Operations: Page 2

  • Smiling server with Bojangles box in hand
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    Permission granted by Bojangles
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    Sponsored by Fountain

    How Bojangles cut time-to-hire by more than 80%

    How Bojangles cut time-to-hire by 80% and boosted applicant engagement.

    March 23, 2026
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    Permission granted by Bonchon
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    Bonchon hires Pollo Campero vet as chief development officer

    Blas Escarcega joins the chain as it focuses on rapid growth in the U.S., where it now has over 150 units.

    By • March 20, 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
  • A person standing in front ot a mural speaks into a microphone and raises his fist.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Chicago Mayor plans to veto tipped wage freeze

    The city council froze the tipped minimum wage at 76% of the city’s overall wage, following industry opposition to the gradual end of the tip credit.

    By • March 20, 2026
  • An image of a person wearing a suit with arms crossed and smiling. The person is in front of a wall with news clips in the background.
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Fat Brands CEO agrees to temporary leave of absence

    Andrew Wiederhorn can still bid on the company during its sales process, but will be removed from management in exchange for the company receiving debtor-in-posession financing.

    By • March 19, 2026
  • An image of a brick building with Pizza Hut logo on the side.
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    jetcityimage via Getty Images
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    These 6 restaurant chains will close hundreds of units this year

    From Wendy’s to Papa Johns and Pizza Hut, chains facing several quarters of consecutive same-store sales and traffic declines are removing underperforming units from their systems.

    By • March 19, 2026
  • A picture of an Olive Garden restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    How snow derailed Olive Garden’s traffic growth

    Darden will run an extra week of value promotions for Olive Garden this quarter after bad weather stunted transactions.

    By • March 19, 2026
  • A close up of a gas pump that shows unleaded, plus and premium fuel with prices over $4 and $5 a gallon.
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    Getty Images
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    Gas price spikes don’t impact restaurant traffic: BTIG

    By analyzing 20 years of data, the firm found little correlation between gas prices hikes and restaurant traffic drops.

    By • March 18, 2026
  • An image of a Wetzel's Pretzels inside a convenience store.
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    Permission granted by Wetzel's Pretzels
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    Wetzel’s Pretzels plans to double c-store presence

    After opening a company record 20 QSRs in nontraditional locations in 2025, the chain is pursuing convenience retail growth over the next two years.

    By Jessica Loder • March 18, 2026
  • An image of various burritos and other items from Taco Bell.
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell
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    Q4 2025’s restaurant winners and loses

    Casual dining? Good, not great. Fast casual? Bad, not terrible. Taco Bell? Living Más. Wendy's? Living Menos.

    By • March 16, 2026
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s hires former Papa Johns exec as chief development officer

    Jennifer Pecoraro-Striepling will oversee the chain’s real estate, site selection strategy and construction, and help develop prototypes in her new role.

    By • March 16, 2026
  • A close up photograph of a cheeseburger with tomatoes, red onions, lettuce and pickles.
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    Getty Images
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    Beef costs exceed burger prices, pressuring QSRs

    A Datassential report revealed that prices for the menu item are up 14%, while meat costs are up 32% over the past two years.

    By • March 13, 2026
  • Customers enter a McDonald's restaurant.
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    Mario Tama / Staff via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s reportedly eyes $3 or less value platform

    The low-priced menu will include items like a four-piece Chicken McNuggets and a sausage biscuit when it launches in April, per The Wall Street Journal.

    By • March 12, 2026
  • An image of a white and red restaurant with Krystal on the signage
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    Permission granted by Krystal
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    Krystal promotes COO from parent company

    Amanda Hyde expands her role at the QSR chain, partnering with operators and franchisees to improve performance and support growth.

    By • March 12, 2026
  • Casey's
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    Retrieved from Casey's.
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    Casey’s built its brand on pizza. Now it’s chasing chicken wings.

    The Iowa retailer plans to roll out the wing line to all 2,900-plus stores over the next two years as it diversifies its fast-growing food business.

    By Brett Dworski • March 12, 2026
  • Layne's Chicken Fingers
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    Permission granted by Layne's Chicken Fingers
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    Layne’s Chicken Fingers thinks it has what it takes to go national

    Cane’s. Dave’s. Now Layne’s? A small Texas chicken chain wants to be the next big thing. Multi-unit operators, a simple menu and a premium product could make it happen.

    By • March 11, 2026
  • A marketing image for Burger King's reworked Whopper
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King names 2 new agencies following viral Whopper bite moment

    Mojo Supermarket, now the chain’s U.S. social AOR, claimed credit for a video swiping at McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski’s awkward Big Arch review. 

    By Peter Adams • March 10, 2026
  • Renderings of the interior of Gong cha's new store design for its bubble tea shops.
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    Courtesy of Gong cha
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    Gong cha buys 170 US stores from master franchisee

    The purchase will help the bubble tea brand strengthen its U.S. system and ultimately speed up growth as it targets 1,000 units in the country.

    By • March 9, 2026
  • An image of people with gray hair holding up wine glasses while at a restaurant
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    Getty Images
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    How restaurants can prepare for an influx of aging diners

    People aged 65 and older will account for 18% of all U.S. restaurant spending in 2030, up from just 10% in 2025, according to Technomic.

    By Michael Brady • March 9, 2026
  • Pilot
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    Permission granted by Pilot
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    Pilot to overhaul foodservice program at all locations

    A new combination made-to-order and grab-and-go platform aims to set a consistent standard for the retailer’s menu, SVP Sean Marrero said.

    By Brett Dworski • March 9, 2026
  • Chef paying bills in the kitchen
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    andresr via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Oracle

    When your POS can’t keep up: The real cost of disconnected restaurant tech

    Discover how disconnected POS tech stalls growth—and how integration unlocks smarter, faster decisions.

    March 9, 2026
  • An image of a Applebee's and IHOP dual-branded restaurant inside an airport
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    Courtesy of Dallas Love Field
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    Dine Brands targets non-traditional spaces for dual-branded concept

    Airports and other 24/7 locations are ideal for the Applebee’s/IHOP restaurants because they offer morning and evening menu items, the company said.

    By • March 6, 2026
  • An image of a worn sign on a window that says "sorry we're closed."
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    Getty Images
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    BBI: 15% of restaurants could close in 2026

    Nine percent of full-service restaurants are at risk of shuttering, while only 4% of limited-service units could close this year, Black Box Intelligence data shows

    By • March 6, 2026
  • A close up imae of a white sign with Cracker Barrel logo and Uncle Herschal mascot.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel reports steepest traffic decline since botched rebrand

    Despite focusing on menu quality and value, the chain reported a 10% traffic drop nearly six months after it attempted to remove its iconic Uncle Herschel from its branding.

    By • March 5, 2026
  • A close up image of three burritos from Del Taco.
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    Courtesy of Del Taco
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    Del Taco unveils 18-month turnaround plan

    Under its Project Sunrise roadmap, the chain will focus on quality and consistency of menu items, bold innovation to drive trial, expansion of catering and a more impactful loyalty program.

    By • March 5, 2026
  • A close up photograph of a partial Starbucks siren logo as seen from the top of an office building.
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Starbucks to open Nashville corporate office

    The coffee chain will use the Tennessee location to support its ongoing growth efforts across the Southeast. 

    By • March 4, 2026