Technology

  • A person uses a smart phone to pay at a kiosk inside a restaurant.
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    simon2579 via Getty Images
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    Want a great quick-service restaurant experience? Keep it fast and efficient

    Customers are happier with human-led ordering at the counter or the drive-thru than they are with using kiosks, according to a Qualtrics Instant Insights survey.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 23, 2025
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    Michael M. Santiago / Staff via Getty Images
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    Worker says Dunkin’ franchisee retaliated after she researched tip law

    “That’s AI,” the worker’s supervisor allegedly said in response to her findings. “That’s not real.”

    By Emilie Shumway • July 21, 2025
  • 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
  • Person Using SelfService Kiosk in Modern Cafe.
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    Vladimir Razguliaev via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Acumera

    How your restaurant can scale without the strain

    Restaurants are racing to modernize — but scaling tech across locations can be a burden.

    July 21, 2025
  • Grubhub food delivery bags on the counter at a coffee shop.
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    Courtesy of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
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    Wyndham, Grubhub partner on food delivery to 6K hotels

    Through the collaboration, guests staying across Wyndham’s entire U.S. portfolio will have access to online ordering and added perks like free delivery.

    By Jenna Graber • July 18, 2025
  • A photograph of white EV charging stations in a parking lot in front of a Bojangles restaurant.
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    Permission granted by Bojangles
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    Bojangles to install EV charging stations

    The QSR chain will begin installation during Q4 2025, and will have stations accessible at many of its locations next year.

    By • July 14, 2025
  • Exterior of a Potbelly restaurant
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    Potbelly updates website, app as part of digital transformation

    These digital channels will include a reorder function and “Quick Add” option for a faster checkout experience. 

    By • July 14, 2025
  • 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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    Opinion

    Two lanes for AI-powered order taking in drive-thrus: Humanization vs. transparency

    While mimicking a human voice can lead to more emotionally engaging guest interactions, the stakes are higher for brands, with robotic-sounding voices offering greater transparency, says Hi Auto’s Eyal Shapira.

    By Eyal Shapira • July 8, 2025
  • Olo founder Noah Glass on Olo's first day of trading
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    Permission granted by Olo
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    Olo sells itself for $2B

    The tech firm, which went public in 2021, will now become a private company following this transaction.

    By • July 3, 2025
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    Permission granted by Love's
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    Love’s deploys ordering kiosks at 112 Arby’s restaurants

    This continues the retailer’s ongoing investment into remodeling and updating its stores to have a more modern look and feel.

    By Brett Dworski • July 1, 2025
  • A Serve Robotics Robot in front of Atlanta's skyline.
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    Courtesy of Serve Robotics
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    Uber Eats, Serve Robotics roll into Atlanta

    The robotics firm will offer delivery to about 50,000 Atlanta residents as it continues expanding its partnership with Uber Eats.

    By • June 26, 2025
  • An image of an adult and child looking up at the sky where there is a drone carrying a red bag.
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    Permission granted by Flytrex/DoorDash
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    DoorDash drone delivery takes off in Texas

    Flytrex will provide the service within the Dallas-Fort Worth area from dozens of restaurants, including Papa Johns.

    By • June 26, 2025
  • A smiling server takes an order from a couple seated at a restaurant table.
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    Smallhands Creative

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    Sponsored by Toast

    Rewriting the playbook: How a new generation of restaurateurs is beating rising costs

    With costs soaring, the old strategies have hit a wall. Hear from restaurateurs rewriting the rules.

    June 23, 2025
  • Customers ordering at the counter of a cookie store.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    How Chip City baked its way to million dollar investments and 45 locations

    It started with a love of cookies. A focus on customers and the right tools led to business success.

    June 23, 2025
  • A photograph of a red and yellow sign with a giant yellow "M" above a red box that says "McDonald's Billions Served."
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s appoints US CIO

    Valerie Ashbaugh is set to switch positions with long-time tech chief Whitney McGinnis, who will now be senior vice president, commercial products and platforms.

    By • June 18, 2025
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    Permission granted by Stable Kernel
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    Sponsored by Stable Kernel

    The hidden costs of ‘set and forget’ tech, and how modern architectures save you millions

    Discover how data integration, AI and microservices unlock cost savings and infinite scale versus legacy monoliths.

    By Jay Gyuricza, VP of Customer Experience & Business Development, Stable Kernel • June 16, 2025
  • A worker in a fine restaurant cleaning a wine glass.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    How Roaming Goat uses Square Handheld to expand its footprint

    Here’s how Jacob Paronyan leveraged Square tech to manage and expand his restaurant, Roaming Goat.

    June 16, 2025
  • A black and white image of a person wearing a suit and smiling in front of of a gray background.
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    Permission granted by Ascent Hospitality Management
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    Ascent Hospitality appoints technology chief

    Brian Wallunas has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and technology. He has overseen digital transformations at brands such as Domino’s and Arby’s.

    By • June 12, 2025
  • An Outback Steakhouse restaurant on a cold day.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Restaurants develop a taste for AI as economic outlook sours

    BJ’s Restaurants, Cracker Barrel and Bloomin’ Brands pursue efficiency and productivity gains with AI initiatives.

    By Lindsey Wilkinson • June 12, 2025
  • An image of a white room packed with pink and orange robots.
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    Courtesy of Coco Robotics
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    Coco Robotics raises $80M in funding to fuel expansion

    The delivery bot firm will use the funding to enter into additional partnerships, grow its fleet and advance its AI system.

    By • June 11, 2025
  • Patrons at a Chicago Starbucks after the coffee chain on Feb. 25, 2025.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Starbucks deploys virtual assistant to improve workflows

    Green Dot Assist will help staff look up various ingredients for drinks, troubleshoot equipment and help managers staff last-minute callouts.

    By • June 11, 2025
  • A male smiling at the camera
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    Why Bluestone Lane switched to Square to run its 65 locations

    Bluestone Lane improved efficiency and customer service by using Square tech across its locations.

    June 9, 2025
  • An image of an orange bag with Grubhub and pizza boxes.
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    Permission granted by Grubhub
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    Grubhub launches multi-store ordering

    The feature, which coincides with further expansion into alcohol delivery, allows customers to order from two eligible merchants in a single order.

    By • June 5, 2025
  • A robot table busser with a cat face on a tablet screen.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    The many faces of automation at the NRA Show

    This year artificial intelligence appeared in forms ranging from a cat-eared delivery robot to a generated analytics dashboard.

    By • June 5, 2025
  • A person ordering food from a kiosk at a restaurant.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    3 ways to grow your restaurant in 2025

    From adding income streams to adjusting menus, restaurants are finding new strategies to expand.

    June 2, 2025
  • Adam, a robot made by Richtech Robotics, makes an espresso drink at the National Restaurant Association Show in May 2025.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Reporter’s notebook: 3 unanswered questions from the NRA Show

    Can a robot really replace a worker? Will tariffs trigger a recession? Can you charge $14 for a mocktail?

    By • May 28, 2025