McDonald's extends renovations deadline to 2022

As tensions with franchisees rise, the chain will let operators delay remodeling — which includes self-order kiosks and extra drive-thru lanes — but at a cost.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 29, 2018

Costa Coffee travel mug doubles as contactless payment method

Reusable "Clever Cups" include a chip by Barclaycard that customers can tap to make in-store payments.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 29, 2018

Restaurant deals app aims to fill empty seats at the last minute

Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White is one of the backers of Eat Club, a startup that is expanding throughout Australia with plans to debut in New York in 2019.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 20, 2018

What risks restaurants should consider before deploying AI, robotics and automation

Establishments need to balance the benefits of new technologies with the legal challenges and resistance from both the public and staff, write Matt Scherer, Jennifer Robinson and Daniella Adler of Littler Mendelson.  

By Matt Scherer, Jennifer Robinson and Daniella Adler • Nov. 16, 2018

Brazil's leading delivery app iFood snags $500M

Processing nearly 400,000 orders per day, the app and its parent company Movile try to differentiate themselves from competitors by offering analytics, an online marketplace and financial services products.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 15, 2018

Checkmate's delivery-POS integration software scores $3M in funding

The innovator's technology funnels orders from third-party delivery platforms directly to restaurant ordering systems, eliminating the need for multiple tablets to stay on top of digital orders.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 13, 2018

PourMyBeer teams with Untappd as PYOB competition grows

The self-serve beer platform's integration with the social drinking app will give patrons access to information about each beer's ABV, taste and more on the system's digital signage.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 8, 2018

Will Slice's deal with TripAdvisor even the playing field for independent pizzerias?

Customers can now order from the nearly 11,000 regional pizza shops in the online ordering app's network directly from TripAdvisor’s website.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 8, 2018

Google, Harvard use AI to pinpoint foodborne illness sources in real time

The two teamed up with health departments in Chicago and Las Vegas to cull search data for hints of potential food safety breaches, which could alter inspector visits.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 7, 2018

Could Resy's acquisition of Reserve threaten OpenTable's reign?

The deal brings Resy's footprint to about 4,000 restaurants in the U.S., including outside of its core markets.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 6, 2018

What's the secret sauce behind Mariano's store experience?

The Chicagoland chain, along with Eataly, Lowe's Foods and China's Hema market, offered tips on how to turn locations into destinations.

By Jeff Wells • Nov. 6, 2018

SoftBank bets big on Zume's 'baking on the way' technology

The robotic pizza preparation startup has secured $375 million in funding from the bank, which is expected to bring its valuation to about $2.25 billion. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 5, 2018

Upstart SeatNinja raises capital to compete with fellow disruptors

The company, which counts Buffalo Wild Wings and Outback Steakhouse as clients, hopes $600,000 will help it take a slice of the growing reservation marketplace.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 5, 2018

Yelp launches Nowait kiosks to trim restaurant wait times

The kiosks allow diners to add themselves to a restaurant’s queue on arrival and receive status updates through their phones. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 2, 2018

Uber Eats' new platform frees work lunches from expense reports

With Eats for Business, employees can pay for delivery on company credit cards and employers can control when and where workers can order food.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 2, 2018

Panera to reach $2B in digital sales by end of year

In 2012, Panera founder and then-CEO Ron Shaich hatched a plan to transform his humble sandwich chain for the future, and it's paying off two years ahead of schedule. 

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 1, 2018

Pizza Hut unveils robotic delivery truck that bakes pizzas en route

The chain partnered with Toyota to create the PIE Pro prototype, which cooks pies in seven minutes and could help trim delivery times and broaden its footprint in the competitive space.  

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 31, 2018

Sweetgreen raises $200M, joins the unicorn club

Fidelity Investments led the funding round in the Los Angeles-based salad concept, which is now valued at $1 billion and plans to use the cash to improve its delivery and supply chain.

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Nov. 13, 2018

Shake Shack pilots online ordering at 10 locations

While chains like Wendy's and McDonald's unveil third-party delivery partnerships, the burger joint seems to be staking its digital sales goals on perfecting the system before expanding.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 30, 2018

More than 80% of diners choose restaurants that respond to online reviews

Three out of four consumers believe those responses should be personalized, pressuring businesses to hone their brand voice and be vigilant about managing internet reputations.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 29, 2018

McDonald's mobile app download rate doubled in Q3

The chain's app has been downloaded 60 million times while Burger King's recently launched app saw 2 million in its first few weeks.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 25, 2018

How Chick-fil-A is perfecting its recipe for service and support

Technology is as crucial as those two pickles on every chicken sandwich. 

By Samantha Schwartz • Oct. 23, 2018

Amazon teams with SevenRooms to build restaurant-specific Alexa skills

The seating and guest management upstart hopes to use the voice-powered technology to streamline operations and gather diner data to help personalize experiences. 

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 22, 2018

Is Uber planning drone delivery by 2021?

The tech startup aims to deliver food by drone sooner than many stakeholders expect will be possible. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 22, 2018

Wegmans tests a prepared foods ordering app

The grocer’s Pittsford, New York, flagship store is offering pizza, subs, sushi and more for pickup or delivery through its new 2GO service.

By Jeff Wells • Oct. 22, 2018