Operations

  • A Jack in the Box sign looms ominously from behind a hedge.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box deploys kiosks at 1,500 restaurants

    The chain, which posted negative same-store sales for the quarter, boasted a 18% digital sales mix, just shy of its 20% goal.

    By • May 16, 2025
  • An image of a customer entering a Cava restaurant.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    How Cava beat traffic gravity in Q1

    The brand’s 10.8% comparable sales growth outperformed rival fast casuals, with Chipotle and Sweetgreen posting flat-to-negative sales.

    By • May 16, 2025
  • Three images of a smart phone showing ways to reserve through the application.
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    Permission granted by Uber Eats
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    Uber Eats, OpenTable reservation integration will launch this fall

    Users will be able to book a reservation from the Uber Eats app through a “Dine Out” tab, which will feature various local dine-in restaurants.

    By • May 15, 2025
  • A Starbucks worker in a green apron and a black shirt.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks union workers strike over dress code changes

    Baristas at more than 50 cafes have walked off the job over new clothing policies, which they say deviate from agreements made at the bargaining table.

    By • May 14, 2025
  • A stock image of a consumer examining a receipt.
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    Patpitchaya via Getty Images
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    Tariffs, immigration policy put US restaurants at ‘significant risk’: Fitch

    High consumer price sensitivity leaves brands with little room to offset the costs of tariffs and labor market disruptions.

    By • May 14, 2025
  • A photograph of a smiling person wearing a black suit jacket and blue shirt.
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    Courtesy of Brinker International
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    Brinker promotes Aaron White to COO

    White will maintain her role as chief people officer in addition to overseeing operational improvements that bolster the employee and guest experience.

    By • May 13, 2025
  • An image of a giant logo that says Applbee's.
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    Applebee’s perks up its loyalty program with an emphasis on exclusivity

    Dine Brands wants to use memorable loyalty opportunities and speedy service to help Applebee’s and IHOP grow.

    By Bryan Wassel • May 13, 2025
  • A beige storefront with a bank of windows in the front. The top of the buildings sayd "Mountain Mike's
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    Permission granted by Mountain Mike's
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    Why Mountain Mike’s doesn’t want to be like every other pizza chain

    Unlike rival brands that are shrinking footprints to focus on off-premise service, the California-based chain leans on its dining rooms, salad bar and arcade games to stay competitive.

    By • May 13, 2025
  • Arko
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    Retrieved from NACS.
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    Arko begins building food-focused stores, will debut new foodservice program

    The convenience retailer is investing between $700,000 and $1.1 million into each new location and intends to finish all seven pilot sites by the end of 2025.

    By Brett Dworski • May 12, 2025
  • Exterior of a Potbelly restaurant
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    How Potbelly harnessed transformational growth

    After undertaking a turnaround strategy, the company has grown comparable sales, accelerated franchise development and added popular menu items.

    By • May 12, 2025
  • An image of a Sweetgreen restaurant with a drive-thru
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen’s same-store sales slip for first time as public company

    The salad brand attributed its sales shortfall to consumer pullback, and is looking to loyalty and LTOs to offset the trouble.

    By • May 9, 2025
  • A picture of a hand giving a iced coffee drink to another person.
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    Permission granted by Dutch Bros
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    How restaurants can tap into the beverage craze

    Young, health-conscious consumers are seeking out innovative non-alcoholic drinks, and well-positioned restaurants can capture that new demand.

    By Danielle McLean • May 9, 2025
  • An image of a Noodles & Company restaurant with outdoor seating
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    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
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    How Noodles & Company beat Chipotle’s Q1 comparable sales

    The chain posted a 4.4% increase in comp sales in Q1 2025 even though larger chains like Chipotle and Wingstop posted anemic comps.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • An image of a co-branded Applebee's, IHOP restaurant
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    Courtesy of Dine Brands
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    Why Dine Brands is going all in on dual-branded restaurants

    Franchisees are increasingly buying into dual-branded units since they lead to higher sales compared to a standalone restaurant.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • A person wearing a blue jacket and white shirt smiles at the camera.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle hires Taco Bell exec as COO

    Jason Kidd succeeds Scott Boatwright, who was promoted to CEO earlier this year, and will oversee operations across the chain’s nearly 3,800 units.

    By • May 7, 2025
  • Front-of-end restaurant staff uses SevenRooms' customer relationship management software.
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    Courtesy of SevenRooms
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    DoorDash to buy SevenRooms for $1.2B

    The deal comes on the heels of DoorDash’s $3.9 billion Deliveroo acquisition and will add tools like reservations, waitlist and table management to its merchant products. 

    By • May 6, 2025
  • Circle K
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    Retrieved from Google.
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    Circle K adding Burrito Express QSRs in Phoenix

    The retailer, which has over 150 c-stores in the city, is expected to open six Burrito Express Fast and Fresh restaurants as it strengthens its foodservice capabilities.

    By Brett Dworski • May 6, 2025
  • A rendering if a red and orange building with El Pollo Loco signage.
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    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
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    El Pollo Loco will open 500th restaurant this year

    The chain will open at least 10 units this year, most of which will be outside of California, as the chain works toward regaining unit growth momentum.

    By • May 5, 2025
  • An image of the Shake Shack logo on a window.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack rolls out digital menu boards, combos to speed up drive-thru

    The drive-thru efforts build on five consecutive quarters of improvements to speed of service and order accuracy.

    By Bryan Wassel • May 5, 2025
  • An image ofa brick colored building with a logl of a red-headed girl with pigtails.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s to deploy drive-thru AI to over 500 restaurants this year

    The chain has installed Fresh AI at over 160 units as part of its larger strategy to improve the customer experience.

    By • May 2, 2025
  • Three fast food beverages stand in line.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    McDonald’s to test expanded beverage menu this year

    Adding more items to its menu, including energy drinks and coffee, will help the chain compete with sector rivals and boost profitability.

    By • May 1, 2025
  • A photograph of a red and yellow sign with a giant yellow "M" above a red box that says "McDonald's Billions Served."
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s US traffic slides due to economic uncertainty

    Low- and middle-income guests pulled back spending in Q1, but the chain expects improved performance from promotions and the launch of chicken strips.

    By • May 1, 2025
  • Chili's Big Smasher cheeseburger accompanied by sides of chips, fries and cola on a wooden dining table
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    Permission granted by Chili's Grill & Bar
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    Chili’s notches 21% traffic surge

    The casual chain’s focus on value is driving success where rivals are lagging, with many competitors reporting sliding same-store sales. 

    By • April 29, 2025
  • 5 chefs work in a restaurant kitchens
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    lechatnoir via Getty Images
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    Independent restaurants could use pandemic-era strategies against tariffs

    Navigating supply chain challenges under Trump’s fluctuating trade policy will require both flexibility and conservative cost measures, experts and restaurateurs say.

    By Danielle McLean • April 28, 2025
  • Tri Star
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    Retrieved from Tri Star Energy.
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    How c-stores can pull loyalty from QSRs

    Strong value, including meal deals and quality food, could help c-stores make inroads against fast food, says restaurant technology company Tillster.

    By Jessica Loder • April 25, 2025