Operations

  • A photograph of the outside of a Shuckin' Shack
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    Permission granted by Shuckin' Shack

    Franchise spotlight: How Shuckin’ Shack grew from a dive bar to a budding chain

    By focusing on secondary markets, the full-service oyster bar has built a loyal customer base and strong same-store sales growth.

    By • Feb. 2, 2023
  • Online business payments
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    Sitthiphong via Getty Images

    How Chowly’s Koala buy will broaden online ordering access for SMBs

    With Koala’s enterprise-level digital ordering capabilities, Chowly will be able to offer a user-facing tool for its small and mid-size restaurant clients. 

    By • Feb. 2, 2023
  • Explore the Trendline➔
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    Pixabay
    Trendline

    The growth of in-store technology at restaurants

    The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of tech in the industry, from using digital menus to integrating artificial intelligence into their operations.

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • Eggs on shelves at a grocery store.
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    Catherine Douglas Moran/Restaurant Dive

    Egg prices to remain high for as long as bird flu continues, experts say

    After prices more than doubled over the past year, producers are grappling with the impact of the virus while politicians and activists call for investigations into potential price gouging.

    By Chris Casey • Feb. 2, 2023
  • Subway restaurant connected to a Pilot convenience store in Pennsylvania
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive

    Subway’s North American same-store sales rise nearly 8%

    Subway’s efforts to improve its brand positioning and franchising system may be paying off, but it’s unclear what role inflation played in sales growth.

    By • Feb. 2, 2023
  • An image of Crisp & Green
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    Courtesy of Crisp & Green

    Crisp & Green signs its largest franchise deal yet for 40 units

    The Minnesota-based fast casual chain expects to open 50 locations in 15 states by the end of the year. 

    By • Feb. 1, 2023
  • A promotional image for Dunkin's old loyalty program, DD Perks, illustrating that program's coffee-centric offerings.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Dunkin'

    Dunkin’ doubles down on loyalty with exclusive latte

    Months after retooling its rewards program, the chain has added the Brownie Batter Signature Latte, its first beverage available only to loyalty members.

    By • Feb. 1, 2023
  • Wendy's ghost kitchen
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    Permission granted by Wendy's
    Deep Dive

    Ghost kitchens need to go omnichannel if they want to survive, experts say

    After a year of dashed expansion plans, closures and high-profile regulatory infractions, segment players may need brand awareness and expanded access points to thrive.

    By • Jan. 31, 2023
  • An image of a woman at open sign.
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
    Deep Dive

    While chains seek multi-unit franchisees, small operators have room to grow in 2023

    Franchisees will continue to push franchisors to boost store-level profitability as many brace for high development and operating costs.

    By • Jan. 30, 2023
  • A woman sits at a coffee table looking at a tablet.
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    andresr via Getty Images
    Q&A

    Earnings instability has led to fewer restaurant lenders

    Despite institutions pulling back from offering loans to restaurants, CapitalSpring’s Erik Herrmann says there are other options.

    By • Jan. 30, 2023
  • Happy, neutral and sad emojis above three check boxes
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    adobe.stock/Kittiphan

    Sponsored by SpotOn

    How to use online reviews to increase efficiency

    The increasing popularity of online review sites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google, makes it feel like everybody’s a critic. When everyone makes their opinions public, conflicting perspectives are inevitable and sorting through the mass of information can seem like a daunting task. However...

    Jan. 30, 2023
  • Chick-fil-A piloted a virtual restaurant brand via Little Blue Menu in fall 2021.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Chick-fil-A on September 15, 2021

    Chick-fil-A to open second Little Blue Menu location

    The chain’s original Nashville, Tennessee, prototype offers items from virtual concepts Outfox Wings and Because, Burger in addition to Chick-fil-A’s menu. 

    By • Updated Jan. 30, 2023
  • A picture of chicken wings at Mod Pizza
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    Permission granted by Mod Pizza

    Mod tries expanding beyond pizza with wings test

    If the pilot is successful, Mod could add wings to its permanent menu, revising its offerings alongside brands like Pizza Hut, Papa Johns and Pie Five.

