Operations

Starbucks ramps up waste reduction goals, focusing on reusable and recyclable cups

The coffee giant's new "resource positive" goals seek 50% reduction in waste sent to landfills by 2030. Its emphasis on changing cup design for recyclability, versus shifting toward compostables, is different than some competitors.
By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 24, 2020
New York City bans cashless stores

New York City is now the largest city in the U.S. to ban cash-free stores, joining Philadelphia, San Francisco and New Jersey.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 24, 2020
Topgolf opens upscale bar and restaurant concept

Lounge by Topgolf, which will feature virtual gaming and open in Kirkland, Washington, is part of the brand's strategy to diversify with smaller locations.
By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 23, 2020
How 6 full-service brands make off-premise work

While Chuy’s and Macaroni Grill have honed their third-party delivery partnerships, Olive Garden is doubling down on its independent off-premise strategy.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 23, 2020
Grubhub diversifies with tech suite focused on pickup

The company's Ultimate platform offers digital queues, POS integration, kitchen display systems and self-order kiosks, all of which could help it gain an edge against rival third-party providers.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 23, 2020
Lunch Break: KFC's development chief talks nontraditional formats and iconic design

The chicken chain is expanding beyond its stand-alone drive-thru stores to add urban units, and continues to roll out its American Showman design updates with franchisee support.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 22, 2020
How 6 restaurant brands are boosting retention

With labor costs increasing and the talent pool shrinking, Shake Shack, Macaroni Grill and Kura Sushi are offering stock options to managers among other tactics to try to gain an edge on labor.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 21, 2020
Pickup is leading app and web integration for restaurants

Brands that offer order updates and time-saving features are winning among consumers, says Gartner report.
By Lauren Stine • Jan. 17, 2020
Punch Bowl Social checks into hotel space

In a bid to become a lifestyle brand, the eatertainment chain wants to enter malls with its Punch Bowl Life concept, which will be more focused on gaming.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 16, 2020
P.F. Chang's dips toes in to-go only trend

The chain's newest restaurant in Chicago will focus on carryout, catering and delivery, joining other casual chains like Applebee's, IHOP and Buffalo Wild Wings that are testing to-go focused models.
By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 16, 2020
Macaroni Grill eyes 2nd acquisition

The once-struggling company hopes to close on another purchase in Q1, one that could bring it halfway to its goal of becoming a $1 billion business, said CEO Nishant Machado.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 15, 2020
FAT Brands CEO: Chain plans to close an acquisition in Q1, with more in the works

With new funding, the company is poised to buy larger brands as part of its two-pronged strategy to grow organically and through acquisitions, Andy Wiederhorn told Restaurant Dive at the ICR Conference.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 14, 2020
Chili's leans into personalization with Presto partnership

The casual dining restaurant’s deal with the tabletop tech provider is aimed at better tracking ordering behaviors and is part of the company’s strategy to boost customization.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 13, 2020
Subway's C-suite carousel turns again

The chain eliminated its chief brand and innovation officer position and has a new chief legal officer, bringing the total number of executives leaving the company since December to five.
By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 10, 2020
Column
Shift Change: Black Bear Diner hires CEO, McDonald's adds chief digital engagement officer

This week's Shift Change also highlights executive news at Subway, Wingstop, Red Robin, Rave Restaurant Group, BBQ Holdings and Farmer Boys.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 10, 2020
Grubhub alters phone policy following NYC criticism

The company said in a letter to the New York City Council its phone system will now prompt customers to indicate if they want to place an order or ask a restaurant a question.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 10, 2020
Taco Bell to test $100K salary for general managers

The QSR will implement the new base pay at select company-owned locations later this year. It also added a minimum of 24 hours of paid sick leave for all employees.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 09, 2020
Only 34% of operators 'very confident' they can identify food safety concerns

Comparatively, in 2018, 50% of operators felt they could identify food safety risks before they became an issue, according to a study from Zenput and Technomic.
By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 09, 2020
Secret sauce: MUTTS Canine Cantina takes business off-leash with franchising expansion

The emerging bark park and cantina has turned to franchising as a growth strategy, and its unique construction approach could help operators develop more sites faster.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 08, 2020
Red Robin terminates COO without cause

Guy Constant exits the chain after serving for over a year and amid continued investor pressure to improve operations and shareholder value.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 08, 2020
48% of restaurants struggling with rising labor costs, study finds

Restaurants are increasingly turning to technology to alleviate labor woes, but adoption remains low, research from Zenput and Technomic shows.
By Lauren Stine • Jan. 07, 2020
Burger King launches Impossible sausage breakfast sandwich

The Impossible Croissan'wich will be available at participating restaurants in five regions and is part of Burger King's plant-based menu expansion plans.
By Christopher Doering • Jan. 07, 2020
Yum Brands acquires Habit Burger for $375M

The deal, which is expected to close by the end of Q2 2020, is Yum's first restaurant acquisition since it went public more than 20 years ago.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 06, 2020
Little Caesars partners with DoorDash for delivery

Diners can place delivery orders through the pizza chain's app and website, and DoorDash will provide last-mile delivery for "at least $5 less" than top competitors, Little Caesars claims.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 06, 2020
Waitr names new CEO

Waitr has tapped Carl Grimstad as CEO and member of the board effective immediately. This is the delivery firm's third CEO hire in less than two years.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 03, 2020