Operations
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Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images
Report: 76% of restaurant workers plan to leave jobs over low wages, tips
If these workers had a full, stable living wage, 78% said they would stay in their positions, according to a One Fair Wage report.
By Julie Littman • May 06, 2021 -
Five Guys franchisee opens the chain's first US ghost kitchen
Encore Restaurants, the largest Five Guys franchisee, opened a delivery-only location in Garland, Texas, on May 1, joining a growing list of chains using this channel for expansion.
By Alicia Kelso • May 05, 2021 -
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 -
Courtesy of Uber Pressroom
Uber and Gopuff link up on 'everyday essentials' e-shop
The deal marks the first time Uber has partnered with a vertically integrated delivery business, reflecting the company's push to diversify its delivery arm in a bid to reach profitability.
By Jeff Wells • May 05, 2021 -
Krispy Kreme plans to go public again
Five years after going private through a $1.35 billion acquisition by JAB Holdings, the company looks to make another debut on the New York Stock Exchange following a same-store sales boost in 2020.
By Julie Littman • May 05, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Restaurant Dive
Deep DiveNow hiring: How the labor shortage is squeezing full-service restaurants
Foodservice workers burnt out by the segment's recent instability are leaving for other industries or living on high unemployment benefits, sparking a staffing crisis as dining rooms open.
By Julie Littman • May 04, 2021 -
Courtesy of Saladworks
Saladworks sees path to 'hundreds' more locations inside grocery stores
After capitalizing on shuttered salad bars nationwide, the restaurant chain plans to accelerate its rollout of full-service and ghost kitchen sites.
By Jeff Wells • May 04, 2021 -
Permission granted by Starbucks
Starbucks says it will help distribution partners struggling with labor shortages
Delayed or disrupted fulfillment from distribution centers to stores are possible if Starbucks delivery partners can't find the labor they need to move goods.
By A.B. Brown • May 03, 2021 -
Permission granted by Wow Bao
Wow Bao to open ghost kitchen locations in Walmart stores
The chain is already on its way to reaching 1,000 locations this year, and its new 100-unit partnership with Ghost Kitchen Brands will allow it to enter into the grocery store space.
By Julie Littman • May 03, 2021 -
Modern Restaurant Concepts tested ghost kitchens but won't pursue them
CEO Rob McColgan said driving diner awareness in trade areas without physical locations was too challenging, but shared virtual brand Honest Pizza has been successful and could be scaled across its network.
By Emma Liem Beckett • May 03, 2021 -
Courtesy of Shake Shack
Shake Shack aims for gender parity, 50% POC restaurant leadership by 2025
The QSR is also striving for 30% of corporate leadership roles to be made up of people of color and has launched a training program to provide shift managers with skills to advance.
By Alicia Kelso • April 29, 2021 -
Courtesy of Uber
New Uber feature allows users to pick up restaurant orders during their ride
The company also announced other updates, including the ability for a customer to make multiple orders at one time and pre-ordering when an establishment is closed.
By Emma Liem Beckett • April 29, 2021 -
Anna Hrushka/Restaurant Dive
Businesses can only expect limited boost from stimulus checks: Fed study
Households have channeled federal stimulus checks primarily towards savings or reducing debt, giving businesses just a limited lift from consumer spending, according to the New York Federal Reserve.
By Jim Tyson • April 28, 2021 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks' digital success partially driven by AI engine, CEO Kevin Johnson says
Deep Brew personalizes diner offers to secure loyalty and drive more frequent engagement. Though transactions were down 10% for Q2, ticket prices rose 22%.
By Emma Liem Beckett • April 28, 2021 -
DoorDash
DoorDash launches 3-tiered commission fee structure
The 15%, 25% and 30% commission plans come amid operator complaints of high third-party fees during the pandemic and as markets consider making temporary delivery caps permanent.
By Emma Liem Beckett • April 27, 2021 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
After bombshell quarter, Chipotle's CFO focuses on sustainability
Amid discussions of carbon neutrality, a $15 federal minimum wage and a quickly evolving fast casual landscape, Jack Hartung says the chain remains committed to its employees and agricultural partners.
By Jane Thier • April 26, 2021 -
Wennington, Jay. (2014). "Gourmet meal and white wine" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Unsplash.
Opinion3 priorities for a post-pandemic restaurant industry
Restaurants should improve their energy optimization, save money by cutting down food waste and explore cost-effective service models like ghost kitchens, says Therma founder and CEO Manik Suri.
By Manik Suri • April 26, 2021 -
Permission granted by Chipotle
Chipotle CFO: $15 minimum wage would be 'very manageable' with menu price hikes
A 10% increase to the burrito chain's pay would hike menu prices 2% to 3%, CFO Jack Hartung said on an investor call Wednesday.
By Emma Liem Beckett • April 22, 2021 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle's digital sales surpass 50% as chain doubles down on mobile pickup
Just over half of the restaurant's digital sales were from order-ahead transactions as the company continues to add Chipotlane models to its footprint.
By Alicia Kelso , Emma Liem Beckett • April 22, 2021 -
Grubhub settles lawsuit over non-partnered listings
As part of its agreement, the third-party aggregator said it would add a form to allow restaurants to take ownership of listings, as well as request updates to menus and hours or removal from the platform.
By Julie Littman • April 21, 2021 -
Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
New Blaze Pizza CFO: 'We all have to assume the world will get back to normal'
Brad Reynolds left the ghost kitchen industry for the fast casual segment, and believes Blaze will emerge from COVID-19 bigger than ever.
By Jane Thier • April 20, 2021 -
Study: Over 50% of consumers planning a private event in 2021 will cater it
Seventy-two percent of consumers are planning to hold an in-person event this year, with private restaurant space the fourth-most in demand location, according to a survey by Tripleseat and SevenRooms.
By Alicia Kelso • April 20, 2021 -
Courtesy of Saladworks
WOWorks teams with Combo Kitchen to grow via ghost restaurants
The partnership aims to grow Saladworks and Frutta Bowls at a rate of five to seven locations monthly through 2021.
By Emma Liem Beckett • April 19, 2021 -
Permission granted by La Madeleine
Walmart expands grocerants with la Madeleine, Nathan's Famous
The retailer's tie-up with the hot dog chain is a part of its ghost kitchen trials, and it has partnered with the French bakery and cafe chain on a fast-casual format for 10 Dallas-Fort Worth area stores.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • April 19, 2021 -
One Fair Wage sues Olive Garden parent over tipping policy
The labor group claims Darden's cash wage policy fosters inequity and harassment, which the restaurant denies — claiming its workers earn more than $20 per hour on average.
By Julie Littman • April 16, 2021 -
Jack in the Box CIO to depart in May
The fast food chain will be "separating" from SVP and CIO Andrew Martin on May 7, according to an SEC filing.
By Katie Malone • April 15, 2021
