Operations: Page 3

  • Five fancy drinks at McDonald's against a dark blue background.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s to test premium drinks in 500 stores

    After winding down CosMc’s, McDonald’s will start testing drinks inspired by the spinoff in 500 stores across Wisconsin and Colorado in September.

    By • July 24, 2025
  • A close up image of a round red sign that says "Chipotle Mexican Grill."
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    Courtesy of Chipotle/Photograph by Media Wisdom Photography Ltd
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    Chipotle’s negative same-store sales streak continues

    Despite a 4% decline in comparable sales during the quarter, management is optimistic that enhanced marketing efforts and menu innovation will help drive traffic and boost sales.

    By • July 24, 2025
  • Homeroom Restaurant in Oakland, California Explore the Trendline➔
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    Permission granted by Homeroom
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    Trendline

    Independent restaurants

    Dining room refreshes, menu innovation and other unique offerings can help independents stand out from competitors, win new customers and keep existing ones coming back. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • The exterior of a Del Taco with several empty parking lots out front
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    Permission granted by Del Taco
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    Del Taco reopens Colorado stores in phases

    Months after an operator closed all of its locations in the state, the chain is in the process of opening 17 with new kiosks and refreshed in-store experiences.

    By • July 23, 2025
  • A person uses a smart phone to pay at a kiosk inside a restaurant.
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    simon2579 via Getty Images
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    Want a great quick-service restaurant experience? Keep it fast and efficient

    Customers are happier with human-led ordering at the counter or the drive-thru than they are with using kiosks, according to a Qualtrics Instant Insights survey.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 23, 2025
  • A Domino's Pizza in Eugene Or.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s carryout business reaches new heights

    Comparable sales for the chain’s takeout channel rose 5.8% in Q2, boosted by its rewards program, and are expected to remain positive throughout 2025.

    By • July 22, 2025
  • Three fast food beverages stand in line.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    How diversifying drinks can create new restaurant dayparts

    Consumer interest in value, healthier options and novelty is driving demand for higher margin beverages and new occasions.

    By • July 21, 2025
  • A hand lifts a slice of stuffed crust pizza topped with pepperoni and peppers. The slice trails strings of melted mozzarella.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s regains US sales momentum in Q2

    The chain’s Parmesan Stuffed Crust pizza, along with strong carryout and delivery sales, helped ease the impact of a 0.5% dip in Q1 same-store sales.

    By • July 21, 2025
  • A smiling person in a blue suit jacket.
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    Permission granted by Shake Shack
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    Shake Shack hires Raising Cane’s vet as chief people officer

    Jamie Griffin joins the chain as its top HR executive and will focus on areas like talent acquisition, the team member experience and leadership development.

    By • July 18, 2025
  • A photo of the exterior of a gas station and convenience store. Signs on the building say Carl's Jr. and Love's.
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    Courtesy of Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
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    Love’s brings order-ahead capabilities to Carl’s Jr. sites

    The travel center company already added the technology to its Arby’s locations, and expects Hardee’s locations to get this update next.

    By Jessica Loder • July 17, 2025
  • The exterior of a Del Taco during the evening
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    Permission granted by Del Taco
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    Southern Del Taco franchisee goes bankrupt

    Matadoor Restaurant Group, which owns 22 units in Georgia and Alabama, struggled with sales declines and rising operating costs.

    By • July 17, 2025
  • A photograph of a digital menu board at McDonald's with various meal options.
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
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    McDonald’s Snack Wrap launch leads to double-digit traffic jump

    Placer.ai data revealed a 22.3% uptick in visit rates compared to the year-to-date average on July 11, the day after the Snack Wrap’s return.

    By • July 16, 2025
  • A photo of a neon sign outside at night. The sign says 7-Eleven.
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    7-Eleven facing shrinking foot traffic

    Store visits have been declining for several quarters, but Seven & i is banking on more QSRs on-site to help turn things around.

