Operations

  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle expands drone pilot, accelerates equipment package deployment

    New technology and Chipotle’s high-efficiency equipment package are helping teams perform better and improve hospitality, boosting sales.

    By • April 30, 2026
  • Several Chipotle items with the brand's version of chicken al pastor.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle traffic turns positive after menu innovation

    The chain saw transactions and sales growth during Q1 with customers attracted by Chicken Al Pastor, a Cilantro Lime sauce and high-protein items.

    By • April 30, 2026
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet. Explore the Trendline➔
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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
  • Six versions of Chili's Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich
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    Courtesy of Chili's
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    Chili’s chicken sandwiches are boosting traffic, sales

    The casual chain is already selling 161% more chicken sandwiches since its April 14 launch, and reports strong guest satisfaction with the bigger portions.

    By • April 29, 2026
  • Six drinks, all colorful, comprising the vanguard of McDonald's post-CosMc's premium drinks lineup.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s adds beverage specialists to make refreshers, dirty sodas

    High-performing crew members will be trained for the beverage station, with all crew members eventually rotating into the role.

    By • April 28, 2026
  • An image of a red and white building with Freddy's signage.
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    Permission granted by Freddy's
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    Freddy’s hires 2 development execs as it nears 600 units

    Rafik Farouk will help the burger brand fill in existing markets and enter new ones, while Jackie Lobdell will work to recruit new operators.

    By • April 28, 2026
  • A daytime image of a Domino's restaurant and sign
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Domino’s expects Papa Johns, Pizza Hut to close more stores

    CEO Russell Weiner predicts pizza competitors will see more profitability issues as they offer steep discounts to drive sales, while Domino’s franchisees continue to improve margins.

    By • April 28, 2026
  • A picture of a building with Domino's signage and a car parked on the left side.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s same-store sales hit a speed bump — but execs aren’t worried

    Competitive pressures over value, dwindling consumer confidence and bad weather resulted in a same-stores sales increase of just 0.9%, far below expectations and Q4’s 3.7% growth. 

    By • April 27, 2026
  • An image of a co-branded Applebee's, IHOP restaurant
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    Courtesy of Dine Brands
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    Applebee’s franchisees sue chain over dual-branding exclusivity

    Operators in Texas claim adding Applebee’s to existing IHOP restaurants broke development exclusivity agreements.

    By • April 27, 2026
  • An image of a darkened Red Lobster with empthy booths.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    More than a rough patch: Recent restaurant closures signal market correction

    Persistent traffic declines, rising costs and an oversaturated market are forcing brands to make tough decisions, and robust chains are taking advantage of the moment, experts say.

    By Michael Brady • April 24, 2026
  • A drone carrying an orange pizza delivery bag.
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    Courtesy of Flytrex
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    Flytrex, Little Caesars deploy new drone for larger orders

    The Sky2 drone can carry family-sized pizza delivery orders and will begin delivering from a Texas location.

    By • April 23, 2026
  • A Domino's worker loads an order into a car.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Why old school pizza delivery won’t disappear, despite third-party dominance

    Platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash can bring new visibility and customers to pizza chains. But first-party delivery still often remains supreme.

    By Danielle McLean • April 22, 2026
  • An image of a table setting in a restuarnat with a black reserved sign on the right foreground
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    Getty Images
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    Why restaurants are anxious about OpenTable’s new terms

    The reservation platform said its partners must agree to make OpenTable their primary table management system, leading to confusion and concern over exclusivity.

    By • April 21, 2026
  • A rendering of a building prototype that is red and beige with Smoothie King sigange
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    Permission granted by Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King to add flatbreads, high-protein food items

    The rollout is part of a brand evolution plan that includes store redesigns and national advertising to support the chain’s aggressive growth strategy. 

    By • April 21, 2026
  • Wrapped bagels at the counter
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    Photo courtesy of H&H Bagels

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    Sponsored by Toast

    How H&H Bagels managed 900 orders on opening day without selling out

    Five operational lessons from the launch of a new H&H Bagels location.

    By Caroline Price • April 20, 2026
  • burger
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    Permission granted by Good Foods Group
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    Sponsored by Good Foods Group

    Why restaurants are using spice to drive flavor—and repeat traffic

    To meet the demand for spice, operators must deliver intriguing tastes without adding complexity to their operations.

    April 20, 2026
  • A photograph of two arms holding up a plate of prawns above a wooden table full of food.
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Who’s Hungry? What GroundTruth’s first-party data says about today’s restaurant visitors.

    Most diners eat at places within 10 miles of their homes, so operators should target customers closest to their restaurants before expanding outward, GroundTruth’s Hayden Erwin says.

    By Hayden Erwin • April 17, 2026
  • A photograph of a fast food employee handing a paper bag to a person in a car.
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    Permission granted by Hi Auto
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    Hi Auto’s latest tech targets the drive-thru pickup window

    The company has partnered with three brands, including Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, to beta test technology that will monitor guest and employee interactions at the pickup window.

    By • April 17, 2026
  • A person stands at a podium
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    Jim Vondruska/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Chicago’s tip credit elimination plan is back, for now

    Chicago city councilors failed to overturn a mayoral veto of the council’s tipped wage freeze on Wednesday.

    By • April 16, 2026
  • A Dairy Queen location
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Dairy Queen expands drive-thru voice AI test

    Franchisees will now have access to Presto’s technology after a pilot yielded positive results at company-owned stores.

    By • April 16, 2026
  • 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 April 15, 2026
  • 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
  • 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