Operations

  • A close up photograph of a plastic cup with a green-blue liquid under pink liquid. The cup sits between two aluminum cans with Red Bull branding.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s rolls out Red Bull energy drinks

    The addition could help boost traffic, particularly during the afternoon daypart. 

    By • Aug. 11, 2026
  • mcdonalds signage against a blue sky
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    Kevin Frayer via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s USA appoints chief restaurant officer

    Patrick Gerber, who has worked at McDonald’s for over 25 years, is tasked with improving restaurant operations and standards.

    By • Aug. 11, 2026
  • Toast restaurants point of sale AI software
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    Getty Images
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    Toast aims to drive AI into dining

    Most restaurants don’t have time to leverage AI tools, Toast executives say, anticipating profit from helping operators reap efficiencies.

    By Justin Bachman • Aug. 10, 2026
  • An image of a white building with First Watch signage
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    Inside First Watch’s ‘spend more to earn more’ strategy

    Despite increased marketing, food and development costs, the chain is seeing an uptick in sales, revenue and opportunities to reach new customers. 

    By • Aug. 10, 2026
  • Wendy's
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
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    Some Wendy’s franchisees cut breakfast, and it’s hurting traffic

    The brand is trying to improve the daypart, which now represents roughly 5% of sales compared to 8% in Q2 2020, as part of a broader menu review.

    By • Updated Aug. 10, 2026
  • Black-and-white photo of a smiling woman with a ponytail leaning over a chef's table
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    Permission granted by Yelp
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    Sponsored by Yelp for Restaurants

    How a Nashville bakery-restaurant captured 7,500 missed calls and unlocked a new revenue stream

    A Nashville restaurant saved 80 hours/week and never missed another call with Yelp Host.

    By Jenn Barber • Aug. 10, 2026
  • QDOBA Burrito
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    Courtesy of QDOBA
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    Jalapeños served at Qdoba, Chipotle tied to Salmonella outbreak

    Both chains stopped serving potentially contaminated peppers after hundreds of consumers across 27 states fell ill.

    By • Updated Aug. 10, 2026
  • A close up photograph of a partial Starbucks siren logo as seen from the top of an office building.
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Starbucks targets 24-hour inventory replenishment

    The effort comes after the coffeehouse chain pulled the plug on an AI-powered inventory management tool after nine months.

    By Kelly Stroh • Aug. 7, 2026
  • An evening shot of a Portillo's restaurant
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s cuts 18% of corporate workforce

    The July 31 reduction was meant to simplify its corporate structure to allow for better focus, nimbler operations and improved restaurant-level support.

    By • Aug. 7, 2026
  • A red sign with white lettering that says Wendy's below a logo of a girl with red hair and blue hair ties sits in a parking lot under a tree.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s CEO moving with ‘urgency’ to revamp brand

    Robert Wright, who rejoined the chain in May, is already drafting a strategy that will focus on menu, marketing, digital, operations and restaurants to improve the chain’s sales and traffic.

    By • Aug. 7, 2026
  • A black and purple restaurant exterior.
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    Duane Prokop via Getty Images
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    Taco Bell, Taylor Farms Cyclospora case count hits 6K

    The vast majority of the individuals sickened in the outbreak fell ill before Taco Bell and Taylor Farms removed potentially contaminated lettuce.

    By • Aug. 6, 2026
  • A picture of Burger King signs.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Burger King sales surge, but Popeyes faces uphill battle

    While Burger King’s revival has gained momentum in recent months, Popeyes has continued to struggle despite its turnaround efforts — but RBI has hope for the chicken chain’s sluggish sales.

    By • Aug. 6, 2026
  • A car at a window picking up an order from a restaurant
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    Permission granted by Salad and Go
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    What led to Salad and Go’s downfall

    The fast casual chain faced significant expenses following an aggressive expansion. It also suffered from wilting demand and was unable to sell itself prior to filing for Chapter 11.

    By • Aug. 6, 2026
  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle pulls some jalapeños over Salmonella concerns

    The brand, which has a long history of food safety scares, said its ingredient tracking system identified a batch of peppers that may have been affected.  

    By • Aug. 5, 2026
  • The exterior of a Dave & Buster's restaurant.
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    Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
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    Dave & Buster’s hires another CEO

    Darin Harper has moved into the top executive position from CFO, succeeding Tarun Lal, who retired effective Aug. 3.

    By • Updated Aug. 4, 2026
  • Six drinks, all colorful, comprising the vanguard of McDonald's post-CosMc's premium drinks lineup.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s CEO blames US traffic drop on execution problems

    The Golden Arches is acting with urgency to correct value issues and operational inefficiencies in the U.S. after a sales miss, executives said.

    By • Aug. 4, 2026
  • An image of a Johnny Rockets counter.
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Why do so many restaurants insist on employee gimmicks?

    Canned phrases, scripted songs and choreographed dance routines aim to boost brand consistency and memorability but risk alienating customers and employees, experts say.

    By Michael Brady • Aug. 3, 2026
  • BJ's Restaurants' new chicken sandwiches
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    Courtesy of BJ's Restaurants
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    BJ’s posts strongest traffic gains in 4 years

    The chain’s turnaround — aided by value plays, menu innovation and marketing spend — is nearing an inflection point as it prepares to expand.

    By • Aug. 3, 2026
  • A photograph of a building that with white signage that says Panera Bread. There is an empty parking lot out front and an outdoor patio on the right.
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    bgwalker via Getty Images
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    Panera to relocate HQ to Massachusetts

    The fast casual chain said the move to Weston is part of its Panera RISE strategy and will help foster more collaboration and decision-making.

    By • July 31, 2026
  • A photograph of a brown sign with white lettering that says Starbucks Center.
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Starbucks’ experience refinements are ‘turning engagement into rituals,’ CEO says

    According to CEO Brian Niccol, better customer service and a revamped loyalty program are building trust with customers and making the brand more visible.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 30, 2026
  • People walk past a Chipotle storefront.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle’s efforts to engage customers with rewards in-restaurant pay off

    “While food quality and generous portions bring guests through our doors, it's the experience we deliver that keeps them coming back,” CEO Scott Boatwright said.

    By Kristen Doerer • July 30, 2026
  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle posts best quarterly same-store sales growth since 2024

    The chain’s Recipe for Growth initiative, which launched in February, has already shifted momentum, with same-store sales up 2.2%.

    By • July 30, 2026
  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop same-store sales drop for 5th straight quarter

    CEO Michael Skipworth said the fast casual chain has many price-sensitive guests and will focus more on value and group occasions to boost sales.

    By • July 30, 2026
  • A smiling worker hands someone a ceramic mug of coffee.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks remodels, service tweaks are paying off

    The coffee giant gained same-store sales momentum in the U.S. market with its third consecutive quarter of comps growth.

    By • July 30, 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

    Quality without compromise: What restaurant operators really need in 2026

    Consistent commitment to the best ROI can help eateries level up their business despite challenging consumer trends, writes Stacey Kinkaid, VP of product development and innovation at US Foods.

    By Stacey Kinkaid • July 29, 2026