The Latest
-
Are mobile units a new growth opportunity for QSRs?
Food carts like MOVE System's solar-powered, battery-rechargeable units offer brands the opportunity to test different markets, attract single-unit franchisees and build brand awareness.
Operations -
ColumnShift Change: Shake Shack, REGO Restaurant add senior marketing execs
This week, this Restaurant Dive series also highlights new executives at Bloomin' Brands, Waitr, Bojangles' and Fazoli's.
Corporate -
AI technology is coming to drive-thrus
This innovation can collect restaurant operational data and reduce the labor burden for QSRs by processing drive-thru orders quickly and accurately.
Operations -
Q1 delivery report: Brands doubling down on off-premise
Restaurant heavyweights have announced changes to their off-premise initiatives and disclosed how third-party delivery partnerships are impacting sales. Catch up on the news this week from Denny's and Bloomin' Brands.
UPDATED: Feb. 15, 2019 at 8:57 a.m.
Delivery -
Bojangles' debuts 'flour-tossing' billboard for NBA All-Star weekend
For the sporting event taking place in its hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, the chain is also holding a social media contest tied to the interactive billboard.
Marketing -
Potbelly ups its value game with new menu
As part of its turnaround strategy, the sandwich chain's Pick-Your-Pair options allow diners to customize their orders, better positioning it to compete with the likes of Panera and McAlister's.
Consumer Trends -
Why is Pizza Hut testing delivery with Grubhub?
The surprising move marks the first partnership between a major pizza brand and a third-party delivery service, and it's unclear how it will benefit the chain — especially since it's shaved down delivery times.
Delivery -
Opinion6 keys for retaining employees through better scheduling
Kristi Turner, CMO of restaurant management software firm Compeat, believes developing a standard schedule style and improving schedule forecasts are strong first steps toward better employee retention.
Operations -
Deep DiveFresh take: Why restaurants are investing in better ingredients
To meet consumer demand healthier food, QSR brands are innovating with fresh, antibiotic-free foods and customizable menus, but this strategy comes with food safety challenges.
Consumer Trends -
Mexican chains jump on the plant-based bandwagon
Though burger joints have been behind the majority of vegetarian innovations in the QSR space, Mexican restaurants like Qdoba Mexican Eats and Moe's Southwest Grill are responding to the trend by adding meatless options.
Consumer Trends -
McDonald's rolls out Donut Sticks amid lackluster breakfast traffic
Growing QSR competition in the morning daypart and the chain's all-day breakfast menu may be undercutting the morning rush, but LTOs may not be enough to make sales rise and shine.
Consumer Trends -
DoorDash nears $7B valuation with new funding, WSJ reports
The delivery company is reportedly raising an additional $500 million, which could boost its market position as rivals Uber and Postmates seek IPOs.
Corporate -
Shake Shack's first CMO tasked with revisiting self-order kiosks
BarkBox vet Jay Livingston may have his work cut out for him, as the chain's first brush with cashless payment kiosks failed following customer backlash.
Consumer Trends -
Burger King's 'Whopper Detour' generated 1.5M app downloads
Trolling McDonald's helped catapult Burger King's app to the top of Apple’s App Store rankings, Restaurant Brands' CEO said during a conference call with analysts this week.
Marketing -
Chipotle offers behind-the-scenes look at its kitchens in new campaign
As part of "Behind the Foil," the chain broadcast live its food prep on Facebook from a restaurant in California.
Corporate -
Q&AHy-Vee's CEO on growing and experimenting in the Midwest
Randy Edeker talks about the future of its Market Grille restaurant and Wahlburgers partnership, e-commerce and the company's latest store formats.
Corporate -
Starbucks Canada pledges to donate 100% of leftover food
The company has partnered with food rescue organization Second Harvest to donate perishable items like yogurt and milk alongside pastries and breads, a move that could further boost the coffee giant's brand halo.
Marketing -
Chipotle's supply chain turnaround is in full effect
In addition to a revamped supply chain team, the franchise has increased the frequency of food safety training and updated cooking and preparation procedures.
Corporate -
Postmates to join Grubhub on the stock market after confidential IPO
The company, which is expected to record $400 million in revenue in 2018, could stake a bigger claim in the competitive delivery market with more investor backing.
Delivery -
Restaurant reservations to spike 433% on Valentine's Day, study projects
Research from OpenTable and Toast also found that the holiday will yield a 7% jump in online orders, and businesses will need to be proactive with staffing to reap the full benefits of this influx.
Consumer Trends -
KFC readies Valentine's Day contest on Reddit with Colonel-inspired rug
Customers can post KFC-themed artwork on Reddit to win a date-night package including the rug, fried chicken pajamas, gift cards and subscription to an online streaming service.
Corporate -
Yum Brands hunts for global leader to build digital, tech strategy
Technology is "increasingly at the forefront of our strategic planning efforts" and stands as one of the four "growth drivers" for the parent company of Pizza Hut and KFC, said CEO Greg Creed.
Corporate -
Salad orders up, pizza orders down at start of year
Healthy foods continue to gain popularity, but events like the Super Bowl remain big drivers for pizza — with Pizza Hut reporting it sold twice as many pies on game day compared to an average Sunday.
Consumer Trends -
Chipotle rolls out 'Chipotlane' drive-thrus for digital orders
The windows allow diners to collect their orders from the chain, which saw more than 40% growth in digital sales last year, without leaving their cars.
Operations -
Nima creates data map of restaurants that serve allergen-free menu items
The company, known for its pocket-sized allergen testers, analyzed dishes from the top 100 chains to create a platform of over 250,000 eateries and more than 3 million Nima-tested dishes.
Technology