    By • Jan. 26, 2023
  • An image inside Sprinkles bakery
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    Permission granted by Sprinkles

    Franchise spotlight: Sprinkles bakes up plan to sign 100 franchised units

    The cupcake chain opened its first franchised unit at the end of 2022 and is eying extensive domestic and international growth.

    By • Jan. 24, 2023
  • A Taco Bell employee wearing a mask hands a drive-thru customer their order.
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell

    Report: QSR traffic down 4.2% in Q4

    Net sales were up 6.1% during the quarter due to an uptick in average check, according to a report from Revenue Management Solutions.

    By • Jan. 23, 2023
  • Robotic Arm
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    Permission granted by Remy Robotics
    Sponsored by Remy Robotics

    The solution to the labor shortage is not automation. It’s autonomy.

    Remy Robotics CEO Yegor Traiman proposes a comprehensive solution to the restaurant industry’s labor problem.

    Jan. 23, 2023
  • An image of a Taco Bell store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell

    Ransomware attack against Yum Brands follows several incidents targeting restaurant industry

    Criminals see restaurants and mobile ordering apps as ripe targets for credential stuffing and financial fraud.

    By David Jones • Jan. 20, 2023
  • An image of a small restaurant with shelves and an ordering counter.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Chili's

    Chili’s closes off-premise test unit 2 months after opening

    Brinker International said it closed the store to focus on improving Chili’s core business and innovation, including its Kitchen of the Future 3 program.

    By • Jan. 19, 2023
  • A photograph of a bartaco sign
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    Permission granted by Bartaco

    How Bartaco eliminated wait staff roles to boost wages

    Retooling employee responsibilities and adding tip pooling allows the chain to pay average hourly wages of $23, higher than the $17 industry average.

    By • Jan. 18, 2023
  • A picture of the Teriyaki Madness logo inside a restaurant
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    Permission granted by Teriyaki Madness

    Franchise spotlight: Teriyaki Madness to double openings in 2023

    The Asian chain is signing leases faster than ever and is on a trajectory to reach 500 units within the next few years.

    By • Jan. 18, 2023
  • An image of a Jollibee double drive-thru in Orlando.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Jollibee

    Jollibee debuts double drive-thru in US

    The restaurant is the company’s 87th in North America, and it continues to push toward its goal of operating 500 restaurants in the region.

    By • Jan. 17, 2023
  • A photograph of a Wienerschnitzel building
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    Courtesy of Wienerschnitzel

    Wienerschnitzel launches franchisee incentive program

    The QSR is reducing royalties and offering marketing funding to entice new operators to grow the chain in markets including the South and Midwest.

    By • Jan. 17, 2023
  • Wendy's Global Next Gen store design features a pick-up window for delivery orders and in-store shelving for digital pick-up orders.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wendy's

    Wendy’s eliminates chief commercial officer role as part of corporate restructure

    The company will shift its focus to more traditional store development and remains committed to building its breakfast daypart, accelerating its digital business and growing its overall footprint.

    By • Jan. 13, 2023
  • An image of the interior of Toppers Pizza
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    Permission granted by Toppers Pizza

    Franchise spotlight: Toppers Pizza expects to surpass 100 units in 3 years

    A tenured executive team, long-term franchisees and a strong support system are helping the 70-unit pizza chain expand in the U.S.

    By • Jan. 12, 2023
  • An image of two employees of Portillo's at the drive-thru.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Portillo's

    Portillo’s drive-thrus go cashless to avoid robberies

    The company aims to improve the safety of its staff, who take drive-thru orders and payments outside, CEO Michael Oslanoo said at ICR.

    By • Jan. 11, 2023
  • Shake Shack opened its first drive-thru location in Maple Grove, Minnesota Dec. 6, 2021.
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    Permission granted by Shake Shack

    Shake Shack expects to open up to 70 units in 2023

    Of these units, 40 will open in the U.S., including a mix of traditional, drive-thru and non-traditional locations, such as travel centers. 

    By • Jan. 11, 2023