Technology: Page 27
-
Courtesy of Taco Bell
Yum Brands acquires Tictuk to deepen commerce capabilities for social media, messaging
The owner of KFC and Taco Bell makes its second tech acquisition in a month as it looks to transform its business on a faster timetable.
By Peter Adams • March 24, 2021 -
Domino's teams with Datatron to streamline AI and machine learning tech
The platform is automating and standardizing the deployment, monitoring, management, governance and validation of the pizza chain's artificial intelligence models.
By Alicia Kelso • March 23, 2021 -
Permission granted by Olo
What Olo's $450M IPO means for the restaurant industry
Founder and CEO Noah Glass talks about how he wants to expand Olo's digital ordering capabilities with an influx of capital after shares rose 39% during day one of trading.
By Julie Littman • March 19, 2021 -
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 -
Courtesy of Sonic Drive-In
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 -
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 -
Retrieved from Taco Bell on August 20, 2020
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 -
Retrieved from Olo/Business Wire on February 22, 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 -
Permission granted by Yelp
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 -
Courtesy of Toast Inc.
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 -
Retrieved from LinkedIn on February 11, 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 -
Julie Littman/Industry Dive
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 -
Permission granted by Taco Bell
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 -
Permission granted by Burger King
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 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
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 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
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 -
Albert Hu. (2020). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Unsplash.
Deep DiveHow 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 -
Retrieved from Chick-fil-A on May 07, 2020
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 -
Permission granted by Fat Brants
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 -
Courtesy of https://www.auntieannes.com/newsroom/best-friends-day-2019
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
Previous
