Operations: Page 16

  • An evening photo of Uncle Julio's restaurant with dim lighting
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    Courtesy of Uncle Julio's
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    Uncle Julio’s hires CEO, COO

    Scott Lawton adds the CEO role at Uncle Julio's to his resume, while RJ Thomas, former CEO of King's Seafood Company, becomes president and COO.

    By • Nov. 13, 2023
  • A man holds a picket sign that reads "CONTRACT NOW."
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    Courtesy of Culinary Workers Union Local 226
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    MGM Resorts reaches tentative agreement with Culinary Union

    With the deal, the resort operator avoids strikes at eight Vegas properties.

    By Noelle Mateer • Nov. 10, 2023
  • 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
  • An image of a Noodles & Company restaurant with outdoor seating
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    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
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    Noodles & Company CEO departs

    Dave Boennighausen, who held the CEO post for six years, is out following the board’s decision to transition leadership. Board member Drew Madsen was named interim chief. 

    By • Nov. 10, 2023
  • A robotic arm that prepares Better Days food for delivery
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    Permission granted by Remy Robotics
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    Remy Robotics opens bot-run ‘Better Days’ kitchen in NYC

    The concept employs machines that use artificial intelligence to cook hundreds of menu items in kitchens as small as 200 square feet.

    By • Nov. 10, 2023
  • The In-n-Out logo is displayed on the front of an In-n-Out restaurant on October 28, 2021 in Pleasant Hill, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    In-N-Out to open first New Mexico restaurant in 2027

    The Albuquerque unit is the latest step in the chain’s expansion into new states, including Idaho and Tennessee. 

    By • Updated Nov. 10, 2023
  • An image of Strawberry French Toast on a plate.
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    Courtesy of Denny's
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    Denny’s adds 9 items to permanent menu

    The chain also simplified its menu layout with fewer customizations and build-your-own categories in favor of highlighting breakfast items and value. 

    By • Updated Nov. 10, 2023
  • An image of a pizza with pepperoni, black olives and red onions from Pieology
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    Courtesy of Pieology
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    Pieology bolsters rewards program with daily perks

    New and existing rewards members will receive a free item with the purchase of a pizza through the end of the year at the fast casual chain. 

    By • Nov. 9, 2023
  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop drops Olo in favor of $50M in-house tech

    The chain, which represents 3% of Olo’s revenue, will roll out a proprietary tech stack in 2024 designed to provide more personalization and drive frequency.

    By • Nov. 8, 2023
  • Brad Reynolds, Shipley Do-Nuts CFO, in front of an orange background
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    Permission granted by Shipley Do-Nuts
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    Shipley Do-Nuts appoints Blaze Pizza exec as CFO

    Brad Reynolds joined the chain as CFO and Chris Smith became VP of operations, as Shipley pursues franchised growth and entry to new markets. 

    By • Nov. 8, 2023
  • A picture of Burger King signs.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    A third Burger King franchisee declares bankruptcy

    Premier Kings, which operates 172 units, struggled with high inflation, increased borrowing rates and the untimely death of its owner in 2022.

    By • Nov. 8, 2023
  • Mark Kupferman, chief insights and marketing officer, at Chuck E. Cheese
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    Courtesy of CEC Entertainment
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    Chuck E. Cheese hires chief insights and marketing officer

    Mark Kupferman, who worked at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, brings over 25 years of marketing experience to his position at the eatertainment chain.

    By • Nov. 7, 2023
  • An image of sweetgreen's automated kitchen in Naperville, Illinois
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen accelerates deployment of automated kitchens

    The salad chain opened its first Infinite Kitchen this year and has seen improvements to throughput, order accuracy, portioning and diner experience.  

    By • Nov. 6, 2023
  • El Pollo Loco's first LA Mex restaurants, which emphasize off-premise, opened in 2021.
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    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
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    El Pollo Loco CEO departs after 10 years with chain

    Maria Hollandsworth, the company’s COO, becomes interim president and CEO following Larry Roberts’ departure from the company. 

