Operations
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Catherine Douglas Moran/Restaurant Dive
Harris Teeter takes on fast food chains
The grocer is offering a rotating selection of prepared foods for $5 at a dozen stores in the Washington, D.C., area.
By Sam Silverstein • May 13, 2024 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
McDonald’s to focus on digital marketing with new fund
The fund, which will be paid with existing contributions, will allow the chain to market more effectively to customers within its app.
By Julie Littman • May 10, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Permission granted by Homeroom
TrendlineIndependent restaurants
In an industry built on in-person interactions and long-term relationships with customers, the pandemic has dealt a serious blow to independent operators, but many have pivoted and found new ways to reach diners.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Thai Union to fully divest from Red Lobster by the end of year
The minority owner is engaging with potential buyers after determining Red Lobster’s financial requirements no longer align with its capital allocation plans.
By Julie Littman • May 10, 2024 -
Permission granted by Potbelly
Potbelly unveils smaller, digital-centric prototype
The 1,800-square-foot design is 500 square feet smaller than a traditional Potbelly store, which CEO Robert Wright said will help lower construction and lease costs.
By Julie Littman • May 9, 2024 -
Permission granted by ezCater
Operators predict continued catering boom
Return-to-office is increasing demand for business catering as employers use meal plans to draw workers in-person, according to a survey from ezCater.
By Julie Littman • May 9, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
California bans hidden fees starting July 1
The state will require businesses to include all mandatory fees in listed prices, making it harder for restaurants to impose service charges.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 9, 2024 -
Permission granted by Smoothie King
Smoothie King hires Yum Brands exec as CFO
Gavin Felder, who most recently served as chief strategy officer at Yum Brands, joins the chain as it continues an aggressive growth push with positive same-store sales momentum.
By Julie Littman • May 9, 2024 -
Courtesy of Dutch Bros
Dutch Bros expands mobile order test
After seeing strong results from its initial pilot, the chain has expanded the channel to several more Arizona locations and expects to offer the function at most stores by the end of the year.
By Julie Littman • May 8, 2024 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Dine’s sales sour on virtual brand closures, slow traffic
IHOP and Applebee’s promotions and LTOs weren’t enough to offset a dip in consumer spending during Q1.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 8, 2024 -
Courtesy of Portillo's
Portillo’s four-pronged strategy emphasizes drive-thru speed
The chain is working to improve staff deployment and food throughput as part of an overhaul plan, as drive-thru speeds lag 2019 numbers.
By Julie Littman • May 8, 2024 -
Stephen Chernin via Getty Images
Starbucks’ late-night delivery pilot ‘doubled our business,’ CEO says
A third-party partner prepared Starbucks orders for delivery offsite between the hours of 5 p.m. and 5 a.m., and the coffee giant aims to make a $2 billion business out of this model over the next five years.
By Emma Liem Beckett • May 7, 2024 -
Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
Bloomin’ Brands CEO David Deno to retire
The restaurant industry executive has been CEO at the Outback parent for five years. The board has begun a search for his successor.
By Julie Littman • May 7, 2024 -
Stephen Brashear via Getty Images
Starbucks needs to focus on experience, not transactions, former CEO says
Howard Schultz called on the chain's executives to “spend more time with those who wear the green apron” and to better understand customer needs.
By Bryan Wassel • May 7, 2024 -
Courtesy of Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen targets dinner customers with steak
The salad chain is following up the successful rollout of protein plates last year with steak, which accounted for nearly one-fifth of dinner orders in a pilot.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 7, 2024 -
Courtesy of Uber Eats/Instacart
Instacart adds restaurant delivery with Uber Eats
Over the next few weeks, Instacart will add a restaurant tab powered by Uber Eats to its app, giving Uber access to potentially millions of new customers.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 7, 2024 -
Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco’s new CEO unveils 5-part operations overhaul
From digital investments to incentivizing franchisees to bolster growth, Liz Williams laid out a path she expects will drive sales while decreasing costs.
By Julie Littman • May 6, 2024 -
Courtesy of Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut taps Wendy’s exec as US president
Carl Loredo, Wendy’s former global chief marketing officer, joins the pizza chain after U.S. sales slid 6% year over year last quarter.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 6, 2024 -
Permission granted by ECRS
Sponsored by reciProfityUnderstanding the true cost of ingredients
With wholesale food prices up nearly 30% from pre-pandemic levels, many restaurants are struggling to maintain even the slimmest of profit margins. How can restaurateurs understand and control ever-changing ingredient costs?
By Colleen Marble • May 6, 2024 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Papa Johns names new chief supply chain officer
Kurt Milburn takes up the role as the pizza chain looks to cut supply chain costs and boost productivity.
By Alejandra Salgado • May 3, 2024 -
Permission granted by Denny's
Denny’s virtual brands engage Gen Z, fuel off-premise growth
By leveraging slow dayparts like dinner and late night, the casual chain’s three delivery-only brands are increasing sales and capturing younger demographics.
By Julie Littman • May 3, 2024 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
McDonald’s credits speed, personalization for high satisfaction
The fast food chain is attracting consumers with customized messaging and cementing their loyalty with swift and consistent service.
By Bryan Wassel • May 2, 2024 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Shake Shack’s kiosks are now its largest ordering channel
The chain added upselling options to its kiosks and made the channel’s customization experience more similar to online ordering.
By Julie Littman • May 2, 2024 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Starbucks’ mobile ordering is so popular, it’s slowing some orders down
Starbucks will roll out new procedures that will help workers reduce wait times, CEO Laxman Narasimhan said Tuesday.
By Bryan Wassel • May 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Wingstop
Wingstop accelerates growth trajectory amid record-breaking Q1
The company, which now expects to open up to 25 more net new units than initially planned, reported 21.6% same-store sales growth.
By Julie Littman • May 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Donatos Pizza
Donatos CEO to retire, president will assume post
Tom Krouse will retire in October after 20-plus years at the pizza chain. President Kevin King will take on the role of CEO upon Krouse’s retirement.
By Julie Littman • May 1, 2024
