Operations: Page 2

  • A sign is posted in front of a Taco Bell restaurant on May 01, 2024 in Richmond, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Yum Brands turns to AI to aggregate social media, third-party reviews

    The Byte system of AI technologies is helping power advanced Voice of the Customer tools while improving the drive-thru experience, executives said on a Q2 2025 earnings call.

    By Bryan Wassel • Aug. 6, 2025
  • A smiling white man in a burgundy Noodles & Company shirt.
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    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
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    Noodles & Company promotes COO to CEO

    Joe Christina, who joined the company in February, will replace Drew Madsen, who led the brand’s sweeping menu overhaul.

    By • Aug. 6, 2025
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Back-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
  • Taco Bell is testing a new design for its Go Mobile stores, pictured here.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    KFC and Pizza Hut drag Yum’s US earnings, again

    Yum hopes the strategies that have powered Taco Bell’s positive same-store sales streak could help reverse KFC’s lackluster performance.

    By • Aug. 5, 2025
  • A man in a white shirt and suit jacket.
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    Courtesy of Smashburger
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    Smashburger promotes president to CEO

    Jim Sullivan, who was brought on in 2024 as chief development officer, will focus on reversing the brand’s declining storecount through non-traditional development.

    By • Aug. 5, 2025
  • An Outback Steakhouse restaurant on a cold day.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Bloomin’ Brands hires new CFO among a series of leadership changes

    The company also created an executive position for strategy and transformation to help improve the performance of Outback Steakhouse.

    By • Aug. 4, 2025
  • A customer walks up to a closed restaurant with a logo that says "Red Lobster"
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Casual dining real estate faces perfect storm and high vacancies

    Property sales for some footprints collapsed as fast casual formats grew, leaving landlords with few buyers and costly renovations.

    By Michael Brady • Aug. 4, 2025
  • Hamburger with French fries
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    Permission granted by Lamb Weston
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    Sponsored by Lamb Weston

    Keeping up with cravings: Why trend-savvy suppliers help restaurants win

    Fast-changing tastes require fast-moving partners. The right supplier helps you stay ahead.

    By Lamb Weston • Aug. 4, 2025
  • An image of Topgolf's CEO
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    Courtesy of Dine Brands
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    Topgolf spinoff delayed amid CEO’s departure

    Artie Starrs, who has led the company since 2021, will leave his post in the fall to become the top executive at an undisclosed company.

    By • Aug. 1, 2025
  • A close up of a white logo that says Wing Stop with a neon green glow.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop eyes loyalty program pilot for Q4

    The fast casual chain will leverage learnings from 60 million digital customers as part of its upcoming launch to create a differentiated membership program.

    By • Aug. 1, 2025
  • An image of a white coffee cup on a table. The coffee cup hasa green logo for Starbucks.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    4 takeaways from Starbucks’ customer experience plans

    The company is laying the foundations to make Starbucks “once again the gold standard in customer service” and is planning to revamp its loyalty program next year, CEO Brian Niccol said.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 31, 2025
  • An image of a beige storefront with an orange logo that says "Hubspoke Kitchen"
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    Permission granted by Wayback Franchising
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    Why Wayback Burgers’ parent is moving into multi-brand franchising

    Jake’s Franchising renamed itself Wayback Franchising and launched Hubspoke Brands to offer franchisees more concepts and growth opportunities.

    By • July 31, 2025
  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop’s smart kitchen system cuts ticket time nearly in half

    The fast casual chain’s digital kitchen display system, now deployed in at least 1,000 restaurants, is increasing comparable sales and improving accuracy.

    By • July 31, 2025
  • Coffee drips into a white ceramic mug emblazoned with the Starbucks logo
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks teases protein drinks, new food

    After simplifying its menu, the coffee giant will focus on experiential beverages, artisanal foods and non-coffee drinks.

    By • July 30, 2025
  • A photograph of a burger, drink and fries from Fatburger.
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    DOJ drops charges against Fat Brands, Andy Wiederhorn

    The original indictment alleged misconduct over a loan scheme involving $47 million transferred from Fat and Fog Cutter Capital to Wiederhorn.

    By • July 30, 2025
  • An image of several specialty drinks from Taco Bell's Live Mas Cafe lined up on a white counter top.
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell/Diversified Restaurant Group
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    How Yum Brands predicts the ‘it’ beverage of the future

    The company is turning to data science and prediction markets as consumer demand for beverages creates opportunities for new dayparts and concepts.

    By • July 30, 2025
  • The Starbucks company logo on a glass door.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Starbucks pledges $500M in additional labor as sales slide continues

    The coffee chain’s same-store sales dropped for the sixth consecutive quarter, but CEO Brian Niccol said the brand is seeing positive indicators in its operational metrics.

    By • July 30, 2025
  • White Castle
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    Courtesy of White Castle
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    White Castle offers robot delivery in Chicago with Uber Eats, Coco

    The slider chain said delivery robots may help it reduce parking lot congestion and speed up service.

    By • July 29, 2025
  • An image of a glass storefront with a sign that says "PopUp Bagels
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    Courtesy of PopUp Bagels
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    PopUp Bagels bakes up 300-unit franchise pipeline

    The company, which has only a handful of stores, plans to hit 100 units by the end of 2027.

    By • July 29, 2025
  • An image of three burgers on a white place in front of a basket of curly fries and a glass of brown soda.
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    Courtesy of Wahlburgers
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    Wahlburgers expands into Detroit airport

    Airports are becoming a key growth channel for the burger chain, which also has locations in casinos, naval bases, ballparks and racecourses.

    By • July 28, 2025
  • An image of a brown building with BJ's logo.
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    Permission granted by BJ's Restaurant
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    Why BJ’s CEO is betting on menu innovation to revive the brand

    Starting with its pizza, the chain is updating ingredients and flavors to boost guest satisfaction, which has waned in recent years.

    By • July 28, 2025
  • A man in a Chipotle uniform removes processed avocado from tray.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle to boost catering with high-efficiency equipment rollout

    The chain will test a new catering system in 60 restaurants and expects the channel, which only makes up about 1% to 2% of orders, to be a significant growth opportunity.

    By • July 25, 2025
  • Five fancy drinks at McDonald's against a dark blue background.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s to test premium drinks in 500 stores

    After winding down CosMc’s, McDonald’s will start testing drinks inspired by the spinoff in 500 stores across Wisconsin and Colorado in September.

    By • July 24, 2025
  • A close up image of a round red sign that says "Chipotle Mexican Grill."
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    Courtesy of Chipotle/Photograph by Media Wisdom Photography Ltd
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    Chipotle’s negative same-store sales streak continues

    Despite a 4% decline in comparable sales during the quarter, management is optimistic that enhanced marketing efforts and menu innovation will help drive traffic and boost sales.

    By • July 24, 2025
  • The exterior of a Del Taco with several empty parking lots out front
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    Permission granted by Del Taco
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    Del Taco reopens Colorado stores in phases

    Months after an operator closed all of its locations in the state, the chain is in the process of opening 17 with new kiosks and refreshed in-store experiences.

    By • July 23, 2025
  • A person uses a smart phone to pay at a kiosk inside a restaurant.
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    simon2579 via Getty Images
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    Want a great quick-service restaurant experience? Keep it fast and efficient

    Customers are happier with human-led ordering at the counter or the drive-thru than they are with using kiosks, according to a Qualtrics Instant Insights survey.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 23, 2025