Technology: Page 5
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DoorDash adds AI to chat feature to detect harassment between workers and customers
The aggregator is replacing an old chat monitoring tool with SafeChat+, which can detect inappropriate content without keyword matching.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 12, 2024 -
Presto Automation is risking its business on drive-thru voice AI
The tech firm wants to spin off its tablet payment business, which generates roughly 90% of its revenue and is losing major clients, to focus on its fledgling drive-thru voice automation tool.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 7, 2024 -
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 -
Golden Corral faces class-action suit over 2023 data breach
If recent years have made anything clear to HR, it’s that employer databases are prime targets for cybercrime.
By Ryan Golden • March 4, 2024 -
DoorDash shifts pay scheme, cuts flexibility in New York City
DoorDash says its fees in The Big Apple have driven down delivery sales, but the city says data from delivery firms shows steady sales.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated March 5, 2024 -
These 4 restaurant companies totaled $50B in 2023 digital sales
Yum, Restaurant Brands International, Wendy’s and Chipotle continue to invest in consumer-facing features including app enhancements, loyalty offerings and kiosks to grow their digital mixes.
By Julie Littman • March 1, 2024 -
Sweetgreen’s robot kitchens yield 10% higher tickets in test
The salad chain plans to add its Infinite Kitchen to seven new builds and three to four retrofit units in 2024, after two pilot stores yielded improvements in throughput and labor turnover.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 1, 2024 -
Wendy’s backtracks on dynamic pricing
The company said Tuesday that it would not charge higher prices during peak hours. This statement follows widespread consumer backlash on social media in response to mention of a dynamic pricing test in its Q4 earnings call.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 28, 2024 -
Chipotle doubles tech venture fund spending to $100M
The chain’s second round of $50 million for its Cultivate Next fund comes less than two years after the project was announced, and as Chipotle tests equipment developed by partner companies.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 28, 2024 -
Dutch Bros begins testing mobile orders
The coffee brand is studying the operational changes needed to support a widespread deployment of digital ordering tech.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 26, 2024 -
Los Angeles County sues Grubhub over ‘bait and switch’ fees
The county calls for an injunction against alleged deceptive business practices and for Grubhub to pay fines for possible violations of California’s unfair competition and false advertising laws.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 23, 2024 -
Toast to cut 550 employees
The company’s CEO acknowledged during an earnings call that “we grew our team too quickly in some areas,” while reporting a presence in 106,000 locations as of the end of 2023.
By Lynne Marek • Feb. 16, 2024 -
Burger King, Popeyes lean into kiosks, remodels to spur speedy service
Parent company Restaurant Brands International is focusing on improving speed and convenience as drivers of customer satisfaction.
By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 15, 2024 -
Starbucks, Bank of America tie up loyalty programs
Eligible Bank of America card holders can link their Starbucks rewards account to earn 2% cashback on qualifying purchases and one star for every $2 spent at the coffee chain.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 15, 2024 -
Wendy’s to spend $55M on breakfast ads
The burger chain hopes the marketing push will boost North American sales in the daypart to $6,000 a week per restaurant.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 15, 2024 -
Inspire Brands buys delivery tech firm Vromo
The parent company of Dunkin’ and Buffalo Wild Wings bought the firm for an undisclosed sum, marking its first deal since its $11.3 billion Dunkin’ buy.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 13, 2024 -
My Place Hotels of America taps Grubhub for food delivery
The hotel franchisor aims to enhance the guest experience through the partnership, as hotel dining becomes increasingly digital.
By Jenna Walters • Feb. 12, 2024 -
4 ways Yum accelerated tech deployment in 2023
From kiosks to automation, the company debuted proprietary systems across thousands of locations to improve operations and grow sales.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 8, 2024 -
McDonald’s sets sights on $45B in loyalty sales
A larger loyalty member pool will provide more customer data for the fast-food chain to improve personalization.
By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 7, 2024 -
McDonald’s invests aggressively in technology
The fast food giant’s three-pronged plan aims to digitally transform customer experience, franchise operations and core systems, President and CEO Chris Kempczinski said Monday.
By Matt Ashare • Feb. 6, 2024 -
Starship Technologies raises $90M, reaches $230M in total funding
The autonomous delivery bot company will use the additional funding to expand operations, enter new markets and develop its AI technology.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 6, 2024 -
KFC US launches points-based digital rewards program
Members earn 10 points for every eligible dollar spent online. Points are redeemable for free food in KFC’s Secret Recipe Vault, which rotates rewards.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 6, 2024 -
Ascent Hospitality bolsters C-suite with CTO, Perkins president hires
Toni Ronayne will lead Perkins after serving as managing director, Canada at Little Caesars, while Steven Roach becomes chief technology officer after working at Focus Brands.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 5, 2024 -
Yelp enhances user experience with AI-driven features
Large language models will create business summaries for restaurant, food and nightlife businesses based on content from reviews.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 30, 2024 -
Jersey Mike’s to use SoundHound’s phone AI in at least 50 restaurants
The AI tech now answers “100% of calls” at participating stores and recognizes natural language, meaning diners can order a #55 or “Big Kahuna” and the system understands these terms describe the same sub.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 25, 2024 -
How Puttshack and Pinstripes sustain AUVs over $8M
At the ICR Conference in Orlando, Florida, company executives discussed how post-pandemic consumer trends are driving traffic in the eatertainment space.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 22, 2024