Operations: Page 11
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Courtesy of Panera
Panera Bread hires Dunkin’ vet as CIO
Santhosh Kumar, who spent almost two decades in IT roles at Dunkin’, will develop and deploy tech across the chain’s 2,200-plus cafes.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 7, 2025 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
One-third of independent restaurants expect sales declines from tariffs
Comparatively, 40% of small business owners expect no sales impact from U.S. tariffs on China and potential tariffs on Mexico and Canada, according to an Alignable survey.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 7, 2025 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
TrendlineBack-of-house Technology
From AI-enhanced POS 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 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
Chipotle builds 2025 around ‘total guest experience,’ CEO says
The company will continue to roll out kitchen equipment and mobile order-focused Chipotlanes to keep order throughput high.
By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 6, 2025 -
benedek via Getty Images
NRA: Traditional restaurant sales will surpass $1.1 trillion in 2025
The entire foodservice industry will reach $1.5 trillion in annual sales despite labor and food cost challenges thanks to pent-up diner demand, the National Restaurant Association predicts.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 6, 2025 -
Permission granted by Chipotle
Chipotle’s LTOs drove 7% same-store sales bump in 2024
Chicken Al Pastor and Smoked Brisket boosted traffic at the chain, which plans to roll out Chipotle Honey Chicken — its best-performing test LTO — this year.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 5, 2025 -
hapabapa via Getty Images
Boston wants delivery firms to give drivers liability insurance
Under the proposed ordinance, aggregators like DoorDash and Uber Eats would need to meet data-sharing requirements to obtain an operating permit.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 5, 2025 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Waffle House adds 50-cent surcharge due to egg shortage
Egg prices are expected to rise 20% this year due to the impact of bird flu, and operators and chains are finding ways to make up the cost.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 4, 2025 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
McDonald’s sales are still sluggish 3 months after E. coli outbreak
While value offerings are helping improve sales, some franchisees have yet to fully recover their visits and sales comps as of January, a BTIG report finds.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 4, 2025 -
Courtesy of Just Salad
Just Salad hires marketing, CX and development chiefs
The appointments come shortly after the chain opened its first drive-thru restaurant as part of a growth push.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 4, 2025 -
Permission granted by Marco's Pizza
How 3 rising pizza chains are plotting 2025 expansion
Marco’s Pizza, Mr Gatti’s and Donato’s are poised for growth this year as segment leaders face sluggish performance.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 3, 2025 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Dine Brands cuts 9% of corporate workforce
The layoffs impacted different brand teams, offices and departments, and follow comparable sales declines for the Applebee's and IHOP owner in Q3.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 3, 2025 -
Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
Trump issues tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
The president ordered an additional 10% duty on goods from China and 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. The immediate impact on restaurant operators is unclear.
By Philip Neuffer • Updated Feb. 1, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Chili’s prioritizes 200 stores for redesign
Following a record-breaking quarter, the brand will soon focus on updating its system, as many stores haven’t been redesigned in decades.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 30, 2025 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Brian Niccol wants to double Starbucks’ US footprint
A host of changes to stores and operations could help Starbucks escape its sales trouble, and executives are already planning the company’s next move.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 30, 2025 -
Courtesy of Brinker International
How Chili’s boosted comparable sales by 31%
Value-oriented ads and marketing for its Triple Dipper menu boosted the chain’s traffic by nearly 20%, driving a record-breaking quarterly performance.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 30, 2025 -
Permission granted by Twin Peaks
What’s driving Twin Peaks’ growth and $5M AUVs
The sports bar chain, which is now publicly traded, leans on its menu diversity, service model and alcohol mix to target $1 billion in sales.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 30, 2025 -
Courtesy of Miso Robotics
Miso Robotics develops smaller, faster Flippy
Its newest robotic fry station, which White Castle is testing, is more expensive than, but half the size of, previous iterations.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 29, 2025 -
Retrieved from Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant on January 28, 2025
Cooper’s Hawk appoints 3 C-suite execs, preps for fast growth
The chain hired a new CFO, chief customer officer and chief technology officer to help it expand and improve brand positioning and guest experience.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 29, 2025 -
Courtesy of Uncle Julio's
Sun Holdings acquires Uncle Julio’s
The multi-brand franchisee is building up its Mexican cuisine portfolio and already owns Taco Bueno and Freebirds World Burritos.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 28, 2025 -
Courtesy of https://stories.whataburger.com/press-kit
Love’s will open its first Whataburger in 2025
The Texas burger chain will bring its patties and fries to a Love’s travel center in San Antonio in late summer or early fall.
By Brett Dworski • Jan. 27, 2025 -
Permission granted by Krispy Krunchy Chicken
Krispy Krunchy Chicken outlines 2025 growth plans
The fried chicken brand opened just over 600 locations in 2024 and expects to beat that number this year while also improving e-commerce efficiency.
By Jeff Wells • Jan. 27, 2025 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
2025 could be fast casual’s year, again
Long-term trends in consumer preference have put fast casual chains in a position to leverage price sensitivity, digital touchpoints and an appetite for human connection.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 27, 2025 -
Shutterstock/ rawpixel.com
Sponsored by Society Insurance2025 trends: What hospitality businesses should be preparing for
From nuclear verdicts to gas appliances, here are hospitality trends shaping 2025 from Society Insurance.
Jan. 27, 2025 -
Permission granted by Tijuana Flats
Tijuana Flats exits bankruptcy with menu innovation plans
After Chapter 11 helped the chain reduce its debt and improve efficiency, it will add street tacos and refresh its stores to compete with fast casual rivals.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 24, 2025 -
Permission granted by Yogurtland
How Yogurtland’s shift to digital powered 3 years of growth
After adding online ordering and remaking its loyalty program and app, the chain has had double-digit same-store sales growth and strong new unit expansion.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 23, 2025
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