Walmart explores ghost kitchens

The retailer's Canadian division is testing the virtual food court concept at several locations that will have meals from brands like Quiznos, Saladworks, Taco del Mar and The Cheesecake Factory Bakery.

By Jeff Wells , Emma Liem Beckett • March 12, 2021

Sonic diners can now tip carhops through its app

The functionality, which CMO Lori Abou Habib said is a top request from customers, is available at 1,000 of the chain's 3,500 locations and will be available systemwide by the end of 2021. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 11, 2021

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

Postmates' robotics division splits off, becomes Serve Robotics

Serve Robotics closed its first funding round and will continue to develop and operate autonomous delivery robots in urban markets as it pursues new partnerships. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 3, 2021

Yum Brands buys Kvantum's AI business to 'fast-track' data-driven marketing

The owner of KFC and Taco Bell will combine Kvantum's machine learning tech with culture-based insights from Collider Lab, a consultancy it acquired in 2015.

By Peter Adams • March 2, 2021

McDonald's mulls partial sale of AI company Dynamic Yield

Following franchisee complaints, the fast food giant is evaluating the tech company's drive-thru performance and could sell the part that works with outside retailers.

By Alicia Kelso • Updated March 1, 2021

88% of restaurants considering swapping to digital menus, survey says

Seventy-six percent of operators plan to continue offering contactless payment options this year as well, Square's Future of Restaurants 2021 report shows. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 24, 2021

Olo files to go public with $100M offering

The software company posted a 94% increase in revenue during 2020 as customers shifted toward digital ordering channels during the pandemic. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 23, 2021

Yelp adds takeout features, enhanced analytics to Waitlist

The latest updates to the company's restaurant products include guest profiles and POS integration, which give users more data on operational performance, customer preferences and ordering behavior. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 23, 2021

Toast considering IPO valued at $20B, WSJ reports

The software company, which processed 50 million digital guest orders in 2020, is also exploring a sale or merger with a special purpose acquisition corporation, per the publication.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 22, 2021

Will Clubhouse be the next social media platform for marketers?

The parent company of Burger King and Popeyes jumped on the buzzy app last week, opening the possibility of another digital channel for brands to utilize.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 18, 2021

Report: Loyalty customers spend more than twice as much on takeout meals

The spending disparity between loyalty members and non-members reflects why so many major brands, including Taco Bell, Wendy's and White Castle, have added or enhanced their loyalty programs during the pandemic.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 17, 2021

McDonald’s agrees to independent review of contentious technology fees

At the request of the National Franchisee Leadership, which claims that no outstanding fees were due, the chain said it plans to enlist Ernst & Young to provide certainty that payables are owed. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 16, 2021

Taco Bell franchisee to break ground this month on new Defy model

The two-story store with four drive-thru lanes in Minnesota will let mobile order customers use digital check-in screens to scan unique QR codes and then have their order delivered through a proprietary lift system.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Aug. 12, 2021

Burger King expands loyalty program nationwide

The chain expects to have more than two-thirds of its restaurants activated with loyalty capabilities this month and will soon launch a new Royal Perks deal.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Sept. 2, 2021

Taco Bell decries rivals' celeb menu stunts in 'Build Your Own Cravings' mobile push

Even as it teases fellow QSRs like McDonald's and Chipotle that have relied on celebrities, Taco Bell's latest effort also features influencers.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 8, 2021

McDonald's plans to open nearly 500 restaurants in US and IOM segments in 2021

The chain called new restaurant development an "important driver of our growth" during its recent Q4 earnings call. McDonald's will also spend $500 million to modernize 1,200 existing locations. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 1, 2021

How restaurants are bringing tech to the table in 2021

Much of the industry's in-store tech investments have gone toward contactless payment solutions or tableside, but operators are also experimenting with cutting-edge air filtration to make diners comfortable.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 28, 2021

Chick-fil-A scores highest 'brand intimacy' marks among QSRs during the pandemic

This MLBM ranking also comes as several brands, including McDonald's, KFC and Burger King, pull a page from Chick-fil-A's playbook by launching signature chicken sandwiches.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 19, 2021

Panera takes its catering business virtual

The chain's Virtual Catering program allows companies to buy digital, timestamped vouchers to send to remote employees or clients ahead of an online meeting or event.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 14, 2021

Noodles & Company opens first ghost kitchen in Chicago

The Humboldt Park location will allow customers to order meals through the company's loyalty app, as well as third-party partners, for pickup and delivery.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • Updated May 20, 2021

Grubhub partners with Fiat Chrysler to add in-car food ordering

Consumers can reorder favorites or discover new restaurants, which allows them to find nearby eateries they have not ordered from before.

By Alicia Kelso , Julie Littman • Jan. 12, 2021

Focus Brands adds surcharge for digital pickup, delivery orders

The company said the additional 35 cent fee will help support the online ordering experience, but customers have already criticized the practice. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 7, 2021

2020 Trends: Expectations vs. reality

The restaurant industry had great expectations this year, but the pandemic completely changed the market's competitive landscape. Here's how the crisis impacted the trends we originally predicted for the year. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 23, 2020

McDonald’s franchisees calls for tech co-op amid new fees, Restaurant Business reports

The National Owners Association's latest push follows news of a $423-per-month technology investment cost added to operators' plates to cover a $70 million "lag" from the old payment structure.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 22, 2020

Burger King teams up with Google to add online ordering

This integration, which begins Monday at 5,000 restaurants, will allow customers to search for the nearest location, order and pay.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 18, 2020