Chipotle to boost average hourly earnings to $15 by end of June

The chain also plans to hire 20,000 employees in the U.S. and is offering referral bonuses for crew members, apprentices and general managers. 

By Julie Littman • May 10, 2021

Why restaurants need to be digital now

To thrive in an increasingly online marketplace, restaurants need to invest in technologies that help manage the customer relationship and manage delivery automation, says Hypertrack founder and CEO Kashyap Deorah.

By Kashyap Deorah • May 7, 2021

Report: 76% of restaurant workers plan to leave jobs over low wages, tips

If these workers had a full, stable living wage, 78% said they would stay in their positions, according to a One Fair Wage report. 

By Julie Littman • May 6, 2021

Five Guys franchisee opens the chain's first US ghost kitchen

Encore Restaurants, the largest Five Guys franchisee, opened a delivery-only location in Garland, Texas, on May 1, joining a growing list of chains using this channel for expansion.

By Alicia Kelso • May 5, 2021

Uber and Gopuff link up on 'everyday essentials' e-shop

The deal marks the first time Uber has partnered with a vertically integrated delivery business, reflecting the company's push to diversify its delivery arm in a bid to reach profitability. 

By Jeff Wells • May 5, 2021

Krispy Kreme files for $100M IPO

The company shared in a Form S-1 document Tuesday that it will use the money to pay off outstanding debt. 

By Julie Littman • Updated June 1, 2021

Now hiring: How the labor shortage is squeezing full-service restaurants

Foodservice workers burnt out by the segment's recent instability are leaving for other industries or living on high unemployment benefits, sparking a staffing crisis as dining rooms open.

By Julie Littman • May 4, 2021

Saladworks sees path to 'hundreds' more locations inside grocery stores

After capitalizing on shuttered salad bars nationwide, the restaurant chain plans to accelerate its rollout of full-service and ghost kitchen sites.

By Jeff Wells • May 4, 2021

Starbucks says it will help distribution partners struggling with labor shortages

Delayed or disrupted fulfillment from distribution centers to stores are possible if Starbucks delivery partners can't find the labor they need to move goods.

By A.B. Brown • May 3, 2021

Wow Bao to open ghost kitchen locations in Walmart stores

The chain is already on its way to reaching 1,000 locations this year, and its new 100-unit partnership with Ghost Kitchen Brands will allow it to enter into the grocery store space. 

By Julie Littman • May 3, 2021

Modern Restaurant Concepts tested ghost kitchens but won't pursue them

CEO Rob McColgan said driving diner awareness in trade areas without physical locations was too challenging, but shared virtual brand Honest Pizza Co. has been successful and could be scaled across its network.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 3, 2021

Shake Shack aims for gender parity, 50% POC restaurant leadership by 2025

The QSR is also striving for 30% of corporate leadership roles to be made up of people of color and has launched a training program to provide shift managers with skills to advance.

By Alicia Kelso • April 29, 2021

New Uber feature allows users to pick up restaurant orders during their ride

The company also announced other updates, including the ability for a customer to make multiple orders at one time and pre-ordering when an establishment is closed.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 29, 2021

Businesses can only expect limited boost from stimulus checks: Fed study

Households have channeled federal stimulus checks primarily towards savings or reducing debt, giving businesses just a limited lift from consumer spending, according to the New York Federal Reserve.

By Jim Tyson • April 28, 2021

Starbucks' digital success partially driven by AI engine, CEO Kevin Johnson says

Deep Brew personalizes diner offers to secure loyalty and drive more frequent engagement. Though transactions were down 10% for Q2, ticket prices rose 22%.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 28, 2021

DoorDash launches 3-tiered commission fee structure

The 15%, 25% and 30% commission plans come amid operator complaints of high third-party fees during the pandemic and as markets consider making temporary delivery caps permanent. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 27, 2021

After bombshell quarter, Chipotle's CFO focuses on sustainability

Amid discussions of carbon neutrality, a $15 federal minimum wage and a quickly evolving fast casual landscape, Jack Hartung says the chain remains committed to its employees and agricultural partners.

By Jane Thier • April 26, 2021

3 priorities for a post-pandemic restaurant industry

Restaurants should improve their energy optimization, save money by cutting down food waste and explore cost-effective service models like ghost kitchens, says Therma founder and CEO Manik Suri.

By Manik Suri • April 26, 2021

Chipotle CFO: $15 minimum wage would be 'very manageable' with menu price hikes

A 10% increase to the burrito chain's pay would hike menu prices 2% to 3%, CFO Jack Hartung said on an investor call Wednesday.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 22, 2021

Chipotle's digital sales surpass 50% as chain doubles down on mobile pickup

Just over half of the restaurant's digital sales were from order-ahead transactions as the company continues to add Chipotlane models to its footprint.

By Alicia Kelso , Emma Liem Beckett • April 22, 2021

Grubhub settles lawsuit over non-partnered listings

As part of its agreement, the third-party aggregator said it would add a form to allow restaurants to take ownership of listings, as well as request updates to menus and hours or removal from the platform.

By Julie Littman • April 21, 2021

New Blaze Pizza CFO: 'We all have to assume the world will get back to normal'

Brad Reynolds left the ghost kitchen industry for the fast casual segment, and believes Blaze will emerge from COVID-19 bigger than ever.

By Jane Thier • April 20, 2021

Study: Over 50% of consumers planning a private event in 2021 will cater it

Seventy-two percent of consumers are planning to hold an in-person event this year, with private restaurant space the fourth-most in demand location, according to a survey by Tripleseat and SevenRooms. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 20, 2021

WOWorks teams with Combo Kitchen to grow via ghost restaurants

The partnership aims to grow Saladworks and Frutta Bowls at a rate of five to seven locations monthly through 2021.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 19, 2021

Walmart expands grocerants with la Madeleine, Nathan's Famous

The retailer's tie-up with the hot dog chain is a part of its ghost kitchen trials, and it has partnered with the French bakery and cafe chain on a fast-casual format for 10 Dallas-Fort Worth area stores.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • April 19, 2021