Operations
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Domino's aims for $25B in retail sales by 2025
The pizza chain's aggressive plans to add about 10,000 units in six years relies heavily on fortressing, which adds units within a franchisee's existing territory, but can lead to a dip in comparable sales.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 18, 2019
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FAT Brands expands co-branded Fatburger/Buffalo's Express units
With dual-brand concepts often resulting in efficiency, flexibility and increased profit margins, the company plans to add another 10 units in the U.S.
By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 17, 2019
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Shake Shack to test food trucks in Atlanta and New Jersey
The burger joint joins other chains like Johnny Rockets and Auntie Anne's to use food trucks, with plans to launch in the two locations in February.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 17, 2019
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Restaurant prices post highest increase in 7 years
Diners paid 0.5% more at full-service restaurants and 0.4% more at limited service eateries in December, according to a U.S. Labor Department report.
By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 14, 2019
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From wearables to AI: How a startup looks to change the restaurant industry
Presto, which provides tabletop tablets to Applebee's and Red Lobster, developed smartwatch-like devices for serving staff and an artificial intelligence platform to improve operations.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 14, 2019
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Eatsa launches smart pickup shelves
The chain's digital pickup system, which links order management platforms to automated "spots" displaying customer names, is designed to reduce third-party delivery and to-go order errors.
By Emma Liem • Jan. 14, 2019
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Government shutdown throws a wrench into restaurant hiring
The fast-food industry has been hit especially hard by the labor shortage in an employee-driven job market, and the shutdown has only exacerbated issues.
By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Jan. 11, 2019
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McDonald's operators shouldn't begin any new remodels, association says
The National Owners Association has told its members not to start any new renovations until changes have been made to the chain's remodeling process.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 09, 2019
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Report: Expect fewer restaurant discounts this year
Rising wage inflation will have restaurants rethinking discounts and promotions in 2019, BTIG predicts.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 07, 2019
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Red Robin taps new CFO to help with turnaround
Lynn Schweinfurth previously served as CFO, SVP and treasurer of Fiesta Restaurant Group, where she's worked since 2012.
By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 04, 2019
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New app rates restaurant cleanliness
HDScores offers a subscription-based platform with health ratings for over 1 million businesses, including restaurants, coffee shops and drive-thrus.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 04, 2019
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What will become of Taylor Gourmet in trademark bidding war?
Three entities have filed bids for the hoagie chain's trademark and email list, including the company's co-founder Casey Patten and competitor Cosi.
By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 02, 2019
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The Hummus & Pita Co. dips into West Coast with 100-unit franchise partnership
Jersey Mike's franchisee Dan Markel signed an agreement with the Mediterranean fast casual chain to launch stores throughout California.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 02, 2019
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Coca-Cola leads $10M funding round in POS platform Omnivore
The soda giant's funding of the system, which enables POS platforms to integrate with third-party technologies, reflects growing demand for frictionless digital experiences.
By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 21, 2018
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Our 7 best stories of 2018
As we begin the new year, Restaurant Dive is taking a look back at our top stories since our launch on Oct. 1.
By Restaurant Dive staff
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Despite struggling same-store sales, Darden execs confident of Cheddar's turnaround
Sales for the casual chain declined yet again by 1.4% in Q2 of fiscal year 2019, but improving guest satisfaction scores and newly implemented strategies are expected to boost sales.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 21, 2018
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Taco Bell brings 3 Cantinas to the Big Apple
Yum Brands' most successful chain will offer alcohol, new menu items and different ways to order at its newest Manhattan locations.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 20, 2018
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Subway franchise pays $80K to settle claims that manager offered teens work for sex
In light of the #MeToo movement — and EEOC's related enforcement — many employers are reviewing their sexual harassment prevention efforts.
By Lisa Burden
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Macaroni Grill considers more acquisitions after turnaround
Just a few months after the once-troubled Italian chain bought Sullivan's Steakhouse, it's now on the hunt for another brand it can add to its portfolio.
By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 19, 2018
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OpinionFaster, better, smarter: Why restaurants need AI now
Absolutdata co-founder and CEO Anil Kaul discusses why now is the best time to integrate machine learning into restaurant operations and how it will benefit profit margins.
By Anil Kaul
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Olive Garden has no plans to expand delivery test
Darden's largest chain will instead focus on boosting customer satisfaction for takeaway and catering, which drove 10.3% in off-premise sales during its second quarter.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 19, 2018
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A restaurant's next big financial risk isn't bad reviews — it's data breaches
As hackers find new ways to gather coveted personal information, restaurants are quickly becoming a target for the internet underworld.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 18, 2018
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Deep DiveHow restaurants are using benefits to win in a tight labor market
The industry is experiencing the fastest quitting rate among U.S. workers in 17 years, driving companies like McDonald's and Starbucks to roll out non-traditional perks to retain talent.
By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 17, 2018
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ColumnThe power of sustainable sourcing
While McDonald’s move to rid its beef supply chain of non-medically necessary antibiotics may seem like an edict thrown at the procurement staff within the massive company, it’s more a boon than a burden.
By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 17, 2018
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Report: North American pizza market to grow 10% in next 5 years
Despite some stumbles from the largest pizza chains, the industry remains strong and is worth over $45 billion in the U.S.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 17, 2018