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Waitr to add alcohol delivery

The company will start delivering alcohol for the first time after the Louisiana governor signed two bills into law allowing for the service with proper permits. 

23% of US smartphone users will use a food delivery app by 2023

Consumers will increasingly turn to third-party apps to place food orders as DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats vie for the top spot, according to an eMarketer report. 

Oregon governor signs laws banning plastic bags, straws

Legislation signed by Gov. Kate Brown last month is the latest in a series of statewide plastic reduction measures to pass this year.

Deep Dive

Welcome to the drive-thru, AI will take your order

McDonald's and Sonic Drive-In are among the fast food chains testing out voice-automation and AI as part of an industrywide push to modernize.

Burger King Sweden dares customers to order its plant-based menu items

The burger chain’s "50/50 menu" gives customers a random chance to receive regular meat patties or plant-based alternatives.

Burger prices are climbing amid demand for premium revamps, report finds

The once affordable menu item is becoming pricier as consumers demand more premium options like grass-fed, organic and plant-based.

Uber Eats adds dine-in option

This new service, in addition to its rollout of click-and-collect, allows the company to cover all areas of the restaurant experience, giving it an edge over its competitors. 

Sushi merger could mean additional kiosk growth in grocery stores

European sushi chain Yo! Sushi will pay $425 million for Houston-based Snowfox, which operates 700 store kiosks, primarily in supermarkets.

Starbucks and Amazon partner on soccer documentary

The deal further cements the coffee chain's storytelling ambitions, which has included other productions like "Hingakawa" and "To Be Human."

Column

Shift Change: Pret A Manger CEO retires

This week's Shift Change highlights new executives at Pret A Manger, Roy Rogers and the National Restaurant Association. 

Hooters of America sold to 2 private equity firms

Nord Bay Capital and TriArtisan Capital, which just bought P.F. Chang's, are acquiring the chain as it continues to struggle with brand perception, sales declines and unit reduction. 

Opinion

Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods: First mover advantage in a rapidly growing market

Since its IPO in May, the price for shares in the company known for its plant-based burgers have taken off. Jeff Robards of Alantra looks at the two giants in the space and their potential future performance.

McDonald's dishes out QR-enabled picnic blankets for hot spot delivery

By scanning a code on the blanket, smartphone users in Sweden send their location to their food-delivery service of choice.

FAT Brands to expand via ghost kitchens, CEO says

The strategy could help grow Fatburger's delivery footprint and boost sales for its franchisees by cooking burgers at sister brand locations, CEO Andy Wiederhorn said.

MOD Pizza's early cloud start supports rapid expansion

Having the foundation of the cloud, years before the cloud boom, gave MOD a head start when it came time to scale.

Franchisees accuse Subway of rigging inspections to shutter stores

The chain's operators claim that it forced them out of business following infractions as minor as a hand print on a window, only to have their stores taken over by competing franchisees.

DoorDash wants to make driver payment policies more transparent

The company is offering explanations for pay, reducing long-distance deliveries and adding accident insurance to improve the driver experience, but critics say it has yet to address concerns about driver tips.   

Sponsored

Why restaurants are getting inventory wrong

Managing inventory is key to running a profitable restaurant. Most operators are getting it wrong.

KFC suits up Cheetos mascot as new Colonel Sanders

Chester Cheetah is hawking sandwiches as the QSR taps a different brand icon for the first time.

Waitr lays off over 20 employees at headquarters

Following its Bite Squad acquisition, the delivery company has made cuts to its office staff to create more efficiencies, says CEO Chris Meaux. 

Grubhub trend report shows staggering growth of plant-based meat orders

Orders of Impossible Burger through the Grubhub app have jumped 82% year-over-year, and orders of vegan-friendly dishes rose 25%.

Column

Shift Change: Yum Brands appoints new CFO, Famous Dave's hires director of marketing

This week's Shift Change highlights new executives at Yum Brands, Famous Dave's, Umami Burger and more. 

Deep Dive

Meal kits could offer untapped revenue stream for restaurants

This off-premise segment could help restaurants offer a new option to diners alongside delivery and takeout, but very few operators have jumped into the ready-to-cook segment.

Dunkin' sues franchisees for employment verification violations

The company's move follows terminations of several agreements with franchisees, which collectively operate more than two-dozen units, indicating an increase in oversight related to potential federal labor violations.

3 takeaways from a former Starbucks exec's leadership philosophy

"The people that you hire are going to change your organization," Howard Behar said at #SHRM19 — so companies might as well enable them to do so.