McDonald's creates new tech executive role, digital engagement team

Lucy Brady, current SVP of corporate strategy and business development, will lead the team as chief digital engagement officer and oversee digital ordering, personalization, payments, loyalty and delivery. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 8, 2020

Zume shutters Zume Pizza, will lay off 53% of employees

The startup will continue to operate its Zume Forward Mobile and Zume R&D divisions, and has opened 100 new positions at Zume Packaging.

By Julie Littman • Updated Jan. 9, 2020

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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

48% of restaurants struggling with rising labor costs, study finds

Restaurants are increasingly turning to technology to alleviate labor woes, but adoption remains low, research from Zenput and Technomic shows.

By Lauren Manning • Jan. 7, 2020

How QSRs are leading the way on personalized, omnichannel experiences

Lessons learned by McDonald's, Starbucks and others could help marketers across the industry in 2020 and beyond.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 2, 2020

McDonald's to roll out mobile app payment technology starting in UK

The chain's partnership with Dutch tech company Adyen NV to process mobile app payments furthers the company's focus on technology worldwide. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 18, 2019

Caribou Coffee boosts ROI with revamped loyalty program

The coffee chain's redemptions improved 215% after switching to a points-based program during a summer promotion.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 12, 2019

Wendy's outsourcing IT, expects up to $15M restructuring costs

The chain expects severance and related employee costs to be between $8 million and $9 million. 

By Samantha Schwartz • Dec. 11, 2019

Third-party sales will make up 70% of delivery orders in 2022

Off-premise demand is transforming restaurant real estate to include more ghost kitchens, new interior formats and drive-thru pickup lanes, according to a CBRE report.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 9, 2019

Domino's GPS tracker will help improve delivery times nationwide

The technology will provide delivery couriers with navigational tools that could help improve speed, which has been an increased focus for the pizza chain. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 9, 2019

Deal of the Year: McDonald's acquires Dynamic Yield

The world's largest fast food chain's $300 million purchase of an artificial intelligence company signaled the start of a technology-first age for restaurants.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 9, 2019

Dave & Buster's cashes in on contactless commerce app

The restaurant chain's app uses NFC technology to let customers play games with a phone tap and manage rewards points.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 5, 2019

Kroger launches ghost kitchen to deliver meals on demand

Restaurants will have more competition in delivery with the first major grocer partnering with ClusterTruck to serve fresh-made meals to customers in four cities during a 12-week pilot.

By Jessica Dumont • Dec. 3, 2019

Restaurant industry will be shaped by AI, autonomous vehicles in 2030

In 10 years, restaurants can expect these technologies to transform day-to-day operations, from dynamic pricing to drive-thrus, according to a National Restaurant Association report.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 3, 2019

Papa John's RCS promo for vegan pizza outdoes SMS 23%

The pizza chain used the media-rich messaging format for a World Vegan Day campaign.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 2, 2019

American Express unveils in-app restaurant booking service

The service lets Platinum Card and Centurion members make reservations at more than 10,000 eateries worldwide.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 27, 2019

Blaze Pizza uses digital, drive-thrus to slice up market competition, says CEO Mandy Shaw

The brand's new leader believes its franchise model and focus on multiple off-premise touch points threaten fast casuals and legacy pizza chains slow to engage with third-party delivery.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 25, 2019

Nekter and Portillo's test in-car ordering with BMW

Drivers can place and save favorite orders, as well as find nearby store locations through their vehicle's touchscreen dashboard.

By Lauren Manning • Nov. 25, 2019

Wingstop lets Twitch users order food while watching livestreams

Viewers interact directly with a streamer who provides menu suggestions and then can place an order for DoorDash delivery.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 22, 2019

Moe's plans to open all-digital, kiosk-only locations

The company will open these formats near the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Virginia in Q1 2020. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 21, 2019

Chipotle rolls out Alexa voice ordering

The feature is part of the chain's larger digital sales platform, which is nearing $1 billion, and will allow customers to reorder their favorite meals within seconds. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 21, 2019

KFC's CTO started as an intern. Now he leads its tech strategy

Chris Caldwell has had a front-row seat to Yum Brands' modernization, from rolling out Microsoft Exchange Servers to AI-enabled drive-thrus.  

By Samantha Schwartz • Nov. 19, 2019

Chipotle's digital business is closing in on $1B sales. Here's how it got there

The chain is eyeing artificial intelligence and new ordering techniques like text messaging as part of its growing digital strategy, which includes pickup shelves and a digital makeline.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 18, 2019

KFC pilots drive-thru-only concept in Australia

The location features five drive-thru lanes that accept orders and payments through the chain's mobile app as well as lanes to accept on-the-spot orders.

By Lauren Manning • Nov. 14, 2019

McDonald's kiosks don't accept cash, may need replacement

The new kiosks, which are part of the chain's Experience of the Future remodels, exclude 40% to 60% of the chain's diners. And if the tech is modified or replaced, the costs could fall to franchise operators.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 13, 2019

Uber Eats is building out an ad business

The company posted a job listing for an ad sales product manager and confirmed its plans to begin targeting restaurants.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 7, 2019