Starbucks says it will help distribution partners struggling with labor shortages

Delayed or disrupted fulfillment from distribution centers to stores are possible if Starbucks delivery partners can't find the labor they need to move goods.

By A.B. Brown • May 3, 2021

Modern Restaurant Concepts tested ghost kitchens but won't pursue them

CEO Rob McColgan said driving diner awareness in trade areas without physical locations was too challenging, but shared virtual brand Honest Pizza Co. has been successful and could be scaled across its network.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 3, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Menu development

Restaurants big and small are experimenting with their menus to align with the preferences of on-the-go diners and mitigate the impact of rising food costs, supply chain disruption and shrinking consumer discretionary funds. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

McDonald's Q1 bolstered by chicken sandwich, marketing investments

The chain also generated nearly $1.5 billion in digital sales for the period and has over 20 million active app users, which could boost its loyalty program once it comes out of test mode.

By Alicia Kelso • April 30, 2021

7-Eleven makes an aggressive play for the QSR space

While announcing its latest Evolution Store, which will house two eateries, COO Chris Tanco said the convenience store chain wants to open nearly 150 restaurants this year.

By Alicia Kelso • April 30, 2021

Cava will use $190M funding to continue investing in AI-driven personalization, CEO says

The chain also recently began testing near-field communication technology so diners can "pay in store and apply loyalty with one action," Brett Schulman wrote in an email.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 30, 2021

Shake Shack aims for gender parity, 50% POC restaurant leadership by 2025

The QSR is also striving for 30% of corporate leadership roles to be made up of people of color and has launched a training program to provide shift managers with skills to advance.

By Alicia Kelso • April 29, 2021

Most of Landry's restaurants will accept bitcoin in the next 3 months

CEO Tilman Fertitta told CNBC the move to accept cryptocurrencies is "inevitable." Pizza Hut, KFC, Starbucks, Subway and Burger King all accept the payment in some global markets.

By Alicia Kelso • April 29, 2021

New Uber feature allows users to pick up restaurant orders during their ride

The company also announced other updates, including the ability for a customer to make multiple orders at one time and pre-ordering when an establishment is closed.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 29, 2021

Starbucks' digital success partially driven by AI engine, CEO Kevin Johnson says

Deep Brew personalizes diner offers to secure loyalty and drive more frequent engagement. Though transactions were down 10% for Q2, ticket prices rose 22%.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 28, 2021

Yum Brands commits to 46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030

The restaurant company, which operates over 50,000 units worldwide, also pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 27, 2021

DoorDash launches 3-tiered commission fee structure

The 15%, 25% and 30% commission plans come amid operator complaints of high third-party fees during the pandemic and as markets consider making temporary delivery caps permanent. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 27, 2021

After bombshell quarter, Chipotle's CFO focuses on sustainability

Amid discussions of carbon neutrality, a $15 federal minimum wage and a quickly evolving fast casual landscape, Jack Hartung says the chain remains committed to its employees and agricultural partners.

By Jane Thier • April 26, 2021

Chipotle CFO: $15 minimum wage would be 'very manageable' with menu price hikes

A 10% increase to the burrito chain's pay would hike menu prices 2% to 3%, CFO Jack Hartung said on an investor call Wednesday.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 22, 2021

Chipotle's digital sales surpass 50% as chain doubles down on mobile pickup

Just over half of the restaurant's digital sales were from order-ahead transactions as the company continues to add Chipotlane models to its footprint.

By Alicia Kelso , Emma Liem Beckett • April 22, 2021

Teamsters funds sue McDonald's board over handling of Easterbrook exit

The suit accuses leadership of choosing to pay former CEO Steve Easterbrook after his sexual misconduct to resolve the conflict quickly rather than "face the consequences for the leniency they long exhibited."

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 22, 2021

New Blaze Pizza CFO: 'We all have to assume the world will get back to normal'

Brad Reynolds left the ghost kitchen industry for the fast casual segment, and believes Blaze will emerge from COVID-19 bigger than ever.

By Jane Thier • April 20, 2021

Squarespace files to go public through a direct listing

The website-building platform, which has over 3 million subscribers including restaurants, makes the move weeks after completing its acquisition of reservation system Tock. 

By Julie Littman • April 19, 2021

WOWorks teams with Combo Kitchen to grow via ghost restaurants

The partnership aims to grow Saladworks and Frutta Bowls at a rate of five to seven locations monthly through 2021.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 19, 2021

Walmart expands grocerants with la Madeleine, Nathan's Famous

The retailer's tie-up with the hot dog chain is a part of its ghost kitchen trials, and it has partnered with the French bakery and cafe chain on a fast-casual format for 10 Dallas-Fort Worth area stores.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • April 19, 2021

Starbucks to open innovation lab on Arizona State University's campus

During its first year in operation, the center plans to build out and open source the coffee chain's "Greener Store" program and explore alternative menu items.

By Alicia Kelso • April 16, 2021

KFC's US marketing chief, who helped modernize brand with off-the-wall creative, departs

The news marks the second CMO exit from a Yum Brands chain after George Felix left Pizza Hut for Tinder earlier this month.

By Peter Adams • April 16, 2021

Jack in the Box CIO to depart in May

The fast food chain will be "separating" from SVP and CIO Andrew Martin on May 7, according to an SEC filing. 

By Katie Malone • April 15, 2021

McDonald's will require anti-harassment training at all restaurants in 2022

The training will impact 2 million employees at the chain's 39,000 restaurants worldwide regardless of whether they work at corporate-owned or franchisee-operated locations, CEO Chris Kempczinski announced Wednesday.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 14, 2021

Taco Bell's newest Cantina rolls out with kiosk-only ordering

The Times Square location, which opens Wednesday, also offers 15 order-ahead mobile pickup cubbies, which could be particularly effective for stores without space for drive-thrus.

By Julie Littman • April 13, 2021

WOWorks pursues acquisitions, ghost kitchens to drive growth

Kelly Roddy, the holding company's CEO, says it plans to buy two to three more brands by the end of the year, as well as increase units via delivery-only locations and franchising.

By Julie Littman • April 12, 2021