Take-out app Ritual to triple restaurant partnerships in 2019

By the end of the year, the app — which helps local businesses ramp up their digital offerings — will be available in 50 cities globally and will partner with 15,000 restaurants. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 31, 2019

Robot delivery market to triple by 2024

Demand will continue to drive the expansion of this emerging tech, which is expected to hit $34 million in five years and to make small orders more viable for restaurants and third-party logistics providers.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 30, 2019

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

Why restaurants should switch to EMV chip card tech

Businesses that still rely on magnetic stripe payment systems are at risk of fraud and increased chargeback payments, according to Tidal Commerce CEO Drew Sementa. 

By Drew Sementa • Jan. 29, 2019

Why 'ghost' restaurants are changing the delivery game

Delivery-only concepts are using data to fill gaps in the market and experiment with their menus faster than traditional formats can. But without a storefront, can they make meaningful connections with their customers?

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 24, 2019

Food delivery robots, pizza ATM feed college students' demand for convenience

Starship Technologies has launched a fleet of 25 robots on wheels at George Mason University, while Ohio State University's pizza vending machine sold 400 hot pies in its first week. 

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 23, 2019

Report: Loyalty rewards, coupons bring QSR customers back

But as fast food competition intensifies, chains should also leverage their mobile apps to capture repeat diners and boost profits.   

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 22, 2019

Will dine for travel: OpenTable lets loyalty members redeem points at Kayak

With Kayak's CEO at the helm of both brands, the combination lets customers decide whether to save on certain restaurant meals or their hotel stays.

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 18, 2019

McDonald's Israel adopts sensor-powered tech to assist blind customers

RightHear technology helps blind customers navigate the restaurant through voice instructions announced through their phone.

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 17, 2019

AmEx acquires Japanese restaurant reservation startup

The purchase of Pocket Concierge is the latest example of a credit card company leveraging diner preferences toward personalized experiences. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 16, 2019

Subway expands mobile marketing abroad after 10X ROI in US test

The sandwich chain is extending its personalized marketing efforts to Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom to boost loyalty.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 15, 2019

Putting pizza delivery apps to the test

Restaurant Dive reviewed ordering technology from Domino's, Pizza Hut and Papa John's to see if they are worth the investment or just a marketing gimmick.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • Jan. 14, 2019

From wearables to AI: How a startup looks to change the restaurant industry

Presto, which provides tabletop tablets to Applebee's and Red Lobster, developed smartwatch-like devices for serving staff and an artificial intelligence platform to improve operations. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 14, 2019

Eatsa launches smart pickup shelves

The chain's digital pickup system, which links order management platforms to automated "spots" displaying customer names, is designed to reduce third-party delivery and to-go order errors.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 14, 2019

BJ's Restaurants tests order-ahead, dine-in service

The company's partnership with Allset enables consumers to make reservations, order meals and pay the bill before arriving at the restaurant. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 13, 2019

6 restaurant trends that could turn tables in 2019

A volatile labor market, growing consumer demand for delivery and a surge in casual dining occasions are among the movements to watch this year, according to industry analysts.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 7, 2019

DoorDash hits the road with autonomous vehicle delivery

The company partnered with GM's Cruise Automation to test self-driving vehicles for grocery and restaurant delivery in San Francisco.

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 4, 2019

New app rates restaurant cleanliness

HDScores offers a subscription-based platform with health ratings for over 1 million businesses, including restaurants, coffee shops and drive-thrus.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 4, 2019

Carl's Jr. gives plant-based Beyond Burger the star treatment

The chain is now selling the meat-free Beyond Famous Star burger for $6.29 at over 1,000 locations, following White Castle's Impossible slider expansion.

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 3, 2019

Make using mobile location data your New Year's marketing resolution

Understanding customer behavior and where they go before and after a visit can better improve a restaurant's marketing, Cuebiq's Brad Piggott says. 

By Brad Piggott • Jan. 2, 2019

Coca-Cola leads $10M funding round in POS platform Omnivore

The soda giant's funding of the system, which enables POS platforms to integrate with third-party technologies, reflects growing demand for frictionless digital experiences. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 21, 2018

Our 7 best stories of 2018

As we begin the new year, Restaurant Dive is taking a look back at our top stories since our launch on Oct. 1.

By Restaurant Dive staff • Dec. 21, 2018

Faster, better, smarter: Why restaurants need AI now

Absolutdata co-founder and CEO Anil Kaul discusses why now is the best time to integrate machine learning into restaurant operations and how it will benefit profit margins. 

By Anil Kaul • Dec. 19, 2018

A restaurant's next big financial risk isn't bad reviews — it's data breaches

As hackers find new ways to gather coveted personal information, restaurants are quickly becoming a target for the internet underworld.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 18, 2018

Buffalo Wild Wings' redesign delivers high-end sports bar experience

Inspire Brands takes the chain back to its roots with a stadium sports watching experience, an open-air bar and year-round patio, plus lounge areas replete with gaming systems.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 18, 2018

Wendy's shares a syrupy holiday tale on Twitter

Illustrated "Twas the Night Before Maple Syrup Day" tweets encourage fans to sample the chain's new Maple Bacon Chicken Sandwich.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 17, 2018