Operations: Page 3

  • An image of a black building with a red sign that says "Newk's."
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    Permission granted by Newk's
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    How Newk’s will help FSC Franchise Co. become a billion-dollar platform

    After acquiring Newk’s, the platform owned by Capital Spring aims to add another brand to its portfolio as it tries to double its business.

    By • Aug. 21, 2024
  • A person wearing a white shirt holds a bat while a green ball floats in the air. There is a projection screen on the right with a baseball field.
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    Permission granted by Home Run Dugout/Courtesy of Alex Montoya
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    Home Run Dugout secures $22.5M, plans expansion

    The baseball-centric entertainment concept already plans to open a location in San Antonio, Texas, and Scottsdale, Arizona.

    By • Aug. 20, 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 empty kitchen inside a Portillo's restaurant that includes a makeline and some signage.
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    Permission granted by Portillo's
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    Why Engaged Capital seeks changes at Portillo’s

    Portillo’s is shrinking its new builds, but the investment firm wants even smaller stores.

    By • Aug. 20, 2024
  • TV personality Simon Cowell, wearing a black T-shirt, sits behind a metal kitchen counter with Domino's branding
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    Permission granted by Domino's Pizza
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    Simon Cowell judges Domino’s Pizza alongside new quality captains

    The TV personality dons the cap of quality captain, a new staff role that ensures all aspects of an order are correct down to topping portions.

    By Peter Adams • Aug. 19, 2024
  • An exterior image of a BurgerFi restaurant
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    Permission granted by BurgerFi
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    BurgerFi might go bankrupt

    Net losses are expected to be $18.4 million for the second quarter, and cash flow is only $4.4 million, marking a stark financial picture for the chain.

    By • Aug. 19, 2024
  • Shot of Starbucks store in Seattle on July 3 2024
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Will Brian Niccol’s customer experience success as CEO of Chipotle translate to Starbucks?

    The executive spearheaded mobile ordering upgrades and better order fulfillment at Chipotle. Experts say the same lessons could improve customer experience at Starbucks.

    By Bryan Wassel • Aug. 19, 2024
  • An image of a tip jar in the foreground with a customer paying by credit card in the background
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    Nikola Stojadinovic via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    ‘Tipflation’ narrative is harmful to the restaurant industry

    Saying that tips have spun "out of control" is inaccurate, as data shows a minimal decline in tip percent averages, writes Kevin Bryla, CMO of SpotOn.

    By Kevin Bryla • Aug. 16, 2024
  • A Chili's Burger framed by fries and a drink.
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    Courtesy of Brinker
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    Chili’s sees sales, traffic surge

    By emphasizing price competitiveness with fast food, Brinker International’s flagship brand avoided the downturn that has plagued other full-service chains.

    By • Aug. 15, 2024
  • A man orders food on his phone
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    FG Trade via Getty Images
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    How restaurant loyalty programs can drive more traffic and improve experiences

    Restaurant brands that tie their loyalty programs into payment and ordering systems can increase convenience and personalization for customers.

    By Bryan Wassel • Aug. 15, 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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    Chipotle appoints Scott Boatwright as interim CEO

    Following Brian Niccol’s move to Starbucks, the chain’s long-tenured COO will lead it as the board of directors seeks a permanent CEO.

    By • Aug. 13, 2024
  • An image of a man standing in front of a gray background.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Starbucks names Brian Niccol as its CEO

    Brian Niccol, who has been CEO at Chipotle since 2018, joins the chain as it continues to face declines in traffic and comparable sales.

    By • Updated Aug. 13, 2024
  • An image of sweetgreen's automated kitchen in Naperville, Illinois
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen automated kitchen concept improves retention, margins

    The first establishment with the chain’s Infinite Kitchen technology has seen restaurant level margins of 31% and a 45% lower turnover rate than a traditional location.

