BREAKING: DOL finalizes $35K overtime threshold

The update takes effect Jan. 1 and is perhaps one of the most anticipated rulemakings from DOL.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 24, 2019

Restaurant gift card sales rose 10% in 2018

QSRs increased gift card sales by 18%, but had the lowest average value at about $18 per card, according to a new report from Paytronix.

By Lauren Manning , Julie Littman • Sept. 24, 2019

Explore the 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

Staffing app Pared sets up shop in DC

The platform, which connects restaurants with skilled professionals nearby, also plans to enter Philadelphia and Boston this year. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 24, 2019

How Chicken Salad Chick will open 250 units in the next 5 years

CEO Scott Deviney details how the restaurant, which started as a niche sandwich shop in Atlanta, is going to add up to 50 units annually.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 23, 2019

Kitchen United secures $40M, plans NYC expansion

The new funding will help the virtual kitchen company reach its aggressive goal of opening 400 kitchen centers with 5,000 kitchens within the next few years.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 20, 2019

Comic Dive: Papa Shaq's Pizza

Following a major controversy, Papa John's has called on new board member Shaquille O'Neal to rescue its brand. Will the move be a slam dunk?

By John Hazard • Sept. 20, 2019

Will Dunkin's mobile ordering expansion challenge Starbucks?

The coffee chain made its On-The-Go mobile ordering feature accessible to all customers, not just DD Perks members, as part of its mobile app update.

By Lauren Manning • Sept. 20, 2019

Shift Change: Yum Brands bulks up tech leadership team

This week's Shift Change also highlights executives from Noodles and Company, Scooter's Coffee, Juice It Up, Del Taco and Carrols Restaurant Group. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 20, 2019

&pizza deploys mobile kitchens from Zume

The partnership will allow the fast casual chain to deliver pizza and test new markets without paying for real estate.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 19, 2019

Panera adds menu category: grain bowls

The addition is the fast casual cafe's largest product launch of 2019 and caps off a year that included new breakfast options and a dinner pilot. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 18, 2019

What's cooking: An inside look at Cava's new innovation kitchen

The restaurant's redesigned downtown Washington, D.C. location features a digital menu board, new ingredients and dedicated pickup shelves.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • Sept. 17, 2019

Noodles & Company introduces financial wellness benefits to attract and retain talent

When organizations provide their workers financial assistance, they not only help their staff, but they also help their bottom lines, multiple reports have shown.

By Riia O'Donnell • Sept. 16, 2019

Restaurants are only getting smaller, and that's by design

With fewer customers eating at restaurants, operators are eyeing more compact locations with dedicated areas for takeout orders.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 16, 2019

Popeyes asks customers to BYO bun after chicken sandwich sellout

The humorous campaign follows a shortage of the chain's new chicken sandwich after just two weeks.

By Barry Levine • Sept. 12, 2019

Wendy's breakfast menu arrives next month

The fast food chain has been in and out of the morning daypart since the 1980s, but with McDonald's struggling to grow breakfast, now could be the time for the smaller chain to make its mark.

By Julie Littman • Updated Feb. 4, 2020

Starbucks pickup-only store to open in NYC this fall

Like the Starbucks Now concept that opened in China, the store allow customers to order in advance using their phones and gather their items without the wait. 

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 9, 2019

McDonald's expands delivery with Grubhub partnership

The fast food chain continues to diversify after ending its exclusivity with Uber Eats, with this relationship also offering tech to better time order fulfillment.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 6, 2019

Buffalo Wild Wings adds sports gambling to its menu

A new partnership with MGM Resorts International will also create new opportunities to bring the the sports bar chain into hotels. 

By Lauren Manning • Sept. 6, 2019

Red Robin hires Noodles & Company exec as CEO, rejects investor offer

Paul J.B. Murphy III, executive chairman at Noodles & Company, will join the troubled casual chain in October.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 5, 2019

Burger King cooks up 'Democratic Burger' election in France

To drive app downloads, the fast food chain will let customers vote for a menu item that will be discounted the following week.

By Dianna Christe • Sept. 4, 2019

Strengthening a restaurant's identity maximizes potential and profits

Restaurants need to stick to an actionable plan with a strict timeline when rolling out brand changes, says Walk-On's Bistreaux and Bar President and COO Scott Taylor. 

By Scott Taylor • Sept. 3, 2019

How 5 Bay Area restaurateurs are surviving rising operating costs

Real estate pressures and a chef shortage are forcing restaurants to find creative solutions — like covering workers' Uber rides and having chefs serve diners — to protect their bottom lines and retain talent.

By Rosie Bradbury • Sept. 3, 2019

Shift Change: Papa John's hires new CEO; Blaze Pizza CEO retires

This week's Shift Change also highlights new leadership at Arby's, Tender Greens and Pie Five. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 30, 2019

77% of diners check restaurant websites before visiting, survey finds

Of those users, almost 70% said that poor website design or functionality discouraged them from going to the restaurant, according to the MGH report.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 30, 2019

Taco Bell revamps menu, cuts 9 items

The fast food chain, which is eliminating items like two Doritos Locos Tacos flavors and the Power Menu Burrito, will roll out a shorter menu on Sept. 12 with fewer combo options.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 29, 2019