Operations

  • A photograph of a red and yellow sign with a giant yellow "M" above a red box that says "McDonald's Billions Served."
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s turns to AI for drive-thru, inventory management, order accuracy

    McDonald’s will roll out ArchIQ, an artificial intelligence platform to power restaurant operations, as part of its Next strategy.

    By • Sept. 25, 2026
  • A close up of a black sign with yellow words that say Yard House and great food classic rock and world's largest selection of draft beer.
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    OntheRunPhoto via Getty Images
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    Yard House becomes Darden’s third billion-dollar brand

    The full-service concept, which posted 10% growth in same-store sales during fiscal Q1 2027, plans to open 13 new stores during the ongoing fiscal year.

    By • Sept. 25, 2026
  • A close up photograph of a crispy chicken sandwich on a table within a McDonald's restaurant
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    McDonald’s is designing bigger burgers, chicken bowls and new beverages

    The fast food giant plans to increase its market share with chicken and beverages as it expands those platforms while doubling down on beef.

    By • Updated Sept. 24, 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 shutters 250 underperforming stores

    The brand said the closures would impact locations that can’t deliver the coffeehouse experience or financial performance it expects.

    By • Sept. 24, 2026
  • A photograph of an empty McDonald's restaurant within a warehouse
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    McDonald’s to invest $8.5B as part of Next strategy

    The funding will be used to support restaurant modernization, tech deployments and operational improvements through 2036.

    By • Sept. 23, 2026
  • gomart, wienerschnitzel
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    Permission granted by Galardi Group
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    GoMart to bring first Wienerschnitzel QSRs to West Virginia

    The new partnership is expected to expand beyond the initial two locations over the next five years, with potential sites including conversions and new builds.

    By Brett Dworski • Sept. 23, 2026
  • A photograph of two boxes on a table with various breakfast food items in aluminum pans.
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    Permission granted by Denny's
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    How Denny’s is loading the bases for Project Grand Slam turnaround

    After closing units and going private, Denny’s is prepping for a new era with more catering, an overhauled menu, fresh tech and renovations.

    By • Sept. 23, 2026
  • A basket of fried chicken and some other food.
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    Courtesy of Yardbird
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    Yardbird files for bankruptcy

    The fried chicken and bar concept shuttered several locations in 2025 and 2026 as sales results diverged across its system.

    By • Updated Sept. 22, 2026
  • An image of a speaker box on a blue background. The words "Toast" and "Presto" hover over the box.
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    Permission granted by Presto Phoenix
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    Presto integrates with Toast to scale drive-thru voice AI

    The AI company is joining the POS firm’s partner ecosystem, making it easier for many restaurants to deploy the voice tool.

    By • Sept. 21, 2026
  • A spread of pasta entrees from Maggiano's Little Italy.
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    Courtesy of Maggiano's Little Italy
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    Maggiano’s turnaround yields ‘green shoots’

    The Italian brand only accounts for 3% of Brinker’s profits, but a focus on portion size and speed of service could grow sales, CEO Kevin Hochman said. 

    By • Sept. 21, 2026
  • A photograph of a selection of food items, including pepperoni pizza, chicken wings and burgers next to a green checkered back with wording that says Wonder The Cravings Expert.
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    Courtesy of Wonder
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    Wonder lays off 533 as part of production consolidation

    The food hall company is closing two New Jersey facilities and moving to a high-capacity location that will better support long-term growth.

    By • Sept. 17, 2026
  • A close-up photograph of an orange sign that says Tropical Smoothie Cafe that is next to a palm tree logo shaped as a T.
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    Courtesy of Tropical Smoothie Cafe
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    Tropical Smoothie Cafe unveils rebrand, new logo

    The chain’s updated look will also include a redesigned web and app that will offer more seamless browsing, customizations and access to loyalty rewards.

