Operations: Page 5


  • Tender Greens and Tocaya merged in 2021 to become One Table Restaurant Group.
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    Permission granted by One Table Restaurant Group
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    One Table Restaurant Brands files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections

    Fees on third-party orders and rising debt costs meant a partial recovery from 2020 was not enough to allow the parent company of Tender Greens and Tacaya to repay its creditors.

    By July 18, 2024
  • Two sandwiches on plates from Panera Bread
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera Bread spices up sandwich menu

    The chain also added two avocado toast flavors and revived blueberry and sesame bagels as part of its latest menu change.

    By July 18, 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
  • An image of a pink building with a Chuy's sign on the side.
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    Darden to buy Chuy’s for more than $600M

    The all-cash transaction will add a Tex-Mex chain to Darden’s portfolio of restaurants, which includes Olive Garden and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

    By Updated July 17, 2024
  • A hand pours sauce on a cut of fish.
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    Courtesy of Hilton
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    Hotel restaurants use storytelling, immersive experiences to draw repeat guests

    Successful concepts center narratives, offer signature experiences and are well-attuned to changing customer tastes, experts say.

    By Brian Martucci • July 17, 2024
  • Beef O' Brady's restaurant
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    Permission granted by Beef O' Brady's
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    Beef ‘O’ Brady’s launches SoundHound’s automated phone ordering system

    After launching in over 30 corporate locations, the technology, which claims to be “highly accurate,” is now available to over 100 franchised units.

    By July 17, 2024
  • The Beastie Boys
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    Bryan Bedder via Getty Images
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    Beastie Boys sue Chili’s parent Brinker over ‘Sabotage’ video

    The rappers contend that the restaurant chain appropriated their 1994 hit and music video for social media use without permission.

    By Justin Bachman • July 15, 2024
  • An image of a white and red building with Red Lobster signage on the front.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    The biggest restaurant bankruptcies so far this year

    From Red Lobster to Rubio’s, several chains and franchisees went bankrupt as they faced declining traffic, rising costs and other economic factors. 

    By July 15, 2024
  • A sign advertising a digital ordering app is displayed at a McDonald's.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Mobile apps drive fast food satisfaction — so long as service is speedy

    High-quality mobile apps can be central to the fast food experience if they enable improvements across the entire customer journey.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 15, 2024
  • Shot of a group of young friends enjoying delicious milkshakes at a diner
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    Kobus Louw via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by MARS Foodservices

    Boost profits by crafting an irresistible snack experience

    Here are four top tips to help you develop more enticing snack options that will attract additional diners.

    July 15, 2024
  • A Potbelly storefront with green decor. A pillar says grand opening.
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    Potbelly opens shop inside the Pentagon

    The chain is focusing on expanding at military bases and installations, with two shops also set to open at Fort Liberty in North Carolina later this year.

    By July 12, 2024
  • A rendering of a store front inside Walmart. The green sign says "Mr. Gatti's Pizza"
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    Permission granted by Mr Gatti's Pizza
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    Mr Gatti’s Pizza to open 92 units inside Walmart

    The Walmart partnership and a recently developed c-store model play into the pizza chain’s strategy to expand via non-traditional channels. 

    By July 12, 2024
  • A photo of the exterior of a convenience store in Nebraska. The side of the building says "Quiznos" and "Pump & Pantry."
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    Permission granted by Quiznos
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    Pump & Pantry expands Quiznos partnership

    After a “highly successful” initial rollout over the past two years, the companies decided to grow the deal from four to 10 sites by 2026.

    By Jessica Loder • July 11, 2024
  • An image of a taco, burrito and chips and guacamole under words that say "Del's Real Deal $2 and under.
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    Courtesy of Del Taco
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    Del Taco unveils $2 value menu

    As chains continue to roll out low-price lineups, Del Taco is looking to stand out by offering more than a dozen items under the eye-grabbing price point.

    By July 11, 2024
  • MOD Pizza
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    Permission granted by MOD Pizza
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    Mod Pizza acquired by Elite Restaurant Group

    The transaction comes several months after the chain closed underperforming locations and will help it avoid bankruptcy, which it was reportedly considering.

    By July 10, 2024
  • A man takes orders at a Starbucks counter.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Starbucks streamlines beverage making, creates role to speed service

    The Siren Craft System, rolling out across the U.S. and Canada by the end of July, aims to help baristas and managers anticipate demand.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 10, 2024
  • A rendering of Potbelly's 1,800 square foot design
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    An inside look at Potbelly’s small-format restaurant

    The company joins a list of chains turning to smaller store footprints as a way to decrease development and operational costs while accelerating growth.

    By July 10, 2024
  • A hand holds up a reusable cup being filled by a soda fountain. The purple cup says "Sip, Return, Repeat."
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    Permission granted by Closed Loop Partners
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    Starbucks, KFC, Peet’s Coffee collaborate on citywide reusable cups project

    Closed Loop Partners describes the Petaluma, California, project as a first-of-its-kind initiative for a U.S. city in which reusable to-go cups are the default option across multiple restaurants.

    By Maria Rachal • July 9, 2024
  • An image of a woman ordering at a drive-thru speaker box.
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    MartinPrescott via Getty Images
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    ConverseNow buys competitor Valyant AI

    The companies expect the business combination will help speed up the deployment of voice AI at the drive-thru. 

    By July 9, 2024
  • A waiter serves a table at a nice restaurant
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    Rawpixel via Getty Images
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    Restaurant customer satisfaction grows despite rising prices, ACSI finds

    Consumers want premium experiences to help make the meal feel worth the cost, according to ACSI’s Forrest Morgeson.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 8, 2024
  • A rendering of a dining room with chairs, tables and booths with green interiors and framed pictures on the walls.
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    Permission granted by Perkins
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    How Perkins’ multifaceted refresh aims to accelerate growth

    The company is “elevating and adapting the brand” with its new name, store updates and an upcoming menu overhaul, President Toni Ronayne said in an interview.

    By July 8, 2024
  • workers toil on a hot construction site with the orange sun in the background
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    SonerCdem via Getty Images
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    OSHA proposes rule to protect workers from extreme heat

    The standard would require employers to provide water and rest breaks when high heat creates a hazardous work environment.

    By Zachary Phillips , July 2, 2024
  • An iamge of Eric Matrino, Hard Rock Cafe president, in a gray suit crossing his arms and smiling
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    Courtesy of Hard Rock International
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    Hard Rock appoints cafe division president

    Eric Martino, who has over 30 years of hospitality experience, will oversee operations at nearly 200 eateries around the world.

    By July 1, 2024
  • Burritobar's barbacoa bowl. Slow cooked, pulled beef on top of a variety of Tex-Mex ingredients.
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    Courtesy of Burritobar
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    Burritobar signs 93-unit NJ master franchise deal

    Burritobar will target secondary and tertiary suburban markets anchored by shopping centers in its initial phase of U.S. expansion, CDO Jeff Young said.

    By Updated July 2, 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 inks deal with solar company to cut restaurant emissions

    The collaboration with Ampion Renewable Energy will help provide renewable electricity to local utility grids and decrease restaurants’ reliance on fossil fuels.

    By Zoya Mirza • July 1, 2024
  • A white sign with black text reading 'Compass Coffee' in front of and below a lighted neon saying reading 'Georgetown'
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Deep Dive

    Compass Coffee responds to union drive with mass hiring

    The union plans to challenge the voter eligibility of scores of workers the Washington, D.C.-based chain added to its roster ahead of a scheduled mid-July election.

    By June 28, 2024