Why integrations are the next major step in restaurant technology

The right combination of technologies can make restaurant businesses leaner, faster and more profitable. 

Feb. 14, 2022

How top multi-unit brands are growing with tech

Leading multi-unit restaurant brands are using technology to scale. Discover how a few are managing scheduling and communication.

Feb. 14, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Back-of-house Technology

From AI-enhanced POS systems and analytics to robot-powered kitchen equipment, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

7shifts raises $80M to grow workforce management tech

The company will use the latest round of funding to double the size of its team and build more products to support and expedite restaurant HR processes.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 11, 2022

Kitchen United teams with Simon Property Group to bring off-premise eating to malls

The ghost kitchen's "Grab Go Eat" concept lets diners order from mall restaurants for on-premise pickup, delivery to tables or stores and off-premise takeaway, CEO Michael Montagano said.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 3, 2022

Rise of the robots: How restaurants can automate without losing the human touch

Instead of adopting technology to replace human beings, employers should embrace digital tools that make jobs more satisfying, writes Raju Malhotra, chief product and technology officer at PAR Technology Corporation.

By Raju Malhotra • Feb. 2, 2022

Panera diners can now order at the table through mobile app

The digital dine-in feature lets diners skip lines for cashiers and kiosks and may save employees time, Chief Digital Officer George Hanson said.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 1, 2022

McDonald's enlists fashion designer for Lunar New Year celebration in metaverse

An interactive virtual space displays towering zodiac sculptures by Humberto Leon in the latest sign the chain is committed to exploring the tech frontier.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 31, 2022

On the Border to launch new loyalty app amid brand turnaround

The app, which drops on Feb. 2,  will allow diners to track loyalty points, order and complete lunch visits more quickly, CMO Edithann Ramey said.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 28, 2022

Digital-first diners are driving the rise of collaborative commerce

Collaborative commerce immerses customers in the dining experience and makes them active participants in shaping the operational experience, writes futurist Brian Solis.

By Brian Solis • Jan. 27, 2022

Deliverect secures another $150M, pushing its valuation above $1.4B

The company has accrued $240 million in total funding since its founding in 2018, and is reportedly considering an IPO. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 25, 2022

Waitr adds chief technology officer as it expands into new verticals

Timothy Newton previously worked as vice president of global technology operations at Papa John's, and appears to be Waitr's first CTO.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 19, 2022

Can restaurant marketers get digital right while facing panoply of pressures?

Amid labor, supply chain and inflationary issues, 2022 will be a year of increased pressure to deliver on fronts that span media, ordering and loyalty.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 18, 2022

The manager red book alternative that restaurants love

Running a successful restaurant operation—from 1 to 100 locations—requires rock-solid communication.

Jan. 18, 2022

Checkers & Rally's to deploy AI tech at corporate-owned drive-thrus

The chain's rollout of Presto's artificial intelligence-based voice assistant will mark one of the widest deployments of such a solution by a QSR.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 10, 2022

Kroger takes the next step in testing ghost kitchens

The Kitchen United Mix location at a Ralphs in Los Angeles offers pickup and delivery orders from 10 different restaurants.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 10, 2022

4 ways to maximize restaurant staff with limited resources

Tips and best practices for hiring new employees to cross-training and retaining valuable staff.

Jan. 10, 2022

Why convenience retailers are gearing up to win in foodservice

As vehicles go electric, stores will increasingly turn away from fuel pumps and toward innovative meals and snacks, writes retail analyst Frank Beard.

By Frank Beard • Jan. 7, 2022

7 restaurant trends that will define 2022

Restaurants will trim their menus, phase out cumbersome curbside pickup channels and invest in automation as operators balance labor pressure with off-premise demand, analysts say. 

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman , Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 4, 2022

The future of third-party fees is shifting: 3 ways restaurants can benefit now

New consumer trends are bringing the sustainability of third-party apps into focus, since many of them traditionally charge restaurants a commission of 30% or more to tap into their services–while charging diners high fees as well.

Jan. 1, 2022

McDonald's sells AI tech firm Dynamic Yield to Mastercard

Franchisees complained Dynamic Yield hadn't delivered the sales boosts they expected at the drive-thru. The deal reflects McDonald's pivot toward outsourcing its technology.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 21, 2021

Reef loses David Chang's Fuku to Kitchen United as reports of food safety issues grow

The pivot may give Fuku more quality control, as Kitchen United makes restaurants responsible for preparing their food at rented kitchens. Reef, by contrast, handles the kitchen operations for its licensed brands.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 17, 2021

Uber Eats to offer autonomous food delivery in 2022

Uber's partnership with Motional, which will launch in Santa Monica, California, could provide access to more affordable and convenient restaurant deliveries. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 16, 2021

Serve Robotics closes $13M funding round

The autonomous delivery robot company's latest investment is backed by Uber, DX Ventures and 7-Eleven's corporate venture arm 7-Ventures LLC. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 6, 2021

Shake Shack to open first drive-thru location

The fast casual chain plans to open 10 drive-thrus in 2022 as part of its shifting development strategy to expand further into suburban markets.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 1, 2021

The restaurant robotics invasion is just beginning

From frying wings to delivering food, robots are being used to shore up labor gaps in the restaurant industry. 

Nov. 30, 2021