Operations


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    franckreporter via Getty Images
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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
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    Permission granted by Restaurant Technologies
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    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
  • 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 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
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    Permission granted by Rusty Taco
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    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 Oct. 9, 2024
  • An image of three noodle dishes from Noodles & Company
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    Permission granted by Noodles & Company
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    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 Oct. 9, 2024
  • A worker takes orders from customers in the drive-thru lane at a Chick-fil-A restaurant.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    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 Oct. 7, 2024
  • A building with a brown facade and a yellow sign that says "Barberitos."
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    Courtesy of Woworks
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    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 Oct. 3, 2024
  • A beige building with a green sign and white lettering that says "Panera Bread."
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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 Oct. 2, 2024
  • A Subway restaurant interior with white and green countertops and digital menu boards.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    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 Oct. 2, 2024
  • Grubbrr's kiosks on display at the National Restaurant Association Show in 2024.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    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
  • An image of people sitting at tables eating barbecue. The walls say "Dickey's."
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    Courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    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 Oct. 1, 2024
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    Retrieved from Couche-Tard.
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    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
  • An image of a building with a sign that says "Sweetgreen."
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    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 Sept. 30, 2024
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    Permission granted by ReposiTrak
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    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
  • An arm reaches out of a gray car to collect a bag of food while an employee with blue gloves hands off the bag.
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    NewSaetiew via Getty Images
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    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 Sept. 27, 2024
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    Permission granted by Black Rock Coffee
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    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 Sept. 27, 2024
  • A photo of a person looking at a phone while sitting on a couch in a living room.
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    Courtesy of PDI Technologies
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    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
  • An exterior image of a Pizza Hut with bricks and red signage
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    Courtesy of Yum Brands/Pizza Hut
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    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 Sept. 26, 2024
  • A Denny's location in Emeryville, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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 Sept. 23, 2024
  • The exterior of an Olive Garden restaurant
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    Scott Olson / Staff via Getty Images
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    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
  • Trays of taco shells and other food in front of a sad banner that says welcome back to the office
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    Courtesy of Taco John's
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    Taco John’s launches catering

    The QSR’s catering channel, supported by ezCater, spans dayparts from breakfast to dessert. 

    By Sept. 20, 2024
  • People enter a McDonald's restaurant that has posters on the windows advertising meal deals.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    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 Updated Sept. 23, 2024
  • An exterior image of a BurgerFi restaurant
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    Permission granted by BurgerFi
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    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 , Updated Sept. 11, 2024
  • An image of a white and red building with Red Lobster signage on the front.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    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 Sept. 6, 2024
  • An evening photo of Topfgolf with backlit lights and a white sign that says Topgolf.
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    Courtesy of Topgolf
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    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 Sept. 5, 2024
  • A Chick-fil-A restaurant is seen on July 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    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 Sept. 5, 2024