    By • Nov. 3, 2023
  • A Panera store.
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    Panera Bread chops 17% of corporate staff ahead of IPO

    Roughly 306 supporting staff positions were reportedly cut to improve operations as the company gears up for Panera Brands’ public debut.

    By • Nov. 2, 2023
  • Side-by-side screenshots show DoorDash's in-app tip reminder screen.
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    Courtesy of DoorDash
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    DoorDash tests in-app tip reminders on customers

    A new prompt, which tells customers that orders without tips are likely to be delivered more slowly, has reduced tipless orders in a multi-market trial.

    By • Nov. 2, 2023
  • An image of Scooter's Coffee CEO Joe Thornton
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    Courtesy of Scooter's Coffee
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    Scooter’s Coffee promotes president to CEO

    Joe Thornton, who has been the chain’s president since 2022, will become CEO on Jan. 1 as the nearly 750-unit chain works toward 1,000 locations. 

    By • Nov. 2, 2023
  • Christina Tosi
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    Permission granted by Milk Bar
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    Q&A

    Milk Bar chef and CEO Christina Tosi talks growth, the future and her favorite part of each week

    The New York-based tycoon talked with Food Dive about how she stays true to her sweet tooth while managing a growing business portfolio and staff.

    By Judy McGuire • Oct. 30, 2023
  • Pictured is the exterior of the National Labor Relations Board building.
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    "1099 14th Street – National Labor Relations Board" by Geraldshields11 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    NLRB delays effective date of joint employer rule to February

    In a reprieve for franchisors, the National Labor Relations Board pushed back the date its joint employer rule would take effect to early next year.

    By • Updated Nov. 20, 2023
  • A still from Chipotle's promotional automated makeline shows corn bouncing in a bowl.
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    Retrieved from Chipotle on October 03, 2023
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    Chipotle will raise wages in California, continue testing robots

    The chain plans to hike prices by mid-to-high single digits in California next year to compensate for a 20% wage increase in that market.

    By , • Oct. 27, 2023
  • Twice Daily
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    Permission granted by Tri Star Energy
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    Twice Daily brings made-to-order foodservice to all locations

    After testing the concept at select locations earlier this summer and seeing positive results, the convenience retailer broadened the program.

    By Brett Dworski • Oct. 25, 2023
  • An image of a beige building wiht both Fatburger and Round Table Pizza signage
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Fat Brands debuts first co-branded Fatburger, Round Table Pizza unit

    The restaurant is the first of four dual-branded units to be operated by Fat Brands’ franchisee SNM Management Group in Dallas.

    By • Oct. 25, 2023
  • An image of three protein bowls from Sweetgreen
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    Permission granted by Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen heats up menu expansion with protein plates

    The addition of Miso Glazed Salmon, Southwest Chicken Fajita and Hot Honey Chicken plates are part of the chain’s plan to offer guests more dinner options.

    By • Oct. 24, 2023
  • A photo of the interior of Sadie's Diner, inside a Sprint Mart building in Vance, Alabama.
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    Permission granted by Sprint Mart
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    Sprint Mart opens its largest store to date

    The 16,000-square-foot location in Alabama features a new sit-down restaurant concept, Sadie’s Diner.

    By Jessica Loder • Oct. 24, 2023
  • An image of Nicolle DuBose, CMO of Playa bowls, wearing a turquoise blouse
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    Courtesy of Playa Bowls
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    Playa Bowls hires Focus Brands vet as CMO

    Nicolle DuBose, who has over 20 years of marketing experience at food and beverage brands, joins the health food chain as it surpasses 200 units.

    By • Oct. 23, 2023
  • One of P.F. Chang's flagship locations.
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    Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
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    P.F. Chang’s hires Panera exec as CEO and president

    Eduardo Luz, who worked as chief brand and concept officer at Panera Bread, has over 30 years of experience working with restaurant and CPG brands.

    By • Oct. 23, 2023