Technology

  • 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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    3 Big Numbers: How McDonald’s is investing in its Next playbook

    The Golden Arches is targeting 250 basis points in restaurant-level efficiency gains, backed by major investments in equipment and processes. 

    By • Sept. 28, 2026
  • Camera on a tripod stands in a stone-arched corridor, aimed at a bright stained-glass window; plaques line the walls in a quiet setting.
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    Permission granted by Sevan Mulit-Site Solutions
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    Sponsored by Sevan Multi-Site Solutions

    The hidden liability of an outdated building: Why restaurants and retailers are digitizing their real estate portfolios

    Outdated building records are costing retailers millions. Reality capture ends the guesswork.

    By Nick Peters, SVP Operations, Sevan Multi-Site Solutions • Sept. 28, 2026
  • Front-of-end restaurant staff uses SevenRooms' customer relationship management software. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Courtesy of SevenRooms
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    Trendline

    How AI is shaping the restaurant industry

    Automated technology can transform restaurant systems and relieve pressure from rising operating costs, opening up new opportunities for chains looking to sharpen their value proposition. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • A dawn image of a McDonald's drive-thru. At the foreground is an exit sign and there is a car in the background waiting in line.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    How McDonald’s plans to reactivate 150M infrequent loyalty guests

    The Golden Arches will add rewards tiers, tie-ups with other major brands and increased personalization to its loyalty system.

    By • Sept. 25, 2026
  • 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 turns to AI for drive-thru, inventory management, order accuracy

    McDonald’s will roll out ArchIQ, an artificial intelligence platform to power restaurant operations, as part of its Next strategy.

    By • Sept. 25, 2026
  • An image of the exterior of KFC's experimental Open House unit
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC tests breakfast and table service at new restaurant

    The chain wants to offer fast casual service for QSR prices at an experimental unit designed for maximum sales volume, rather than for efficiency.

    By • Sept. 24, 2026
  • An image of a speaker box on a blue background. The words "Toast" and "Presto" hover over the box.
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    Permission granted by Presto Phoenix
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    Presto integrates with Toast to scale drive-thru voice AI

    The AI company is joining the POS firm’s partner ecosystem, making it easier for many restaurants to deploy the voice tool.

    By • Sept. 21, 2026
  • A photograph of a selection of food items, including pepperoni pizza, chicken wings and burgers next to a green checkered back with wording that says Wonder The Cravings Expert.
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    Courtesy of Wonder
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    Wonder lays off 533 as part of production consolidation

    The food hall company is closing two New Jersey facilities and moving to a high-capacity location that will better support long-term growth.

    By • Sept. 17, 2026
  • A photograph of a makeline with various cabinets and ingredients ready to deploy into bowls.
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    Permission granted by Wonder
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    Wonder deploys first automated makeline

    The food hall company will use the tech it acquired from Sweetgreen for $186 million to offer lower prices, extended hours and expand into new markets.

    By • Sept. 15, 2026
  • An image of two pan pizzas in front of a green background. On the right is a green pizza box.
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    Permission granted by Papa Johns
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    How technology is powering Papa Johns’ turnaround

    A new POS system, AI forecasting and greater customer segmentation could help the pizza chain improve its operations and drive sales.

    By • Sept. 15, 2026
  • A zoomed in image of a smartphone with a on orange app square that says "Grubhub" in white.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    DoorDash buys Grubhub campus unit for $300M

    DoorDash will continue to expand Grubhub’s former campus dining operations, and Wonder will use money from the deal and an investment to sustain growth.

    By • Sept. 15, 2026
  • A photograph of a dining table with two blue Walmart bags next to a pile of Papa Johns pizza boxes. A mother and child are on the right taking soup cans out of one of the blue bags.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns to offer delivery from Walmart

    Using Walmart Express Delivery, customers can order fresh pizza on its own or as part of their grocery haul this fall.

    By • Sept. 11, 2026
  • An image of the Domino's mobile app with with details of its $5 coupon campaign.
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    Courtesy of Domino's Pizza
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    How Domino’s app redesign went wrong and what CX leaders can learn

    Full-scale redesigns are increasingly out of step with how leading brands manage digital experiences, experts say.

