Wow Bao to open ghost kitchen locations in Walmart stores

The chain is already on its way to reaching 1,000 locations this year, and its new 100-unit partnership with Ghost Kitchen Brands will allow it to enter into the grocery store space. 

By Julie Littman • May 3, 2021

McDonald's Q1 bolstered by chicken sandwich, marketing investments

The chain also generated nearly $1.5 billion in digital sales for the period and has over 20 million active app users, which could boost its loyalty program once it comes out of test mode.

By Alicia Kelso • April 30, 2021

New Uber feature allows users to pick up restaurant orders during their ride

The company also announced other updates, including the ability for a customer to make multiple orders at one time and pre-ordering when an establishment is closed.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 29, 2021

DoorDash launches 3-tiered commission fee structure

The 15%, 25% and 30% commission plans come amid operator complaints of high third-party fees during the pandemic and as markets consider making temporary delivery caps permanent. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 27, 2021

Domino's resurrects '80s brand icon the Noid to spotlight autonomous delivery

The chain is rolling the dice on Nuro's driverless delivery vehicles taking off in a meaningful way as COVID-19 drives up demand for contactless options.

By Peter Adams • April 26, 2021

Grubhub settles lawsuit over non-partnered listings

As part of its agreement, the third-party aggregator said it would add a form to allow restaurants to take ownership of listings, as well as request updates to menus and hours or removal from the platform.

By Julie Littman • April 21, 2021

Chick-fil-A pilots robot delivery as investment in autonomous tech grows

The QSR has partnered with Kiwibot to fulfill off-premise orders with roving bots that can complete deliveries in 30 minutes on average for $1.99.

By Alicia Kelso • April 14, 2021

Panera, a self-delivery pioneer, shutters its channel

The fast casual giant told Restaurant Business that a pivot to third-party platforms only will allow it to offer a wider delivery range to accommodate a surge in delivery demand.

By Alicia Kelso • April 13, 2021

Report: 37% of diners order delivery from the channel with the lowest fees

Research from BentoBox and The Infatuation also finds that nearly 50% of diners would order delivery directly from a restaurant if it's an easy process. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 12, 2021

WOWorks pursues acquisitions, ghost kitchens to drive growth

Kelly Roddy, the holding company's CEO, says it plans to buy two to three more brands by the end of the year, as well as increase units via delivery-only locations and franchising.

By Julie Littman • April 12, 2021

Consumer advocacy groups urge FDA to require menu labeling on delivery apps

The FDA said that these companies likely do not meet the definition of covered establishments under the current requirements. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 5, 2021

New deal looks to bring ghost kitchens to apartment communities

C3 is partnering with Akara Living to integrate ghost kitchens into one of its residential properties, offering dining options like Umami Burger and Krispy Rice.

By Alicia Kelso • April 1, 2021

Saladworks to open 90 ghost kitchen locations in US and Canada in 2021

Through a deal with Ghost Kitchen Brand, the company will open 60 units in the U.S. and 30 in Canada, with most located inside Walmart stores.

By Julie Littman • March 30, 2021

48% of diners think it's cheaper to order directly through a restaurant, study finds

Nearly a third of diners say a personalized promotion, such as a discount code or complimentary item, would incentivize them to order takeout directly from a restaurant, according to a SevenRooms report. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 22, 2021

For restaurant chains, marketing virtual brands poses equal challenge and opportunity

Third-party apps, where most virtual brands live, offer marketers access to consumer data they don't otherwise have — an increasing priority as the data privacy landscape tightens.

By Chris Kelly • March 19, 2021

Waitr buys Florida-based Delivery Dudes for $23M

Th acquisition expands Waitr's footprint, especially in South Florida, and comes on the heels of its plans to diversify into more verticals including alcohol and cannabis delivery. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 10, 2021

Red Robin diversifies with 3 delivery-only brands

CEO Paul Murphy confirmed the casual dining chain is rolling out Chicken Sammy's, The Wing Dept. and Fresh Set nationally. 

By Julie Littman • March 10, 2021

Uber Eats' head of product poached by Instacart

Daniel Danker is now the grocery delivery aggregator's VP of shopper and fulfillment, marking the second major leadership exit in the past week for Uber Eats.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 9, 2021

DoorDash delivers 'In the Zone' to boost women-owned restaurants

Looking to maintain its recent momentum as delivery services have grown, DoorDash and its Caviar unit have added in-app carousels of women-owned businesses in select markets to help customers find them.

By Robert Williams • March 9, 2021

5 steps to plan for a better off-premise future for your restaurant

Create the best off-premise dining experience with high-performance takeout and delivery fries.

March 8, 2021

Panda Express opens first ghost kitchen in San Francisco

The delivery-only location is Panda's initial step in offering faster dining solutions for off-premise guests, with plans to test more concepts this year. 

By Julie Littman • March 5, 2021

Applebee's launches ghost kitchen pilot in 3 cities

The ghost kitchens cropping up in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Miami are expected to help online delivery demand where the casual chain doesn't have a strong presence. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 4, 2021

Domino's, Papa John's sales soar on pandemic delivery demand, but complications loom

Both chains reported double-digit same-store sales growth last year, but delivery aggregators' growing market share could complicate strategies when pizza sales return to normal levels.

By Julie Littman • March 4, 2021

Postmates' robotics division splits off, becomes Serve Robotics

Serve Robotics closed its first funding round and will continue to develop and operate autonomous delivery robots in urban markets as it pursues new partnerships. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 3, 2021

CFO of still-unprofitable DoorDash shares growth plans, investments

The takeout and delivery app with a 48% market monopoly is investing in food preparation robots, its subscription program and partnerships with commercial retailers, Prabir Adarkar said, after its first earnings report as a public company.

By Jane Thier • March 2, 2021