Operations
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Courtesy of Jollibee
Jollibee courts Gen Z with new premium drinks
The Signature Sips menu offers 16-ounce quenchers, freezes and iced tea starting at $3.99.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 6, 2024 -
Courtesy of Church's Chicken
Why Church’s launched a loyalty program for its value-seeking customers
Church’s Texas Chicken is one of a growing number of companies that have launched or revamped loyalty programs with a focus on driving more value for members.
By Michael Brady • Dec. 6, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
TrendlineBack-of-house Technology
From voice AI at the drive-thru to robot-powered makelines, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Tornado98 via Getty Images
Torchy’s Tacos deploys phone AI ordering
The chain is using SoundHound’s tool, which can handle customized orders and answer questions about the menu, at all of its 130 locations.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 5, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Chipotle raises menu prices by 2%
This is the chain’s first nationwide price increase since 2023 and will help offset low single-digit food cost inflation.
By Julie Littman • Updated Dec. 5, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
10 of the restaurant industry’s most impactful bankruptcies of 2024
While dozens of brands and operators filed for bankruptcy this year, a sample of major filings show a range of problems from rising labor costs to low traffic.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 5, 2024 -
Courtesy of Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut tests new US store design
The Yum Brands chain hopes self-service kiosks and other new features will drive more transactions and in-store traffic.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 4, 2024 -
Permission granted by Keke's Breakfast Cafe/Photo by Seth Parker with Parker Studios
Keke’s Breakfast Cafe on path to reach 200 locations
Two years after Denny’s acquired the breakfast chain, it has signed commitments for over 140 units and is in the early stages of remodeling more than 50 locations.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 4, 2024 -
Permission granted by Applegreen
Applegreen to open larger travel centers in the US as part of $1B investment
The Dublin-based company plans to also expand its foodservice and EV charging infrastructure across the U.S., Ireland and the U.K.
By Brett Dworski • Dec. 3, 2024 -
Courtesy of Portillo's
Portillo’s names Jack in the Box exec as COO
Tony Darden joins Portillo’s as the chain focuses on improving operations and building restaurants with high AUVs.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 3, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Red Lobster adds happy hour as turnaround continues
The seafood chain is looking to reverse its sales troubles of recent years, and discounts on drinks and apps could help it draw consumers.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Tim Boyle via Getty Images
Back to Basics: How to find the right site for a new store
Each type of real estate comes with new opportunities and potential pitfalls. Picking the right site requires a deep analysis of the location, its area and the challenges that come with it, experts say.
By Danielle McLean • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Brett Dworski/Restaurant Dive, data courtesy of Brett Dworski
Couche-Tard has a new opponent in sight: QSRs
The retailer is banking on its new value meals to boost same-store merchandise revenue, which has dropped the past four quarters.
By Brett Dworski • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Jack in the Box eliminates COO position
Tony Darden will leave his position as SVP and COO and Ryan Ostrom, current EVP and chief marketing and digital officer, will assume responsibility for Jack in the Box’s operations.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 27, 2024 -
ozgurcankaya via Getty Images
Over a third of consumers plan to order takeout, delivery for Thanksgiving
Of the consumers planning to order out, a majority said it was easier and a third said it’s cheaper or equal to the cost of buying groceries and cooking, according to Popmenu.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 26, 2024 -
Permission granted by Chipotle
‘Not just the beef’: How Chipotle’s supply chain helped bring back smoked brisket
The return of the popular menu item required what CEO Scott Boatwright called “a huge cross-muscle effort.”
By Philip Neuffer • Nov. 26, 2024 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks scheduling tools crippled by Blue Yonder outage
A ransomware attack against the software vendor has pushed the coffee chain to temporarily rely on manual scheduling to ensure workers are paid for hours.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 26, 2024 -
Permission granted by Cava
The restaurant industry’s Q3 winners and losers
2024 has hammered many chains with closures, declining sales and problems of brand perception. But some, like Cava and Chili’s, have managed to rise above the fray.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 26, 2024 -
lechatnoir via Getty Images
Are customers tipping more? Here’s what the data says.
While customers feel more pressure to tip across industries, they still tip a relatively stable 18% at restaurants.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 25, 2024 -
Courtesy of Union of Southern Service Workers
Waffle House claims NLRB process is unconstitutional
The casual chain has faced union organizing activity for over a year, and now wants the court to weaken the agency tasked with regulating labor law.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 22, 2024 -
Permission granted by McDonald's
McDonald’s to launch value platform in January
The platform will include the $5 Meal Deal, exclusive in-app offers, local food and drink deals and Buy One, Add One for $1.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 22, 2024 -
Permission granted by Maggiano's
Maggiano’s is just getting started with menu updates, remodels
In his first months as the chain’s VP of innovation and growth, Anthony Amoroso helped create new menu items like Rigatoni al la Vodka and updated the Caesar salad, both of which are already driving sales.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Permission granted by Perkins
Perkins signs 10-unit agreement for fast casual concept
In its largest deal since the concept was introduced in September, Griddle & Go will open in New Jersey in October 2025.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle reaches 1K Chipotlane milestone
The fast casual chain is also on track to open a record number of restaurants this year in the range of 285 to 315 units.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 20, 2024 -
Courtesy of Peet's Coffee
Deep DiveHow do coffee chains design, market and analyze their seasonal LTOs?
While flexibility is important, many brands plan coffee LTOs more than a year in advance, meaning next year’s holiday drinks are already in the works at places like Peet’s and Dutch Bros.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 19, 2024 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
McDonald’s invests $100M to help franchisees recover from E. coli outbreak
About $35 million will go toward marketing programs that will help drive traffic and rebuild consumer trust.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 18, 2024
