Operations

  • An exterior image of a restaurant with glass windows and a sign that says sweetgreen.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Sweetgreen/BusinessWire on August 10, 2022

    Sweetgreen on track for 1K units by 2030 despite profitability issues

    The salad chain expects to open at least 35 new restaurants this year, with many in suburban markets. 

    By • Aug. 11, 2022
  • Applebee's launched a virtual brand Cosmic Wings February 2021 with Uber Eats.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Cosmic Wings

    Applebee’s to add items from virtual brand Cosmic Wings to core menu

    The strategy will help the wing brand expand its reach from 13% of customers to 100%, Applebee’s President John Cywinski said. 

    By • Aug. 10, 2022
  • Homeroom Restaurant in Oakland, California Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Homeroom
    Trendline

    Independent restaurants

    In an industry built on in-person interactions and long-term relationships with customers, the pandemic has dealt a serious blow to independent operators, but many have pivoted and found new ways to reach diners.

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • An image of three bowls that contain various food items like pepperoni, meats and vegetables
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Papa Johns

    Papa Johns’ latest menu item removes the dough

    Papa Bowls is the third product launch at the pizza chain this year, and franchisees are excited about this item because of how easy it is to cook. 

    By • Aug. 9, 2022
  • A QuikTrip convenience store
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from QuikTrip's website.

    Major c-store chain plans to open more food-focused, fuel-free locations

    QuikTrip will open its second prepared foods-focused location next week in Oklahoma as it and other convenience operators continue to blur the lines with restaurants and grocery stores.

    By Brett Dworski • Aug. 5, 2022
  • Shake Shack opened its first drive-thru location in Maple Grove, Minnesota Dec. 6, 2021.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Shake Shack

    Shake Shack expects up to 25 drive-thrus open by the end of 2023

    With six drive-thrus currently open, the burger chain has seen average weekly sales of over $80,000 compared to $76,000 at a traditional location. 

    By • Aug. 4, 2022
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks

    Despite menu price increases, Starbucks Rewards members keep coming back

    Guest counts reached an all-time high during the quarter, with loyalty customer growth outpacing non-members. 

    By • Aug. 3, 2022
  • A picture of a diamond red sign that has "Fatburger" in yellow letters.
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Tony Hisgett is licensed under CC BY 2.0

    Fat Brands plans to open 900 new restaurants in 5 years

    The aggressive expansion strategy would raise the company’s total location to over 3,200 while also adding $50 million in incremental adjusted EBITDA. 

    By • Aug. 2, 2022
  • Outback Steakhouse exterior
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands

    Bloomin’ plans to keep menu price hikes below inflation

    The company said during its second quarter earnings call it expects to keep price increases around 6.5% in the latter half of the year.

    By • Aug. 1, 2022
  • An image of various chicken wings products and French fries inside green containers.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wingstop

    Wingstop expects its food costs to shrink this year

    The chain is experiencing a 19% drop in chicken wing costs, allowing it to lean more heavily on value offerings as other restaurants hike menu prices. 

    By • July 29, 2022
  • A man and woman looking at receipts inside a cafe
    Image attribution tooltip
    Ridofranz via Getty Images

    Study: Over one-third of restaurant operators implementing hiring freezes

    Despite an ongoing labor shortage, 4% of small restaurant owners said they are cutting staff, a July Alignable report also found. 

    By • July 28, 2022
  • A woman and man at a cash register
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle

    Chipotle plans 4% menu increase in August

    The price hike will help offset rising operating costs due to increased wages and inflation, especially around dairy, tortillas and packaging.  

    By • July 27, 2022
  • Large squares containing "ASAP" and "Pick Up Orders"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Waitr Holdings

    Waitr strikes exclusive partnership with New York Giants, New York Jets

    The delivery firm, which is rebranding as ASAP, will provide in-stadium mobile ordering during home games, concerts and events at MetLife Stadium.

