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New research finds higher pay positively impacts customer service

Cornell researchers compared restaurant reviews where minimum wage rose versus where it was stagnant and found an improvement in the perceived quality of service with higher wages.

NRA boosts 2021 restaurant sales projection to $789B

While this predicted total eclipses the National Restaurant Association's previous estimate by $58 billion, it would still come in more than 8% below 2019 sales. 

Study: QSR diners prefer engaging with staff over technology

Only 18% of consumers think that deploying labor-saving technology is one of the top three things restaurants can do to improve service, Big Red Rooster research finds. 

Chicago accuses Grubhub, DoorDash of deceptive business practices

The city claims the platforms advertise services from non-partner restaurants without their consent and bait and switch customers with steep delivery fees. Both companies deny these allegations.

McDonald's suggests franchisees close dining rooms

The Golden Arches shared guidance with operators last week on how to shutter indoor seating in areas where COVID-19 cases exceed 250 per 100,000 people, according to Reuters.

UPDATED: Aug. 30, 2021 at 11:03 a.m.

7 of the best-designed outdoor dining structures in NYC

These award-winning "streateries" have played an important role in keeping restaurants viable during the pandemic.

New York City Council passes permanent 15% delivery fee cap

Once the legislation is signed into law by Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Big Apple will join San Francisco as the only two cities to make delivery commission caps permanent.

Opinion

Emotional loyalty: Evolving restaurants' approach to brand love

Brands that are connection-focused win the day over those that are reliant on discounts as shortcuts to boost short-term metrics, writes Ellen Green, AVP of loyalty and CRM at Hathway.

Perkins debuts virtual bakery brand

Restaurants carrying the Bakery by Perkins virtual concept during its test phase experienced a bakery category sales increase of 10% to 20%.

NRA: 6 in 10 US adults have changed restaurant plans due to delta variant

Nineteen percent of consumers have stopped going to restaurants, one of the many growing concerns mentioned in a National Restaurant Association letter urging Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

Q&A

How New York Gov. Kathy Hochul could impact restaurant workers

One Fair Wage president Saru Jayaraman calls on the new governor to end the subminimum wage for tipped restaurant workers in the Empire State and to offer restaurants grants to ease the transition. 

McDonald's taps new global, US CMOs in executive shuffle

The chain is refashioning some of its leadership structure following the creation of a customer experience team earlier this summer.

800 Degrees Pizza expanding through Piestro's automated machines

800 Degrees Pizza, which currently has 16 locations worldwide, plans to bring about 3,600 Piestro robotic pizzeria machines to market throughout the next five years. 

Sweetgreen acquires automated restaurant company Spyce

The salad chain plans to use the Boston-based firm's robot-powered technology in its restaurants to improve the guest and employee experience.

How QSR loyalty programs stack up in 2021

Chains from McDonald's to Burger King are adding loyalty programs for the first time to attract and retain customers, and they're gaining ground against competitors' long-standing programs. 

OpenTable teams with Clear to create digital vaccine cards for diners

OpenTable users who place a reservation at a restaurant that has a vaccine requirement will be directed to a Clear banner where they can make a free, secure digital vaccine card. 

Burger King promotes COO Tom Curtis to president of US and Canada

Curtis enters his new role as the company attempts to reinvent itself in the QSR space, launching a digitally focused rebrand and loyalty program.

UPDATED: Aug. 24, 2021 at 10:44 a.m.

California judge overturns Prop 22, causing a setback for delivery firms

The judge ruled Friday the law is unconstitutional because it undermines the legislature's ability to grant workers' compensation rights to delivery and rideshare drivers.

TGI Fridays owner makes a $10M bet on C3's virtual brands

The investment, which is part of an $80 million funding round secured by C3 earlier this month, will bring the virtual brand creator's concepts to TriArtisan Capital's three restaurant brands to help boost revenue. 

Full-service restaurant tickets up 20%, report shows

With diners going out to socialize more and celebrate special occasions, the amount of large party orders rose 32% during Q2 2021, according to Black Box Intelligence. 

Shortages and other challenges across liquor supply chain throw a wrench in summer rebound

As states reopened bars and restaurants, the sudden demand strained liquor supply chains that pivoted during the pandemic to prioritize private sales. 

New York City restaurants sue Mayor Bill de Blasio over vaccine mandate

The Independent Restaurant Owners Association Rescue's lawsuit could spark similar litigation across the industry as other cities and restaurants adopt vaccine mandates for indoor dining. 

Brinker adds second virtual brand to product lineup

Maggiano's Italian Classics is currently in 250 restaurants, but is expected to be in 900 units by the end of the year and generate sales over $100 million. 

Grubhub, Yandex deploy delivery bots to first college campus

The Ohio State University students will be able to order deliveries from on-campus dining through Grubhub's app, which will be fulfilled by 50 Yandex robots.

UPDATED: Aug. 19, 2021 at 10:33 a.m.

Why winning brands like Taco Bell still look to agencies for help on culture

Mature companies face steeper challenges to growth and could need third-party expertise to connect with new audiences and pop on emerging platforms.