Operations: Page 2
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Chains struggle to stand out amid ‘noise’ of value wars
Papa Johns, Popeyes and Burger King’s value messages did not break through, while Portillo’s sought to sidestep deep discounting.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 18, 2024 -
Bojangles to install ordering kiosks across its system
The chicken chain said its pilot of the Grubbrr technology had high adoption rates and helped increase throughput.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 15, 2024 -
Trendline
Back-of-house Technology
From voice AI at the drive-thru to robot-powered makelines, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Subway’s newest design focuses on improving the dining room experience
During concept testing, guests said the Fresh Forward 2.0 image, which includes warmer wood tones and improved lighting, increased their chances of eating inside a Subway.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 14, 2024 -
Red Lobster brings back old favorites, new items in menu remake
The casual chain added seven new dishes and revived classics like hush puppies and popcorn shrimp.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 12, 2024 -
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux signs first franchise deal to build smaller restaurants
Operator Port Royal Brands will develop 20 units in Georgia and Tennessee using a prototype that will be half the size of Walk-On’s traditional restaurants.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 12, 2024 -
Deep Dive
What restaurants, suppliers can learn from McDonald’s E.coli outbreak
The fast food giant’s initial response to the outbreak was quick, but guest sentiment suffered from a lack of direct consumer messaging.
By Julie Littman , Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 12, 2024 -
Chipotle names Scott Boatwright permanent CEO
Boatwright, who has been interim CEO since August, said on an earnings call that the chain will continue its current strategies and focus on operational efficiency.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 11, 2024 -
Sweetgreen to launch points-based loyalty program
The chain is shifting its approach after customers found its tiered program, which includes a free and paid subscription, was too complicated.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 11, 2024 -
How QSR pizza chains are competing on value
Domino’s focus on promotions and discounts helped increase sales, while Papa Johns and Pizza Hut struggled with similar offerings.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 7, 2024 -
Walk-On’s to open first corporate stores since 2016
The chain will open multiple corporate-owned locations next year that feature a new interior and exterior in addition to updated kitchen equipment.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 7, 2024 -
Popeyes didn’t focus on value in Q3 and paid for it
The chain lacked enough compelling promotions to attract price-sensitive customers during the summer, contributing to negative comparable sales.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 6, 2024 -
Burger King’s LTOs met with stiff competition in Q3
The chain’s summer promotions, including its Fiery menu, had trouble cutting through QSR value messages, resulting in softer than expected sales in Q3.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 5, 2024 -
Tropical Smoothie Cafe appoints new CEO
Max Wetzel, who previously served as CEO at CKE Restaurants for over a year, joins the smoothie chain months after it was acquired by Blackstone.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 4, 2024 -
Red Lobster hires Brinker exec as COO
Larry Konecny joins the seafood chain, which recently emerged from Chapter 11, after a 17-year tenure at Maggiano’s Little Italy.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 4, 2024 -
El Pollo Loco ramps up remodel efforts with low-cost design
A new prototype, which includes furniture upgrades and energy-efficient hoods and HVAC, will help reduce buildout costs from $2.2 million to $1.8 million.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 4, 2024 -
How Starbucks plans to get back to being a coffeehouse
The coffee giant thinks ceramic mugs, a coffee condiments bar and comfy chairs are a good start toward improving its in-store vibe.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 1, 2024 -
McDonald’s E. coli outbreak now tied to 90 illnesses
The CDC said Wednesday that it’s likely that slivered onions from Taylor Farms used on Quarter Pounders caused the outbreak.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 31, 2024 -
Wendy’s to close 140 poor-performing restaurants in Q4
To boost the health of the overall system, the chain will close outdated restaurants that have operating margins below average and unit volumes of about $1.1 million.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 31, 2024 -
Fast casual chains steam ahead with expansion as other sectors pull back
Shake Shack, Chipotle and Wingstop are on track to open over 700 units combined this year, while targeting strong sales growth.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Julie Littman • Oct. 31, 2024 -
With E. coli outbreak contained, McDonald’s focuses on next steps
The chain’s traffic fell almost 10% nationwide and more than 30% in Colorado in the days following the public health crisis, according to visitation data.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 30, 2024 -
Chipotle remains focused on core strategy, efficiency improvements, interim CEO says
Under Scott Boatwright, Chipotle aims to follow a steady course and carry out key initiatives like adding expediters and back-of-house equipment to boost throughput.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 30, 2024 -
McDonald’s US comp sales turn positive in Q3
The fast food giant gained traffic with the help of its $5 Meal Deal and expects to release a holistic value platform in early 2025.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 29, 2024 -
McDonald’s to return Quarter Pounders to menu this week
After tests confirmed fresh beef patties were not the source of an E. coli outbreak, the chain said it will bring the burgers back to the menu.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 28, 2024 -
3 ways Denny’s is boosting the digital guest experience
The chain continues to invest in virtual brands as well as direct and third-party ordering. It also will revise its loyalty program to build its digital customer base.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 28, 2024 -
Hooters’ alleged colorism costs $250,000 in EEOC case
Following the layoff of about 43 employees in the Greensboro, North Carolina area in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hooters allegedly rehired workers who were predominantly White or had lighter skin.
By Caroline Colvin • Oct. 25, 2024