Operations: Page 37

  • An image of sweetgreen's automated kitchen in Naperville, Illinois
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen will unveil first automated kitchen this week

    The chain’s Infinite Kitchen, part of ongoing efforts to improve profitability, opened its first location in Naperville, Illinois, on Wednesday.

    By • Updated May 10, 2023
  • A photograph of Denny's SVP and COO Alex Williams
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    Courtesy of Denny's
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    Denny’s appoints COO

    Alex Williams, who has decades of experience at brands like Starbucks, McDonald’s and Outback Steakhouse, joins the brand as it works to improve back-of-house efficiency and management turnover. 

    By • May 8, 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 AI-enhanced POS systems and analytics to robot-powered kitchen equipment, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • The exterior of a Rock N' Roll Sushi
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    Permission granted by Rock N' Roll Sushi
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    How Rock N’ Roll Sushi plans to grow from 62 to 250 units in 5 years

    The Asian concept, which originated in the Southeast, is pursuing growth in states like Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.

    By • May 8, 2023
  • An image of a Chick-fil-A customer scanning her rewards program at the drive-thru
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    Retrieved from Chick-fil-A on March 17, 2023
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    Chick-fil-A’s geofencing pilot reduced wait times

    The chain found that 100 restaurants trimmed average wait times by one to two minutes using this technology. 

    By • May 3, 2023
  • An artist rendering of a Quiznos and Taco Del Mar counter inside a Sunshine Gasoline Distributor's c-store.
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    Permission granted by REGO Restaurant Group
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    Sunshine Gasoline Distributors adds combined Quiznos, Taco Del Mar restaurants

    A dual-branded restaurant recently opened at a company store in Florida — the first of at least 13 planned locations for Sunshine.

    By Jessica Loder • May 1, 2023
  • An image of the top of a silver car that contains a rectangular logo with a red square and blue square.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Domino’s delivery drags on strong pricing and carryout

    With carryout growing, Domino’s plans to revamp its loyalty program to strengthen takeout options while creating value across channels.

    By • April 28, 2023
  • Papa Johns Cool Ranch Papadia sandwiches in various packaging and contexts.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Q&A

    Papa Johns menu strategy chief talks balancing innovation with value

    The pizza chain is targeting younger diners with snackable menu items like handheld desserts and its new Doritos Cool Ranch Papadia, VP of National Calendar and Menu Strategy Kimberly Bean said.

    By • April 28, 2023
  • An image of a white and red restaurant with Krystal on the signage
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    Permission granted by Krystal
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    SPB Hospitality completes merger with Krystal Restaurants

    The QSR, which will continue to operate independently, will join SPB’s portfolio that includes J. Alexander’s and Logan’s Road House. 

    By • April 27, 2023
  • A Chipotle restaurant branded with the name Freepotle
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    Courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill
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    Chipotle’s same-store sales rise 10.9% as traffic turns positive

    In-restaurant sales jumped nearly 23% year over year following efforts to boost operational efficiency, rewards and menu innovation. 

    By • April 26, 2023
  • Caribou Coffee
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    Permission granted by Caribou Coffee
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    Caribou Coffee is adding 300 domestic franchised units

    Six multi-unit franchisees will open stores in Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida as part of the company’s domestic growth efforts.

    By • April 25, 2023
  • Branded DeliverZero containers with food in them on a table.
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    Permission granted by DeliverZero
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    Uber Eats partners with DeliverZero for its first reusable takeout packaging pilot in US

    New Yorkers can add reusable containers to their food orders at select locations for $1, as delivery firms pilot resuable packaging partnerships.

    By Katie Pyzyk • April 25, 2023
  • Toast Inc. point of sale device
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    Courtesy of Toast Inc.
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    Toast adds reservation, waitlist management product

    Toast’s latest module could pit it against OpenTable, which recently partnered with Square to manage tables, floor plans and view guest preferences.

