Operations

  • 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 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 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
  • An evening image of Marco's Pizza
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    Permission granted by Marco's Pizza
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    Marco’s Pizza invests $1M in secondary Florida HQ

    The pizza chain is planning significant openings this year, and a new operations center will bring its training and support closer to key growth markets.

    By • June 16, 2026
  • An image of a Twin Peaks restaurant with wooden exteriors.
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    Permission granted by Twin Peaks
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    Twin Peaks franchisees take over management of brand

    Summit Acquisitions, a firm made up of tenured operators, will oversee operations and growth strategy as the brand emerges from bankruptcy.

    By • Updated June 16, 2026
  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle is testing these 5 things to bring back buzz

    From a crispy chicken to renaming its group meals, Chipotle is considering various operational changes that could help drive sales and traffic.

    By • June 15, 2026
  • A rendering of a KFC next-generation restaurant that includes pink neon lights and black facade.
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    Permission granted by KFC
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    KFC’s global transformation has sauce at the center

    The fried chicken chain’s rebrand will include new sauces and design elements developed through its Saucy spinoff, as well as an expansion of its Kwench beverage platform.

    By • June 15, 2026
  • A photograph of a person sitting at a bar doing financing.
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Your financial tools aren’t built for your restaurant

    Operators need support built around how restaurants actually make and spend money, and that troubleshoot when those two things fall out of sync, writes Toast’s Michel Rbeiz.

    By Michel Rbeiz • June 12, 2026
  • An image of a small restaurant with people gathered around. Thereis 7 Brew signage.
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    Permission granted by 7 Brew
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    7 Brew on pace to reach 1K units this year in challenge to Dutch Bros

    The drive-thru coffee chain has reached 777 units so far and has more than 250 stores in its pipeline, gaining on its rival’s footprint of nearly 1,200 stores.

    By • June 12, 2026
  • 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
  • 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
  • racetrac
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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