2022

DoorDash patent application hints at autonomous vehicles under consideration

While the company said patents don’t necessarily mean a product is under development, it is actively seeking ways to use robotics to supplement its Dasher community. 

By Julie Littman • June 30, 2022

Food benefits platform Sharebite raises $39M

The technology, which enables restaurants to deliver food to corporate clients, will use the funding to grow and launch new products.

By Alicia Kelso • June 29, 2022

BurgerFi and Anthony's launch co-branded Visa rewards card

The card offers customers 3% cashback on all purchases at any of the brands’ 185 locations.

By Alicia Kelso • June 28, 2022

Kura Sushi deploys server robots systemwide

Kur-B the KuraBot will deliver drinks and condiments to customers tableside at all 37 restaurant locations. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 24, 2022

McDonald's AI voice ordering tests underperforming on accuracy, survey says

Accuracy rates for the drive-thru tech are in the low 80% range, which puts it below the 95%-plus level the company wants before broader adoption, BTIG reports.

By Alicia Kelso • June 23, 2022

10 ways restaurants are embracing automation

Robots are quickly becoming the new face of labor across the restaurant industry. Here’s a look at how automation technology is shaping the segment.

June 17, 2022

Inside the restaurant: How a fry cook robot holds the line for White Castle

At a Mokena, Illinois, White Castle, Miso Robotics’ Flippy 2 allows one worker to shift roles to man the hospitality door.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 14, 2022