Operations: Page 3
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MartinPrescott via Getty Images
4 ways restaurants can add AI to their operations
The technology can help employees improve customer satisfaction, cook food to a brand’s standards and accurately refill inventory, executives say.
By Danielle McLean • April 11, 2024 -
Permission granted by Dave & Buster's
Dave & Buster’s updates menu with at least 20 items
Management expects food and beverage check to rise in the mid single-digits with the new dishes, which include appetizers, bowls, desserts and sides.
By Julie Littman • Updated April 12, 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 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Fast food is getting faster, data shows
Limited-service chains maintained an edge in traffic growth relative to casual dining, likely due to continued improvements in throughput, Placer.ai reported.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 10, 2024 -
Permission granted by Krispy Krunchy Chicken
Krispy Krunchy Chicken expands beyond c-stores, targets 700 openings in 2024
The concept is entering new markets and enhancing its menu after growing by nearly 500 units last year, including 14 locations inside Walmart stores.
By Julie Littman • April 9, 2024 -
Permission granted by Checkers & Rally's
Checkers & Rally’s CEO resigns
Frances Allen, who has led the chain since 2020, oversaw the deployment of a modern image redesign and voice artificial intelligence at drive-thrus.
By Julie Littman • April 5, 2024 -
Retrieved from Re-Up.
Florida c-store chain to test kitchen robots
Re-Up convenience stores is planning to use AI-driven machines to help fry its food, brew its coffee and squeeze fresh juice.
By Brett Dworski • April 5, 2024 -
Courtesy of Subway
Subway is rolling out a new line of wraps
The addition of lavash flatbreads, just months after the debut of its Sidekick snacks, is the first time in three years the chain has launched a bread option.
By Julie Littman • April 4, 2024 -
Permission granted by Punch Bowl Social
Punch Bowl Social acquires 2 eatertainment concepts
The company is buying Sweet Tooth Hotel and Voicebox Karaoke to diversify its portfolio of concepts and appeal to a wider range of consumers.
By Julie Littman • April 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Fast casuals outperform QSRs as pricing erodes fast food’s low-income advantage
Chains like Chipotle and Wingstop exceeded analyst expectations for sales and EBITDA last quarter, while QSR giants lagged, per a TD Cowen report.
By Julie Littman • April 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Dave's Hot Chicken
Dave’s Hot Chicken tests kiosks, bigger drinks in face of $20 CA wage
The fast-growing chain is raising prices 9% and testing tech that it says boosts check but doesn’t cut labor costs.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 1, 2024 -
Maddie Meyer via Getty Images
Restaurant sales rose 12% in 2023 compared to 2019: report
Consumer spending was up 7% year over year among the top 50 restaurant chains compared to 5% within the overall industry, per Circana data.
By Julie Littman • March 29, 2024 -
Permission granted by Gas N Wash
Gas N Wash debuts new restaurant partnership
The c-store retailer revealed the first of two adjacent Mickeys Greek-style restaurants last week as it builds on its history of working with local QSRs.
By Brett Dworski • March 29, 2024 -
Permission granted by Clean Juice
Deep DiveJuice chains are winning new consumers with food offerings
Brands are retooling their kitchens to accommodate new recipes, such as bowls and wraps, to attract broader demographics and expand occasions.
By Julie Littman • March 28, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Visa, Mastercard reach landmark credit card settlement
The two biggest U.S. card networks agreed to cap interchange fees for five years, among other terms, to settle merchant litigation that has lasted nearly two decades.
By Lynne Marek • March 28, 2024 -
Courtesy of Rave Restaurant Group
Rave Restaurant Group appoints 6 execs, including new CFO
The company hired Jay Rooney as chief financial officer as it focuses on growing its buffet concept while overall unit count shrinks.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 27, 2024 -
Courtesy of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf opens first drive-thru-only location in CA
The Rialto, California, restaurant is the first of what will likely be several order-ahead units that will target high-traffic markets.
By Julie Littman • March 27, 2024 -
Permission granted by Beyond Juicery + Eatery
Deep DiveHow juice chains are shifting operations to create more profitability
Beyond Juicery and Main Squeeze did in-depth analyses on how franchisees could improve profitability from the cost of goods to construction.
By Julie Littman • March 27, 2024 -
Permission granted by Benihana/The One Group Hospitality
One Group Hospitality buys Benihana parent for $365M
The transaction will add $514 million in trailing 12-month revenue for the group, which also owns STK and Kona Grill.
By Julie Littman • Updated March 26, 2024 -
Permission granted by McDonald's/Krispy Kreme
McDonald’s, Krispy Kreme will offer doughnuts nationwide by 2026
The rollout, which follows a test at 160 stores in Kentucky last year, allows the fast food chain to expand its menu without having to change operations.
By Julie Littman • March 26, 2024 -
Permission granted by Nekter Juice Bar
Deep DiveWhat’s driving juice chains’ aggressive growth
Brands like Nekter Juice Bar, Main Squeeze Juice and Juice it Up are pushing into new markets and opening stores as demand rises for healthy foods.
By Julie Littman • March 26, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Red Lobster appoints another CEO
Jonathan Tibus, who helped chains like Kona Grill and Krystal during bankruptcy, joins the struggling seafood chain following Horace Dawson's retirement.
By Julie Littman • March 25, 2024 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Starbucks names new chief procurement officer
Heather Ostis will focus on improving supplier performance and building network resiliency, among other goals.
By S.L. Fuller • March 25, 2024 -
Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
How Corner Bakery grew AUV by $200K in 6 months
Under SSCP Capital’s ownership, the cafe chain seems to be turning a corner using new training, customer feedback tools and dayparts.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 25, 2024 -
Permission granted by Paragon Solutions
Back to Basics: Building a dining room
Indoors or outdoors? Tables or bar stools? There’s a lot c-store retailers should consider when designing a dining space, experts say.
By Christine Blank • March 22, 2024 -
Courtesy of Papa Johns
Papa Johns CFO takes interim-CEO post
Ravi Thanawala, who has been CFO since 2023, will step in to lead the company as Rob Lynch leaves to take the helm at Shake Shack.
By Julie Littman , Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 21, 2024
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