The key to surviving a recession is automation. Here's how 3 different types of restaurants are doing it.

Esper partners with restaurant operations of all shapes and sizes to deliver custom solutions for modernization.

June 13, 2022

Toast heats up restaurant payments competition

As Toast adds services, the Boston startup is taking business from larger rivals and fintech peers, analysts say.

By Jonathan Berr • June 9, 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

Miso Robotics teams with Amazon Web Services to speed up product deployment

The partnership will allow the robotics firm’s software engineers to receive simulation results in minutes or hours instead of days.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 8, 2022

Lunchbox acquires NovaDine to improve offerings for enterprise chains

The transaction will enable restaurants to manage digital guest experiences from a single operating system and increase Lunchbox’s scale.  

By Alicia Kelso • June 8, 2022

Uber Eats debuts nationwide food shipping

Despite competition from Goldbelly and DoorDash, Uber's head of U.S. and Canada merchant ops says the offering adds new value for partner restaurants.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 7, 2022

Tim Hortons US debuts first drive-thru-only model

The first drive-thru only model restaurants will open this summer in several states including West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan and New York.

By Alicia Kelso • June 7, 2022

Chick-fil-A tests autonomous delivery in Austin, Texas

Refraction AI, which offers self-delivery technology, tele-operations and delivery robots that use the bike lane, will be deployed at two locations in the city. 

By Julie Littman • May 31, 2022

The new faces of labor? Meet the robots of the National Restaurant Association Show

As restaurants struggle to find labor, tech companies like Nala Robotics and Richtech are developing automated chefs and baristas to fill gaps.

By Thai Phi Le • May 23, 2022

Nextbite exec dishes on how operators can make virtual brands successful

These concepts can optimize excess kitchen capacity and slow dayparts, but also poise operators to be nimble in emerging markets like Web3, says Chief Growth Officer Geoff Madding.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 23, 2022

Stop wasting your time dealing with sales tax - Automate it!

Automating sales tax eliminates stress and saves time on a task that does nothing for your bottom line.

May 23, 2022

Future-proofing device-based technology saves restaurants headaches — and millions in OpEx

 How restaurants can win in the newest arena of customer experience.  

May 23, 2022

Wow Bao launches virtual loyalty program through Paytronix

Bao Bucks could grow revenue for partner restaurants and secure Wow Bao's customer base, which can now access its menu at over 600 host kitchens. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 20, 2022

SoundHound AI, Square launch tool to automate phone ordering

SoundHound for Restaurants' voice assistant answers phone calls, take orders, accept modifications and send confirmations to complete payments.

By Alicia Kelso • May 19, 2022

Domino's grants 'Stranger Things' fans 'mind-ordering' powers through new app

An immersive mobile experience tied to the Netflix show’s return uses facial recognition and eye-tracking technology to help users order pizza.

By Peter Adams • Updated May 17, 2022

Wing Zone, Wavemaker Labs launch automated restaurant pilot

Wing Zone Labs plans to open up to 20 units, which will deploy Miso's Flippy 2 to handle frying stations with a goal of eventually becoming fully automated.

By Alicia Kelso • May 11, 2022

Starbucks builds out 'third place' with foray into NFTs

As a means to build a community around coffee, the chain will link the upcoming digital tokens to exclusive content and perks.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • May 6, 2022

90% of new Starbucks stores will have drive-thrus

This move is part of a $1 billion investment, which includes tech upgrades such as handheld devices and equipment upgrades to improve efficiency, service and profitability.

By Julie Littman • May 4, 2022

Toast checks into hotels

Toast for Hotel Restaurants will provide tools to streamline operations, increase revenue and process room charges directly from its suite of features.

By Alicia Kelso • May 3, 2022

Report: 41% of independent restaurants operate virtual brands

Sixty-eight percent of respondents report their virtual restaurants are permanent additions, surveys by Grubhub and Technomic find. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 27, 2022

Starbucks hires McDonald's alum as CTO

Deb Hall Lefevre joins the coffee chain on May 2, marking Starbucks' third executive change since Howard Schultz became interim CEO on April 4.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 26, 2022

Jack in the Box will test Miso beverage and fry cook robots

Flippy 2 can increase throughput by 30%, or around 60 baskets per hour, and Sippy can fill 200 drinks per hour, reducing labor pressure.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 26, 2022

White Castle plans takeout-only unit next to its busiest restaurant

The new 1,800-square-foot unit in Orlando, Florida, will only offer pickup and delivery for digital orders as off-premise restaurant demand holds steady.

By Alicia Kelso • April 22, 2022

6 restaurant tech solutions to combat 2022's challenges

From QR codes to advanced mobile apps and robots, restaurants are planning to adopt more technology within their operations in the year ahead. 

By Julie Littman • April 20, 2022

Chipotle launches $50M venture fund to access emerging tech

Cultivate Next, which will be funded solely by the chain, will focus on Series B stage companies that can help accelerate Chipotle's strategic priorities.

By Julie Littman • April 19, 2022

Popeyes to open 200-plus units in US and Canada in 2022

Over half of these planned locations will have double drive-thrus, and the chain will test a new back-of-house design to streamline operations.

By Julie Littman • April 19, 2022