Operations: Page 5
-
Restaurant trend outlook for 2024
Slow traffic, growing interest in afternoon snacking and trends toward value menus, digital and in-store personalization will shape the restaurant landscape.
By Restaurant Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Column
Fueling Up: To truly compete with restaurants, c-stores need to ‘break boundaries’
Narrowing the gap with restaurants is top of mind for many c-store retailers. Achieving it requires stepping outside of convenience retail’s comfort zone, one expert says.
By Brett Dworski • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Trendline
Independent restaurants
In an industry built on in-person interactions and long-term relationships with customers, the pandemic has dealt a serious blow to independent operators, but many have pivoted and found new ways to reach diners.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Deep Dive
Cost pressures may drive restaurant franchisee bankruptcies in 2024
Issues with margins or cash flow due to supply shocks, labor shortages and other disruptions can push operators into covenant default over their debts, experts said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 30, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Return-to-office traffic is fueling a catering boom in 2024
Chains like Cracker Barrel, BJs and Wings & Rings will continue to lean into the profitable channel this year after seeing double-digit growth in 2023.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 29, 2024 -
Wawa to open first modular construction drive-thru stores
The first of the prefabricated drive-thru stores is slated to open on Feb. 8, with several others to follow as the c-store chain tests out a building method that’s become favored by restaurants.
By Jessica Loder • Jan. 29, 2024 -
Boston Market’s fee-free growth push raises questions
The beleaguered chicken chain, which has faced hundreds of closures and numerous lawsuits, wants to expand into non-traditional locations with no buy-in requirements for operators.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 26, 2024 -
Panda Express to deploy GridPoint smart building tech at nearly 2,500 locations
The nationwide deployment, expected to result in a reportable emissions offset, follows a 200-store pilot which measured energy cost and CO2 emissions reductions.
By Joe Burns • Jan. 26, 2024 -
Jersey Mike’s to use SoundHound’s phone AI in at least 50 restaurants
The AI tech now answers “100% of calls” at participating stores and recognizes natural language, meaning diners can order a #55 or “Big Kahuna” and the system understands these terms describe the same sub.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 25, 2024 -
Inside the store: Wegmans’ foodservice paradise in Manhattan
The grocer’s first Manhattan location devotes nearly an entire floor to “restaurant foods selections” including fresh sushi, pizza and poke bowls.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Jan. 24, 2024 -
Potbelly expands loyalty redemption options
The sandwich chain added dessert and side items to its redemption options and implemented spend-based tiers in its rewards platform.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 23, 2024 -
How Puttshack and Pinstripes sustain AUVs over $8M
At the ICR Conference in Orlando, Florida, company executives discussed how post-pandemic consumer trends are driving traffic in the eatertainment space.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 22, 2024 -
Sponsored by Tock
Unique dining experiences are the secret sauce to your restaurant’s success
Reconsider dining ‘experiences' as a unique value-add that’s different from everyday service.
Jan. 22, 2024 -
Restaurants are cranking up value in 2024 — but traffic may not follow
Chains from Taco Bell to Popeyes are pushing more promotions for low-priced items, but analysts said they expect few improvements to traffic and margins.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 18, 2024 -
4 tech upgrades that can drive foodservice sales
AI-powered ordering, back-office training programs and more can help improve operations and boost revenue for c-stores’ growing meals businesses.
By Amanda Baltazar • Jan. 17, 2024 -
Mr. Gatti’s Pizza develops c-store franchise model
The pizza chain will initially focus on expanding in Texas and the Southeast, with plans to eventually target the Southwest and Midwest, as well.
By Jessica Loder • Jan. 16, 2024 -
How Qdoba is plotting growth in Chipotle’s shadow
Chipotle’s company-owned business model has left a franchised-shape hole in the Mexican fast casual sector. Qdoba wants to fill it.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 11, 2024 -
Back to Basics: How to build a successful delivery program
Delivery customers tend to have larger baskets and give retailers several chances to upsell, but it’s important to curate the menu, experts say.
By Amanda Baltazar • Jan. 8, 2024 -
Dutch Bros brings on 3 C-suite execs
Joshua Guenser, previously of Mod Pizza, becomes CFO while Sumitro Ghosh, previously from Nike, will take the president of operations post and Jess Elmquist, previously of Phenom People, becomes chief people officer.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 8, 2024 -
TGI Fridays to close 36 underperforming restaurants
The casual chain also sold eight units in the Northeast to former CEO Ray Blanchette following a year of C-suite upheaval.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 4, 2024 -
California bistro pocketed thousands in worker tips to pay expenses, suit alleges
The Department of Labor is suing Entre Nous for $500,000 in back wages and damages, and said it misclassified workers as independent contractors.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 4, 2024 -
Walmart expanding in-store poke restaurants
Uncle Sharkii Poke Bar recently announced plans to open more locations inside the retailer’s stores.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Jan. 3, 2024 -
Pinstripes bowls into public markets
After completing its combination with Banyan Acquisition Corp. last week, the eatertainment chain began trading on the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 2, 2024 -
Tropical Smoothie Cafe reportedly seeking $2B sale
This marks the second possible restaurant acquisition in progress this month, with Reuters reporting that Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company is seeking a $1 billion sale.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 21, 2023 -
Arko collaborates with Tyson on discounted chicken sandwich
As part of the company’s efforts to reach price sensitive customers, the new sandwich costs $2.99 for fas Rewards members and is available at more than 300 locations.
By Jessica Loder • Dec. 21, 2023 -
Q&A
Pinstripes could reach 150 units as a public company
Going public was in the plan for about five years and will raise fresh capital to support the 14-unit brand’s growth, CEO and founder Dale Schwartz said.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 21, 2023