Operations

  • McDonald's Q1 Earnings Up On Higher Menu Prices, Overseas Growth
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s franchisees worry chain will increase royalties for existing operations

    The fast food chain will increase royalty rates from 4% to 5% for new and refranchised units in January, but operators say the bigger cost will come from an increase in rent, BTIG said in its latest report. 

    By • Oct. 3, 2023
  • Red Robin menu items, including shrimp, fries and rigs atop white plates.
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    Permission granted by Red Robin
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    An inside look at Red Robin’s menu revamp

    Brian Sullivan, who joined the chain in January as VP of culinary, and his team retooled about 85% of the menu over 10 months to enhance flavor and presentation. 

    By • Oct. 3, 2023
  • An image of Domino's and Microsoft headquarters.
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    Courtesy of Domino's/Microsoft
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    Domino’s, Microsoft partner to bring AI to restaurants, online ordering

    The two companies will work together to create technology with Azure OpenAI to help managers handle inventory, staff scheduling and customer experience, with the first iteration of the generative AI set to roll out by March.

    By • Oct. 3, 2023
  • Chef looking at list
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    Hispanolistic via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by CoverWallet

    Cyber hackers see your restaurant’s data as a buffet — here are 10 ways to stop them

    Cyber threats are becoming increasingly prominent in restaurants. This article reveals 10 crucial steps eateries must take to protect their secrets, data and profits in an ever-evolving cyber battleground.

    By Dan Wahl, Senior Manager of Restaurant Insurance Solutions at CoverWallet • Oct. 2, 2023
  • People line up for their rides in front of a sign that reads "Uber Pickup Zone."
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Uber taps decades-long finance veteran for CFO seat

    Semiconductor executive Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah is taking the finance reins at the ride-sharing company as it focuses on post-COVID-19 pandemic growth.

    By Alexei Alexis • Sept. 29, 2023
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs $20 fast food minimum wage into law

    The deal, AB 1228, establishes a council with limited power to set the pace of wage increases until 2029, in what the SEIU calls a “historic” turn for labor.

    By • Sept. 28, 2023
  • A woman sits at a coffee table looking at a tablet.
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    andresr via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Cafes and bakeries are only scratching the surface for additional revenue

    Offering an alcoholic or “evening” beverages menu can grow end-of-day foot traffic and deepen regulars’ relationships with their favorite “third place,” writes Toast VP of Product Marketing Teddy Tsang. 

    By Teddy Tsang • Sept. 28, 2023
  • Wow Bao
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    Permission granted by Wow Bao
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    Q&A

    Wow Bao’s CEO discusses how the chain went from a small Chicago storefront to a CPG contender

    Geoff Alexander, a restaurant industry veteran, started as a fry cook at his local university watering hole and now runs a bao bun CPG giant. 

    By Judy McGuire • Sept. 28, 2023
  • Walk-On's CFO Chris Porcelli and Chief Development Officer Jennifer Pecoraro-Striepling
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    Courtesy of Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
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    Walk-On’s adds CFO, CDO to its leadership

    Chris Porcelli and Jennifer Pecoraro-Striepling join the chain as CFO and chief development officer, respectively, as Walk-On’s builds up its c-suite.   

    By • Sept. 27, 2023
  • An image of Pinstripes
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    Courtesy of Pinstripes
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    Pinstripes hires CFO, CMO as it prepares public debut

    Tony Querciagrossa and Shannon Keller join the brand as CFO and CMO, respectively, as the 14-unit chain gears up for significant growth.

    By • Sept. 27, 2023
  • A Panera store.
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    Panera Brands shuffles board as it preps for IPO

    Michael Tattersfield, who is resigning as CEO of Krispy Kreme in January, oversaw the doughnut chain as it went public in 2021.

    By • Sept. 25, 2023
  • An image of Krispy Kreme future CEO Josh Charlesworth
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    Courtesy of Krispy Kreme
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    Krispy Kreme promotes Josh Charlesworth to CEO

    Michael Tattersfield, who has served as CEO since 2017, will step down on Jan. 1, but remain on the company's board.

