Operations

  • The image shows a row of drinks, including coffee and soda, available through Panera's Unlimited Sip Club
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    Panera adds limits to Sip Club beverage subscription

    Beginning Aug. 19, members can redeem 30 drinks per month, instead of an ulimited amount each month. 

    By • July 14, 2026
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Why restaurant AI setbacks aren’t the whole story

    AI tools that have a holistic view of restaurant operations can make operators more efficient, improve margins and even drive same-store sales growth, Par’s head of AI said.

    By • July 14, 2026
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet. Explore the Trendline➔
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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 coffee shop employee prepares an order behind a counter.
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    Michael M. Santiago / Staff via Getty Images
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    Starbucks rolls out quarterly bonuses for high-performing workers

    The latest perks could help the chain attract and retain workers needed to sustain its turnaround drive. 

    By • July 13, 2026
  • Zaxbys first Arizona unit, a restaurant with white walls and blue awnings
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    Courtesy of Zaxbys
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    Zaxbys debuts in New York

    The chicken tender brand’s New York City opening signals its ongoing national expansion, and comes as it emphasizes unit growth in new markets.

    By • July 13, 2026
  • Two people walk towards a Taco Bell restaurant
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Some Michigan Taco Bells have stopped serving lettuce, cilantro amid parasite outbreak

    The Great Lakes State has reported over 2,000 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic foodborne illness, but it’s not clear if the outbreak is tied to Taco Bell.

    By • July 13, 2026
  • A chef and a kitchen worker present a tray of french fries in a commercial kitchen.
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    Permission granted by Simplot
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    Sponsored by Simplot Global Food

    The true cost of bargain fries

    Lower-priced fries can reduce yield, increase oil use and hurt consistency. Learn why premium fries deliver value.

    By Simplot • July 13, 2026
  • A daytime photogrpah of a beige building with brick facade. It has a sign with a red and green background and white type that says Papa Murphy's Pizza.
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    ablokhin via Getty Images
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    MTY Group will close up to 50 Papa Murphy’s

    This move is part of a performance review of the parent company’s owned portfolio that identified 68 underperforming locations across multiple brands.

    By • July 10, 2026
  • An exterior image of a Wonder food Hall
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    Permission granted by Wonder
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    Wonder plans another $600M funding round

    The food hall company has raised over $2.8 billion since 2021 and could file for an initial public offering as early as next year.

    By • July 10, 2026
  • A photograph of a corner restuarant with Jersey Mike's Subs as signage.
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    KenWiedemann via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Jersey Mike’s IPO reflects growing investor appetite for restaurants

    Investors are anticipating strong valuations from the sandwich chain, especially after Black Rock Coffee’s successful 2025 debut.

    By • Updated July 9, 2026
  • A photograph of a white storefront with neon signs that say Hot Dog on a Stick
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    Permission granted by Amazing Brands
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    Hot Dog on a Stick plots growth under new ownership

    Amazing Brands believes the restaurant chain is ready for strategic growth, particularly in flagship locations like Las Vegas and other high-profile markets.

    By • July 9, 2026
  • A sign on a table declaring it to be reserved.
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    Getty Images
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    OpenTable adds table reservation perk for frequent diners

    Gold status members can book tables set aside for them, making access to coveted restaurants easier.

    By • July 8, 2026
  • A photogrpah of a makeline at a Chipotle with salsa, sour cream and white cheese visible.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Fresh ideas: How restaurants can overcome the challenge of seasonal produce

    Chili peppers, tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables vary by time of year, geography and growing conditions, so brands must manage the inconsistencies without losing customer trust.

    By Michael Brady • July 8, 2026
  • A photograph of a person wearing a suit.
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    Courtesy of Denny's
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    Denny’s appoints COO as it focuses on turnaround

    Aaron Howard will play a critical role in Project Grand Slam, which aims to improve restaurant experiences, speed of service, traffic and execution.

