Technology

  • A stock image of a Pizza party
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    Maria Korneeva via Getty Images

    Pizza robot truck startup Stellar snags $16.5M from Jay-Z

    The cash infusion from the recording artist’s Marcy Venture Partners was reported by multiple outlets, and follows an earlier $9 million funding round led by other investors.

    By • Oct. 4, 2022
  • A fleet of Starship delivery robots.
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    Courtesy of Starship

    Food delivery robots to roam Chicago in pilot program

    Robot operators will partner with restaurants and grocery stores to test the app-based robot deliveries while city leaders examine device boundaries and risk. 

    By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 3, 2022
  • A worker at a restaurant with a face mask on hands over a bagged order while an offscreen person taps their credit card on a Square card reader.
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    Sponsored by Square

    Square’s Future of Restaurants report: 2022 Edition

    The Square Future of Restaurants report explores what restaurants care about today and tomorrow, along with the top strategies they’re using.

    Oct. 3, 2022
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    Courtesy of Starbucks

    Report: Starbucks’ smaller formats report higher traffic counts

    The chain’s smaller units drove 15% more visits per square foot in the past year compared to larger units, Placer.ai finds. 

    By • Sept. 30, 2022
  • An image of a drone in flight with the logo Charleys on the side
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    Permission granted by Flytrex

    Charleys Philly Steak takes off with Flytrex drone delivery

    Through this partnership, the autonomous drone delivery company can deliver food from Charleys to customers’ backyards within three minutes. 

    By • Sept. 28, 2022
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    Permission granted by Chipotle

    Chipotle tests AI kitchen system, location-based technology

    PreciTaste will help the chain develop the kitchen management program and FlyBuy, a location-based technology, will aid app functionality.

    By • Sept. 27, 2022
  • A group of people are enjoying their meal at around a table in a restaurant while one holds a smartphone to a QR tablet in the middle of the table.
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    Permission granted by Square
    Sponsored by Square

    How QR code ordering is improving guest experience and your bottom line

    Overall, restaurants have seen overwhelmingly positive results by providing more ordering channels like QR codes, and their customers are happy with the technology, too.  

    Sept. 26, 2022
  • A worker at a restaurant with a face mask on hands over a bagged order while an offscreen person taps their credit card on a Square card reader.
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    Permission granted by Square
    Sponsored by Square

    Square’s Future of Restaurants report: 2022 Edition

    The Square Future of Restaurants report explores what restaurants care about today and tomorrow, along with the top strategies they’re using.

    Sept. 19, 2022
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    Courtesy of Starbucks

    The 4 biggest takeaways from Starbucks’ Investor Day

    The coffee chain laid out plans to target loyalty growth, labor efficiency and international openings, with a goal of reaching 45,000 stores by 2025.

    By • Sept. 14, 2022
  • A McDonald's store is shown in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images

    McDonald’s strikes 15-year solar energy deal

    The partnership with EDF Renewables is expected to meet the electricity consumption of over 1,200 McDonald’s restaurants. 

    By • Sept. 14, 2022
  • A promotional image for Starbucks NFT marketplace, Starbucks Odyssey.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks

    Starbucks is launching an NFT marketplace

    Starbucks Odyssey will let users buy tokens and accrue loyalty rewards to unlock access to real-life and digital events, like virtual cocktail classes.

    By • Sept. 12, 2022
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    Shutterstock / Miljan Zivkovic

    Sponsored by Mood Media

    Alleviate the chaos of the kitchen with digital signage

    Discover how back-of-house digital signage keeps your staff informed effectively, quickly and consistently. 

    Sept. 12, 2022
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    andresr via Getty Images
    Sponsored by Workday

    Setting the table for the restaurant of the future

    What will the future of the restaurant industry look like over the coming year?

    Sept. 12, 2022
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    Permission granted by Uber Technologies

    Uber, Nuro strike 10-year deal for robot food delivery

    Uber Eats will use Nuro’s autonomous delivery bots to deliver orders in Mountain View, California, and Houston.

    By • Sept. 8, 2022
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    Courtesy of Starbucks

    What Starbucks’ bet on NFTs says about the future of loyalty

    The chain's renowned rewards program adds a buzzy new value-grab, potentially laying a course for other marketers to follow.

    By Aaron Baar • Sept. 6, 2022
  • An image of a building with "Rubio's Coastal Grill" on the outside.
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    Permission granted by Rubio's Coastal Grill

    Rubio’s Coastal Grill introduces a new rewards program

    Rubio’s Rewards allows customers to cash in points in exchange for free menu items, with diners earning 10 points for every dollar spent. 

    By • Aug. 31, 2022
  • Panera new store design
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    Courtesy of Panera

    Panera tests drive-thru AI

    The chain is working with OpenCity to deploy AI technology to two cafes in upstate New York with the goal of 5% to 10% faster service times.

    By • Aug. 29, 2022
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    Permission granted by DoorDash
    Sponsored by DoorDash

    How restaurants can tap digital solutions to unlock new potentials for growth

    Technology companies are doubling down on their commitment to helping small and medium sized restaurants with their products and innovations.

    Aug. 29, 2022
  • Chili's expanded its partnership with Bear Robotics into 51 states in 2022.
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    Permission granted by Chili's

    Brinker pauses robotics server test

    The company is pivoting from the pilot, which involves Bear Robotics’ robot server, to focus on tech it says can better improve speed of service. 

    By • Updated Aug. 26, 2022
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    FG Trade via Getty Images

    Danny Meyer’s investment arm injects $10M into voice AI tech firm

    ConverseNow, which partners with 1,200 restaurants across 40 states, plans to use this cash better meet demand.

    By • Aug. 24, 2022
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    Courtesy of Gopuff

    Gopuff taps Panera exec as new CFO

    Ted Stedem's addition to the ultrafast delivery company's C-suite comes a few months after it named a Pizza Hut alum to lead its Kitchen division. 

    By Brett Dworski • Aug. 15, 2022
  • A bank of windows below a red sign that says "Chipotle." A man stands in the background inside the restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

    Why Chipotle accelerated its software development cadence

    One philosophy is central to Chipotle's technology organization, CTO Curt Garner said: “We need to get 10% better every year.”

    By Roberto Torres • Aug. 12, 2022
  • Square POS
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    Courtesy of CashApp - Square

    Square integrates with digital signage provider Raydiant

    The deal includes Raydiant’s self-service kiosks, digital menus and back-of-house tech, and is designed to boost engagement and simplify operations.

    By • Aug. 11, 2022
  • Picnic Works, Speedy Eats partnership automation technology
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    Courtesy of Picnic Works

    Picnic Works, Speedy Eats to deploy 5K automated drive-thrus

    The companies expect to roll out the automated stations, worth an estimated $800 million, in the U.S. throughout the next five years.

    By • Aug. 8, 2022
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
    Sponsored by Vericast

    How restaurants can use direct mail to boost visits

    Rising costs may make you think to limit your marketing spend. Instead, seize the chance to drive response with guests.

    Aug. 8, 2022