    By Michael Brady • Sept. 9, 2026
  • A group of friends eating pizza
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    Permission granted by Rokt
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    Sponsored by Rokt

    Loyalty programs alone will not solve QSRs’ frequency problem

    QSRs can drive repeat visits by making every loyalty interaction more relevant.

    By Kyle Cowser • Sept. 8, 2026
  • The back of a bike courier with an Uber Eats bag.
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    Sean Gallup/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Uber, Wonder issue layoffs

    Uber cut 10% of its workforce, or over 3,000 employees, while Wonder reduced its employee roster by 150 this week, as each delivery-focused platform plans for its next phase of growth.

    By • Sept. 3, 2026
  • Murphy USA
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    Brett Dworski/Restaurant Dive
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    Murphy USA to trial automated White Castle kiosks

    A partnership with Automated Retail Technologies will bring fresh items from the burger QSR’s menu to select large-format stores.

    By Jessica Loder • Aug. 27, 2026
  • 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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    Opinion

    Restaurants can’t automate hospitality

    As the world embraces AI solutions to optimize business, operators need to remember that many diners prioritize authentic, tangible experiences over digitally-powered efficiency, writes Tab Commerce’s James Tice.

    By James Tice • Aug. 21, 2026
  • A pizza kiosk in a retail setting.
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    Courtesy of CPK
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    California Pizza Kitchen to deploy 1K automated kiosks by 2029

    A partnership with retail tech company T-ROC Global could help CPK reverse the steady erosion of its storebase by bringing the brand to more consumers.

    By • Aug. 21, 2026
  • The exterior of a Panera Bread restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
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    Panera overhauls rewards program

    The shift to points-based loyalty with premium tiers offers consumers more consistent value and greater control of redemption.

    By • Aug. 19, 2026
  • A screenshot of a virtual event with one person in the center and two people in boxes on the side.
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive/Restaurant Dive
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    Why restaurant loyalty programs need to go beyond the points-based game

    Guests don’t just want freebies, they want recognition, personalization and an overall great experience as part of their rewards membership.

    By • Aug. 19, 2026
  • Cava event
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Q&A

    How Cava outperforms in fast casual despite frugal marketing budget

    The chain is in the process of bringing on a new CMO. Previous marketing exec Andrew Rebhun joined Panera as CMO last week.

    By Chris Kelly • Aug. 12, 2026
  • A view of a Wendy's restaurant on May 12, 2021 in Pinole, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s new CEO pushes for experience consistency as part of turnaround

    The company hasn’t “consistently delivered the experience customers expect from Wendy's,” CEO Bob Wright said. To fix that problem, he is looking at operations.

    By Bryan Wassel • Aug. 12, 2026
  • Toast restaurants point of sale AI software
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    Getty Images
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    Toast aims to drive AI into dining

    Most restaurants don’t have time to leverage AI tools, Toast executives say, anticipating profit from helping operators reap efficiencies.

    By Justin Bachman • Aug. 10, 2026
  • A man and woman discussing wearing aprons in a restaurant
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    Cameron Prins via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Craftable

    Can your tech tell you this? Game-changing ways restaurant operators are using AI

    Stop digging through reports. Let AI surface the insights that drive profits.

    Aug. 10, 2026
  • Black-and-white photo of a smiling woman with a ponytail leaning over a chef's table
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    Permission granted by Yelp
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    Sponsored by Yelp for Restaurants

    How a Nashville bakery-restaurant captured 7,500 missed calls and unlocked a new revenue stream

    A Nashville restaurant saved 80 hours/week and never missed another call with Yelp Host.

    By Jenn Barber • Aug. 10, 2026
  • a drive-thru coffee shop with 7 Brew branding at dusk.
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    Courtesy of 7 Brew
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    7 Brew debuts app, overhauls loyalty system

    The new app could aid the coffee brand’s growth by driving sales and raising the quality and volume of consumer data it collects.

    By • Aug. 6, 2026