Operations

  • Guests play arcade games at Dave & Buster's.
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    Mark Davis via Getty Images
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    Dave & Buster’s dials back some of its ‘confusing’ experience changes

    The restaurant company is reversing course on proposed changes, like flexible game pricing, with an eye toward simplification, according to CEO Kevin Sheehan.

    By Bryan Wassel • June 13, 2025
  • A photograph of a brick building with signage that says "Fuzzy's Tacos and Margs."
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    Permission granted by Fuzzy's Taco Shop
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    Fuzzy’s to open first full-service restaurant

    Fuzzy’s Tacos and Margs will offer tableside service, a taco-focused menu and a new slate of beverages in Sugar Land, Texas, next week.

    By • Updated June 13, 2025
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Back-of-house Technology

    From AI-enhanced POS systems and analytics to robot-powered kitchen equipment, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • An Outback Steakhouse restaurant on a cold day.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Restaurants develop a taste for AI as economic outlook sours

    BJ’s Restaurants, Cracker Barrel and Bloomin’ Brands pursue efficiency and productivity gains with AI initiatives.

    By Lindsey Wilkinson • June 12, 2025
  • A photograph of a person wearing a navy blue suit.
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    Courtesy of 7 Brew
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    7 Brew hires first supply chain chief

    Christopher Held, who worked at Inspire Brands for six years, will help scale operations, optimize supply chain and ensure product consistency at the fast-growing coffee chain.

    By • June 12, 2025
  • A Starbucks worker in a green apron and a black shirt.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks cafes are getting more managers

    The cafe chain is launching a full-time assistant manager program, which will be systemwide in 2026, to fill a critical gap in store-level leadership.

    By • June 11, 2025
  • Patrons at a Chicago Starbucks after the coffee chain on Feb. 25, 2025.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Starbucks deploys virtual assistant to improve workflows

    Green Dot Assist will help staff look up various ingredients for drinks, troubleshoot equipment and help managers staff last-minute callouts.

    By • June 11, 2025
  • A photograph of four salads on a checkered table.
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    Courtesy of Califorinia Pizza Kitchen
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    California Pizza Kitchen adds 3 salads to permanent menu

    The offerings come months after it partnered with Man Vs Fries to add a virtual menu.

    By • June 10, 2025
  • A photograph of three chicken sandwiches
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    Courtesy of Culver's
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    Culver’s revamps chicken sandwiches

    The chain will update three chicken sandwiches on June 16, just as rivals Popeyes and McDonald’s launch new items in the popular category.

    By • June 10, 2025
  • A photograph of a turquoise building with "Caribou Coffee" on the outside signage.
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    Permission granted by Caribou Coffee
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    Caribou Coffee opens first standalone Texas unit

    The chain, which opened four locations in North Carolina last year, is expanding further into the Southeast and beyond its Midwest roots.

    By • Updated June 10, 2025
  • A person smiling at the camera
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    Courtesy of Taco John's
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    Taco John’s hires GoTo Foods vet as COO

    Jackie Secor, who has over 25 years of restaurant experience, joins the 350-unit chain as it expands into new and existing markets.

    By • June 9, 2025
  • A rendering of a storefront with blue banner that says Auntie Anne's
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    Courtesy of Auntie Anne's
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    Auntie Anne’s unveils refreshed store design

    A bolder color palette and new logo are meant to attract Gen Z and millennials, while other elements will improve operations and support long-term growth.

    By • June 9, 2025
  • An image of an orange building with a logo that says BJ's
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
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    BJ’s Restaurants appoints CEO

    Lyle D. Tick, current president and chief concept officer, was promoted to the top executive post after being with the company since September. 

    By • Updated June 6, 2025
  • People sit in a coffee shop.
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    Adam Gray via Getty Images
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    Starbucks revives COO position

    Mike Grams has become the chain's first chief operating officer since the role was removed from the corporate structure in 2022.

    By • June 5, 2025
  • A photogrpah of a beige building with an orange sign that says Hooters.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Hooters of America closes dozens more restaurants

    The closures, which occurred a few months after the chain filed for bankruptcy, won’t impact the sale of 100 company restaurants to two existing franchisees. 

    By • June 5, 2025
  • A robot table busser with a cat face on a tablet screen.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    The many faces of automation at the NRA Show

    This year artificial intelligence appeared in forms ranging from a cat-eared delivery robot to a generated analytics dashboard.

    By • June 5, 2025
  • Blaze Pizza's new signature pizzas.
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    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
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    Blaze Pizza appoints Starbucks vet as COO

    Jaime Denney, who has over 25 years of restaurant experience, will oversee company and franchise operations and work to boost speed, profitability and hospitality.

    By • June 5, 2025
  • A beige building with gold signage that says "Nusr-Et"
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    Leon Neal via Getty Images
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    Nusr-Et Steakhouse closes all but 2 US restaurants

    The fine dining chain owned by celebrity chef Salt-Bae has shifted focus to international growth.

    By • June 4, 2025
  • A photo of Washington, DC's city hall.
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    traveler1116 via Getty Images
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    DC city council pauses tipped wage hike

    In a possible prelude to repealing Initiative 82, a plan to eliminate the tipped minimum wage, the council voted Tuesday to delay a $2 wage increase scheduled for July 1.

    By • Updated June 4, 2025
  • An image of a brick building with a logo that says Saladworks
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    Retrieved from Saladworks on June 03, 2025
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    Saladworks to expand in North Carolina with 10-unit deal

    The chain, which once leaned on alternative growth vehicles like ghost kitchens and automated saladbots, will open the first of these traditional units in 2026.

    By • June 3, 2025
  • Two people hold Zaxbys food.
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    Courtesy of Zaxbys
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    Zaxbys’ latest LTO emphasizes late-night dining

    The fried chicken chain joins brands like Pizza Hut, Wendy’s and Portillo’s in making late-night occasions a strategic priority.

    By • June 3, 2025
  • A waiter picks up a cash tip from a table.
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    kali9 via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    No taxes on tips may happen soon. Here’s what it could look like for hospitality workers.

    Congress could pass legislation that includes eliminating taxes on tips as soon as this month. But what the legislation will look like — and its effects — are still up for debate.

    By Noelle Mateer • June 3, 2025
  • Rendering of Walmart Wienerschnitzel restaurant.
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    Retrieved from PR Newswire.
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    Walmart to bring Wienerschnitzel restaurants to 6 stores

    The retailer has partnered with the hot dog chain, marking its latest move to grow its roster of in-store quick-service restaurant partners.

    By Peyton Bigora • June 3, 2025
  • U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking during a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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    Chip Somodevilla / Staff via Getty Images
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    How tariffs could impact 11 major restaurant companies

    While a bulk of chains, including Sweetgreen and Chipotle, expect minimal impact to food costs because of domestic supply chains, the cost of new equipment could rise.

    By • May 30, 2025
  • The sign on a Red Robin restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Red Robin ‘far from claiming victory’ despite comps growth

    The casual chain’s turnaround efforts are paying off in terms of comparable sales and profits, but executives say a repeat performance is unlikely in Q2.

    By • May 30, 2025
  • A fast casual restaurant with a celebratory crowd ready for its opening.
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    Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
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    Chicken Salad Chick hits 300 restaurants

    As fast casual restaurants outperform the rest of the industry, the chain signed a record number of franchising agreements in Q1 and its AUV is growing.

    By • May 28, 2025