Qdoba fined over $400K for child labor law violations

The Massachusetts state attorney's office cited more than 200 cases of minors working past the maximum number of hours in a single shift.

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 16, 2019

Kitchen United hosts culinary 'boot camps' for potential hires

The ghost kitchen platform is offering trainings in knife skills, ingredient prep and career planning to attract talent in a challenging labor market.

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 14, 2019

Explore the 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

Wendy's dishes out 2M spicy nuggets after May Twitter challenge

The giveaway via DoorDash comes after the burger chain promised to bring back the menu item if fans racked up 2 million "likes."

By Robert Williams • Aug. 13, 2019

Yum Brands appoints new CEO

Following systemwide sales growth of 10% during Q2, COO David Gibbs will take the reigns from Greg Creed after his retirement. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 13, 2019

4 ways to achieve profitability without disrupting quality of service

The key to reaching big goals is setting bite-sized benchmarks and ensuring employees understand how their actions impact the entire business, says Compeat's SVP of Operations Dori Salisbury.

By Dori Salisbury • Aug. 12, 2019

Vinyl gloves used at major QSRs linked to health risks, study says

Gloves used at McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's contain chemicals that can cause reproductive issues in adults and brain development delays in children, according to the report.

By Lauren Manning • Aug. 12, 2019

Shift Change: Red Robin appoints 3 board members, interim CEO to retire

This week's column also highlights executive changes at CKE Restaurants, Taco Bell, Waitr and California Pizza Kitchen.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 9, 2019

Delivery firms boast revenue gains, but profitability remains elusive

Customer growth was strong for Uber Eats, Grubhub and Waitr during the first half of the year, but all have struggled with restaurant and customer backlash regarding fees and company policies. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 9, 2019

Deliveroo's 'rescue team' will convert struggling restaurants to delivery-only

The initiative, which offers participating stores space in its virtual kitchens and help with menu development, branding and pricing, marks the platform's latest bid to stay competitive in the U.K. market. 

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 9, 2019

Why major restaurants want to land airport locations

From Shake Shack to Panera and Pret A Manger, fast casuals are targeting traveling consumers as a new area of growth.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 8, 2019

Popeyes sells out of chicken sandwiches

Supply was meant to last through September, but sold out in two weeks. The chain directed consumers to its app to receive notifications once it's available. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Aug. 27, 2019

Waitr teams with Olo to streamline POS systems

The partnership could strengthen restaurant loyalty by simplifying operations and providing solutions to order errors and delays, a growing trend in the competitive delivery space. 

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 7, 2019

What the dine-in sector can learn from the Just Eat merger

In-restaurant mobile ordering hasn't yet reached the ubiquity of delivery, says Wi5 Chief Strategy Officer Gavin Peters, but restaurants who don't anticipate this shift will lose out to digital-first brands.

By Gavin Peters • Aug. 6, 2019

Aramark buys college food delivery service Good Uncle

Growing competition from third-party aggregators is pushing college foodservice providers into offering delivery and pickup. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 6, 2019

How 4 chains changed their models to ride the delivery wave

From pickup windows to shelves, fast casual and QSR chains are modifying their operations to improve the flow of off-premise traffic.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 6, 2019

21% of diners willing to pay more at eatertainment than traditional night venue

While activities are a top consideration for where consumers choose to go out, quality food also is top of mind, according to a SevenRooms report. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 5, 2019

Taco Bell global brand chief departs, duties split between 2 SVPs

Marisa Thalberg plans to retain an advisory role at parent company Yum Brands, which recently appointed retail vet Mark King as Taco Bell's CEO. 

By Peter Adams • Aug. 5, 2019

Tabletop tech speeds up service and boosts profits, study says

Research into the impact of POS technology at a casual dining chain found that it bridged gaps in waiter performance without impacting staff numbers.

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 5, 2019

Taco Bell blames supplier for the great tortilla shortage of 2019

After a nine-day lapse in supply at some locations that led one customer to call 911, Yum Brands' CEO said the company has spoken to its supplier and hopes to avoid similar situations in the future.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 5, 2019

Shift Change: Domino's adds HR exec; Mendocino Farms appoints CEO

This week's Shift Change also highlights new leadership at Punch Bowl Social, Black Bear Diner and more. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 2, 2019

Chipotle smashes TikTok records with #GuacDance challenge

In TikTok's top branded challenge in the U.S. to date, the burrito chain saw 250,000 video submissions for its National Avocado Day dance-off.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 2, 2019

Times Square McDonald's takes infill building to the extreme

Constructing the $10 million, eight-month-long project on such a heavily trafficked site meant overcoming myriad challenges and safety issues, said Schimenti's Gregg Chappell.

By Jennifer Goodman • Aug. 1, 2019

Pizza Hut could temporarily close up to 500 stores over next 2 years

Underperforming units will be transformed into express stores focused on carryout and delivery with existing or new franchisee partners.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 1, 2019

Navigating customer ratings and employment discrimination in restaurants

Businesses that rely on diner feedback to make personnel decisions need to ensure those reviews are not tainted by prejudice, says labor and employment litigator Kyle Winnick. 

By Kyle Winnick • July 31, 2019

Taco Bell Spain debuts vegan meat substitute

The chain has opted for a more robust vegetarian menu in the U.S. as the list of QSRs going plant-based grows.

By Lauren Manning • July 31, 2019