Operations
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Sponsored by MARS Foodservices
How restaurants can thrive in the experience economy
Consumers are focusing on experiences rather than material goods, and restaurants are in the sweet spot to take advantage of this “experiential economy.”
Oct. 14, 2024 -
Sponsored by Restaurant Technologies
3 ways kitchen automation reduces costs for restaurants
Here are three ways kitchen automation can directly impact the bottom line.
Oct. 14, 2024 -
Trendline
Back-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 -
Q&A // Meet the exec
How Rusty Taco’s president is plotting sustainable growth
Daniel Smith, who joined the chain earlier this year, is restructuring corporate to assist operators, boost franchise communication and optimize its business.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 9, 2024 -
Noodles & Company brings new flavors to menu with 3 dishes
The fast casual chain’s transformation will touch two-thirds of the menu and will fill in flavor gaps with items like Chipotle Chicken Cavatappi.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 9, 2024 -
Study: Chick-fil-A leads in drive-thru satisfaction, Taco Bell in speed
Intouch Insight’s drive-thru study found across-the-board improvements in chains’ speed. The firm added Raising Cane’s to its ranking for the first time.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 7, 2024 -
Woworks opens first Barberitos redesign in Florida
Two years after Woworks bought the fast casual brand, a newly imagined storefront opened in Temple Terrace, Florida, in September.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 3, 2024 -
Panera undertakes more corporate layoffs
An unspecified number of employees have been cut from its St. Louis and Newton, Massachusetts support centers, marking its second layoff round in 11 months.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 2, 2024 -
Subway has signed commitments for 10K restaurants globally
Over the past three years, the chain signed over 20 master franchise agreements that will push the sandwich chain close to 50,000 units.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 2, 2024 -
9 restaurant industry trade shows to attend in 2025
The coming year is brimming with restaurant conferences and trade shows covering key issues for the business sector, from franchising strategy to economic forecasts.
By Restaurant Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024 -
Dickey’s to cease expanding non-barbecue brands
Virtual brands grew over the past four years, but never had the same success of Dickey’s Barbecue, said Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 1, 2024 -
The c-store value deals keep on rolling
Circle K and EG America are the latest players to launch $5 meals amid what's become a booming trend this year to compete with QSRs.
By Brett Dworski • Sept. 30, 2024 -
Sweetgreen opens first restaurant in Carolinas
The Southeast, where the chain has almost 20 stores in Georgia and Florida, has proven to be a strong market for the chain with solid sales.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 30, 2024 -
Sponsored by ReposiTrak
Q&A: Will you need to find new suppliers because of FSMA 204 food traceability?
Will you need new tomato, fresh herb, finfish, shell egg suppliers (and more) if they can't do traceability? Will labels alone work for traceability? Check out this Q&A.
By Randy Fields, ReposiTrak Chairman and CEO • Sept. 30, 2024 -
Restaurant comp sales recovering in September, report shows
The first three weeks of the month indicate a return to positive same-store sales following a 0.4% dip in August and a rough second quarter, per Black Box Intelligence.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 27, 2024 -
Q&A
Black Rock Coffee CEO: Experience is key to stand out in glut of ‘beverage places’
As more and more brands serve a wider array of coffee and caffeinated drinks, in-store service will become more important, Mark Davis said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 27, 2024 -
C-stores trail restaurants in delivery satisfaction
While many convenience retailers continue to focus on improving menus, customers want better speed, clarity and customization, according to a new report from Intouch Insight.
By Jessica Loder • Sept. 27, 2024 -
EYM Pizza to sell 127 Pizza Hut units
The operator, which declared bankruptcy in June, previously closed over a dozen locations in Indiana, which Pizza Hut said it would transfer to new owners.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 26, 2024 -
Denny’s appoints Christopher Bode as COO, president
Bode, who spent the past two years at CKE Restaurants, returns to Denny’s, where he previously served as COO for 11 years.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 23, 2024 -
Darden Restaurants turns to dining speed to improve sales
The company will boost throughput and adjust scheduling to improve in-store dining experiences as it adds more order volume from its delivery partnership with Uber.
By Bryan Wassel • Sept. 23, 2024 -
Taco John’s launches catering
The QSR’s catering channel, supported by ezCater, spans dayparts from breakfast to dessert.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 20, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Why consumers, not restaurants, are dictating value
Guests with tighter budgets are seeking out more affordable options, and restaurants — desperate for their dollars — are responding with a battle for the best value offer.
By Julie Littman • Updated Sept. 23, 2024 -
BurgerFi declares bankruptcy
The company has struggled with same-store sales declines and net losses for several quarters, mirroring the problems of recent Chapter 11 filings for Red Lobster and Buca di Beppo.
By Julie Littman , Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Sept. 11, 2024 -
Court approves Red Lobster’s restructuring, buyout plan
The seafood chain will emerge from bankruptcy with P.F. Chang’s former CEO at the helm and $60 million in new funding.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 6, 2024 -
Topgolf will be spun off by its parent company
Management pursued a full strategic review of Topgolf following disappointing same-venue sales, and determined separate companies would enhance strategic focus.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 5, 2024 -
Chick-fil-A plots major expansion in Michigan
The fast food giant expects to open 25 to 30 franchised units in the Mitten State, adding to its existing 28 units.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 5, 2024