Technology
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Courtesy of Toast Inc.
Toast buys back-office tech provider
The acquisition will allow the POS company to offer insights into profitability by menu item, as well as automation and intelligence tools to streamline tasks like managing inventory and tracking margins.
By Julie Littman • June 11, 2021 -
Permission granted by Presto
Presto rolls out product suite aimed at improving restaurant labor
The technology company's Staff Multiplier offers various tools, including handheld devices and tablets, that could help understaffed operators contend with strong diner demand.
By Julie Littman • June 03, 2021 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Brinker International
TrendlineVirtual 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 -
McDonald's pilots automated drive-thru ordering in Chicago
The 10 restaurants testing the tech report roughly 85% order accuracy and only around 20% of orders at these locations need to be recorded by an employee, CEO Chris Kempczinski said at Bernstein's Strategic Decisions Conference.
By Emma Liem Beckett • June 03, 2021 -
Retrieved from YouTube/UrVenue on June 02, 2021
OpenTable teams with UrVenue to offer integrated resort booking
This partnership will make it easier for resort guests to make restaurant reservations alongside clubs, pools and other recreational experiences, while deepening OpenTable's connection to the hotel industry.
By Julie Littman • June 03, 2021 -
Courtesy of Pizza Hut
Yum to acquire AI-based company Dragontail Systems for $72.3M
Yum plans to scale the tech globally. Nearly 1,500 Pizza Hut locations across 10 countries already use the technology, which automates operations from the kitchen flow through the delivery process.
By Julie Littman • May 27, 2021 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Danny Meyer's equity group invests $21.5M in 7shifts' labor technology
7shifts will use the funding to scale its team and expand its product offerings, including scheduling and employee communication platforms.
By Alicia Kelso • May 26, 2021 -
Chris Hondros via Getty Images
Ghost kitchen provider JustKitchen to raise $20M as it plots US expansion
The company will enter Seattle and several California cities as part of its international growth plan, and will use the funds to develop software and build more spoke kitchens.
By Julie Littman • UPDATED: June 9, 2021 at 10:54 a.m. -
dapiki moto. (2020). "New Normal" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Unsplash.
OpinionHow a more financially stable workforce can fuel restaurant industry recovery
Forty-eight percent of restaurant workers said they'd be willing to leave their job for one that gives them their tips immediately at the end of their shift, writes Andrew Garner of Netspend.
By Andrew Garner • May 21, 2021 -
Retrieved from Panera on May 20, 2021
Panera unveils double drive-thru store design
Going forward, all Panera builds and remodels will feature this design, and most locations will be in suburban markets to accommodate the drive-thrus.
By Emma Liem Beckett • May 20, 2021 -
Retrieved from Taco Bell on August 20, 2020
Deep DiveYum ramps up transformation with new tech deals. How will they impact marketing?
Broader trends in the QSR category and changing media consumption habits could herald a bigger focus on performance marketing, experts suggest.
By Peter Adams • May 17, 2021 -
Anchiy via Getty Images
Sponsored by WazeRoad trip! How restaurants can reach visitors and locals on the move
As people begin to plan their summer vacations, here are three insights restaurants can use to get in front of tourists and locals alike.
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Permission granted by Grubhub
Grubhub launches commission-free platform for independent restaurants
Grubhub Direct allows independent operators to create customizable ordering websites, manage customer relationships and access diner data including names, emails and order history.
By Julie Littman • May 12, 2021 -
Opinion
Why restaurants need to be digital now
To thrive in an increasingly online marketplace, restaurants need to invest in technologies that help manage the customer relationship and manage delivery automation, says Hypertrack founder and CEO Kashyap Deorah.
By Kashyap Deorah • May 07, 2021 -
Study: 92% of diners plan to maintain digital ordering habits post-vaccine
PYMTNTS/Paytronix research also found that 57% of vaccinated diners use loyalty programs compared to 42% of unvaccinated diners, which could be because immunized diners spend more on food orders, per the report.
By Alicia Kelso • May 07, 2021 -
Victor J. Blue via Getty Images
Square adds to-go alcohol delivery feature
The commission-free, on-demand delivery option lets restaurants and bars offer customers the option to buy alcohol from their website and have it delivered through DoorDash.
By Alicia Kelso • May 06, 2021 -
Modern Restaurant Concepts tested ghost kitchens but won't pursue them
CEO Rob McColgan said driving diner awareness in trade areas without physical locations was too challenging, but shared virtual brand Honest Pizza Co. has been successful and could be scaled across its network.
By Emma Liem Beckett • May 03, 2021 -
Retrieved from McDonald's on January 05, 2021
McDonald's Q1 bolstered by chicken sandwich, marketing investments
The chain also generated nearly $1.5 billion in digital sales for the period and has over 20 million active app users, which could boost its loyalty program once it comes out of test mode.
By Alicia Kelso • April 30, 2021 -
Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
Most of Landry's restaurants will accept bitcoin in the next 3 months
CEO Tilman Fertitta told CNBC the move to accept cryptocurrencies is "inevitable." Pizza Hut, KFC, Starbucks, Subway and Burger King all accept the payment in some global markets.
By Alicia Kelso • April 29, 2021 -
Wennington, Jay. (2014). "Gourmet meal and white wine" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Unsplash.
Opinion3 priorities for a post-pandemic restaurant industry
Restaurants should improve their energy optimization, save money by cutting down food waste and explore cost-effective service models like ghost kitchens, says Therma founder and CEO Manik Suri.
By Manik Suri • April 26, 2021 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
Study: 39% of married parents would spend more at a restaurant with a loyalty program
Married parents would also purchase more at restaurants if they could order and pay digitally, while single parents are more likely to order more through curbside pickup, research from PYMNTS and Paytronix finds.
By Alicia Kelso • April 23, 2021 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle's digital sales surpass 50% as chain doubles down on mobile pickup
Just over half of the restaurant's digital sales were from order-ahead transactions as the company continues to add Chipotlane models to its footprint.
By Alicia Kelso , Emma Liem Beckett • April 22, 2021 -
Courtesy of PR Newswire
Deliverect lands another $65M in funding, 1 year after raising $18M
The tech company will use the cash infusion to support further R&D, solidify its position in the U.S. and continue its international expansion.
By Alicia Kelso • April 21, 2021 -
Study: Over 50% of consumers planning a private event in 2021 will cater it
Seventy-two percent of consumers are planning to hold an in-person event this year, with private restaurant space the fourth-most in demand location, according to a survey by Tripleseat and SevenRooms.
By Alicia Kelso • April 20, 2021 -
Neilson Barnard via Getty Images
Squarespace files to go public through a direct listing
The website-building platform, which has over 3 million subscribers including restaurants, makes the move weeks after completing its acquisition of reservation system Tock.
By Julie Littman • April 19, 2021 -
Getty Images/ SDI Productions
Sponsored by WazeSuccessful restaurants put tech innovation on the menu
Here are four key restaurant technology trends that can save labor costs, increase sales, streamline systems, and make consumers feel safer.
