Operations: Page 46

  • A box of iceberg lettuce is packaged for sale.
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    Jack Taylor via Getty Images
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    Subway, Chick-fil-A alert customers on lettuce crunch

    Dole's COO warned of "complete crop failure in the industry" driven by extreme heat.

    By Alejandra Carranza • Dec. 2, 2022
  • Hogs
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s sues meat companies for accusations of pork price-fixing

    Smithfield, Tyson, JBS and Hormel are among the processors the fast food giant claims have worked together since 2008 to inflate the price of pork.

    By Chris Casey • Dec. 1, 2022
  • 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
  • MOD Pizza
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    Permission granted by MOD Pizza
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    Mod Pizza extends benefits to include tuition-free degrees

    Over 10,000 workers can access bachelor’s degree programs, professional certificates and English language learning through a partnership with Guild. 

    By • Dec. 1, 2022
  • An image of a menu board inside Fat Brand's first tri-branded location
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Fat Brands opens first tri-branded restaurant in California

    Menu items from Fatburger, Buffalo’s Express and Hot Dog on a Stick will be served in this location, which expands the company’s co-branding strategy. 

    By • Nov. 30, 2022
  • DoorDash and 2,000 grocery partners will waive delivery fees
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    Permission granted by DoorDash
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    Deep Dive

    How new verticals boost DoorDash’s momentum

    The delivery giant’s expansion into convenience, grocery and other retail has helped it reach new customers and increase loyalty on its platforms.

    By • Nov. 30, 2022
  • An image of a small restaurant with a blue overhang.
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    Permission granted by Grégoire
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    Franchise spotlight: Berkeley-based Grégoire cooks up growth plans

    Founder Grégoire Jacquet, who opened his namesake restaurant in 2002, has conceptualized culinary hubs that will prepare items for nearby franchisees.

    By • Nov. 28, 2022
  • Graphic image of drive-thru system
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    Permission granted by Presto Automation Inc.
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    Sponsored by Presto

    Computer vision: An essential extension to drive-thru voice automation

    The future of the drive-thru is now. Here are four capabilities your drive-thru computer vision technology should have.

    Nov. 28, 2022
  • A drive thru sign advertising a fast food restaurant
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    NeonJellyfish via Getty Images
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    Drive-thru expansion is riddled with challenges, but restaurants reap the rewards

    Chains are developing smaller stores, adding second drive-thru lanes and anticipating delays as they grow this off-premise channel.

    By • Nov. 23, 2022
  • An aerial image of an A&W double drive-thru restaurant
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    Permission granted by Anthony Walker/A&W
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    How a second drive-thru lane boosted sales for an A&W franchisee

    After investing $80,000 in the drive-thru renovation, franchisee Anthony Walker said drive-thru sales went “through the roof” and total roughly 65% of sales.

    By • Nov. 23, 2022
  • An image of a red and white building with Freddy's signage.
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    Permission granted by Freddy's
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    Franchise spotlight: Freddy’s targets 1K units with help of existing franchisees

    The fast casual chain has a pipeline of 600 units and hopes to reach 800 locations by 2027.

    By • Nov. 22, 2022
  • An image of a Domino's branded Chevy Bolt
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    Permission granted by Domino's
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    Domino’s will deploy over 800 electric vehicles to enhance delivery fleet

    The chain, which has been working to bolster its delivery workforce, said these vehicles could attract drivers who don’t have their own cars. 

    By • Nov. 21, 2022
  • An image of a a white building with Chipotle signage at night.
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    Why Chipotlanes are Chipotle’s future

    As early as 2019, the Mexican chain saw promise in its digital pickup lanes, and now plans to include them in the bulk of its restaurant pipeline.

    By • Nov. 21, 2022
  • An image of a man and a woman holding up cups from Yogurtland.
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    Courtesy of Yogurtland
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    Yogurtland plans to double footprint by 2028

    The roughly 230-unit frozen yogurt concept is targeting major U.S. markets, including Phoenix, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, Texas, as well as Florida.

    By • Nov. 18, 2022
  • Quiznos
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    Courtesy of Quiznos
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    Quiznos to boost Arizona presence with multi-unit franchise deal

    Franchisee Parish Patel will develop 30 units over the next seven years, increasing the sandwich chain's presence in the state more than eightfold.

    By • Nov. 17, 2022
  • A person in a coat rides a bicycle holding a red DoorDash bag.
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    Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    NYC proposes $23.82 hourly delivery worker wage by 2025

    A proposed app-based delivery worker wage would initially rise to $17.87 in January from a reported hourly average of $7.09, excluding tips.

    By • Nov. 17, 2022
  • Smokey Bones opened its first drive-thru in Bowling Green, Kentucky in April 2022.
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    Permission granted by Smokey Bones
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    Want a drive-thru? Make sure your menu is ready

    With drive-thru customers expecting faster speed of service, chains are honing in on what items work and don’t work to get orders completed quicker.

    By • Nov. 17, 2022
  • An image of Panera's bakery shakes
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    Permission granted by Panera
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    Panera whips up milkshakes in menu test

    The three shakes, which are available for $5.79, are being tested in select markets in Texas and could be rolled out nationwide next year.

    By • Nov. 17, 2022
  • Pepsi opens ghost kitchen Pep's Place for food and beverage delivery
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    Courtesy of Pepsi
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    PepsiCo adds ghost kitchen capabilities for foodservice partners

    Partners will have access to a turnkey, scalable option to bring menu items to new or existing markets, increase off-premise sales and boost revenue.

    By • Nov. 17, 2022
  • Caribou Coffee
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    Permission granted by Caribou Coffee
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    Caribou Coffee opening first US franchised unit

    The store in Wooster, Ohio, is part of the company’s first multi-unit agreement with Mike Mariola, who intends to develop locations in several Ohio markets. 

    By • Nov. 16, 2022
  • A picture of a Chipotle with a pickup lane.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle’s 500th Chipotlane opens in Kentucky

    The company is on track to open 235 to 250 new restaurants this year, 80% of which will include its digital pickup lanes. 

    By • Nov. 16, 2022
  • An image of a building with Hawaiian Bros branding
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    Permission granted by Hawaiian Bros
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    Deep Dive

    As chains expand drive-thrus, speed of service becomes paramount

    Drive-thru ordering remains in high demand long after dining room lockdowns, and chains are making sure their design and layouts help maximize efficiency. 

    By • Nov. 16, 2022
  • Dutch Bros Coffee's president, Christine Barone will replace Joth Ricci as CEO. Pictured is a Dutch Bros unit.
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    Permission granted by Dutch Bros
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    Deep Dive

    Drive-thru drag: Construction delays, rising costs slow development

    Inflation and labor disruption are forcing restaurants to get creative with site selection to obtain prime drive-thrus and mobile pickup window real estate.

    By • Nov. 15, 2022
  • An image of a Subway sandwich in a plastic package.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway plots growth through automated vending fridges

    The smart fridges, which debuted at the University of California, San Diego in September, are seeing interest from franchisees. 

    By • Nov. 14, 2022
  • Image of customer choosing food items
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    Shutterstock.com/MOLPIX

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    Sponsored by Esper

    Why restaurants need to start thinking like tech companies

    Rapid testing. Agile processes. Today’s leading restaurants look a lot like tech companies.

    Nov. 14, 2022
  • Food Rocket
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    Permission granted by Food Rocket
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    Ultrafast delivery firm Food Rocket debuts hot meal delivery in Chicago

    The startup, which has received financial backing from Alimentation Couche-Tard, plans to open 200 hot meal kitchens by the end of the year.

    By Brett Dworski • Nov. 11, 2022