Operations

  • An image of a burger and french fries from McDonald's
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Lawsuit accuses McDonald’s of negligence over E. coli outbreak

    In what appears to be the first lawsuit filed over the deadly outbreak, a Colorado customer who became ill after eating a Quarter Pounder also accused the chain of product liability and breach of warranties.

    By • Oct. 25, 2024
  • People enter a McDonald's restaurant that has posters on the windows advertising meal deals.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s grilled by senators on price increases

    The chain said the lawmakers contorted facts and made inaccurate claims, and that their concerns reflect a lack of understanding of its franchising model. 

    By • Oct. 24, 2024
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Back-of-house Technology

    From voice AI at the drive-thru to robot-powered makelines, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • A photograph of a black sign that says "Starbucks Coffee Company" in front of a brick building.
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Starbucks’ US sales down as traffic nosedives

    CEO Brian Niccol said the chain will address issues with its complex menu, pricing architecture and mobile order and payments system.

    By • Oct. 23, 2024
  • A McDonald's restaurant sign between trees. The sign reads, "McDonald's"
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s takes Quarter Pounders off the menu at a fifth of restaurants after E. coli outbreak

    The CDC said that 49 people fell ill after eating the burgers, but an analyst said comparisons to Chipotle’s past outbreaks were premature.

    By • Oct. 23, 2024
  • A photograph of a Denny's sign over some trees.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Denny’s to shutter 150 underperforming stores

    An extensive review of all the chain’s restaurants revealed 265 locations never fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    By • Oct. 23, 2024
  • An image of a man with gray hair wearing a blue suit
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    Courtesy of Red Lobster
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    Red Lobster hires Yum Brands vet as CFO

    Bob Baker brings 30 years of restaurant experience to the brand that emerged from Chapter 11 in September.

    By • Oct. 23, 2024
  • An image of a Shari's Restaurant underneath gray skies.
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    M.O. Stevens. (2009). Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
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    Shari’s closes remaining Oregon restaurants

    The casual chain, which had 42 locations in the state at the beginning of this year and has faced financial difficulties, has an estimated 17 locations left in the Northwest.

    By • Oct. 22, 2024
  • A Chick-fil-A restaurant is seen on July 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Chick-fil-A is tops for reputation, new report shows

    However, customers were increasingly upset over the chain’s rising prices — a sentiment shared across fast food customers, according to Chatmeter data.

    By • Oct. 22, 2024
  • An image of a Jollibee double drive-thru in Orlando.
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    Courtesy of Jollibee
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    Jollibee launches first loyalty program

    Members will gain access to exclusive deals and product news as well as give feedback on new menu items.

    By • Oct. 22, 2024
  • New York City waiter prepares dining room
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Amex Q3 restaurant spending growth edges down

    The card issuer has recently focused on courting cardholders hungry for restaurant services, but last week reported spending growth in that category had waned.

    By Lynne Marek • Oct. 21, 2024
  • An image of two men smiling. The man on the left wears a black shirt with a "Fuzzy's Taco Shop" logo while the other wears a suit with a white undershirt.
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    Courtesy of Fuzzy's Taco Shop
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    Fuzzy’s Taco Shop names new president, COO

    The Dine Brand chain promoted Patrick Kirk to the dual role of president and CMO and hired Marshall Claycamp from sister brand IHOP as its COO.

    By • Oct. 21, 2024
  • Close up of African American voter with national flag in waiting line during US elections.
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    Drazen Zigic via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Serving the electorate: Restaurants and voters share common ground this election

    Inflation, the job market, economy, taxes and immigration reform are key issues impacting operators ahead of the election, writes the National Restaurant Association’s Michelle Korsmo.

    By Michelle Korsmo • Oct. 18, 2024
  • An image of a Richtech Robotics adanced robotic beverage system. The white robot is preparing a drink at a counter top.
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    Courtesy of Richtech Robotics
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    Richtech Robotics to open 20 more automated restaurants inside Walmart stores

    The tech company, which uses robotic arms to create drinks, will become a Ghost Kitchens America franchisee as part of its expansion plans.

