Pieology tests drone delivery as a tech war heats up between pizza chains

The California-based company plans to launch drone delivery permanently from its Samford, Connecticut store, following innovations such as Dominos' driverless delivery vehicles and Pizza Hut's pizza-ordering shoes. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 4, 2018

White Castle sends Wu-Tang Clan to space for new series promoting Impossible Slider

The partnership with Impossible Foods, maker of a popular plant-based hamburger, includes a retro-styled series that features fan questions. 

By Erica Sweeney • Oct. 4, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Independent restaurants

Dining room refreshes, menu innovation and other unique offerings can help independents stand out from competitors, win new customers and keep existing ones coming back. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

Activist investor takes stake in Papa John's

Legion Partners Asset Management and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System have teamed up to acquire a 5.5% stake of the pizza chain, and have met with company leaders to create a turnaround plan. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 3, 2018

How Starbucks and Cole Haan grow brand loyalty through product innovation

Marketers from both companies spoke at Advertising Week about driving purchases and experimentation from shoppers loyal and new, including through mobile tech and personalization.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 3, 2018

Will Chipotle's new loyalty program lure customers back?

The restaurant is trialing its new points-based rewards initiative in Phoenix, Kansas City and Columbus, Ohio, two years after its Chiptopia program failed to catch fire.  

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 2, 2018

QSR efforts to make healthy kids' meals aren't changing eating habits

New research from the University of Connecticut finds that although more chains are offering options like yogurt and fruit, kids are still eating less-healthy menu items. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 1, 2018

Shake Shack's 'Innovation Kitchen' allows for real-time product testing

The kitchen, located beneath the company’s corporate headquarters in New York City, enables chefs to spontaneously create dishes for customers upstairs. If the experiments are popular, they could be rolled out across the chain. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 1, 2018

Pizza Hut updates loyalty program for in-store purchases

Hut Rewards now awards two points for every one dollar spent on food, whether it was ordered via phone, in-store or online.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 1, 2018

Burger King parodies AI in campaign created by 'agency of robots'

With artificial intelligence's role growing in marketing, the fast-food chain and its very real agency David Miami take the results to ridiculous lengths. 

By Chantal Tode , Erica Sweeney • Sept. 28, 2018

Subway boosts foot traffic 31% by targeting ads based on weather patterns

The sandwich chain used IBM's artificial intelligence technology to create dynamic ads for a sandwich promotion.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 26, 2018

Domino's mobile app rings in new virtual dinner bell

Customers can use the feature to notify friends and family that pizza has arrived.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 26, 2018

Dunkin' drops 'Donuts' from its name in new branding

The change is part of the company's efforts to focus on coffee and support digital offerings that cater to on-the-go consumers. 

By Erica Sweeney • Sept. 26, 2018

Chipotle shares 2nd Instagram page to drive 'For Real' campaign

As the burrito chain works past several food safety incidents, it aims to emphasize quality ingredients and provide greater transparency into how it sources and prepares food.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 25, 2018

Comic Dive: Permanent Promotions

Brands like Domino's and Arby's have upped the ante on marketing stunts, promising food, money and more to consumers who get tattoos or go to other extreme lengths to show their loyalty. 

By John Hazard and Lisa Burdige • Sept. 25, 2018

Technology in action at TGI Fridays: No 'better use case than selling alcohol with AI'

By integrating AI in platforms and email campaigns, the restaurant chain was able to differentiate customers and tailor personal experiences at the bar. 

By Naomi Eide • Sept. 20, 2018

Cheetos whips up Flamin' Hot-inspired menu for second pop-up restaurant

Recipes from the event will be released online, and people in Los Angeles can nab tie-ins with the online grocery divisions of Walmart and Amazon.

By Erica Sweeney • Sept. 14, 2018