    By Jessica Loder • July 16, 2025
  • A collage of fake instagram posts and Starbucks drinks.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks makes secret menu hacks official

    The chain will offer a rotating selection of customized beverages, including ones designed by consumers, as it looks to deepen mobile engagement. 

    By • July 15, 2025
  • An exterior shot of a Red Robin restaurant, which is lit from inside, at night
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    The image by Cbraccialini is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Red Robin could refranchise 15% of stores

    A new strategic initiative builds on the North Star program, but features an emphasis on refranchising that the company hopes will help it refinance debt.

    By • July 15, 2025
  • A pedestrian strolls by a KFC ad that shows Colonel Sanders scowling.
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    Permission granted by Kentucky Fried Chicken
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    KFC’s new take on Colonel Sanders is serious about its ‘Comeback Era’

    The usually grinning founder-turned-mascot has taken on a scowl to ensure the Yum Brands chain gets serious about winning back market share. 

    By Peter Adams • July 15, 2025
  • A photograph of white EV charging stations in a parking lot in front of a Bojangles restaurant.
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    Permission granted by Bojangles
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    Bojangles to install EV charging stations

    The QSR chain will begin installation during Q4 2025, and will have stations accessible at many of its locations next year.

    By • July 14, 2025
  • Exterior of a Potbelly restaurant
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    Potbelly updates website, app as part of digital transformation

    These digital channels will include a reorder function and “Quick Add” option for a faster checkout experience. 

    By • July 14, 2025
  • A waiter serves a table at a nice restaurant
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    Rawpixel via Getty Images
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    Casual, not careless: The art of relaxed dining design

    If casual brands don’t invest in the contemporary, experiential offerings diners crave, they could eventually risk ceding traffic to fast casual competitors.

    By Amanda Schuster • July 14, 2025
  • Two chefs standing in front of their restaurant.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    Secrets to scaling quickly: Lessons from a legendary soul food restaurant

    Charles Pan-Fried Chicken grew by being consistent, using the right tech, and knowing when to leap.

    July 14, 2025
  • A photograph of five fruit drinks within plastic cups.
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    Courtesy of Taco Cabana
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    Taco Cabana joins the refreshers trend with new drink lineup

    Cabana Refreshers will launch on July 23 starting as a limited-time offer, but could become a permanent beverage if proven popular.

    By • July 11, 2025
  • A photo of ice cream from Stewart's Shops in two cups on a table with some fall leaves.
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    Permission granted by Stewart's Shops
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    What restaurants can learn from c-store’s sweet treat offerings

    Owning their own baked goods or ice cream program gives retailers a world of innovation to play with, but comes with significant challenges, experts say.

    By Christine Blank • July 11, 2025
  • An iamge of a building with black facade and white logo that says "Wagamama."
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    Catherine Ivill via Getty Images
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    Wagamama hires Bloomin’ vet to oversee US development

    Suk Singh will serve as chief development officer for the U.K.-based chain’s U.S. division, with plans to grow Wagamama beyond its seven-unit toehold.

    By • July 9, 2025
  • Jack in the Box restaurant location
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Why Jack in the Box’s poison pill was the right move

    The chain wants to protect itself from a hostile takeover, and the limited-duration act is unlikely to impact shareholders, lawyer Keith Gottfried said.

    By • July 9, 2025
  • Two adults with two kids eats pizza at a restaurant.
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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    Little bites, big ideas: Rethinking kids’ menus for today’s tiny diners

    Winning menus go beyond chicken fingers and hot dogs, chefs say, to offer customizable, healthy and globally inspired fare. 

    By Amanda Schuster • July 9, 2025
  • A photograph of a Wienerschnitzel building
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    Courtesy of Wienerschnitzel
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    Wienerschnitzel targets East Coast with Virginia franchising deal

    Combined with a Walmart expansion agreement, the entry into these territories positions the 340-store hot dog chain for significant growth.

    By • July 9, 2025