    By • April 25, 2023
  • An image of the interior of Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux and Bar.
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    Permission granted by Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and Bar
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    Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and Bar to double store count with 100-unit pipeline

    The full-service concept, which was founded by two college athletes, is aiming to open 20 to 25 units per year.

    By • April 25, 2023
  • An image of a refreshed Subway.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway boasts 11.7% same-store sales growth in North America

    The sandwich chain, which has increased its focus on digital promotions in the U.S., saw a 21% uptick in Q1 digital sales for the region. 

    By • April 24, 2023
  • An image of Sweetgreen's rewards program on a smartphone.
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    Permission granted by Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen launches two-tiered loyalty program nationwide

    After testing loyalty elements in 2022, the chain settled on a free tier and a $10 monthly subscription tier, which includes a daily $3 order discount. 

    By • April 24, 2023
  • Starbucks cup going into a recycling bin
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks ups recycled content in cups while abandoning recyclability target

    Despite an eye toward reuse, just 1.2% of all beverages sold this past year were in reusable vessels. The company is currently testing personal cup acceptance for drive-thru and mobile orders.

    By Maria Rachal • April 24, 2023
  • An image of Jonathan Ojany, KFC U.S. CFO.
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    Retrieved from KFC on April 20, 2023
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    KFC US hires Coca-Cola exec as CFO

    Jonathan Ojany joins the chicken chain after eight years in various leadership roles at the beverage company. 

    By • April 21, 2023
  • An image of Layne's Chicken Fingers' first drive-thru-only location in Houston.
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    Permission granted by Layne's Chicken Fingers
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    How Layne’s Chicken Fingers plans to grow to 50 units by 2027

    The 10-unit chicken chain, which began aggressively selling restaurants last year, wants to expand within its home state of Texas and enter new markets. 

    By • April 21, 2023
  • An image of a hand scanning a QR code in a restaurant.
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    LeoPatrizi via Getty Images
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    Study: 47% of consumers not comfortable using QR codes in restaurants

    Despite more QR codes to view menus, order and pay, 65% of consumers aged 60-plus are uncomfortable using the tech, per a William Blair survey.

    By • April 19, 2023
  • An image of Sweetgreen's Low Carbon Collection menu items.
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    Permission granted by Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen highlights low-carbon menu items with latest collection

    The Low Carbon Collection, which allows diners to see which bowls generate the least carbon emissions, follows the chain’s 12% reduction in carbon emissions since 2019. 

    By • April 18, 2023
  • An image of a white building with red stripes and KFC branding.
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    Moses Robinson via Getty Images
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    Yum completes exit of Russia with sale of KFC units

    The sale to local operator Smart Service includes all 1,112 Russian KFC units and the trademark for the Rostik’s brand, which KFC bought in 2011. 

    By • April 18, 2023
  • An image of a sign saying "Staff wanted" at a restaurant.
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    Ceri Breeze via Getty Images
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    Independent restaurant hiring reaches 6-month high

    In March, 61% of independent operators hired permanent and temporary employees compared to 50% in February, according to Alignable data. 

    By • April 17, 2023
  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop names 72andSunny creative AOR to grow brand awareness

    The chain has recently expressed a desire to increase visibility on delivery platforms that have been key to its growth streak.

    By Peter Adams • April 17, 2023
  • An image of McDonald's McDouble and Big Mac.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    McDonald’s tweaks its iconic burgers

    The fast food chain began rolling out new recipes for its Big Mac, McDouble and classic burgers across the West Coast and plans to offer these new versions nationwide by 2024. 

    By • April 17, 2023
  • Subway's reimagined interiors put in place in 2021 as part of its Eat Fresh Refresh.
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    Permission granted by Subway
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    Subway transfers 230 restaurants to 5 multi-unit owners

    One of the deals includes an existing operator, which acquired 100 restaurants, expanding its Subway portfolio to 140-plus units. 

    By • April 17, 2023