Operations

  • An image of a white coffee cup on a table. The coffee cup hasa green logo for Starbucks.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    4 takeaways from Starbucks’ customer experience plans

    The company is laying the foundations to make Starbucks “once again the gold standard in customer service” and is planning to revamp its loyalty program next year, CEO Brian Niccol said.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 31, 2025
  • An image of a beige storefront with an orange logo that says "Hubspoke Kitchen"
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    Permission granted by Wayback Franchising
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    Why Wayback Burgers’ parent is moving into multi-brand franchising

    Jake’s Franchising renamed itself Wayback Franchising and launched Hubspoke Brands to offer franchisees more concepts and growth opportunities.

    By • July 31, 2025
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
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    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
  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop’s smart kitchen system cuts ticket time nearly in half

    The fast casual chain’s digital kitchen display system, now deployed in at least 1,000 restaurants, is increasing comparable sales and improving accuracy.

    By • July 31, 2025
  • Coffee drips into a white ceramic mug emblazoned with the Starbucks logo
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks teases protein drinks, new food

    After simplifying its menu, the coffee giant will focus on experiential beverages, artisanal foods and non-coffee drinks.

    By • July 30, 2025
  • A photograph of a burger, drink and fries from Fatburger.
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    DOJ drops charges against Fat Brands, Andy Wiederhorn

    The original indictment alleged misconduct over a loan scheme involving $47 million transferred from Fat and Fog Cutter Capital to Wiederhorn.

    By • July 30, 2025
  • An image of several specialty drinks from Taco Bell's Live Mas Cafe lined up on a white counter top.
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell/Diversified Restaurant Group
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    How Yum Brands predicts the ‘it’ beverage of the future

    The company is turning to data science and prediction markets as consumer demand for beverages creates opportunities for new dayparts and concepts.

    By • July 30, 2025
  • The Starbucks company logo on a glass door.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Starbucks pledges $500M in additional labor as sales slide continues

    The coffee chain’s same-store sales dropped for the sixth consecutive quarter, but CEO Brian Niccol said the brand is seeing positive indicators in its operational metrics.

    By • July 30, 2025
  • White Castle
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    Courtesy of White Castle
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    White Castle offers robot delivery in Chicago with Uber Eats, Coco

    The slider chain said delivery robots may help it reduce parking lot congestion and speed up service.

    By • July 29, 2025
  • An image of a glass storefront with a sign that says "PopUp Bagels
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    Courtesy of PopUp Bagels
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    PopUp Bagels bakes up 300-unit franchise pipeline

    The company, which has only a handful of stores, plans to hit 100 units by the end of 2027.

    By • July 29, 2025
  • An image of three burgers on a white place in front of a basket of curly fries and a glass of brown soda.
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    Courtesy of Wahlburgers
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    Wahlburgers expands into Detroit airport

    Airports are becoming a key growth channel for the burger chain, which also has locations in casinos, naval bases, ballparks and racecourses.

    By • July 28, 2025
  • An image of a brown building with BJ's logo.
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    Permission granted by BJ's Restaurant
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    Why BJ’s CEO is betting on menu innovation to revive the brand

    Starting with its pizza, the chain is updating ingredients and flavors to boost guest satisfaction, which has waned in recent years.

    By • July 28, 2025
  • A man in a Chipotle uniform removes processed avocado from tray.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle to boost catering with high-efficiency equipment rollout

    The chain will test a new catering system in 60 restaurants and expects the channel, which only makes up about 1% to 2% of orders, to be a significant growth opportunity.

    By • July 25, 2025
  • Five fancy drinks at McDonald's against a dark blue background.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s to test premium drinks in 500 stores

    After winding down CosMc’s, McDonald’s will start testing drinks inspired by the spinoff in 500 stores across Wisconsin and Colorado in September.

    By • July 24, 2025
  • A close up image of a round red sign that says "Chipotle Mexican Grill."
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    Courtesy of Chipotle/Photograph by Media Wisdom Photography Ltd
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    Chipotle’s negative same-store sales streak continues

    Despite a 4% decline in comparable sales during the quarter, management is optimistic that enhanced marketing efforts and menu innovation will help drive traffic and boost sales.

    By • July 24, 2025
  • The exterior of a Del Taco with several empty parking lots out front
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    Permission granted by Del Taco
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    Del Taco reopens Colorado stores in phases

    Months after an operator closed all of its locations in the state, the chain is in the process of opening 17 with new kiosks and refreshed in-store experiences.

    By • July 23, 2025
  • A person uses a smart phone to pay at a kiosk inside a restaurant.
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    simon2579 via Getty Images
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    Want a great quick-service restaurant experience? Keep it fast and efficient

    Customers are happier with human-led ordering at the counter or the drive-thru than they are with using kiosks, according to a Qualtrics Instant Insights survey.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 23, 2025
  • A Domino's Pizza in Eugene Or.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s carryout business reaches new heights

    Comparable sales for the chain’s takeout channel rose 5.8% in Q2, boosted by its rewards program, and are expected to remain positive throughout 2025.

    By • July 22, 2025
  • Three fast food beverages stand in line.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    How diversifying drinks can create new restaurant dayparts

    Consumer interest in value, healthier options and novelty is driving demand for higher margin beverages and new occasions.

    By • July 21, 2025
  • A hand lifts a slice of stuffed crust pizza topped with pepperoni and peppers. The slice trails strings of melted mozzarella.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s regains US sales momentum in Q2

    The chain’s Parmesan Stuffed Crust pizza, along with strong carryout and delivery sales, helped ease the impact of a 0.5% dip in Q1 same-store sales.

    By • July 21, 2025
  • A smiling person in a blue suit jacket.
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    Permission granted by Shake Shack
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    Shake Shack hires Raising Cane’s vet as chief people officer

    Jamie Griffin joins the chain as its top HR executive and will focus on areas like talent acquisition, the team member experience and leadership development.

    By • July 18, 2025
  • A photo of the exterior of a gas station and convenience store. Signs on the building say Carl's Jr. and Love's.
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    Courtesy of Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
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    Love’s brings order-ahead capabilities to Carl’s Jr. sites

    The travel center company already added the technology to its Arby’s locations, and expects Hardee’s locations to get this update next.

    By Jessica Loder • July 17, 2025
  • The exterior of a Del Taco during the evening
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    Permission granted by Del Taco
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    Southern Del Taco franchisee goes bankrupt

    Matadoor Restaurant Group, which owns 22 units in Georgia and Alabama, struggled with sales declines and rising operating costs.

    By • July 17, 2025
  • A photograph of a digital menu board at McDonald's with various meal options.
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
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    McDonald’s Snack Wrap launch leads to double-digit traffic jump

    Placer.ai data revealed a 22.3% uptick in visit rates compared to the year-to-date average on July 11, the day after the Snack Wrap’s return.

    By • July 16, 2025
  • A photo of a neon sign outside at night. The sign says 7-Eleven.
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    7-Eleven facing shrinking foot traffic

    Store visits have been declining for several quarters, but Seven & i is banking on more QSRs on-site to help turn things around.

    By Jessica Loder • July 16, 2025
  • A collage of fake instagram posts and Starbucks drinks.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks makes secret menu hacks official

    The chain will offer a rotating selection of customized beverages, including ones designed by consumers, as it looks to deepen mobile engagement. 

    By • July 15, 2025