Operations: Page 4

  • An image of a beige brick building with a large sign that says "Buca di Beppo."
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    Clayton Chase via Getty Images
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    Buca di Beppo files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, facilitates sale

    The chain closed 13 units last week after shuttering numerous locations across the country over the past several months.

    By • Aug. 5, 2024
  • Walmart storefront.
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    Kaarin Vembar/Restaurant Dive
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    Walmart grows roster of fast-casual, in-store dining partners

    The retailer is entering a tie-up with Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ to house the restaurant’s Express Model in select locations.

    By Peyton Bigora • Aug. 5, 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 photograph of two drinks, one blue and one green on a table. There is a tablet in the center that says "my chili's rewards," "play games" and "pay now."
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    Courtesy of Chili's
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    Chili’s deploys Ziosk pay-at-table tech

    The tabletop tablets, which Chili’s previously used up until four years ago, are expected to increase guest engagement and loyalty enrollment.

    By • Aug. 5, 2024
  • Shake Shack opened its first drive-thru location in Maple Grove, Minnesota Dec. 6, 2021.
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    Permission granted by Shake Shack
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    Shake Shack’s drive-thru times are way too long, CEO says

    Customers right now have to wait twice as long as they should in the key service area, Rob Lynch said. To speed things up, the company is taking steps like combining menu items.

    By • Aug. 2, 2024
  • A Denny's location in Emeryville, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Denny’s ramps up value with relaunch of popular menu

    The $2, $4, $6, $8 menu will return in the next few weeks with the addition of a $10 category after initial tests revealed an uptick in traffic and improved customer perception of value.

    By • Aug. 2, 2024
  • An image of a building with "Rubio's Coastal Grill" on the outside.
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    Permission granted by Rubio's Coastal Grill
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    Rubio’s accepts $40M sale bid

    TREW Capital Management, which is owned by former BBQ Holdings CEO Jeff Crivello, will buy the brand months after acquiring its secured debt.

    By • Aug. 1, 2024
  • An image of various chicken wings products and French fries inside green containers.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop cracks $2M AUV in another record-breaking quarter

    The fast casual chain’s same-store sales were up 28.7%, the highest growth rate since Q2 2020, which puts it in stark contrast to chains like McDonald’s and Starbucks that posted declines.

    By • July 31, 2024
  • A rendering of a sports bar with people scattered throughout on the right there are batting cages and screens.
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    Permission granted by Batbox
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    Batbox secures $7.3M financing, plots US expansion

    The baseball-focused eatertainment chain will open its first location in Texas in early 2025 and plans to have 25 units by 2030.

    By • July 31, 2024
  • An image of a drive-thru digital menu board with a Taco Bell restaurant with white and purple paint in the background.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell to deploy drive-thru voice AI to hundreds of US locations

    The technology is part of Yum’s ongoing strategy to create a digital ecosystem that can improve operations and boost profits. 

    By • July 31, 2024
  • Starbucks Summer Berry Refreshers beverages, blue drinks with red pearls.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks’ US traffic troubles continue

    Domestic comparable traffic fell 6% in Q3 despite the chain’s efforts to drive sales with product launches and improved operational throughput.

    By • July 31, 2024
  • An image of McDonald's McDouble and Big Mac.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    McDonald’s pilots a ‘more satiating burger’

    In addition to improving its core burgers, the chain plans to further deploy its McCrispy platform, now available in over 55 markets globally.

    By • July 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 posts first decline in US comp sales since 2020

    Guest counts declined during the quarter, but the chain’s $5 Meal Deal has started to bring back low-income consumers and shift sentiments regarding its value proposition.

    By • July 29, 2024
  • A white building with windows on the front with a large sign that says Cava
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava wants to improve its dining room ambiance. Should other QSRs follow suit?

    QSRs typically don’t want people to linger, but experts say there are steps operators can take to forge a deeper connection with diners while also keeping them moving.

    By Danielle McLean • July 29, 2024
  • Checkers fries
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    Courtesy of Checkers & Rally's
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    Checkers & Rally’s opts for outsourced distribution

    By partnering with McLane Company, the fast food franchise is seeking a more streamlined and cost efficient logistics model.

    By Philip Neuffer • July 29, 2024
  • An image of a brown building with a "Texas Roadhouse" signage
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    Northwalker. (2022). Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
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    What drove Texas Roadhouse’s 9% same-store comps

    The casual chain has not seen a drop off in consumer demand and has not resorted to promotions to drive traffic.

    By • July 26, 2024
  • A restaurant inside a grocery store.
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    Courtesy of Cameron Karsten
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    Town & Country Markets debuts in-store restaurant

    The Seattle-area grocer collaborated with chef and restaurateur Ethan Stowell on Field House, which opened last week in the Mill Creek, Washington, store. 

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • July 26, 2024
  • A worker takes a bowl of processed avocados from a prototype of Vebu's Autocado.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle’s advanced equipment strategy takes a step forward

    The fast casual giant said its avocado processing machine and automated digital makeline are in the final steps before in-restaurant testing.

    By • July 26, 2024
  • A rendering of Marco's store design includes a front pickup counter, beverage cooler and a small waiting area.
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    Courtesy of Marco's Pizza
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    Marco’s opens first location with new digital-focused design

    The prototype, which has the option for a pickup door and window, is expected to accelerate the chain’s growth while improving customer services. 

    By • July 25, 2024
  • An image of Red Loster sign on the outside of a restaurant
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Red Lobster expects positive net income by fiscal 2026

    The chain also anticipates adjusted EBITDA growth of 43% from fiscal 2025 to 2027 after emerging from Chapter 11.

    By • July 25, 2024
  • Casey's
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    Retrieved from Casey's.
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    C-stores see higher loyalty retention than QSRs, data shows

    However, they sign up new members much more slowly than quick- and full-service restaurants, according to data from Paytronix.

    By Jessica Loder • July 24, 2024
  • A building with white and brown siding with two black cars at a drive-thru. Signage says Bojangles
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    Permission granted by Bojangles
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    Bojangles to deploy voice AI at hundreds of drive-thrus

    The chicken chain is positioning itself as an aggressive early-adopter of drive-thru voice AI, and says Hi Auto’s tool is more than 95% accurate.

    By • July 23, 2024
  • An image of a cheeseburger, chicken sandwhich, chicken nuggest, fries and a drink on a blank background. The image includes "$5 Meal Deal" wording.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    How chains are competing in the 2024 value wars

    From McDonald’s and Burger King’s $5 meals to Del Taco’s $2 menu, fast food chains ramped up their value meals this year to attract price-sensitive guests.

    By • July 22, 2024
  • Man in kitchen
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    Permission granted by Tattle
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    Sponsored by Tattle

    The true cost of not having enough guest insights for your restaurants

    Restaurants are bleeding revenue because they overlook these crucial operational insights.

    July 22, 2024
  • A white plate with the words "sizzler" and "family steakhouse" with a burger, fries and pickles. The photo also includes a basket of cheese toast, wrapped silverware and two drinks.
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    Permission granted by Sizzler
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    Sizzler upgrades burger menu

    The Prime Rib Burger and Crispy Bacon Burger are part of the chain’s efforts to refresh its image, said Robert Clark, Sizzler USA’s chief growth officer.

    By • July 19, 2024
  • A photo of a plate with two fried eggs, two slices of bacon and two pancakes with syrup.
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    Permission granted by Perkins
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    Perkins enters value wars with breakfast trios

    The chain’s Great American Trio sells at a price point of $5 to $7, making it competitive with similar meals offered by Denny’s and IHOP. 

    By • July 19, 2024