Operations

  • A photograph of salmon held in tongs over a bowl of various vegetables, rice and greens.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava adds glazed salmon to menu

    The first seafood offering at the fast casual chain could be one of several new proteins in test, including roasted garlic shrimp, coming to the menu.

    By • Updated 12 hours ago
  • A split photograph with two executive headshots with the person on the left wearing a blue checkered shirt while the person on the right is wearing a black blazer and white shirt.
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    Courtesy of GoTo Foods
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    GoTo Foods appoints chief digital and development officers

    Tatiana Lambert, a former Wendy’s executive, will oversee “disciplined” franchise growth, and Biplav Misra will lead digital strategy.

    By • April 14, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Back-of-house Technology

    From AI-enhanced inventory management 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
  • Five fancy drinks at McDonald's against a dark blue background.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonalds to launch refreshers and crafted sodas in May

    The chain will expand its beverage menu nationwide after a highly successful test period at 500 restaurants last year.

    By • April 14, 2026
  • A portrait of a smiling person wearing a red blazer over a white undershirt.
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    Courtesy of Denny's
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    Denny’s appoints CEO, announces turnaround plan

    Christopher Bode will lead the chain as it undertakes a 24-month initiative that will cover menu development, digital transformation and operational excellence.

    By • Updated April 13, 2026
  • An image of a resaturant with Church's Chicken on the side of the building
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    jetcityimage via Getty Images
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    Church’s Texas Chicken plots 600-unit expansion in China

    The company’s international brand, Texas Chicken, will open its first unit in Shanghai this summer as it continues developing globally. 

    By • April 13, 2026
  • A Starbucks worker in a green apron and a black shirt.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    How Starbucks, Target, Dave & Buster’s invest in employees to boost CX

    Financial incentives, better training and unified company culture are among the tools companies are using to enhance the employee experience.

    By Bryan Wassel • April 13, 2026
  • A woman holds up her smart phone to a tablet that is asking what percentage of a tip should be added.
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    Getty Images
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    Popmenu: 35% of diners are cutting back on restaurant tips

    Tipping fatigue and consumer price sensitivity driven by inflation may be lowering both the frequency and size of tips given to workers.

    By • April 10, 2026
  • Two people sit at a table in a dark cafe with warm lighting.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks hires Chipotle’s chief development officer

    Stephen Piacentini will help the coffee chain execute its ambitious renovation and development plans as part of the Back to Starbucks initiative.

    By • April 10, 2026
  • A hand holds a bread roll from Panera with a salad inside
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    Permission granted by Panera Bread
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    How Panera developed its Salad Stuffers

    Creating its Italian Stuffed Roll took 20 iterations to ensure that it had the right crunch, softness and could properly hold a salad.

    By • April 10, 2026
  • a nighttime image of a Carl's jr
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    slobo via Getty Images
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    Carl’s Jr franchisee says California’s $20 minimum wage led to bankruptcy

    Friendly Franchisees Corp.’s subsidiary Sun Gir said the pay increase led to significant expenses, while sales declines exacerbated financial woes.

    By • April 8, 2026
  • Five premium soft drinks developed by Pepsi for deployment at Saucy by KFC.
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    Courtesy of Pepsi
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    KFC’s Saucy adds premium Pepsi Drips products

    The chicken chain’s tender-focused spinoff is getting four new beverages that combine soda with premium ingredients like blue raspberry boba.

    By • April 8, 2026
  • An image of a black sign with a yellow star and workding that says Carl's Jr drive thru
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    Walter Cicchetti via Getty Images
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    Major Carl’s Jr franchisee in California files for bankruptcy

    A 65-unit operator filed for Chapter 11 protections under various subsidiaries after owning the sites for more than two decades. 

    By • Updated April 7, 2026
  • An image of a black building with windows and The Cheesecake Factory signage.
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    Maddie Meyer via Getty Images
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    The Cheesecake Factory, Chick-fil-A leads AUVs among major restaurant chains

    Pizza brands, sandwich chains and beverage concepts tended to have weaker average unit volumes than casual dining brands and chicken QSRs in 2025, according to Circana’s data.

    By • April 6, 2026
  • An image of arms holding up drinks with a Mixue store in the background
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    Courtesy of Mixue
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    How international restaurant brands are reshaping the US market

    Luckin Coffee, Mixue and other chains are winning over consumers with digital-first operations and experiential dining experiences.

    By Michael Brady • April 6, 2026
  • A picture of Burger King signs.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Burger King to hire 60K workers as part of turnaround

    Investment in menu items, marketing and renovations have helped the chain bring in customers. Now it needs the workers to serve them.

    By • April 2, 2026
  • A Starbucks barista hands a customer a coffee
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks adds performance bonuses for frontline workers

    Baristas and shift supervisors could see $300 quarterly bonuses starting in July, while Starbucks is expanding tipping across ordering channels.

    By • Updated April 3, 2026
  • An image of a McDonald's with a playplace
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    M. Suhail via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s sets date for Under $3 Menu debut

    The value menu, which launches April 21, will include at least 10 items and builds on the chain’s strategy of boosting traffic with low-priced items.

    By • April 2, 2026
  • The exterior of a Dave & Buster's restaurant.
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    Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
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    Dave & Buster’s CEO: Guest experience ‘can never exceed’ staff experience

    The chain is reducing turnover, increasing engagement and “fostering a collaborative culture” among employees to drive traffic, Tarun Lal said.

    By Bryan Wassel • April 2, 2026
  • An image of a gray building with a white logo that says "Shake Shack"
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack will overhaul its tech with focus on AI, loyalty

    The fast casual burger brand hopes a new rewards system, modernized point-of-sale platform and AI-backed operational analytics will aid its growth.

    By • April 2, 2026
  • An image of a small restaurant with people gathered around. Thereis 7 Brew signage.
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    Permission granted by 7 Brew
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    7 Brew will open its first college location in the fall

    The fast growing coffee chain’s non-traditional walk-thru locations at high-traffic retailers and universities could help it strengthen its on-premise experience.

    By • April 1, 2026
  • An image of a McDonald's sign
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    JillianCain via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s creates US COO role

    Skye Anderson will return to McDonald’s USA after serving as president of the chain’s global business services for three years.

    By • April 1, 2026
  • An image of a brick restaurant with white signage that says "Pizza Inn"
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    The image by Rsa182 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    Why Rave Restaurant Group cut ties with Uber Eats

    Pizza Inn’s owner said the chain is focusing on dine-in traffic through value offerings instead of increasing volume through unprofitable orders.

    By • Updated April 1, 2026
  • An image of three iced coffees with a sky blue background
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    Permission granted by IHOP
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    IHOP expands value platform, launches proprietary coffee

    The menu updates are part of the chain’s strategy to drive traffic with wallet-friendly offers and boost check averages with premium items.

    By • March 31, 2026
  • An evening image of a restaurant
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    First Watch cuts its COO

    As part of an operations leadership restructure, the company let Dan Jones go on Friday after he served four years in that position.

    By • March 31, 2026
  • Three toasted sandwiches and a small cup of Papa Johns garlic sauce on a white table in front of a green background.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns launches toasted sandwich lineup

    Under pressure from Domino’s growing market share, Papa Johns launched a new menu category that could expand its reach across consumer cohorts.

    By • March 30, 2026