    By • July 8, 2026
  • An image of a red and white building with Freddy's signage.
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    Permission granted by Freddy's
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    Freddy’s plans to reach 600 restaurants in 2026

    The chain expects to open 60 units this year and will refocus on in-line and endcap real estate to create more flexibility for its franchisees.

    By • July 7, 2026
  • Taco Bell drive-through
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    Courtesy of Yum Brands
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    Taco Bell revs up drive-thru AI deployment

    Through a partnership with Omilia, which has brought voice AI to nearly 900 U.S. restaurants, the Mexican chain will continue to add the tech across its domestic system.

    By • Updated July 7, 2026
  • A group of people sit at a table with a white table cloth and a person wearing black greets two of the people.
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Restaurants have never known more about their guests. So why are they losing them?

    The answer to repeat customer visits isn’t more loyalty tiers or programs, but deploying guest data to enhance experiences and remember preferences, writes Guestologie’s Ryan Volberg.

    By Ryan Volberg • July 6, 2026
  • An arm reaches out of a gray car to collect a bag of food while an employee with blue gloves hands off the bag.
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    Getty Images
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    QSR traffic fell 4.4% in May

    Visits at quick-service chains had their worst month so far this year in May, with a 6.8% dip in short visits. But full-service traffic rose modestly, Placer.ai found.

    By • July 6, 2026
  • A photograph of a person wearing a black suit.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s taps Raising Cane’s vet to lead development

    Bryan Brown will help advance the fast food giant’s NEXT strategy, which includes restaurant redesigns and improved hospitality.

    By • July 2, 2026
  • An exterior shot of a Red Lobster restaurant from downhill, in the foreground, lush shrubbery separates the restaurant from the camera.
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    Courtesy of Red Lobster
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    Still steamed: Red Lobster sues Thai Union over 2024 shrimp blunder

    The chain’s creditors claim the former shareholder pushed out a shrimp promotion for its own interests even though it led to significant losses for the full-service brand.

    By • July 1, 2026
  • Four plastic cups with colorful beverages and ice inside sit on a white table, surrounded by fruit and against a pink patterned background.
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    Permission granted by Sheetz
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    Sheetz, Dash In lead the charge as refreshers reshape c-store beverage sales

    The drinks sit at the intersection of fruit flavor, wellness and afternoon treat occasions, making them highly adaptable across c-store menus.

    By Christine Blank • June 30, 2026
  • An image of a resaturant with Church's Chicken on the side of the building
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    jetcityimage via Getty Images
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    Church’s Texas Chicken debuts catering

    The chicken chain is one of many QSRs shifting toward large group orders to work around the price sensitivity of individual consumers and drive sales.

    By • June 30, 2026
  • A person stands over dishes of chocolate dessert inside a restaurant kitchen.
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    Permission granted by Clementine
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    Opinion

    Why from-scratch cooking is a radical choice in 2026

    Few kitchens cook from scratch today, meaning important techniques and methods could be lost as young chefs work with pre-made ingredients, says Clementine co-owner and pastry chef Elise Russ. 

    By Elise Russ • June 29, 2026
  • A daytime image of a building with beige bricks and a Tropical Smoothie Cafe sign.
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    Permission granted by Tropical Smoothie Cafe
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    How Tropical Smoothie Cafe has grown under Blackstone’s ownership

    CEO Max Wetzel said the chain expects to open 175 units this year and has a pipeline of over 900 units to open after 2026.

    By • June 29, 2026
  • Estepps c-stores
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    Retrieved from Google.
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    Kentucky c-store chain to introduce PJ’s Coffee

    Estepp Energy plans to add the New Orleans java brand’s beverages to seven stores through a combination of full cafés with drive-thrus, end-cap locations and in-store counters.

    By Brett Dworski • June 26, 2026
  • A photo of the exterior of a gas station and travel stop. Text on the fuel canopy says Love's and the building features the Love's and Whataburger logos.
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    Courtesy of Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
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    Why Whataburger is betting on c-stores for growth

    While it has operated in c-stores for 26 years, the Texas-based QSR chain is now ramping up its convenience retail presence as part of a broader growth strategy.

    By Brett Dworski • June 25, 2026