Technology

Ghost kitchens could be a $1T global market by 2030, says Euromonitor

Restaurant closures, in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, could accelerate the growth of this market, Euromonitor's Michael Schaefer said in webinar.

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 10, 2020

Taco Bell to launch new loyalty program 5 years after first iteration

The promotion of Taco Bell Rewards, which rolls out later this month, crashed the company's site and app on Tuesday. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 01, 2020

Google partners with AI-powered answering service to enhance Business Messages

The partnership with Numa lets restaurants and other businesses to receive calls or texts through Google Maps and Google Search.  

By Lauren Stine • June 26, 2020

Square partners with Postmates to offer on-demand delivery capabilities

Square's partner merchants will be able to provide delivery directly on their websites and dispatch couriers to fulfill the orders. 

By Julie Littman • June 25, 2020

Uber Eats users can now use a map to view restaurants offering pickup

In addition to the enhanced feature, the company also extended its 0% marketplace fee for businesses offering pickup. 

By Julie Littman • June 24, 2020

Chipotle adds group ordering, Facebook Messenger bot to digital assets

The features build on the chain's $1 billion online ordering platform, which includes second make lines, Chipotlanes and a rewards program. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 18, 2020

Uber Eats adds restaurant loyalty program, priority delivery option

Restaurants can now provide their own rewards through Uber's app and build direct relationships with its consumers. 

By Julie Littman • June 16, 2020

Pizza ordering platform Slice lands $43M in funding

The company, which provides online ordering tech and marketing solutions for independent pizzerias, will use the cash infusion to enhance and scale its offerings. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 13, 2020

Deep Dive

Third-party vs. direct delivery: Debate reaches boiling point amid coronavirus

There's no restaurant roadmap to survive dining room closures. But one thing is certain: pick the wrong off-premise game plan when the stakes are this high, and it could gut your bottom line.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 07, 2020

Sonic Drive-In spurs 5x more app downloads with RCS pilot

The fast-food chain saw a customer registration rate that was three times higher for recipients using rich messaging than for more standard MMS.

By Robert Williams • April 27, 2020

Chipotle grows digital sales 81% in Q1 despite coronavirus

The fast casual chain's online sales reached its highest quarterly level at $372 million in Q1, representing over 26% of overall sales.

By Julie Littman • April 22, 2020

Nathan's Famous upgrades tech, adds geotargeting and digital ordering

In a one-month pilot, the chain saw increased engagement at a lower cost-per-click since adding AI-enabled ad formats to its marketing mix.

By Dianna Christie • April 13, 2020

Tripadvisor adds delivery/takeout, gift card information to restaurant listings

The platform has launched a new feature that allows diners and travelers to buy gift cards to their favorite restaurants directly from its website. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 08, 2020

Toast lays off half its staff due to coronavirus impact

Despite previous projected growth prior to the pandemic, the POS and technology provider cut about 1,300 employees this week.

By Julie Littman • April 08, 2020

Google Maps adds delivery, takeout filters to boost restaurant traffic

The feature directs users to a restaurant's website to help cut down on commission fees from third-party delivery partners.

By Lauren Stine • April 07, 2020

Restaurants, grocery stores can list shopping times on OpenTable

The new tool promises to help retailers manage crowds without requiring customers to wait in line outside stores.

By Krishna Thakker • March 31, 2020

Yelp pauses automatic rollout of GoFundMe pages amid restaurant backlash

Restaurant owners took to Twitter to voice their frustration with the practice, which they claim is invasive and could undermine independent fundraising efforts. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 30, 2020

Chipotle tackles social distancing with virtual hangouts on Zoom

As the novel coronavirus keeps people apart, the burrito chain is hosting online events to bring them together, with guests like Colton Underwood from "The Bachelor."

By Robert Williams • March 17, 2020

McDonald's suspends dine-in operations at corporate stores

The fast food chain is encouraging franchisees to do the same and shift to drive-thru, takeout and delivery as COVID-19 continues to spread. 

By Julie Littman • March 17, 2020

Wendy's is 1st brand to take over GasBuddy app for breakfast launch

For its push into the early daypart, the branded takeover captures 100% of the app's pre-drive audience as they plan daily errands.

By Robert Williams • March 12, 2020

Philz Coffee adds mobile-order-only location

The San Francisco-based coffee chain opened the 1,000-square-foot pilot location in the bustling Salesforce Transit Center, which gives it access to a flow of 45 million travelers each year.  

By Alicia Kelso • March 12, 2020

Mobile pickup is 2.4 times faster than other channels

But 33% of diners believe drive-thru is fastest during peak times and nearly half of diners surveyed in a Rakuten Ready study said drive-thru is their preferred ordering method.  

By Lauren Stine • March 11, 2020

CISOs who leave after 2 years may not finish what they start

"Unless you sit in a role for an extended period of time, you don't know that the next transition is coming," said Dave Estlick, CISO of Chipotle.

By Samantha Ann Schwartz • March 02, 2020

Shake Shack takes on procure-to-pay, supplier management in tech upgrade

A digital transformation and new enterprise resource planning systems gives Shake Shack a more granular picture of its procurement operations and frees up in-restaurant teams from administrative tasks.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 28, 2020

Noodles & Company's digital sales grew 46% last year

The company aims to eventually bring guests from third-party delivery partners to direct delivery, CEO Dave Boennighausen said on its Q4 earnings call. 

By Lauren Stine , Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 27, 2020