    By • Sept. 17, 2026
  • A table with a salad, cheeseburger quesadilla and a plate of rice
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    Permission granted by Applebee's
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    How a popular burger drove Applebee’s to double down on cheese

    The O-M-Cheese Burger hit on consumer preferences for cheese, affordability and a fun experience, leading to an expanded lineup. 

    By • Sept. 17, 2026
  • A close up photograph of a red out of business sign hanging on a store window.
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    Getty Images
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    Why multi-unit restaurant franchisee bankruptcies are surging in 2026

    High labor and food costs and slumping sales have caused franchisee bankruptcies to reach pre-pandemic levels, but various strategies could help mitigate the problem.

    By Danielle McLean • Sept. 16, 2026
  • People walk past a Chipotle storefront.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle to place apprentice managers in all company-owned locations

    These high-performing employees are working toward a general manager role and will be a key part of staffing newly opened restaurants. 

    By • Sept. 16, 2026
  • A photograph of a makeline with various cabinets and ingredients ready to deploy into bowls.
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    Permission granted by Wonder
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    Wonder deploys first automated makeline

    The food hall company will use the tech it acquired from Sweetgreen for $186 million to offer lower prices, extended hours and expand into new markets.

    By • Sept. 15, 2026
  • A zoomed in image of a smartphone with a on orange app square that says "Grubhub" in white.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    DoorDash buys Grubhub campus unit for $300M

    DoorDash will continue to expand Grubhub’s former campus dining operations, and Wonder will use money from the deal and an investment to sustain growth.

    By • Sept. 15, 2026
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    Courtesy of GoTo Foods
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    GoTo Foods appoints McDonald’s vet as Jamba president

    Lucy Brady joins the beverage brand as its parent company reshuffles other positions in its C-suite.

    By • Sept. 14, 2026
  • A fire crew member uses a firehose on a structure that burned down by fire
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    DBrownPhotos/Shutterstock.com

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    Sponsored by Society Insurance

    Wildfire preparedness: How restaurants can better protect themselves

    For restaurant owners, wildfire preparedness belongs in your risk management plan.

    Sept. 14, 2026
  • Three 7 Brew drinks on a table
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    Courtesy of 7 Brew
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    Q&A

    How 7 Brew’s first CMO is marketing the fastest-growing brand in the US

    Ex-KFC CMO Nick Chavez is building on existing brand love for the beverage chain with culture-hacking campaigns and a loyalty app that is social by design.

    By Chris Kelly • Sept. 11, 2026
  • A photograph of a dining table with two blue Walmart bags next to a pile of Papa Johns pizza boxes. A mother and child are on the right taking soup cans out of one of the blue bags.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns to offer delivery from Walmart

    Using Walmart Express Delivery, customers can order fresh pizza on its own or as part of their grocery haul this fall.

    By • Sept. 11, 2026
  • A photograph of a corner restaurant with beige paint and a green sign that says O'Charley's
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    jetcityimage via Getty Images
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    O’Charley’s closes all corporate restaurants after strategic review

    The 55-year-old casual dining chain, which once had 250 units, has reportedly closed its remaining 49 company-owned locations.

    By • Sept. 10, 2026
  • An image of the Domino's mobile app with with details of its $5 coupon campaign.
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    Courtesy of Domino's Pizza
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    How Domino’s app redesign went wrong and what CX leaders can learn

    Full-scale redesigns are increasingly out of step with how leading brands manage digital experiences, experts say.

    By Michael Brady • Sept. 9, 2026
  • A photograph of a stripped out restaurant with wall studs and HVAC visible.
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    Getty Images
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    Why second-generation restaurant space doesn’t always make sense

    “The goal isn't to open the cheapest restaurant. The goal is to make the smartest investment,” East Coast Wings + Grill CEO Sam Ballas said.

    By Michael Brady • Sept. 9, 2026
  • An evening photograph of a brick building with green and yellow signage that says "Potbelly."
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    Potbelly expands into Georgia

    The chain opened its first company-owned location in the Peach State as it aims to grow beyond 500 units this year.

    By • Sept. 9, 2026