Operations
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ColumnShift Change: Luby's, Checker's & Rally's boost IT teams
This week's Shift Change highlights new executives at Rave Restaurant Group, Freshii, QDOBA, Checker's & Rally's and Luby's.
By Julie Littman • July 19, 2019 -
Impossible Foods shortage ends — for now
Even though the plant-based meat manufacturer has stepped up operations on multiple fronts, another shortage could occur if demand were to spike.
By Lauren Manning • July 19, 2019 -
Deliveroo will now buy and deliver ingredients to restaurants
The U.K.-based company claims its program, where it procures food supplies on behalf of multiple eateries, can save small operators up to 40%.
By Julie Littman • July 19, 2019 -
69% of restaurants use multiple technologies, but many want all-in-one system
Despite reporting having numerous vendors for tasks like POS and labor, many expressed the need to consolidate for efficiency in a recent Toast survey.
By Alicia Kelso • July 18, 2019 -
Despite plant-based boom, beef burgers still reign supreme
While consumers ordered 228 million plant-based burgers at QSRs, up 10% from last year, 6.4 billion beef burgers were served in the same time period.
By Lauren Manning • July 18, 2019 -
McDonald's to test plastic-free toys in British Happy Meals
Following a petition with nearly 400,000 supporters, the fast food chain says it's exploring ways to reduce plastics in the U.K., but has yet to commit to similar goals in the U.S.
By Julie Littman • July 18, 2019 -
McDonald's inks deal with DoorDash, ending exclusivity with Uber Eats
After two years, the fast food chain added a second delivery partnership, a move that will likely appease some franchisees, but could be a blow to Uber Eats.
By Alicia Kelso • July 17, 2019 -
Under pressure, Domino's ups the ante on tech
Squeezed by third-party aggregators, the pizza chain is using various means to improve delivery, from GPS tracking to alternative modes of transportation.
By Julie Littman • July 17, 2019 -
Self-service kiosk market to reach $30.8B
A number of QSR players like McDonald's are adopting the technology, but the value proposition remains unclear.
By Lauren Manning • July 17, 2019 -
Just Eat adds restaurant hygiene ratings to app
The feature is Just Eat's latest push to improve food safety, which has included dropping restaurants with a zero rating and investing over $1 million to help eateries improve scores.
By Lauren Manning • July 16, 2019 -
Domino's Australia improves pizza quality scores with AI
The DOM Pizza Checker, which was deployed in Australia and New Zealand in May, increased quality scores by 15% in its first month.
By Alicia Kelso • July 16, 2019 -
Starbucks rolls out express store in China
The new stripped-down format, which is focused on delivery and mobile orders, will better position the coffee chain against its growing competitor Luckin.
By Lauren Manning • July 15, 2019 -
Global fast food market to surpass $690B by 2022
Popularity of fast food in emerging economies, an increased preference for quick, inexpensive food, and growth in sales at the drive-thru are projected to keep the segment growing.
By Julie Littman • July 15, 2019 -
ColumnShift Change: Papa John's taps new chief restaurant operations officer
This week's Shift Change also highlights executives at &pizza, Bonchon, REGO Restaurant Group and CraftWorks Holdings.
By Emma Liem • July 12, 2019 -
Subway to remodel 10,500 stores by 2020
With the help of the sandwich chain's $100 million grant program, 40% of its franchised restaurants will be upgraded by the end of next year.
By Lauren Manning • July 12, 2019 -
Waitr's new fee structure faces swift backlash from restaurant partners
A week after announcing changes to its terms that include performance-based commission, at least 20 restaurants plan to boycott the delivery company.
By Alicia Kelso • July 12, 2019 -
Grubhub 'cybersquatting' outcry signals changing delivery landscape
Accusations of hidden fees and buying domains without permission highlight a need for clearer communication between third-party providers and restaurants.
By Julie Littman • July 11, 2019 -
Eat Mor Chikin? McDonald's franchisees aim to compete with Chick-fil-A
With the chicken chain growing rapidly, especially in the southeast, the National Owners Association told franchisees in an email Tuesday that the burger giant needs to perfect a premium chicken sandwich.
By Julie Littman • July 10, 2019 -
Fast casuals rev up drive-thru, mobile pickup plans
Chains like Chipotle, Cava and Blaze Pizza are testing drive-up windows but may soon find it more difficult to find ideal locations.
By Julie Littman • July 10, 2019 -
Crate & Barrel serves up 1st restaurant concept
The retailer opened The Table at Crate in collaboration with Cornerstone Restaurant Group, showcasing its products at a sit-down eatery with a bar.
By Emma Liem • July 10, 2019 -
Waitr to add alcohol delivery
The company will start delivering alcohol for the first time after the Louisiana governor signed two bills into law allowing for the service with proper permits.
By Alicia Kelso • July 09, 2019 -
Deep DiveThe year of 'woke-washing': How tone-deaf activism risks eroding brands
Experts warn an uptick in socially and politically aware advertising can read more as chasing headlines than meeting real consumer demands, and it could degrade trust in the industry.
By Peter Adams • July 08, 2019 -
Deep DiveWelcome to the drive-thru, AI will take your order
McDonald's and Sonic Drive-In are among the fast food chains testing out voice-automation and AI as part of an industrywide push to modernize.
By Julie Littman • July 08, 2019 -
Taco Bell resolves tortilla shortage
A sudden shortage from a supplier had left restaurants without 10-inch tortillas and scrambling to offer menu alternatives.
By Julie Littman • UPDATED: July 12, 2019 at 9:08 a.m. -
Column
Shift Change: Pret A Manger CEO retires
This week's Shift Change highlights new executives at Pret A Manger, Roy Rogers and the National Restaurant Association.
By Julie Littman • July 03, 2019