    By • July 27, 2022
  • An image of a bag sitting on a makeline with food ingredients in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle

    Chipotle on track to reach $3.5B in digital sales in 2022

    Digital sales, which represented 39% of sales during Q2, are expected to grow this year even as dine-in sales rise amid a shift in customer behavior. 

    By • July 27, 2022
  • Jamba by Blendid kiosk at the Walmart in Dixon, California
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Blendid

    Jamba by Blendid expands to UCLA

    The University of California Los Angeles marks the third college campus to open a Jamba by Blendid kiosk this year, and fifth overall for Blendid. 

    By • July 26, 2022
  • A building with the words "Kitchen United Mix" on the exterior
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Kitchen United

    How Kitchen United's new access to grocery stores, malls will fuel its growth

    With $100 million in fresh funding under its belt, the ghost kitchen operator will build out its tech stack and expand within new and existing markets. 

    By • July 26, 2022
  • Cattle grazing in open field.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef
    Sponsored by U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef

    Improving the sustainability of US beef through collaboration

    Yum! Brands Chief Sustainability Officer, Jon Hixson, talks sustainability and resiliency in the beef supply chain, including industry-wide goals.

    By Jon Hixson, Yum! Brands Chief Sustainability Officer • July 25, 2022
  • Hand holding phone that has ice cream ordering on the screen.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Photo Illustration: Uber; Getty Images

    Uber ramping up grocery service with new features on Eats app

    Offering more items, improved barcode scanning and order scheduling when stores are closed are a few ways the company is “betting in a huge way on grocery,” said Oskar Hjertonsson, Uber’s global head of grocery and retail. 

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • July 21, 2022
  • An image of a sign hanging on a window that says "Now Serving Open Oven Baked Goodness"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images

    Domino's US carryout same-store sales rise 14.6% in Q2

    Bolstered by a boost week in late June and its $3 tip campaign for carryout customers, carryout continued to outperform delivery sales.

    By • July 21, 2022
  • A Piestro branded pizza box.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Piestro/Matt Lucido

    Piestro and Capriotti's pilot automated pizzeria in Las Vegas

    The sandwich chain plans to buy up to 100 Piestro Pods in the five years following the pilot, and to incorporate the pods in future store layouts. 

    By • July 21, 2022
  • An exterior shot of a beige brick building with the words "Jamba," "drive-thru" and "Auntie Anne's."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Auntie Anne's

    Why Auntie Anne's wants to become a drive-thru destination

    The soft pretzel chain opened its first co-branded drive-thru with Jamba in 2021. It now plans to have 15 such units by spring 2023.

    By • July 20, 2022
  • Exterior of a Kroger store with a "Kitchen United Mix" sign on the building and delivery van.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Kroger

    Kitchen United Mix opens in Dallas Kroger

    Food from the unit’s nine brands, including Capriotti's Sandwich Shop and Carl's Jr., can be bundled into one pickup or delivery order.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • July 19, 2022
  • A Jamba by Blendid unit
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Jamba by Blendid

    Jamba by Blendid to open in Love's Travel Shops

    The robotic smoothie maker will first pilot in a Love’s Travel Shop in Williams, California, with additional locations and kiosk operations to be announced.

    By • July 19, 2022
  • An Arby's location featuring a double drive-thru operated by Kang Foods LLC in Oroville, California in the summer of 2022.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Kang Foods LLC

    Arby's franchisee opens double drive-thru unit

    Kang Foods LLC, a franchise group in Northern California, said the restaurant is one of a small number of such models in the chain’s system.

    By • July 18, 2022
  • Two cooks making food dishes in restaurant kitchen.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Shutterstock/Jacob Lund

    Sponsored by Mood Media

    How one simple solution can save you time and money

    Engage, inform, train and retain employees with digital kitchen communication.

    July 18, 2022
  • An image of various Asian food items in steamer bowls, like bao buns, rice
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Wow Bao

    Why Wow Bao is betting on vending machines for expansion

    With less square footage and easy setup, Wow Bao CEO Geoff Alexander thinks the potential for growth with heat-and-eat kiosks could be endless.

    By • July 14, 2022