Operations

  • 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 • 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 man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet. Explore the Trendline➔
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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 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
  • A help wanted sign is displayed at a boardwalk restaurant the day before the Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer, in the shore community of Wildwood on May 28, 2021 in Wildwood, New J
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Shallow restaurant labor pool could drive up summer wages

    With 300,000 fewer young workers in the labor force than in 2025, restaurants in seasonal markets could have a tough time finding workers, the National Restaurant Association said. 

    By • June 25, 2026
  • An image of a building with Texas Roadhouse signage
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    jetcityimage via Getty Images
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    Full-service restaurants are winning the customer satisfaction battle

    Full-service and casual chains were clustered at the upper end of ACSI’s score range, with Texas Roadhouse and LongHorn Steakhouse tied for the top spot.

    By • June 24, 2026
  • A photo of the exterior of a store. Signs on the side of the building says "Love's," "Hardees" and "Charbroiled burgers."
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    Courtesy of Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
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    How to open a restaurant in a c-store

    Built-in traffic and low build-out costs make c-stores an attractive growth opportunity, but brand fit and executional discipline are essential, experts say.

    By Michael Brady • June 24, 2026
  • Three people wearing suites sit at at table and smile.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s CEO to retire, COO Joe Jordan to succeed

    Russell Weiner will retire in October after serving as top executive since 2022 and recently committing to double the chain’s market share.

    By • Updated June 22, 2026
  • People walking in front of a Sweetgreen on Aug.8, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Sweetgreen’s turnaround hinges on hospitality. Can it balance the human and digital sides?

    The company wants to offer customers a great experience through machine and in-person ordering. Figuring out that balance will be vital to its long-term business success.

    By Bryan Wassel • June 22, 2026
  • Two people stand in a bar looking at a tablet. One person is wearing a beige apron while the other is wearing a green dress.
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Restaurant software was built by people who never worked a Friday night close

    Owners need technology that gives them back time and not something that just offers more dashboards to look at, writes Orbis AI’s Temo Benidze.

    By Temo Benidze • June 18, 2026
  • A photograph of a person behind class touching a blue sign that says "Come In We're Open."
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    Getty Images
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    Franchising requires strong finances, good real estate and a vibrant brand

    Restaurants need to consider their concept type, fee structures, operational procedures and financials when deciding whether to franchise, experts say.

    By Danielle McLean • June 18, 2026
  • A photogrpah of a beige and green corner building wih several cars parked in front. The facade has a white sign that says Panera Bread.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Panera adds Market Bowls in summer menu update

    In addition to $9.99 bowls, the chain debuted breakfast frittatas, new cold beverages and seasonal salads with premium ingredients such as shrimp.

    By • Updated June 17, 2026