Operations: Page 3

  • A hand holds a smartphone with Sweetgreen's loyalty program on the screen
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    Permission granted by Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen to launch points-based loyalty program

    The chain is shifting its approach after customers found its tiered program, which includes a free and paid subscription, was too complicated.

    By • Nov. 11, 2024
  • A red emergency pizza box from Domino's
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    How QSR pizza chains are competing on value

    Domino’s focus on promotions and discounts helped increase sales, while Papa Johns and Pizza Hut struggled with similar offerings.

    By • Nov. 7, 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
  • A rendering of a bar and tables with televisions hanging from the center and on the brick walls.
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    Permission granted by Walk-On's
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    Walk-On’s to open first corporate stores since 2016

    The chain will open multiple corporate-owned locations next year that feature a new interior and exterior in addition to updated kitchen equipment.

    By • Nov. 7, 2024
  • Popeyes signage
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    Courtesy of Popeyes
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    Popeyes didn’t focus on value in Q3 and paid for it

    The chain lacked enough compelling promotions to attract price-sensitive customers during the summer, contributing to negative comparable sales.

    By • Nov. 6, 2024
  • An image of various food items from Burger King's Fiery menu
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King’s LTOs met with stiff competition in Q3

    The chain’s summer promotions, including its Fiery menu, had trouble cutting through QSR value messages, resulting in softer than expected sales in Q3.

    By • Nov. 5, 2024
  • An image of CKE Restaurants CEO Max Wetzel
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    Courtesy of CKE Restaurants
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    Tropical Smoothie Cafe appoints new CEO

    Max Wetzel, who previously served as CEO at CKE Restaurants for over a year, joins the smoothie chain months after it was acquired by Blackstone.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • A smiling white man in a blue shirt and a gray jacket with notch lapels.
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    Courtesy of Red Lobster
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    Red Lobster hires Brinker exec as COO

    Larry Konecny joins the seafood chain, which recently emerged from Chapter 11, after a 17-year tenure at Maggiano’s Little Italy.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • A rendering if a red and orange building with El Pollo Loco signage.
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    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
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    El Pollo Loco ramps up remodel efforts with low-cost design

    A new prototype, which includes furniture upgrades and energy-efficient hoods and HVAC, will help reduce buildout costs from $2.2 million to $1.8 million.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • A man takes orders at a Starbucks counter.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    How Starbucks plans to get back to being a coffeehouse

    The coffee giant thinks ceramic mugs, a coffee condiments bar and comfy chairs are a good start toward improving its in-store vibe.

    By • Nov. 1, 2024
  • An image of a white building with yellow signage that says McDonald's
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s E. coli outbreak now tied to 90 illnesses

    The CDC said Wednesday that it’s likely that slivered onions from Taylor Farms used on Quarter Pounders caused the outbreak.

    By • Oct. 31, 2024
  • An image of a red sign with white logo that says "Wendy's." Above the sign is an cartoon image of a girl with red hair and pigtails with blue bows.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s to close 140 poor-performing restaurants in Q4

    To boost the health of the overall system, the chain will close outdated restaurants that have operating margins below average and unit volumes of about $1.1 million.

    By • Oct. 31, 2024
  • An image of a a white building with Chipotle signage at night.
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    Fast casual chains steam ahead with expansion as other sectors pull back

    Shake Shack, Chipotle and Wingstop are on track to open over 700 units combined this year, while targeting strong sales growth.

    By , • Oct. 31, 2024
  • An image of a menu board from McDonald's showing quarter pounders crossed off and words that say "back soon."
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    With E. coli outbreak contained, McDonald’s focuses on next steps

    The chain’s traffic fell almost 10% nationwide and more than 30% in Colorado in the days following the public health crisis, according to visitation data.

    By • Oct. 30, 2024
  • A photograph of a brick building with a red sign and white letters that says Chipotle.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle remains focused on core strategy, efficiency improvements, interim CEO says

    Under Scott Boatwright, Chipotle aims to follow a steady course and carry out key initiatives like adding expediters and back-of-house equipment to boost throughput.

    By • Oct. 30, 2024
  • An image of a sign that says $5 Meal Deal on a window of a McDonald's
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s US comp sales turn positive in Q3

    The fast food giant gained traffic with the help of its $5 Meal Deal and expects to release a holistic value platform in early 2025.

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
  • An image of a McDonald's sign with Combo Meals. The Quarter Pounder meals are crossed out and say they will be back soon.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s to return Quarter Pounders to menu this week

    After tests confirmed fresh beef patties were not the source of an E. coli outbreak, the chain said it will bring the burgers back to the menu.

    By • Oct. 28, 2024
  • A Denny's location in Emeryville, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    3 ways Denny’s is boosting the digital guest experience

    The chain continues to invest in virtual brands as well as direct and third-party ordering. It also will revise its loyalty program to build its digital customer base.

    By • Oct. 28, 2024
  • 0: Hooters Girls train at the Hooters Restaurant inside the now-defunct Hooters Casino Hotel January 30, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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    Ethan Miller via Getty Images
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    Hooters’ alleged colorism costs $250,000 in EEOC case

    Following the layoff of about 43 employees in the Greensboro, North Carolina area in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hooters allegedly rehired workers who were predominantly White or had lighter skin.

    By Caroline Colvin • Oct. 25, 2024
  • An image of a McDonald's Quarter Pounder, fries and a coke.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s E. coli outbreak has sickened 75 people

    An additional 26 individuals said they fell ill after eating at the fast food chain, according to a Friday update from the CDC.

    By • Oct. 25, 2024
  • An image of a burger and french fries from McDonald's
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Lawsuit accuses McDonald’s of negligence over E. coli outbreak

    In what appears to be the first lawsuit filed over the deadly outbreak, a Colorado customer who became ill after eating a Quarter Pounder also accused the chain of product liability and breach of warranties.

    By • Oct. 25, 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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    McDonald’s grilled by senators on price increases

    The chain said the lawmakers contorted facts and made inaccurate claims, and that their concerns reflect a lack of understanding of its franchising model. 

    By • Oct. 24, 2024
  • A photograph of a black sign that says "Starbucks Coffee Company" in front of a brick building.
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Starbucks’ US sales down as traffic nosedives

    CEO Brian Niccol said the chain will address issues with its complex menu, pricing architecture and mobile order and payments system.

    By • Oct. 23, 2024
  • A McDonald's restaurant sign between trees. The sign reads, "McDonald's"
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s takes Quarter Pounders off the menu at a fifth of restaurants after E. coli outbreak

    The CDC said that 49 people fell ill after eating the burgers, but an analyst said comparisons to Chipotle’s past outbreaks were premature.

    By • Oct. 23, 2024
  • A photograph of a Denny's sign over some trees.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Denny’s to shutter 150 underperforming stores

    An extensive review of all the chain’s restaurants revealed 265 locations never fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    By • Oct. 23, 2024
  • An image of a man with gray hair wearing a blue suit
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    Courtesy of Red Lobster
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    Red Lobster hires Yum Brands vet as CFO

    Bob Baker brings 30 years of restaurant experience to the brand that emerged from Chapter 11 in September.

    By • Oct. 23, 2024