Technology

  • A building with white and brown siding with two black cars at a drive-thru. Signage says Bojangles
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    Opinion

    Two lanes for AI-powered order taking in drive-thrus: Humanization vs. transparency

    While mimicking a human voice can lead to more emotionally engaging guest interactions, the stakes are higher for brands, with robotic-sounding voices offering greater transparency, says Hi Auto’s Eyal Shapira.

    By Eyal Shapira • July 8, 2025
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    Olo sells itself for $2B

    The tech firm, which went public in 2021, will now become a private company following this transaction.

    By • July 3, 2025
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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
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    Love’s deploys ordering kiosks at 112 Arby’s restaurants

    This continues the retailer’s ongoing investment into remodeling and updating its stores to have a more modern look and feel.

    By Brett Dworski • July 1, 2025
  • A Serve Robotics Robot in front of Atlanta's skyline.
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    Courtesy of Serve Robotics
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    Uber Eats, Serve Robotics roll into Atlanta

    The robotics firm will offer delivery to about 50,000 Atlanta residents as it continues expanding its partnership with Uber Eats.

    By • June 26, 2025
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    Permission granted by Flytrex/DoorDash
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    DoorDash drone delivery takes off in Texas

    Flytrex will provide the service within the Dallas-Fort Worth area from dozens of restaurants, including Papa Johns.

    By • June 26, 2025
  • A smiling server takes an order from a couple seated at a restaurant table.
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    Smallhands Creative

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    Sponsored by Toast

    Rewriting the playbook: How a new generation of restaurateurs is beating rising costs

    With costs soaring, the old strategies have hit a wall. Hear from restaurateurs rewriting the rules.

    June 23, 2025
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    Sponsored by Square

    How Chip City baked its way to million dollar investments and 45 locations

    It started with a love of cookies. A focus on customers and the right tools led to business success.

    June 23, 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 appoints US CIO

    Valerie Ashbaugh is set to switch positions with long-time tech chief Whitney McGinnis, who will now be senior vice president, commercial products and platforms.

    By • June 18, 2025
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    Sponsored by Stable Kernel

    The hidden costs of ‘set and forget’ tech, and how modern architectures save you millions

    Discover how data integration, AI and microservices unlock cost savings and infinite scale versus legacy monoliths.

    By Jay Gyuricza, VP of Customer Experience & Business Development, Stable Kernel • June 16, 2025
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    How Roaming Goat uses Square Handheld to expand its footprint

    Here’s how Jacob Paronyan leveraged Square tech to manage and expand his restaurant, Roaming Goat.

    June 16, 2025
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    Permission granted by Ascent Hospitality Management
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    Ascent Hospitality appoints technology chief

    Brian Wallunas has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and technology. He has overseen digital transformations at brands such as Domino’s and Arby’s.

    By • June 12, 2025
  • An Outback Steakhouse restaurant on a cold day.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Restaurants develop a taste for AI as economic outlook sours

    BJ’s Restaurants, Cracker Barrel and Bloomin’ Brands pursue efficiency and productivity gains with AI initiatives.

    By Lindsey Wilkinson • June 12, 2025
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    Courtesy of Coco Robotics
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    Coco Robotics raises $80M in funding to fuel expansion

    The delivery bot firm will use the funding to enter into additional partnerships, grow its fleet and advance its AI system.

    By • June 11, 2025
  • Patrons at a Chicago Starbucks after the coffee chain on Feb. 25, 2025.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Starbucks deploys virtual assistant to improve workflows

    Green Dot Assist will help staff look up various ingredients for drinks, troubleshoot equipment and help managers staff last-minute callouts.

    By • June 11, 2025
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    Why Bluestone Lane switched to Square to run its 65 locations

    Bluestone Lane improved efficiency and customer service by using Square tech across its locations.

    June 9, 2025
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    Grubhub launches multi-store ordering

    The feature, which coincides with further expansion into alcohol delivery, allows customers to order from two eligible merchants in a single order.

    By • June 5, 2025
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    The many faces of automation at the NRA Show

    This year artificial intelligence appeared in forms ranging from a cat-eared delivery robot to a generated analytics dashboard.

    By • June 5, 2025
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    3 ways to grow your restaurant in 2025

    From adding income streams to adjusting menus, restaurants are finding new strategies to expand.

    June 2, 2025
  • Adam, a robot made by Richtech Robotics, makes an espresso drink at the National Restaurant Association Show in May 2025.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Reporter’s notebook: 3 unanswered questions from the NRA Show

    Can a robot really replace a worker? Will tariffs trigger a recession? Can you charge $14 for a mocktail?

    By • May 28, 2025
  • Robot arms make a pizza.
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    Courtesy of Donatos Pizza
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    Donatos Pizza to open automated restaurant in airport

    The pizza chain, which has worked toward operating robotic pizzerias since 2023, said an airport environment is ideal for the concept.

    By • May 28, 2025
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    FG Trade via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Bottle Rocket

    How restaurants can serve up personalized experiences through technology

    The ability to speak directly to consumers elevates successful restaurants and brands.

    May 27, 2025
  • A photo of a parking lot with a number of EV chargers set up alongside the parking spaces.
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    Courtesy of BP Pulse
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    BP Pulse is bringing EV chargers to Waffle House

    Chosen sites in the Southeast and the Sunbelt will get six electric vehicle charging bays, with the first locations coming online next year.

    By Jessica Loder • May 22, 2025
  • A Jack in the Box sign looms ominously from behind a hedge.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box deploys kiosks at 1,500 restaurants

    The chain, which posted negative same-store sales for the quarter, boasted a 18% digital sales mix, just shy of its 20% goal.

    By • May 16, 2025
  • A Wing drone used by DoorDash delivers a Wendy's package.
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    Courtesy of DoorDash
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    DoorDash, Wing bring drone delivery to Charlotte

    Panera is among a handful of restaurants now offering drone delivery from a shopping center in the North Carolina city.

    By • May 15, 2025
  • Three images of a smart phone showing ways to reserve through the application.
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    Permission granted by Uber Eats
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    Uber Eats, OpenTable reservation integration will launch this fall

    Users will be able to book a reservation from the Uber Eats app through a “Dine Out” tab, which will feature various local dine-in restaurants.

    By • May 15, 2025