5 steps to plan for a better off-premise future for your restaurant

Create the best off-premise dining experience with high-performance takeout and delivery fries.

March 8, 2021

Panda Express opens first ghost kitchen in San Francisco

The delivery-only location is Panda's initial step in offering faster dining solutions for off-premise guests, with plans to test more concepts this year. 

By Julie Littman • March 5, 2021

Applebee's launches ghost kitchen pilot in 3 cities

The ghost kitchens cropping up in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Miami are expected to help online delivery demand where the casual chain doesn't have a strong presence. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 4, 2021

Domino's, Papa John's sales soar on pandemic delivery demand, but complications loom

Both chains reported double-digit same-store sales growth last year, but delivery aggregators' growing market share could complicate strategies when pizza sales return to normal levels.

By Julie Littman • March 4, 2021

Postmates' robotics division splits off, becomes Serve Robotics

Serve Robotics closed its first funding round and will continue to develop and operate autonomous delivery robots in urban markets as it pursues new partnerships. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 3, 2021

CFO of still-unprofitable DoorDash shares growth plans, investments

The takeout and delivery app with a 48% market monopoly is investing in food preparation robots, its subscription program and partnerships with commercial retailers, Prabir Adarkar said, after its first earnings report as a public company.

By Jane Thier • March 2, 2021

Packaging manufacturers compete for raw materials as takeout shakes up foodservice

There has been "an increased use of tamper-evident and tamper-resistant packaging, designed to protect food and beverage when it’s on the go," said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute.

By Jen A. Miller • Feb. 26, 2021

As restaurants recover, their success formula will change

Off-premise innovations like ghost kitchens will characterize the industry going forward, a Duff & Phelps analysis says.

By Robert Freedman • Feb. 24, 2021

Cracker Barrel to test virtual chicken and biscuits brand as off-premise grows 78%

The company has been operating its ghost kitchen facility in Indianapolis since the fall and plans to launch the concept from the location this week. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 24, 2021

White Castle ghost kitchen to stay closed until late spring

The fast food chain originally planned to resume its operations in Orlando, Florida, for online pickup orders on Thursday, but now says its current location is too small to sustain demand.

By Julie Littman • Updated Feb. 26, 2021

Dramatic layoffs 'kindest' approach to pandemic, Lazy Dog CFO says

Innovations like a retro-styled TV dinner helped boost kitchen productivity and gave employees more hours, Robert Linder said.

By Robert Freedman • Feb. 22, 2021

Bloomin’ Brands takes virtual brand Tender Shack national

Carrabba's and Outback Steakhouse restaurants will primarily host the chicken-focused concept, which is available across 725 locations.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 19, 2021

Wingstop surpasses $1B in digital sales in 2020

Delivery is a key driver to the company's growth in online transactions, making up 25% of total sales after its first year as a new channel for the QSR.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 18, 2021

Applebee's launches Cheetos-inspired virtual wings brand

Cosmic Wings is available on Uber Eats and is distinct from Neighborhood Wings by Applebee's, the virtual concept the chain tested last year.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 18, 2021

DoorDash offers restaurants discounted COVID-19 tests

More than 1,000 COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits will be available for restaurant partners with three locations or fewer to purchase online. Each kit contains 25 tests and costs $100.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 10, 2021

Nathan's Famous opens 100th ghost kitchen

The hot dog chain has agreements to launch another 45 locations for its namesake restaurant and its Wings of New York virtual brand in the next few months.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 8, 2021

Pizza Hut's momentum continues in Q4 with 8% same-store sales growth

The Yum Brands chain reported an 8% increase in same-store sales for Q4, buoyed in part by 18% same-store sales growth for off-premise.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 5, 2021

Uber Eats earmarks $20M in expansion of independent restaurant support

Uber's Eat Local commits $4.5 million for microgrants to support restaurant partners, as well as waives and reduces certain fees through June 30.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 4, 2021

Uber buys alcohol delivery platform Drizly for $1.1B

Drizly, which is available in more than 1,400 cities, will eventually be integrated with the Uber Eats app while also maintaining the separate Drizly app.

By Christopher Doering , Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 2, 2021

McDonald's plans to open nearly 500 restaurants in US and IOM segments in 2021

The chain called new restaurant development an "important driver of our growth" during its recent Q4 earnings call. McDonald's will also spend $500 million to modernize 1,200 existing locations. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 1, 2021

Brinker integrates with Google for pickup of It's Just Wings

Patrons can now search for the virtual brand using Google Search and Google Maps, place their orders, pay and pick up at Chili's restaurants.

By Alicia Kelso , Julie Littman • Updated March 24, 2021

Wow Bao to reach 1K locations through its host kitchen program

The fast casual brand, which currently has 150 locations, is using this initiative to expand into new markets while also providing outside restaurant partners additional revenue.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 26, 2021

Uber lays off 15% of Postmates' employees

Uber has let go of about 185 Postmates staff, with CEO Bastian Lehmann and most of the delivery aggregator's executive team expected to leave the company, The New York Times reports. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 25, 2021

DoorDash rides with Daveed Diggs, 'Sesame Street' for first Super Bowl ad

A reimagination of the "People in Your Neighborhood" song from the children's show highlights all the things that people can order via the app.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 25, 2021

IHOP adds burritos and bowls to meet off-premise demand

The causal chain's off-premise comp sales increased 154% during Q3, and the new more portable items are meant to be ideal for takeout and delivery. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 20, 2021