    By • Oct. 18, 2024
  • Two women are sitting at a table while a man holds out a basket.
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    Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
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    Chick-fil-A to open first Singapore restaurant, enter Asia in 2025

    The chicken chain will invest $75 million over 10 years to support its expansion within Singapore, which will provide a gateway into the rest of the continent.

    By • Oct. 17, 2024
  • A photographof three sandwiches at Dickey's
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    Courtesy of Dickey's
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    Dickey’s enhances menu with Southern-inspired fare

    The new menu accompanies recent strategic initiatives that include ceasing expansion of its non-barbecue brands and reinvesting in its traditional restaurants.

    By • Oct. 16, 2024
  • Kraft Heinz's Heinz Tap device.
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    Courtesy of Kraft Heinz
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    Kraft Heinz ‘betting big’ on reaching consumers away from home

    The ketchup and Mac & Cheese maker said its foodservice unit is “an integral strategic building block” to growing its business and raising brand awareness.

    By Christopher Doering • Oct. 16, 2024
  • Friends doing breakfast at the cafe
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    franckreporter via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by MARS Foodservices

    How restaurants can thrive in the experience economy

    Consumers are focusing on experiences rather than material goods, and restaurants are in the sweet spot to take advantage of this “experiential economy.”

    Oct. 14, 2024
  • Restaurant Technologies truck with a trucker walking by it
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    Permission granted by Restaurant Technologies
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    Sponsored by Restaurant Technologies

    3 ways kitchen automation reduces costs for restaurants

    Here are three ways kitchen automation can directly impact the bottom line.

    Oct. 14, 2024
  • An image of a man wearing a blue shirt with arms crossed.
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    Permission granted by Rusty Taco
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    Q&A // Meet the exec

    How Rusty Taco’s president is plotting sustainable growth

    Daniel Smith, who joined the chain earlier this year, is restructuring corporate to assist operators, boost franchise communication and optimize its business.

    By • Oct. 9, 2024
  • An image of three noodle dishes from Noodles & Company
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    Permission granted by Noodles & Company
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    Noodles & Company brings new flavors to menu with 3 dishes

    The fast casual chain’s transformation will touch two-thirds of the menu and will fill in flavor gaps with items like Chipotle Chicken Cavatappi. 

    By • Oct. 9, 2024
  • A worker takes orders from customers in the drive-thru lane at a Chick-fil-A restaurant.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Study: Chick-fil-A leads in drive-thru satisfaction, Taco Bell in speed

    Intouch Insight’s drive-thru study found across-the-board improvements in chains’ speed. The firm added Raising Cane’s to its ranking for the first time.

    By • Oct. 7, 2024
  • A building with a brown facade and a yellow sign that says "Barberitos."
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    Courtesy of Woworks
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    Woworks opens first Barberitos redesign in Florida

    Two years after Woworks bought the fast casual brand, a newly imagined storefront opened in Temple Terrace, Florida, in September.

    By • Oct. 3, 2024
  • A beige building with a green sign and white lettering that says "Panera Bread."
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Panera undertakes more corporate layoffs

    An unspecified number of employees have been cut from its St. Louis and Newton, Massachusetts support centers, marking its second layoff round in 11 months.

    By • Oct. 2, 2024
  • A Subway restaurant interior with white and green countertops and digital menu boards.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway has signed commitments for 10K restaurants globally

    Over the past three years, the chain signed over 20 master franchise agreements that will push the sandwich chain close to 50,000 units.

    By • Oct. 2, 2024
  • Grubbrr's kiosks on display at the National Restaurant Association Show in 2024.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    9 restaurant industry trade shows to attend in 2025

    The coming year is brimming with restaurant conferences and trade shows covering key issues for the business sector, from franchising strategy to economic forecasts.

    By Restaurant Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024