Operations: Page 10

  • A rendering if a red and orange building with El Pollo Loco signage.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
    Image attribution tooltip

    El Pollo Loco will open 500th restaurant this year

    The chain will open at least 10 units this year, most of which will be outside of California, as the chain works toward regaining unit growth momentum.

    By • May 5, 2025
  • An image of the Shake Shack logo on a window.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Shake Shack rolls out digital menu boards, combos to speed up drive-thru

    The drive-thru efforts build on five consecutive quarters of improvements to speed of service and order accuracy.

    By Bryan Wassel • May 5, 2025
  • Homeroom Restaurant in Oakland, California Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Homeroom
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Independent restaurants

    Dining room refreshes, menu innovation and other unique offerings can help independents stand out from competitors, win new customers and keep existing ones coming back. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • An image ofa brick colored building with a logl of a red-headed girl with pigtails.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wendy's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wendy’s to deploy drive-thru AI to over 500 restaurants this year

    The chain has installed Fresh AI at over 160 units as part of its larger strategy to improve the customer experience.

    By • May 2, 2025
  • Three fast food beverages stand in line.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s to test expanded beverage menu this year

    Adding more items to its menu, including energy drinks and coffee, will help the chain compete with sector rivals and boost profitability.

    By • May 1, 2025
  • A photograph of a red and yellow sign with a giant yellow "M" above a red box that says "McDonald's Billions Served."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s US traffic slides due to economic uncertainty

    Low- and middle-income guests pulled back spending in Q1, but the chain expects improved performance from promotions and the launch of chicken strips.

    By • May 1, 2025
  • Chili's Big Smasher cheeseburger accompanied by sides of chips, fries and cola on a wooden dining table
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Chili's Grill & Bar
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chili’s notches 21% traffic surge

    The casual chain’s focus on value is driving success where rivals are lagging, with many competitors reporting sliding same-store sales. 

    By • April 29, 2025
  • 5 chefs work in a restaurant kitchens
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Independent restaurants could use pandemic-era strategies against tariffs

    Navigating supply chain challenges under Trump’s fluctuating trade policy will require both flexibility and conservative cost measures, experts and restaurateurs say.

    By Danielle McLean • April 28, 2025
  • Tri Star
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Tri Star Energy.
    Image attribution tooltip

    How c-stores can pull loyalty from QSRs

    Strong value, including meal deals and quality food, could help c-stores make inroads against fast food, says restaurant technology company Tillster.

    By Jessica Loder • April 25, 2025
  • A sign that says "Since 1956 Jersey Miek's Subs"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Jersey Mike’s hires Charlie Morrison as CEO

    Morrison, former CEO of Wingstop and Salad and Go, takes over for Peter Cancro, who has led the chain for 50 years. 

    By , • Updated April 24, 2025
  • Pedestrians walk by a Chipotle restaurant in San Francisco, California
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle’s same-store sales wobble on economic uncertainty

    The fast casual giant — a sales overperformer in 2024 — said its comparable transactions fell in what could be an early warning of anemic diner spending.

    By • April 24, 2025
  • An iamge of a delivery driver in front of a Nando's restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Catherine Ivill via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Nando’s Peri-Peri hires Ruby Tuesday vet as CEO

    Kimberly Grant, who is also former CEO of Jose Andres Group, will oversee the chain’s growth as it opens more company-owned locations in the U.S.

    By • April 22, 2025
  • A view of a KFC restaurant in Vallejo, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How KFC’s customer listening program helps it nail the first experience

    The program is designed to collect data from a range of sources, disseminate findings across the company and coordinate teams to solve customer pain points, KFC COO Rob Swain said.

    By Bryan Wassel • April 22, 2025
  • A close up image of a round red sign that says "Chipotle Mexican Grill."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle/Photograph by Media Wisdom Photography Ltd
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle is going to Mexico

    Alsea, a restaurant operator with 4,700 restaurants in Latin America and Europe, will build the chain’s first Mexico location by early 2026.

    By • April 21, 2025
  • A group of people stand behind a blue ribbon while a person in the center holds giant red scissors about to cut the ribbon.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by 7 Brew
    Image attribution tooltip

    7 Brew opens first walk-thru location in Walmart

    The coffee chain’s partnership with the mega retailer will help diversify 7 Brew’s development model as it works toward becoming a nationwide brand.

    By • April 18, 2025
  • Four people eat and talk in a restaurant brown, wood-paneled restaurant booth.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Circana: Restaurant traffic stalled in 2024, but diner spending rose 2%

    Starbucks, McDonald’s and Burger King all had flat spending, but Circana’s David Portalatin said “flat is the new up” given current macroeconomic trends.

    By • April 18, 2025
  • A photograph of a brick building with signage that says "Krystal"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Krystal
    Image attribution tooltip

    Krystal to open first Texas travel center location

    The QSR is focusing on non-traditional locations like travel centers, c-stores and airports as part of a strategy to add high-traffic restaurants to its portfolio.

    By • Updated April 17, 2025
  • A person holds out a hand to take a brown bag from a person holding it out.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    NRA: Consumers want more takeout, but lack the cash

    Millennials and Gen Z consumers largely view takeout as a vital part of their lifestyles, per a National Restaurant Association report.

    By • April 16, 2025
  • A picture of Burger King signs.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    57-unit Burger King operator goes bankrupt

    Despite high performance metrics, Consolidated Burger Holdings has faced traffic declines and revenue losses since the COVID-19 pandemic.

    By • April 16, 2025
  • A nighttime image of a beige building with a logo that says Donatos
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Donatos Pizza
    Image attribution tooltip

    Donatos Pizza drops DoorDash’s AI ordering system for Revmo AI

    The chain is using automation to take rote tasks off employees’ plates so they can better focus on the guest experience.

    By • April 14, 2025
  • A man holds smiles with an open mouth at the camera as he holds up a sign reading "reciprocal tariffs" and listing multiple countries and percentage amounts.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Will restaurants be hit hard by tariffs? 6 experts weigh in

    America’s baseline tariffs and the potential for renewed, country-specific taxes could pose significant problems for the restaurant industry. But analysts and trade groups are split on just how much risk looms.

    By Restaurant Dive Staff • April 14, 2025
  • The prize center inside a Dave & Buster's restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dave & Buster’s overhauls its remodel strategy as sales continue to fall

    The restaurant chain still wants to offer unique experiences — but leaders are aiming for higher returns on investment.

    By Bryan Wassel • April 14, 2025
  • Noble Markets
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Noble Markets
    Image attribution tooltip

    Noble Gas bringing Capriotti’s sandwiches to East Coast c-stores

    The retailer will open the sub shop inside its newest gas station in Enfield, Connecticut, later this month, with several more sites to come.

    By Brett Dworski • April 14, 2025
  • People stand in front of kiosks by a McDonald's
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Tillster: 61% of users want more restaurant kiosks

    Diners are becoming more comfortable with kiosks since they can review their orders for accuracy, per a report.

    By • April 14, 2025
  • A photograph of a restaurant with the words Huddle House on the side.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Huddle House
    Image attribution tooltip

    Ascent Hospitality promotes Blain Shortreed to COO

    Shortreed, who joined the company in 2023 as Huddle House president, will focus on strategic growth, operations and franchise relations in his new role.  

    By • April 10, 2025
  • A Jack in the Box sign looms ominously from behind a hedge.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    9 of the biggest restaurant CEO hires of Q1

    The first three months of the year brought new leaders to Jack in the Box, CKE Restaurants, Church’s Texas Chicken, Panera Brands and more. 

    By • April 9, 2025