Chili's to deploy Rita the Robot at 51 more locations

Chili's has tested the Bear Robotics tech, which can lead guests to tables, run food and sing a birthday song, at 10 locations over the past 18 months.

By Julie Littman • Updated April 18, 2022

McDonald's Canada to test Volvo electric truck for restaurant delivery

The company plans to transition its fleet to lower-emission vehicles "where feasible" to service its more than 1,400 restaurants.

By Max Garland • April 14, 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

Yelp adds eco-friendly business search filter

Searchable attributes like "provides reusable tableware" or "bring your own container allowed" will make it easier for consumers to find businesses that have adopted sustainable practices, the company said.

By Alicia Kelso • April 13, 2022

Panera tests Miso Robotics coffee monitoring system

CookRight Coffee, a new AI-enabled coffee monitoring system, combines time, temperature and volume data with predictive analytics to alert employees when to brew a new batch.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 12, 2022

Study: One-third of diners don't want to see robots preparing their food

While consumers understand the benefits of automation, 32% would prefer not to see the technology in action, new research from Big Red Rooster finds.

By Alicia Kelso • April 11, 2022

DoorDash launches DashPass for Students

The $4.99 monthly subscription gives U.S. college students access to free delivery from grocers, convenience stores and restaurants.

By Julie Littman • April 11, 2022

GRUBBRR solutions mitigate labor shortage woes

The labor shortage shows no sign of letting up; for restaurant operators that want to not only survive, but thrive in this new labor landscape, the only answer is automation.

April 11, 2022

The importance of embracing today's always-connected diner

Restaurants should reconsider their investments to ensure a great, connected experience for their customers, writes Anthony Cross, Yelp's vice president of restaurant products.

By Anthony Cross • April 4, 2022

Flytrex and Brinker International bring drone delivery partnership to Texas

Flytrex's expansion into Texas follows its growth in North Carolina, where the company has entered three markets since September 2020.

By Alicia Kelso • April 1, 2022

Yelp partners with Hazel Analytics to expand health scores on its platform

Hazel Analytics will incorporate data from health departments across 48 U.S. states to facilitate health scores across Yelp's nearly 700,000 pages.

By Alicia Kelso • March 31, 2022

Wendy's opens metaverse restaurant in Horizon Worlds

Teaming with the QSR chain is a major play by Meta to achieve its vision for connecting brands and consumers on a platform it sees as a top priority.

By Chris Kelly • March 31, 2022

Chipotle tests RFID technology to improve food traceability

The tech will trace meat, dairy and avocados from five of the company's suppliers at about 200 Chicago-area restaurants.

By Julie Littman • March 31, 2022

Red Lobster snares restaurant exec for CIO role

IT veteran Cijoy Olickal joined the company Monday and will report directly to CEO Kelli Valade.

By Roberto Torres • March 30, 2022

Sodexo will use robotic delivery to offer virtual brands on college campuses

The foodservice giant will offer brands from Virtual Dining Concepts, which includes brands like MrBeast Burger, to its Bite mobile app.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 29, 2022

Using technology to mitigate inflation's impact on QSRs

Self-ordering technology addresses inflation by adding value back into the hands of restaurant operators.

March 28, 2022

How double-digit profit margins are attainable with modern restaurant technology

Learn how adding flexible, integrated tech can lead to better profit margins for your restaurant.

March 21, 2022

WOWorks creates new CIO role as it updates its tech stack

Kyle Mark will lead the company's tech operations across its four brands as it makes upgrades, including a new POS system and loyalty program.

By Alicia Kelso • March 18, 2022

Bear Robotics secures $81M to expand hospitality robots

Since the end of last year, Chili's and Denny's have started using its technology in a handful of restaurants.

By Alicia Kelso • March 16, 2022

Chipotle tests Chippy, a tortilla chip-making robot

The artificial intelligence-powered technology was created with Miso Robotics, and is being piloted in Irvine, California.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 16, 2022

Google accused of 'deceptive' online ordering practices by restaurant group

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill claims Google created webpages with its trade name without permission and intercepted more than 1,000 orders from its customers. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 11, 2022

In absence of RRF, restaurants can use tech to boost recovery

A provision that would refill the Restaurant Revitalization Fund was nixed from the final version of the omnibus spending bill, but operators have the tools they need to thrive, writes Ben Pryor, head of innovation for SpotOn.

By Ben Pryor • March 10, 2022

Waitr adds chief information officer as it expands business model

Matthew Coy joins the company shortly after it named Timothy Newton as its chief technology officer and announced a rebrand to emphasize new verticals.

By Alicia Kelso • March 8, 2022

Sweetgreen's digital sales made up 67% of Q4 2021 revenue

By capturing the majority of its online orders through proprietary platforms, the salad chain has been able to collect valuable consumer data that informs digital-exclusive offerings. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 7, 2022

Saladworks to offer delivery from 20 host kitchens through Combo Kitchen deal

The partnership allows Saladworks to experiment with its menu and offerings in a large market without significant investment in labor, capital or real estate.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 4, 2022

IHOP tests 2 virtual brands in 50 stores

Parent company Dine Brands has expanded Thrilled Cheese and Super Mega Dilla from nine restaurants last quarter to 50.

By Alicia Kelso • March 3, 2022