Technology

Report: 50% of operators plan to deploy automation tech in 2 to 3 years

Eighty-seven percent of restaurant owners/operators believe that technology adoption has been critical for survival throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Lightspeed's Global State of Hospitality report. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 15, 2021

NRA: Declining disposable income dampens demand for on-premise eating

Diners want to eat at restaurants and order off-premise more often than they currently do, the association's SVP Hudson Riehle shared at DoorDash's Main Street Strong Conference on Wednesday.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 14, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Virtual restaurants

The pandemic's off-premise-only environment illustrated the potential virtual restaurants, from acting as a springboard for budding chefs to become restaurateurs to allowing established chains trial new menus. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

DoorDash beefs up ad capabilities for restaurants, CPG brands

The delivery platform is working to generate additional revenue as its growth slows from the highs reached during the pandemic's peak.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 12, 2021

Wendy's to use AI, machine learning to improve customer experience

Through a partnership with Google Cloud, the fast food chain will offer diners tools like speech-to-text, Google Maps and Search.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 12, 2021

Sponsored by Workday

Workday gives Panera the right ingredients to face challenges head-on

Even now, the food industry continues to evolve. However, constant fluctuations and disruptions mean restaurants like Panera must make decisions quickly and accurately, consolidating data and insights across all of its functions.

TGI Fridays will launch 300 ghost kitchens with Reef Technology

This is Reef's first deal with a global casual chain, which comes just a few months after the firm announced major expansion plans with 800 Degrees Pizza and Wendy's. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 08, 2021

ChowNow launches Order Better Network

The commission-free, online ordering platform can now connect restaurants to more than a dozen channels for delivery and takeout orders, including Yelp, OpenTable and Snapchat. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 05, 2021

All Day Kitchens receives $65M in funding for expansion

This latest round of funding brings the total money raised by the ghost kitchen platform to $102.5 million since its founding in 2018. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 04, 2021

Kitchen United buys Zuul, entering New York City market

After announcing one of the first acquisitions in the ghost kitchen segment, the company's chief business officer said there's potential for more deals as it looks to expand geographically.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 04, 2021

Sponsored by Atmosphere.TV

How the 'chameleon effect' is limiting your business (and what to do about it)

In under a second, a single behavior can change the vibe of an entire venue. Businesses need a way to harness that tendency to positively engage guests.

Taco Bell celebrates National Taco Day with Discord, messaging push

In the U.S., the chain will leave Easter eggs on Reddit and "raid" Discord channels to give away free tacos while a global push focuses on the taco emoji.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 04, 2021

Reef Technology to open 500 ghost kitchens with 800 Degrees Pizza

The deal, which will add units in the U.S., Canada and international markets, comes less than two months after Reef partnered with Wendy's to open 700 kitchens.  

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 30, 2021

Yelp tool helps restaurants manage operations amid off-premise surge

The reservation platform's Guest Manager streamlines its front-of-house products into one suite. The company also debuted a feature that identifies virtual or delivery-only restaurants. 

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 29, 2021

Sponsored by Atmosphere.TV

What happens when businesses play the best of the internet on their TVs

Today, 72% of all U.S. adults use social media. The most commonly used social media platforms all have one thing in common: snackable videos. Here's what that means for business entertainment. 

Drive-thru speed of service slowed 26 seconds in 2021, study finds

Order accuracy also declined by 2% year-over-year at QSR chains, which SeeLevel HX attributes to continued restaurant labor woes, supply chain issues and inflation.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 24, 2021

Uber Eats adds search feature for takeout orders

Users who open the map on the Uber Eats app can search for any type of cuisine to find out what's nearby, including the exact distance from a selected location.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 23, 2021

7shifts debuts software to streamline tip pooling

The company said its tool could save hours of work per week for managers and operators, and provide more pay transparency for employees.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 23, 2021

McDonald's enhances kiosks for visually impaired

The fast food chain will add screen-reading software, tactile keypads and the ability to use headphones to place orders via audio prompts at company-owned stores by the end of the year. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 21, 2021

Del Taco rolls out Del Yeah Rewards program

The Mexican chain's four-tiered loyalty offering comes amid increased consumer participation in restaurant rewards programs and follows a taco subscription launch by rival Taco Bell. 

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 17, 2021

Dunkin's first digital-only store doesn't reduce labor

The company joins a growing contingent of QSR chains exploring digitally focused store designs with little or no diner seating, including rival Starbucks.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 15, 2021

Taco Bell tests Taco Lover's Pass

After purchasing the 30-day pass through its app, guests at select locations around Tucson, Arizona, can redeem one taco a day, a move that could help build more repeat customers. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 13, 2021

Sponsored by Atmosphere TV

How to transform your business's TV into a sales driver

Here's how digital signage can boost your marketing efforts by transforming what's playing on the TV. 

Chipotle gamifies loyalty program with extra perks

The chain's new Extras feature allows members to access additional points and receive free items faster, personalized challenges and achievement badges.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 01, 2021

Study: QSR diners prefer engaging with staff over technology

Only 18% of consumers think that deploying labor-saving technology is one of the top three things restaurants can do to improve service, Big Red Rooster research finds. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 31, 2021

Perkins debuts virtual bakery brand

Restaurants carrying the Bakery by Perkins virtual concept during its test phase experienced a bakery category sales increase of 10% to 20%.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 26, 2021