Technology: Page 2
-
Courtesy of Chipotle
These 4 restaurant companies totaled $50B in 2023 digital sales
Yum, Restaurant Brands International, Wendy’s and Chipotle continue to invest in consumer-facing features including app enhancements, loyalty offerings and kiosks to grow their digital mixes.
By Julie Littman • March 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen’s robot kitchens yield 10% higher tickets in test
The salad chain plans to add its Infinite Kitchen to seven new builds and three to four retrofit units in 2024, after two pilot stores yielded improvements in throughput and labor turnover.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 1, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
TrendlineBack-of-house Technology
From voice AI at the drive-thru to robot-powered makelines, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Permission granted by Berry Global
Wendy’s backtracks on dynamic pricing
The company said Tuesday that it would not charge higher prices during peak hours. This statement follows widespread consumer backlash on social media in response to mention of a dynamic pricing test in its Q4 earnings call.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 28, 2024 -
Retrieved from Chipotle on October 03, 2023
Chipotle doubles tech venture fund spending to $100M
The chain’s second round of $50 million for its Cultivate Next fund comes less than two years after the project was announced, and as Chipotle tests equipment developed by partner companies.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 28, 2024 -
Courtesy of Dutch Bros
Dutch Bros begins testing mobile orders
The coffee brand is studying the operational changes needed to support a widespread deployment of digital ordering tech.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 26, 2024 -
Los Angeles County sues Grubhub over ‘bait and switch’ fees
The county calls for an injunction against alleged deceptive business practices and for Grubhub to pay fines for possible violations of California’s unfair competition and false advertising laws.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 23, 2024 -
Permission granted by Toast
Toast to cut 550 employees
The company’s CEO acknowledged during an earnings call that “we grew our team too quickly in some areas,” while reporting a presence in 106,000 locations as of the end of 2023.
By Lynne Marek • Feb. 16, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Burger King, Popeyes lean into kiosks, remodels to spur speedy service
Parent company Restaurant Brands International is focusing on improving speed and convenience as drivers of customer satisfaction.
By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 15, 2024 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks, Bank of America tie up loyalty programs
Eligible Bank of America card holders can link their Starbucks rewards account to earn 2% cashback on qualifying purchases and one star for every $2 spent at the coffee chain.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 15, 2024 -
Courtesy of Wendy's
Wendy’s to spend $55M on breakfast ads
The burger chain hopes the marketing push will boost North American sales in the daypart to $6,000 a week per restaurant.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 15, 2024 -
Permission granted by Inspire Brands
Inspire Brands buys delivery tech firm Vromo
The parent company of Dunkin’ and Buffalo Wild Wings bought the firm for an undisclosed sum, marking its first deal since its $11.3 billion Dunkin’ buy.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 13, 2024 -
Courtesy of Grubhub
My Place Hotels of America taps Grubhub for food delivery
The hotel franchisor aims to enhance the guest experience through the partnership, as hotel dining becomes increasingly digital.
By Jenna Walters • Feb. 12, 2024 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
4 ways Yum accelerated tech deployment in 2023
From kiosks to automation, the company debuted proprietary systems across thousands of locations to improve operations and grow sales.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 8, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
McDonald’s sets sights on $45B in loyalty sales
A larger loyalty member pool will provide more customer data for the fast-food chain to improve personalization.
By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 7, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
McDonald’s invests aggressively in technology
The fast food giant’s three-pronged plan aims to digitally transform customer experience, franchise operations and core systems, President and CEO Chris Kempczinski said Monday.
By Matt Ashare • Feb. 6, 2024 -
Courtesy of Starship
Starship Technologies raises $90M, reaches $230M in total funding
The autonomous delivery bot company will use the additional funding to expand operations, enter new markets and develop its AI technology.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 6, 2024 -
Courtesy of KFC
KFC US launches points-based digital rewards program
Members earn 10 points for every eligible dollar spent online. Points are redeemable for free food in KFC’s Secret Recipe Vault, which rotates rewards.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 6, 2024 -
Permission granted by Ascent Hospitality Management
Ascent Hospitality bolsters C-suite with CTO, Perkins president hires
Toni Ronayne will lead Perkins after serving as managing director, Canada at Little Caesars, while Steven Roach becomes chief technology officer after working at Focus Brands.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 5, 2024 -
Permission granted by Yelp
Yelp enhances user experience with AI-driven features
Large language models will create business summaries for restaurant, food and nightlife businesses based on content from reviews.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 30, 2024 -
Courtesy of Jersey Mike's
Jersey Mike’s to use SoundHound’s phone AI in at least 50 restaurants
The AI tech now answers “100% of calls” at participating stores and recognizes natural language, meaning diners can order a #55 or “Big Kahuna” and the system understands these terms describe the same sub.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 25, 2024 -
Permission granted by Puttshack
How Puttshack and Pinstripes sustain AUVs over $8M
At the ICR Conference in Orlando, Florida, company executives discussed how post-pandemic consumer trends are driving traffic in the eatertainment space.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 22, 2024 -
Permission granted by Weigel's
4 tech upgrades that can drive foodservice sales
AI-powered ordering, back-office training programs and more can help improve operations and boost revenue for c-stores’ growing meals businesses.
By Amanda Baltazar • Jan. 17, 2024 -
Permission granted by Taco Bell Corp.
Taco Bell stages Las Vegas fan experience ahead of Super Bowl LVIII
A gathering in the style of tech conferences will preview new products and partnerships coming in 2024, all against a big game backdrop.
By Peter Adams • Jan. 12, 2024 -
Retrieved from Taco Bell Corp. on August 25, 2022
Yum names Pizza Hut exec as chief digital and technology officer
Joe Park, who directed the rollout of Pizza Hut’s managerial tool HutBot and early deployments of Dragontail AI, assumes his role on March 1.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 11, 2024 -
Retrieved from Maizano on November 27, 2023
Deep Dive7 restaurant industry trends to watch in 2024
Development costs will remain high and service fees could frustrate diners, but personalized offers and labor-saving tech may give brands an edge.
By Emma Liem Beckett , Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Julie Littman • Jan. 10, 2024
Previous
