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Yelp expands front-of-house tools with Toast, Google
A Toast integration will allow restaurants to gain insights from the point-of-sale system, while Reserve with Google will allow diners to reserve a table or join a waitlist from Google Maps and Search.
By Julie Littman • May 15, 2023 -
Captain D’s leans into flexible prototypes, pushes toward 1K units
The 540-unit seafood QSR offers four store models, one of which includes a double drive-thru and another that offers drive-thru and pickup only.
By Julie Littman • May 12, 2023 -
Explore the Trendline➔
sam edwards via Getty ImagesTrendlineRestaurant Dive Outlook for 2023
Restaurants across categories are hungry for growth this year, with many embracing franchising. However, confidence in the ghost kitchen model is waning.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Cheesecake Factory rolls out rewards program
Following two successful pilots in Houston and Chicago last year, the company is offering a “surprise and delight” loyalty platform that gives guests access to benefits like reservations.
By Julie Littman • Updated June 1, 2023 -
BurgerFi CEO to retire
Ian Baines will step down in June and consult for the company for a year, and COO John Iannucci will oversee the company on an interim basis.
By Julie Littman • May 9, 2023 -
Wendy’s to test Google’s drive-thru chatbot in Ohio
The tool, called Wendy’s FreshAI, can understand customization requests, respond to common customer questions and offer upsell suggestions.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated May 10, 2023 -
Sweetgreen will unveil first automated kitchen this week
The chain’s Infinite Kitchen, part of ongoing efforts to improve profitability, opened its first location in Naperville, Illinois, on Wednesday.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated May 10, 2023 -
Denny’s appoints COO
Alex Williams, who has decades of experience at brands like Starbucks, McDonald’s and Outback Steakhouse, joins the brand as it works to improve back-of-house efficiency and management turnover.
By Julie Littman • May 8, 2023 -
How Rock N’ Roll Sushi plans to grow from 62 to 250 units in 5 years
The Asian concept, which originated in the Southeast, is pursuing growth in states like Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.
By Julie Littman • May 8, 2023 -
Retrieved from Chick-fil-A on March 17, 2023
Chick-fil-A’s geofencing pilot reduced wait times
The chain found that 100 restaurants trimmed average wait times by one to two minutes using this technology.
By Emma Liem Beckett • May 3, 2023 -
Sunshine Gasoline Distributors adds combined Quiznos, Taco Del Mar restaurants
A dual-branded restaurant recently opened at a company store in Florida — the first of at least 13 planned locations for Sunshine.
By Jessica Loder • May 1, 2023 -
Domino’s delivery drags on strong pricing and carryout
With carryout growing, Domino’s plans to revamp its loyalty program to strengthen takeout options while creating value across channels.
By Julie Littman • April 28, 2023 -
Q&A
Papa Johns menu strategy chief talks balancing innovation with value
The pizza chain is targeting younger diners with snackable menu items like handheld desserts and its new Doritos Cool Ranch Papadia, VP of National Calendar and Menu Strategy Kimberly Bean said.
By Emma Liem Beckett • April 28, 2023 -
SPB Hospitality completes merger with Krystal Restaurants
The QSR, which will continue to operate independently, will join SPB’s portfolio that includes J. Alexander’s and Logan’s Road House.
By Julie Littman • April 27, 2023 -
Chipotle’s same-store sales rise 10.9% as traffic turns positive
In-restaurant sales jumped nearly 23% year over year following efforts to boost operational efficiency, rewards and menu innovation.
By Julie Littman • April 26, 2023 -
Caribou Coffee is adding 300 domestic franchised units
Six multi-unit franchisees will open stores in Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida as part of the company’s domestic growth efforts.
By Julie Littman • April 25, 2023 -
Uber Eats partners with DeliverZero for its first reusable takeout packaging pilot in US
New Yorkers can add reusable containers to their food orders at select locations for $1, as delivery firms pilot resuable packaging partnerships.
By Katie Pyzyk • April 25, 2023 -
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and Bar to double store count with 100-unit pipeline
The full-service concept, which was founded by two college athletes, is aiming to open 20 to 25 units per year.
By Julie Littman • April 25, 2023 -
Toast adds reservation, waitlist management product
Toast’s latest module could pit it against OpenTable, which recently partnered with Square to manage tables, floor plans and view guest preferences.
By Julie Littman • April 25, 2023 -
Subway boasts 11.7% same-store sales growth in North America
The sandwich chain, which has increased its focus on digital promotions in the U.S., saw a 21% uptick in Q1 digital sales for the region.
By Julie Littman • April 24, 2023 -
Sweetgreen launches two-tiered loyalty program nationwide
After testing loyalty elements in 2022, the chain settled on a free tier and a $10 monthly subscription tier, which includes a daily $3 order discount.
By Julie Littman • April 24, 2023 -
Starbucks ups recycled content in cups while abandoning recyclability target
Despite an eye toward reuse, just 1.2% of all beverages sold this past year were in reusable vessels. The company is currently testing personal cup acceptance for drive-thru and mobile orders.
By Maria Rachal • April 24, 2023 -
Retrieved from KFC on April 20, 2023
KFC US hires Coca-Cola exec as CFO
Jonathan Ojany joins the chicken chain after eight years in various leadership roles at the beverage company.
By Julie Littman • April 21, 2023 -
How Layne’s Chicken Fingers plans to grow to 50 units by 2027
The 10-unit chicken chain, which began aggressively selling restaurants last year, wants to expand within its home state of Texas and enter new markets.
By Julie Littman • April 21, 2023 -
Study: 47% of consumers not comfortable using QR codes in restaurants
Despite more QR codes to view menus, order and pay, 65% of consumers aged 60-plus are uncomfortable using the tech, per a William Blair survey.
By Julie Littman • April 19, 2023 -
Sweetgreen highlights low-carbon menu items with latest collection
The Low Carbon Collection, which allows diners to see which bowls generate the least carbon emissions, follows the chain’s 12% reduction in carbon emissions since 2019.
By Julie Littman • April 18, 2023