Technology: Page 5


  • A DoorDash delivery worker walks his bike along the road in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco, California.
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    hapabapa via Getty Images
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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 March 12, 2024
  • An image of a woman ordering at a drive-thru speaker box.
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    MartinPrescott via Getty Images
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    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 March 7, 2024
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet. Explore the Trendline
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    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
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    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
  • A person in a coat rides a bicycle holding a red DoorDash bag.
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    Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    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 Updated March 5, 2024
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    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 March 1, 2024
  • An image of sweetgreen's automated kitchen in Naperville, Illinois
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    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 March 1, 2024
  • Wendy’s cups made with 20% ISCC-certified, recycled plastic (on a mass balance basis)
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    Permission granted by Berry Global
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    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 Feb. 28, 2024
  • A still from Chipotle's promotional automated makeline shows corn bouncing in a bowl.
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    Retrieved from Chipotle on October 03, 2023
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    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 Feb. 28, 2024
  • Dutch Bros
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    Courtesy of Dutch Bros
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    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 Feb. 26, 2024
  • A Grubhub courier. Grubhub and Sonesta will offer delivery to 120 extended stay hotels.
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    The image by Elvert Barnes is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    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 Feb. 23, 2024
  • Toast for Hotel Restaurants
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    Permission granted by Toast
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    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
  • A picture of Burger King signs.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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
  • A man holds a starbucks drink next to a phone with a Bank of America card onscreen.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    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 Feb. 15, 2024
  • Wendy's is adding English muffin sandwiches to its breakfast menu on Aug. 22.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    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 Feb. 15, 2024
  • Inspire Brands Alliance Kitchen
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    Permission granted by Inspire Brands
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    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 Feb. 13, 2024
  • A man carrying orange bags with the word Grubhub on the side.
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    Courtesy of Grubhub
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    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
  • Taco Bell exterior
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    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 Feb. 8, 2024
  • McDonald's drive thru sign
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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
  • A sign is posted in front of a McDonald's restaurant on April 28, 2022 in San Leandro, California.
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    Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
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    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
  • A fleet of Starship delivery robots.
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    Courtesy of Starship
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    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 Feb. 6, 2024
  • An image of a hand holding a smart phone with a KFC Rewards logo on the screen
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    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 Feb. 6, 2024
  • An image of Toni Ronayne, Perkins president, and Steven Roach, CTO of Ascent Hospitality
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    Permission granted by Ascent Hospitality Management
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    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 Feb. 5, 2024
  • An image of Yelp home screens on Apple iOs devices
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    Permission granted by Yelp
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    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 Jan. 30, 2024
  • A photo of several Jersey Mike's sandwiches with lots of meat
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    Courtesy of Jersey Mike's
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    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 Jan. 25, 2024
  • An image of an indoor mini golf course with neon lighting
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    Permission granted by Puttshack
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    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 Jan. 22, 2024