    By • Sept. 25, 2023
  • A beige restaurant with Portillo's signage in Allen, Texas
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s targets 920 future units, up from 600

    The hot dog chain said it has the ability to grow to 800 full-sized restaurants and 120 smaller pickup, walk-up and other alternative formats.

    By • Sept. 22, 2023
  • Horace Dawson, CEO of Red Lobster, wearing a dark gray suit
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    Courtesy of Red Lobster
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    Red Lobster names Horace Dawson as CEO

    Dawson’s promotion comes more than a year after the seafood chain began searching for a CEO following Kelli Valade’s resignation. 

    By • Sept. 21, 2023
  • A hand receives a White Castle bag from another hand coming from outside the door
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    Courtesy of White Castle
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    White Castle adds in-app delivery with Uber Direct

    Menu items are available for the same price as dine-in, and customers pay a flat fee of $4.99 for delivery. 

    By • Sept. 21, 2023
  • A building with white and brown siding with two black cars at a drive-thru. Signage says Bojangles
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    Permission granted by Bojangles
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    Bojangles to surpass 1K units with current development plans

    The chicken chain has a 250-unit pipeline and is expanding into non-traditional segments, including travel centers, universities and stadiums.

    By • Sept. 20, 2023
  • A photo of a variety of food on a wooden table on trays and in baskets and bowls.
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    Permission granted by ezCater
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    As c-stores level up in foodservice, catering could be an ‘ideal’ next step

    Convenience retailers, especially those in rural areas, can boost revenue and grow their brand presence by offering food that is both delicious and durable.

    By Amanda Baltazar • Sept. 20, 2023
  • A person is in a car and is in the process of ordering Panera using a phone
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera loyalty members can pre-program meals on app, order with swipe

    The order option is the chain’s latest tech enhancement launched this year, including Amazon Alexa ordering and an Amazon One palm scanner test. 

    By • Sept. 20, 2023
  • A red stop-work order is taped to a Boston Market door.
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    Kate Tornone/Restaurant Dive
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    Boston Market pays $630K in back wages in NJ, lifting stop-work order

    The New Jersey Department of Labor gave the green light for Boston Market to reopen 27 locations, but it’s unclear how many have done so.

    By • Sept. 19, 2023
  • Three pocket pizza from Mod Pizza
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    Courtesy of Mod Pizza
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    Mod Pizza makes Pocket Pies permanent

    The menu item, which was first introduced in March as part of Pi Day, echoes Papa Johns’s Papadias and Pizza Hut’s Melts.

    By • Sept. 18, 2023
  • A portrait photo of Kitchen United CEO Atul Sood.
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    Courtesy of Kitchen United
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    Kitchen United promotes Atul Sood to CEO

    The ghost kitchen company remains focused on building a sustainable business model for decades to come, Sood said. 

    By • Sept. 18, 2023
  • Donatos pizza
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    Courtesy of PR Newswire
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    Why Donatos sees opportunity in automated vending machines

    The pizza chain’s forthcoming prototype is just one example of how this technology can be an innovative grab-and-go option, but challenges over the perception of quality persist.

    By Danielle McLean • Sept. 18, 2023
  • Artificial intelligence Smart phone machine learning stock photo
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    iStock/bankkgraphy

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    Sponsored by Fourth

    The top 3 AI solutions for back of house operations

    From more efficient hiring practices to optimizing scheduling and inventory management, here are the top 3 ways to optimize your back of house operations with the help of AI.  

    By Christian Berthelsen • Sept. 18, 2023
  • An image of a brick building with red Chick-fil-A signage
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Chick-fil-A to return to UK in 2025 with first permanent location

    The fast food chain, which is eying additional locations in Europe and Asia, will invest $100 million during the next decade in the country. 

    By • Sept. 15, 2023
  • An image of Moe's Southwest Grill
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    Courtesy of Moe's Southwest Grill
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    Q&A

    Moe’s longer operating hours, new ingredients help traffic

    Since deploying its Project Victory initiative, the TexMex chain has found opportunities — such as slicing whole-muscle beef — in 20% employee idle time, said Chief Brand Officer Tory Bartlett.

    By • Sept. 14, 2023