Sweetgreen's new store layout eliminates assembly line

The new store, which will open in New York City this fall, also swaps out chalkboard menus for digital displays and lets customers order from kiosks or staff with iPads.

By Lauren Manning • July 30, 2019

EEOC sues McDonald's franchisee for rejecting applicant over religious beard

The hiring manager told the applicant he would have to shave it to comply with the grooming policy and denied his request to wear a beard net.

By Lisa Burden • July 29, 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

Panera takes off into airport segment with new partnership

The fast casual chain signed a multi-year, multi-unit development agreement with operator HMSHost to expand the brand in U.S. airports and travel plazas starting in 2020. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 26, 2019

McDonald's revs up personalization rollout to 8K drive-thrus

Within two weeks, the chain expects Dynamic Yield software will be available at over half of its U.S. units and fully implemented by the end of the year. 

By Julie Littman • July 26, 2019

Q3 delivery report: Chains expand footprint with new partnerships

Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden and more have deployed different strategies to improve the overall guest experience and reach more customers.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman , Rosie Bradbury • Updated Sept. 20, 2019

Chipotle unwraps #GuacDance challenge on TikTok for Avocado Day

The guacamole-themed dance-off is its second challenge on the social app after a lid-flipping effort in May.

By Robert Williams • July 26, 2019

Tim Hortons fries up plant-based eggs for breakfast

The Canadian QSR is the first major fast food restaurant to use Just Egg and follows up on its addition of Beyond Sausage to its menu. 

By Lauren Manning • July 26, 2019

Shift Change: Dunkin' Brands hires HR exec; Quiznos parent appoints CFO

This week's Shift Change highlights new leadership at REGO Restaurant Group, Dunkin' Brands, McDonald's, Moe's Southwest Grill and more. 

By Julie Littman • July 26, 2019

Yum Brands taps new CEOs for Taco Bell, Pizza Hut

With Taco Bell CEO Mark King and Pizza Hut CEO Artie Starrs, the two QSR brands appear to be eyeing continued rapid international growth. 

By Julie Littman • July 26, 2019

Starbucks' digital strategy is working. Now it wants to dive deeper

With $6.8 billion in revenue during the last quarter and its stock price at an all-time high, the coffee chain is already banking on its tech initiatives.

By Roberto Torres • July 26, 2019

Jollibee pays $350M for Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Jollibee is a step closer to reaching its goal of becoming one of the five largest restaurant brands in the world, but not all of its investors are happy about the acquisition.

By Alicia Kelso • July 25, 2019

Dunkin' will roll out Beyond Meat breakfast sandwich nationwide

The chain will offer the plant-based product across U.S. stores beginning Nov. 8, and diners can sample the menu item for free for a limited time. 

By Lauren Manning • Updated Oct. 21, 2019

Popeyes plants its flag in KFC territory: China

Popeyes signed an agreement to develop over 1,500 units in China during the next 10 years, which could start chipping away at KFC's longtime dominance in the region. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 24, 2019

DoorDash delivery workers to soon receive entirety of customer tips

Under the company's new model, couriers will earn tips independent of base or bonus pay, CEO Tony Xu announced yesterday. 

By Julie Littman , Rosie Bradbury • Updated Aug. 23, 2019

Pizza Hut pilots self-service pickup cubbies

The pizza segment's tech capabilities escalate as Pizza Hut streamlines operations with a feature that syncs with its app, website and phone orders.

By Lauren Manning • July 24, 2019

OpenTable moves into delivery with new app feature

The reservation platform partnered with Uber Eats, Caviar and Grubhub to offer the service to over 8,000 restaurants in 90 metro areas in the U.S. 

By Julie Littman • July 24, 2019

Cracker Barrel buys $140M stake in Punch Bowl Social

In a move that lets it better diversify, the casual dining chain has taken a non-controlling position in the eatertainment brand, which grew 34% last year. 

By Julie Littman • July 23, 2019

Starbucks to license exclusive technology with new partnership

Brightloom, formerly eatsa, will create an all-in-one platform, which will include the coffee giant's mobile and loyalty technology, that will be available to the wider industry.

By Julie Littman • July 23, 2019

Red Robin's investor fight symptom of a changing Wall Street

The casual dining company is just one of many under the microscope of shareholders lately, and more will likely be next.

By Julie Littman • July 22, 2019

Uber Eats launches restaurant accelerator to cover "selection gaps"

The company's three-week program in London will sponsor five to seven concepts that can help increase food offerings in areas where options are scant.

By Lauren Manning • July 22, 2019

Private equity firm triples investment with Jack's Family Restaurants sale

Onex Group is in the process of selling the casual dining chain, reportedly receiving $835 million in proceeds from the transaction compared to its original investment of $234 million.

By Alicia Kelso • July 22, 2019

Shift Change: Luby's, Checker's & Rally's boost IT teams

This week's Shift Change highlights new executives at Rave Restaurant Group, Freshii, QDOBA, Checker's & Rally's and Luby's. 

By Julie Littman • July 19, 2019

Impossible Foods shortage ends — for now

Even though the plant-based meat manufacturer has stepped up operations on multiple fronts, another shortage could occur if demand were to spike.

By Lauren Manning • July 19, 2019

Deliveroo will now buy and deliver ingredients to restaurants

The U.K.-based company claims its program, where it procures food supplies on behalf of multiple eateries, can save small operators up to 40%.  

By Julie Littman • July 19, 2019

69% of restaurants use multiple technologies, but many want all-in-one system

Despite reporting having numerous vendors for tasks like POS and labor, many expressed the need to consolidate for efficiency in a recent Toast survey.

By Alicia Kelso • July 18, 2019