Operations
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Northwalker. (2022). Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
What drove Texas Roadhouse’s 9% same-store comps
The casual chain has not seen a drop off in consumer demand and has not resorted to promotions to drive traffic.
By Julie Littman • July 26, 2024 -
Courtesy of Cameron Karsten
Town & Country Markets debuts in-store restaurant
The Seattle-area grocer collaborated with chef and restaurateur Ethan Stowell on Field House, which opened last week in the Mill Creek, Washington, store.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • July 26, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Permission granted by Homeroom
TrendlineIndependent 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 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle’s advanced equipment strategy takes a step forward
The fast casual giant said its avocado processing machine and automated digital makeline are in the final steps before in-restaurant testing.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 26, 2024 -
Courtesy of Marco's Pizza
Marco’s opens first location with new digital-focused design
The prototype, which has the option for a pickup door and window, is expected to accelerate the chain’s growth while improving customer services.
By Julie Littman • July 25, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Red Lobster expects positive net income by fiscal 2026
The chain also anticipates adjusted EBITDA growth of 43% from fiscal 2025 to 2027 after emerging from Chapter 11.
By Julie Littman • July 25, 2024 -
Retrieved from Casey's.
C-stores see higher loyalty retention than QSRs, data shows
However, they sign up new members much more slowly than quick- and full-service restaurants, according to data from Paytronix.
By Jessica Loder • July 24, 2024 -
Permission granted by Bojangles
Bojangles to deploy voice AI at hundreds of drive-thrus
The chicken chain is positioning itself as an aggressive early-adopter of drive-thru voice AI, and says Hi Auto’s tool is more than 95% accurate.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 23, 2024 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
How chains are competing in the 2024 value wars
From McDonald’s and Burger King’s $5 meals to Del Taco’s $2 menu, fast food chains ramped up their value meals this year to attract price-sensitive guests.
By Julie Littman • July 22, 2024 -
Permission granted by Tattle
Sponsored by TattleThe true cost of not having enough guest insights for your restaurants
Restaurants are bleeding revenue because they overlook these crucial operational insights.
July 22, 2024 -
Permission granted by Sizzler
Sizzler upgrades burger menu
The Prime Rib Burger and Crispy Bacon Burger are part of the chain’s efforts to refresh its image, said Robert Clark, Sizzler USA’s chief growth officer.
By Julie Littman • July 19, 2024 -
Permission granted by Perkins
Perkins enters value wars with breakfast trios
The chain’s Great American Trio sells at a price point of $5 to $7, making it competitive with similar meals offered by Denny’s and IHOP.
By Julie Littman • July 19, 2024 -
Permission granted by One Table Restaurant Group
One Table Restaurant Brands files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections
Fees on third-party orders and rising debt costs meant a partial recovery from 2020 was not enough to allow the parent company of Tender Greens and Tacaya to repay its creditors.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 18, 2024 -
Courtesy of Panera Bread
Panera Bread spices up sandwich menu
The chain also added two avocado toast flavors and revived blueberry and sesame bagels as part of its latest menu change.
By Julie Littman • July 18, 2024 -
Darden to buy Chuy’s for more than $600M
The all-cash transaction will add a Tex-Mex chain to Darden’s portfolio of restaurants, which includes Olive Garden and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
By Julie Littman • Updated July 17, 2024 -
Courtesy of Hilton
Hotel restaurants use storytelling, immersive experiences to draw repeat guests
Successful concepts center narratives, offer signature experiences and are well-attuned to changing customer tastes, experts say.
By Brian Martucci • July 17, 2024 -
Permission granted by Beef O' Brady's
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s launches SoundHound’s automated phone ordering system
After launching in over 30 corporate locations, the technology, which claims to be “highly accurate,” is now available to over 100 franchised units.
By Julie Littman • July 17, 2024 -
Bryan Bedder via Getty Images
Beastie Boys sue Chili’s parent Brinker over ‘Sabotage’ video
The rappers contend that the restaurant chain appropriated their 1994 hit and music video for social media use without permission.
By Justin Bachman • July 15, 2024 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
The biggest restaurant bankruptcies so far this year
From Red Lobster to Rubio’s, several chains and franchisees went bankrupt as they faced declining traffic, rising costs and other economic factors.
By Julie Littman • July 15, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Mobile apps drive fast food satisfaction — so long as service is speedy
High-quality mobile apps can be central to the fast food experience if they enable improvements across the entire customer journey.
By Bryan Wassel • July 15, 2024 -
Kobus Louw via Getty Images
Sponsored by MARS FoodservicesBoost profits by crafting an irresistible snack experience
Here are four top tips to help you develop more enticing snack options that will attract additional diners.
July 15, 2024 -
Permission granted by Potbelly
Potbelly opens shop inside the Pentagon
The chain is focusing on expanding at military bases and installations, with two shops also set to open at Fort Liberty in North Carolina later this year.
By Julie Littman • July 12, 2024 -
Permission granted by Mr Gatti's Pizza
Mr Gatti’s Pizza to open 92 units inside Walmart
The Walmart partnership and a recently developed c-store model play into the pizza chain’s strategy to expand via non-traditional channels.
By Julie Littman • July 12, 2024 -
Permission granted by Quiznos
Pump & Pantry expands Quiznos partnership
After a “highly successful” initial rollout over the past two years, the companies decided to grow the deal from four to 10 sites by 2026.
By Jessica Loder • July 11, 2024 -
Courtesy of Del Taco
Del Taco unveils $2 value menu
As chains continue to roll out low-price lineups, Del Taco is looking to stand out by offering more than a dozen items under the eye-grabbing price point.
By Julie Littman • July 11, 2024 -
Permission granted by MOD Pizza
Mod Pizza acquired by Elite Restaurant Group
The transaction comes several months after the chain closed underperforming locations and will help it avoid bankruptcy, which it was reportedly considering.
By Julie Littman • July 10, 2024
