Operations

  • An interior of a restaurant with signs that say Applebee's and IHOP
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    Permission granted by Dine Brands
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    Dine Brands focuses on new unit growth, dual-brand expansion

    The company more than doubled its new unit count during the first quarter, driven by dual-branded openings, relocations and single-concept openings at Applebee’s and IHOP.

    By • May 8, 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 sales wilt in another punishing quarter

    The brand launched wraps to supplement its core bowl and salad business, following its worst quarterly same-store sales performance.

    By • May 8, 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 photograph of various hamburgers and nuggets from Wendy’s.
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    Courtesy of Wendy’s
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    Wendy’s bets order accuracy and clean stores will revive sales

    A 7.8% drop in comparable sales is pressuring the chain to draw consumers back, as Burger King and McDonald’s have seen gains in recent quarters.

    By • May 8, 2026
  • An image of a person smiling and wearing a blue blazer and white shirt
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    Courtesy of Shake Shack
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    Shake Shack appoints former Portillo’s CFO as it finance chief

    Michelle Hook will oversee financial operations at the fast casual chain as it works toward reaching 1,500 units.

    By • May 7, 2026
  • An image of two pan pizzas in front of a green background. On the right is a green pizza box.
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    Permission granted by Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns suffers major 6.4% comp sales drop

    The chain hopes new menu items, operational improvements and local advertising cooperatives can fend off Domino’s value offensive.

    By • May 7, 2026
  • A marketing image for Burger King's reworked Whopper
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King’s sales jumped, Popeyes slumped in Q1

    Years of investment in the burger brand’s operations and menu have won consumers back, but a loss of focus on service and the core menu hurt the chicken chain.

    By • May 6, 2026
  • A rendering of a Subway restaurant with tables and green walls.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway closed at least 729 stores in 2025

    This marks the beleaguered chain’s steepest decline since 2021, driven by oversaturation and a low average unit volume.

    By • May 5, 2026
  • Refuel
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    Permission granted by Refuel Operating Company
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    Refuel to open its first Whataburger

    The South Carolina-based retailer will debut the burger QSR adjacent to an upcoming c-store in Kenedy, Texas, later this year.

    By Brett Dworski • May 5, 2026
  • A photograph of a window with two posters that say McCafe.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s updates McCafé branding ahead of beverage expansion

    The chain updated the font style and coloring on its McCafé cups to better showcase its forthcoming crafted sodas, refreshers and energy drinks.

    By • May 4, 2026
  • A concept image of a chicken restaurant.
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    Courtesy of Huey Magoo's
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    Huey Magoo’s cuts drive-thru build costs by 40%

    The regional chicken tender chain is looking to increase the flexibility of its real estate development strategy.

    By • May 4, 2026
  • A photograph of a beige brick building with a sign that says Culver's
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    krblokhin via Getty Images
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    Culver’s to add computer vision to 1K restaurants

    Through a partnership with Berry AI, the fast food chain will use the technology to measure service execution, vehicle flow and throughput to improve accuracy and speed of service.

    By • May 1, 2026
  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle expands drone pilot, accelerates equipment package deployment

    New technology and the chain’s high-efficiency equipment package are helping teams perform better and improve hospitality, boosting sales.

    By • April 30, 2026
  • Several Chipotle items with the brand's version of chicken al pastor.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle traffic turns positive after menu innovation

    The chain saw transactions and sales growth during Q1 with customers attracted by Chicken Al Pastor, a Cilantro Lime sauce and high-protein items.

    By • April 30, 2026
  • Six versions of Chili's Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich
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    Courtesy of Chili's
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    Chili’s chicken sandwiches are boosting traffic, sales

    The casual chain is already selling 161% more chicken sandwiches since its April 14 launch, and reports strong guest satisfaction with the bigger portions.

    By • April 29, 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 adds beverage specialists to make refreshers, dirty sodas

    High-performing crew members will be trained for the beverage station, with all crew members eventually rotating into the role.

    By • April 28, 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 hires 2 development execs as it nears 600 units

    Rafik Farouk will help the burger brand fill in existing markets and enter new ones, while Jackie Lobdell will work to recruit new operators.

    By • April 28, 2026
  • A daytime image of a Domino's restaurant and sign
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Domino’s expects Papa Johns, Pizza Hut to close more stores

    CEO Russell Weiner predicts pizza competitors will see more profitability issues as they offer steep discounts to drive sales, while Domino’s franchisees continue to improve margins.

    By • April 28, 2026
  • A picture of a building with Domino's signage and a car parked on the left side.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s same-store sales hit a speed bump — but execs aren’t worried

    Competitive pressures over value, dwindling consumer confidence and bad weather resulted in a same-stores sales increase of just 0.9%, far below expectations and Q4’s 3.7% growth. 

    By • April 27, 2026
  • An image of a co-branded Applebee's, IHOP restaurant
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    Courtesy of Dine Brands
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    Applebee’s franchisees sue chain over dual-branding exclusivity

    Operators in Texas claim adding Applebee’s to existing IHOP restaurants broke development exclusivity agreements.

    By • April 27, 2026
  • An image of a darkened Red Lobster with empthy booths.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    More than a rough patch: Recent restaurant closures signal market correction

    Persistent traffic declines, rising costs and an oversaturated market are forcing brands to make tough decisions, and robust chains are taking advantage of the moment, experts say.

    By Michael Brady • April 24, 2026
  • A drone carrying an orange pizza delivery bag.
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    Courtesy of Flytrex
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    Flytrex, Little Caesars deploy new drone for larger orders

    The Sky2 drone can carry family-sized pizza delivery orders and will begin delivering from a Texas location.

    By • April 23, 2026
  • A Domino's worker loads an order into a car.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Why old school pizza delivery won’t disappear, despite third-party dominance

    Platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash can bring new visibility and customers to pizza chains. But first-party delivery still often remains supreme.

    By Danielle McLean • April 22, 2026
  • An image of a table setting in a restuarnat with a black reserved sign on the right foreground
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    Getty Images
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    Why restaurants are anxious about OpenTable’s new terms

    The reservation platform said its partners must agree to make OpenTable their primary table management system, leading to confusion and concern over exclusivity.

    By • April 21, 2026
  • A rendering of a building prototype that is red and beige with Smoothie King sigange
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    Permission granted by Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King to add flatbreads, high-protein food items

    The rollout is part of a brand evolution plan that includes store redesigns and national advertising to support the chain’s aggressive growth strategy. 

    By • April 21, 2026
  • burger
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    Permission granted by Good Foods Group
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    Sponsored by Good Foods Group

    Why restaurants are using spice to drive flavor—and repeat traffic

    To meet the demand for spice, operators must deliver intriguing tastes without adding complexity to their operations.

    April 20, 2026