800 Degrees Pizza expanding through Piestro's automated machines

800 Degrees Pizza, which currently has 16 locations worldwide, plans to bring about 3,600 Piestro robotic pizzeria machines to market throughout the next five years. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 25, 2021

How QSR loyalty programs stack up in 2021

Chains from McDonald's to Burger King are adding loyalty programs for the first time to attract and retain customers, and they're gaining ground against competitors' long-standing programs. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 24, 2021

Explore the 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

Shortages and other challenges across liquor supply chain throw a wrench in summer rebound

As states reopened bars and restaurants, the sudden demand strained liquor supply chains that pivoted during the pandemic to prioritize private sales. 

By A.B. Brown • Aug. 20, 2021

Full-service restaurant tickets up 20%, report shows

With diners going out to socialize more and celebrate special occasions, the amount of large party orders rose 32% during Q2 2021, according to Black Box Intelligence. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 20, 2021

Brinker adds second virtual brand to product lineup

Maggiano's Italian Classics is currently in 250 restaurants, but is expected to be in 900 units by the end of the year and generate sales over $100 million. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 19, 2021

Wingstop shakes up marketing structure as it eyes 100% digital transactions

Inspired by tech companies, the realignment comes as the wing chain places bigger bets on emerging formats like ghost kitchens. 

By Peter Adams • Aug. 17, 2021

Dunkin' plots more nontraditional growth in 2021

The chain plans to expand in airports, malls, supermarkets and universities this year, building on the 27 nontraditional restaurants it launched in 2020.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 17, 2021

New Orleans vaccine mandate for indoor dining takes effect

The Big Easy's mandate began Monday and could provide a test case for restaurants in San Francisco, which will soon fall under similar regulations. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 16, 2021

San Francisco to require proof of full vaccinations for indoor dining

The city's mandate will begin Aug. 20 for customers and Oct. 14 for employees. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 13, 2021

McDonald's requiring US corporate employees to get vaccinated

The decision comes as Chipotle mulls a mandate for its office workers, but the Mexican chain's CEO Brian Niccol says the company is waiting for COVID-19 vaccines to receive full FDA approval. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 12, 2021

Wendy's to open 700 ghost kitchens with Reef Technology

The fast food chain also updated its 2025 development target from 8,000 units to up to 9,000 globally and created a $100 million development fund to attract franchisees.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 11, 2021

What the US hospitality industry can learn from Australia

Restaurants Down Under can teach American operators a thing or two about how the segment might fare in the coming months, writes Peter Dougherty, general manager of hospitality at Lightspeed.

By Peter Dougherty • Aug. 10, 2021

Postmates strikes nearly $1M deal with Seattle over gig worker claims

The city began investigating the aggregator after workers complained that it failed to provide paid sick and safe time, violating a pandemic-era ordinance. 

By Emilie Shumway • Aug. 9, 2021

IHOP explores virtual brands, new loyalty program

A delivery-only model could leverage the breakfast chain's current infrastructure, which includes two full kitchens in about 70% of its restaurants.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 6, 2021

Restaurants have hired 1.3M employees since January

With the addition of 253,000 jobs in July, the industry has now had seven straight months of employment gains. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 6, 2021

Panera, Caribou, Einstein Bros. Bagels combine under Panera Brands platform

The formation of the group, which will have nearly 4,000 total locations, follows rumors that Panera Bread is considering going public.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 5, 2021

Yelp tag lets restaurants list 'proof of vaccination required' in profiles

The reservation platform has also deployed an "all staff fully vaccinated" tag, and is increasing its monitoring of restaurant pages to ensure operators aren't bombarded by negative reviews related to COVID-19 safety measures.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 5, 2021

How can restaurants drive long-term resiliency in the new normal?

The brands that maintain safety measures and digitally enabled experiences will be favored by customers and garner deeper loyalty, writes Vince Crimaldi, VP of consumer products and retail at Capgemini North America.

By Vince Crimaldi • Aug. 3, 2021

Starbucks says advance coffee purchasing helps it stay competitive

While CPGs and others in the coffee industry scramble due to inflation and rising green coffee prices, Starbucks is sticking with its strategy of buying 12 to 18 months early to secure pricing.

By A.B. Brown • Aug. 2, 2021

Massachusetts attorney general sues Grubhub for violating temporary fee cap

Maura Healey alleges the delivery company charged 18% or higher in fees during the months a 15% limit was in place. Grubhub claims an additional 3% fee was related to order processing.

By Julie Littman • July 30, 2021

WOWorks hits gas on non-traditional unit growth

The restaurant company plans to open more than 70 locations this year, 61 of which will be nontraditional units like ghost kitchens or restaurants in airports, college campuses and grocery stores.

By Alicia Kelso • July 30, 2021

USHG to require guests to show proof of vaccine status

Beginning Sept. 7, Union Square Hospitality Group will become one of the largest fine dining restaurant groups to issue a vaccine policy for both customers and staff.

By Julie Littman • July 29, 2021

McDonald's investor sues chain for handling of Easterbrook exit

Phyllis Gianotti's complaint also alleges the restaurant's risk management structure gave the CEO position too much power and not enough oversight, allowing racial discrimination and sexual harassment to proliferate.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated July 30, 2021

Wingstop accelerates ghost kitchen push into Manhattan

The fast causal chain plans to open 25 locations in the market that will be a mix of traditional units and digital-only kitchens. 

By Julie Littman • July 29, 2021

DoorDash opens second shared kitchen facility

At its new pop-up facility in San Jose, California, the company will provide help with hiring, training and operations for partner brands as part of its DoorDash Kitchens Full Service model. 

By Julie Littman • July 29, 2021