    By • Aug. 12, 2024
  • A photograph of a Potbelly sandwich shop sign.
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    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
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    Potbelly boosts value scores with $7.99 Skinny Combo

    The deal hits a sweet spot for consumers who feel like they’re getting a filling meal without having to break the bank, CEO Robert Wright said. 

    By • Aug. 12, 2024
  • A photograph of a pink building with white polka dots with a sign that says "The Original Rainbow Cone."
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    Permission granted by The Original Rainbow Cone
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    Deep Dive

    Dessert concepts are seeing record growth. But are they just a fad?

    To stay relevant, chains like The Original Rainbow Cone and Dirty Dough are expanding their menus beyond their core offerings.

    By • Aug. 12, 2024
  • Picture of a pizza with various toppings
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    Paul Strabbing

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    Sponsored by Bel Group

    Meet a new pizza trend customers will eat up

    How restaurants can capitalize on consumers’ growing appetite for upscale pies that boost the bottom line in an economical way.

    Aug. 12, 2024
  • An image of Burger King's Sizzle remodeled restaurant
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King remodels driving double-digit sales lifts

    The chain is on track to renovate 400 stores in 2024, with revamps partly offsetting sectoral sales troubles.

    By • Aug. 9, 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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    Consumers’ curtailed fast food consumption in Q2 hit packaging earnings

    From McDonald’s to KFC, quick-service restaurants’ Q2 results generally haven’t been finger lickin’ good. Their packaging suppliers hope promotions will lure back inflation-weary consumers.

    By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 9, 2024
  • Rendering of a store design.
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    Courtesy of Knuckies Hoagies
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    Walmart adds hoagies to in-store restaurant roster

    The retailer plans to open 14 in-store Knuckies Hoagies locations across six states just weeks after announcing partnerships with Crave’s Hot Dogs and Mr. Gatti’s Pizza. 

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Aug. 8, 2024
  • Pedestrians walk by a Chipotle restaurant in San Francisco, California
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Restaurant industry to grow 0.5% in 2024, IFMA says

    The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association forecasts continued demand for eating out from high-income cohorts, despite a drop off in low-income consumers. 

    By • Aug. 8, 2024
  • An image of Papa Johns sign on a store
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns wants to improve its value perception

    After posting a comparable sales decline of 3.6% in North America, the chain is working to highlight its value offerings instead of just its premium products.

    By • Aug. 8, 2024
  • An evening shot of a Portillo's restaurant
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s pilots ordering kiosks

    Facing traffic pressure as a result of QSR discounting, Portillo’s is testing in-store kiosks, a tech proponents say can boost average check size, in Illinois. 

    By • Aug. 7, 2024
  • Outback Steakhouse exterior
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    Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
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    How Outback is planning to turn around same-store sales declines

    The chain is implementing technological investments and will simplify its menu to create more value.

    By • Aug. 7, 2024
  • An image of a man wearing a Brooklyn Dumpling Shop vest in front of a blurred out sign.
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    Permission granted by Brooklyn Dumpling Shop
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    Q&A // Meet the exec

    Brooklyn Dumpling Shop’s first CEO has big plans for the brand

    With his extensive experience with franchised models, Jeff Galletly plans to refine the model for the chain, allowing it to expand into new markets with local operators.

    By • Aug. 6, 2024
  • An exterior image of a white restaurant with a yellow decoration and signs that say Church's Chicken
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    Courtesy of Church's Chicken
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    Church’s Texas Chicken rolls out loyalty program

    The launch of Real Rewards is part of the company’s buildout of its digital ecosystem, which also includes a revamped app and website.

    By • Aug. 6, 2024
  • A view of a Wendy's restaurant on May 12, 2021 in Pinole, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s is ‘confident’ experience improvements will drive loyalty — and growth

    A $15 million investment in its app and loyalty program is starting to pay off, CEO Kirk Tanner said. 

    By Kristen Doerer • Aug. 6, 2024