Operations

  • A photograph of two people in the foreground looking at a chalkboard menu that is blurred
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    Getty Images
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    Menu prices moderate in May despite 3-year high inflation

    Menu prices were up only 3.5%, down from a 4% increase at the beginning of the year. 

    By • June 11, 2026
  • A burger, a soda and a basket of chips.
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    Courtesy of Chili's
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    Why restaurant value needs to go beyond just price

    Premium add-ons, generous portions and better experiences are helping boost sales at chains like Chili’s, despite the challenging consumer environment.

    By Danielle McLean • June 11, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Back-of-house Technology

    From AI-enhanced inventory management systems and analytics to robot-powered kitchen equipment, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • A Cracker Barrel sign hangs on the outside of a restaurant.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel reports rising guest metrics, but sales remain on the decline

    The restaurant’s Google star rating is up 4% year over year, but the company has yet to return to sales growth after the fall out from a botched rebrand attempt last year.

    By Bryan Wassel • June 10, 2026
  • A photograph of a co-branded Wetzel's Pretzels and Cold Stone Creamery inside a mall.
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    Permission granted by Wetzel's Pretzels/Cold Stone Creamery
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    How Wetzel’s, Cold Stone use co-branding to entice diners

    With two concepts in one, franchisees have a larger menu, bigger storefronts and other opportunities they wouldn’t have had with a single brand.

    By • June 10, 2026
  • Inside a beverage facility that sells boba teas.
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    Permission granted by Gong cha
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    How Gong cha overhauled its supply chain for US growth

    The bubble tea brand has standardized its supply chain playbook by moving to a direct franchising system, according to Alan Davis, director of supply chain for the Americas.

    By Alejandra Carranza • June 10, 2026
  • An image ofa brick Cava storefront
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava will hire over 2K employees, open 75 units in 2026

    The chain has already hired 150 assistant general managers as part of its Flavor Your Future platform to develop a deep bench of future general managers.

    By • June 10, 2026
  • A person holds up a black, blue, white and yellow chart titled “Reciprocal Tariffs” listing the names of several countries alongside percentages.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Why trade, swipe fees are NRA’s political priorities for restaurants

    The National Restaurant Association is urging the Trump administration to approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement and take a do-no-harm stance on tariffs.

    By • June 9, 2026
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    Courtesy of RaceTrac
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    RaceTrac’s upcoming c-store near Atlanta headquarters will feature a Potbelly

    This appears to be RaceTrac’s first confirmed location with a Potbelly on site since the retailer acquired the sandwich chain last year.

    By Brett Dworski • June 9, 2026
  • An image of back-of-house workers preparing meals in a kitchen. Their faces are blurred
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    Hispanolistic via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    NRA: Immigration reform may be on the table in 2026

    From scheduling laws to visa delays, the restaurant workforce is uniquely impacted by changes to labor regulations, posing major problems for operators with thin margins.

    By • June 8, 2026
  • A photo of a corner of a brick building that says Chipotle on the side
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle CFO zeroes in on international growth

    The restaurant company could potentially have as many locations outside the U.S. as it does inside, if given a few decades of further growth, CFO Adam Rymer said.

    By Grace Noto • June 8, 2026
  • People dressed in yelp sit at a table inside a restaurant and bar eating food and drinking beer.
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    andresr via Getty Images
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    How independent restaurants are leaning into World Cup frenzy

    Of the tournament-themed menu additions, 65% added from March to May were drinks, while 27% were merchandise, according to SpotOn data.

    By • June 8, 2026
  • Bowl of pasta with sauce on top
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    Permission granted by Good Foods Group
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    Sponsored by Good Foods Group

    How versatility is helping foodservice operators do more with less

    Today’s environment demands that operators boost flavor and innovation without adding complexity or cost.

    June 8, 2026
  • An image of a white and red restaurant with Krystal on the signage
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    Permission granted by Krystal
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    SPB Hospitality CEO launches strategy change 6 months in

    Krystal and the company’s upscale casual brands will operate as parallel businesses under one leadership team, GJ Hart said Thursday.

    By • June 5, 2026
  • A photograph of a restaurant with Subway signage that is inside a Walmart
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    J.D. Pooley via Getty Images
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    Subway to offer delivery from Walmart locations

    The sandwich chain is the first restaurant to be integrated with Walmart’s Express Delivery. Meals can ordered with groceries or delivered separate.

    By • June 5, 2026
  • A Chick-fil-A restaurant is seen on July 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Chick-fil-A opens ghost kitchen in Miami

    The chain joins a growing cohort of brands, including Pressed Juicery and Roti, to open inside delivery-centric facilities years after restaurants moved away from these channels.

    By • June 5, 2026
  • A Dave's Hot Chicken fast casual restaurant in Chicago viewed from above.
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    Courtesy of Dave's Hot Chicken
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    Dave’s Hot Chicken diners don’t want to talk to robots — so here’s how it’s innovating

    After successfully upgrading its point of sale and kitchen display tech, Dave’s is waiting for other tech to mature, the brand’s chief technology officer said.

    By • June 4, 2026
  • An image of cold-press juices from Pressed Juicery
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    Permission granted by Pressed Juicery
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    Pressed Juicery to open in 27 CloudKitchen locations

    The juice brand, which has 100 company-owned locations and a robust consumer packaged goods business, will add this channel to expand into high-density areas.

    By • June 3, 2026
  • Illinois legislature credit card fees laws banks card networks
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    Illinois restaurants face more tip fees, for now

    A federal court blocked the state's interchange fee ban. Delays to the law could cost local businesses $500 million a year, proponents say. 

    By • June 3, 2026
  • An image of a McDonald's with a playplace
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    M. Suhail via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s bets chicken, restaurant improvements will grow sales

    The McDonald’s > NEXT plan focuses on improving food quality and taste, customer experiences, restaurant interiors and hospitality.  

    By • June 2, 2026
  • An exterior photograph of a Cafe Rio restaurant.
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    Courtesy of Cafe Rio
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    Cafe Rio hires &pizza CEO after losing its way

    Mike Burns will oversee an effort to return the fast casual Mexican chain to sales growth with speedy service, better food and cleaner restaurants.

    By • June 2, 2026
  • A photograph with a close up of a financial spreadsheet with a black caalculator on the right and a black pen in the middle.
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    atiatiati via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    How restaurants can navigate MCA loan debt

    Merchant cash advance loans can provide operators quick funding for cash shortfalls, but they can be costly in the long run, Coastal Debt Resolve’s Nathan Mor said.

    By • June 1, 2026
  • A crowd of people stand in front of a dark gray building with a logo that says Saladworks
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    Courtesy of Woworks
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    Woworks hires former Subway exec as chief growth officer

    James Walker joins the six-branded company as it continues to expand nationwide through single-concept and co-branded locations.

    By • May 29, 2026
  • A group of people stand behind a yellow ribbon while a person in the middle holds up large scissors that are about to cut the ribbon.
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s opens first airport unit

    The nontraditional location signals ongoing investment in Texas, where Portillo’s had a disappointing 2025.

    By • May 28, 2026
  • An image of Tijuana Flats
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    Permission granted by Tijuana Flats
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    Tijuana Flats relaunches franchising

    Under Latitude Food Group’s ownership, the 100-unit fast casual chain will partner with operators to open new units and refranchise select stores.

    By • May 27, 2026
  • A photograph of a person wearing a blue suit jacket
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    Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
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    Church’s Texas Chicken appoints Popeyes vet as chief commercial officer

    Kevin Nemeth will oversee various aspects of the chain’s commercial strategy and help connect brand, digital, loyalty, menu and execution.

    By • May 26, 2026