Operations: Page 3

  • Arko
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    Retrieved from NACS.
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    Arko begins building food-focused stores, will debut new foodservice program

    The convenience retailer is investing between $700,000 and $1.1 million into each new location and intends to finish all seven pilot sites by the end of 2025.

    By Brett Dworski • May 12, 2025
  • Exterior of a Potbelly restaurant
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    How Potbelly harnessed transformational growth

    After undertaking a turnaround strategy, the company has grown comparable sales, accelerated franchise development and added popular menu items.

    By • May 12, 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
  • An image of a Sweetgreen restaurant with a drive-thru
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen’s same-store sales slip for first time as public company

    The salad brand attributed its sales shortfall to consumer pullback, and is looking to loyalty and LTOs to offset the trouble.

    By • May 9, 2025
  • A picture of a hand giving a iced coffee drink to another person.
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    Permission granted by Dutch Bros
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    How restaurants can tap into the beverage craze

    Young, health-conscious consumers are seeking out innovative non-alcoholic drinks, and well-positioned restaurants can capture that new demand.

    By Danielle McLean • May 9, 2025
  • An image of a Noodles & Company restaurant with outdoor seating
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    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
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    How Noodles & Company beat Chipotle’s Q1 comparable sales

    The chain posted a 4.4% increase in comp sales in Q1 2025 even though larger chains like Chipotle and Wingstop posted anemic comps.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • An image of a co-branded Applebee's, IHOP restaurant
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    Courtesy of Dine Brands
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    Why Dine Brands is going all in on dual-branded restaurants

    Franchisees are increasingly buying into dual-branded units since they lead to higher sales compared to a standalone restaurant.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • A person wearing a blue jacket and white shirt smiles at the camera.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle hires Taco Bell exec as COO

    Jason Kidd succeeds Scott Boatwright, who was promoted to CEO earlier this year, and will oversee operations across the chain’s nearly 3,800 units.

    By • May 7, 2025
  • Front-of-end restaurant staff uses SevenRooms' customer relationship management software.
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    Courtesy of SevenRooms
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    DoorDash to buy SevenRooms for $1.2B

    The deal comes on the heels of DoorDash’s $3.9 billion Deliveroo acquisition and will add tools like reservations, waitlist and table management to its merchant products. 

    By • May 6, 2025
  • Circle K
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    Retrieved from Google.
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    Circle K adding Burrito Express QSRs in Phoenix

    The retailer, which has over 150 c-stores in the city, is expected to open six Burrito Express Fast and Fresh restaurants as it strengthens its foodservice capabilities.

    By Brett Dworski • May 6, 2025
  • A rendering if a red and orange building with El Pollo Loco signage.
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    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
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    El Pollo Loco will open 500th restaurant this year

    The chain will open at least 10 units this year, most of which will be outside of California, as the chain works toward regaining unit growth momentum.

    By • May 5, 2025
  • An image of the Shake Shack logo on a window.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack rolls out digital menu boards, combos to speed up drive-thru

    The drive-thru efforts build on five consecutive quarters of improvements to speed of service and order accuracy.

    By Bryan Wassel • May 5, 2025
  • An image ofa brick colored building with a logl of a red-headed girl with pigtails.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s to deploy drive-thru AI to over 500 restaurants this year

    The chain has installed Fresh AI at over 160 units as part of its larger strategy to improve the customer experience.

    By • May 2, 2025
  • Three fast food beverages stand in line.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    McDonald’s to test expanded beverage menu this year

    Adding more items to its menu, including energy drinks and coffee, will help the chain compete with sector rivals and boost profitability.

    By • May 1, 2025
  • A photograph of a red and yellow sign with a giant yellow "M" above a red box that says "McDonald's Billions Served."
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s US traffic slides due to economic uncertainty

    Low- and middle-income guests pulled back spending in Q1, but the chain expects improved performance from promotions and the launch of chicken strips.

    By • May 1, 2025
  • Chili's Big Smasher cheeseburger accompanied by sides of chips, fries and cola on a wooden dining table
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    Permission granted by Chili's Grill & Bar
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    Chili’s notches 21% traffic surge

    The casual chain’s focus on value is driving success where rivals are lagging, with many competitors reporting sliding same-store sales. 

    By • April 29, 2025
  • 5 chefs work in a restaurant kitchens
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    lechatnoir via Getty Images
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    Independent restaurants could use pandemic-era strategies against tariffs

    Navigating supply chain challenges under Trump’s fluctuating trade policy will require both flexibility and conservative cost measures, experts and restaurateurs say.

    By Danielle McLean • April 28, 2025
  • Tri Star
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    Retrieved from Tri Star Energy.
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    How c-stores can pull loyalty from QSRs

    Strong value, including meal deals and quality food, could help c-stores make inroads against fast food, says restaurant technology company Tillster.

    By Jessica Loder • April 25, 2025
  • A sign that says "Since 1956 Jersey Miek's Subs"
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jersey Mike’s hires Charlie Morrison as CEO

    Morrison, former CEO of Wingstop and Salad and Go, takes over for Peter Cancro, who has led the chain for 50 years. 

    By , • Updated April 24, 2025
  • Pedestrians walk by a Chipotle restaurant in San Francisco, California
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Chipotle’s same-store sales wobble on economic uncertainty

    The fast casual giant — a sales overperformer in 2024 — said its comparable transactions fell in what could be an early warning of anemic diner spending.

    By • April 24, 2025
  • An iamge of a delivery driver in front of a Nando's restaurant.
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    Catherine Ivill via Getty Images
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    Nando’s Peri-Peri hires Ruby Tuesday vet as CEO

    Kimberly Grant, who is also former CEO of Jose Andres Group, will oversee the chain’s growth as it opens more company-owned locations in the U.S.

    By • April 22, 2025
  • A view of a KFC restaurant in Vallejo, California.
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    Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
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    How KFC’s customer listening program helps it nail the first experience

    The program is designed to collect data from a range of sources, disseminate findings across the company and coordinate teams to solve customer pain points, KFC COO Rob Swain said.

    By Bryan Wassel • April 22, 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 is going to Mexico

    Alsea, a restaurant operator with 4,700 restaurants in Latin America and Europe, will build the chain’s first Mexico location by early 2026.

    By • April 21, 2025
  • A group of people stand behind a blue ribbon while a person in the center holds giant red scissors about to cut the ribbon.
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    Permission granted by 7 Brew
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    7 Brew opens first walk-thru location in Walmart

    The coffee chain’s partnership with the mega retailer will help diversify 7 Brew’s development model as it works toward becoming a nationwide brand.

    By • April 18, 2025
  • Four people eat and talk in a restaurant brown, wood-paneled restaurant booth.
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    kali9 via Getty Images
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    Circana: Restaurant traffic stalled in 2024, but diner spending rose 2%

    Starbucks, McDonald’s and Burger King all had flat spending, but Circana’s David Portalatin said “flat is the new up” given current macroeconomic trends.

    By • April 18, 2025
  • A photograph of a brick building with signage that says "Krystal"
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    Permission granted by Krystal
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    Krystal to open first Texas travel center location

    The QSR is focusing on non-traditional locations like travel centers, c-stores and airports as part of a strategy to add high-traffic restaurants to its portfolio.

    By • Updated April 17, 2025