Technology
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Starbucks scheduling tools crippled by Blue Yonder outage
A ransomware attack against the software vendor has pushed the coffee chain to temporarily rely on manual scheduling to ensure workers are paid for hours.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 26, 2024 -
Are customers tipping more? Here’s what the data says.
While customers feel more pressure to tip across industries, they still tip a relatively stable 18% at restaurants.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 25, 2024 -
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 -
Paytronix upgrades its software weeks after being acquired
Additions include an AI tool that answers operators’ questions and a group of features meant to help manage and process online orders.
By Brett Dworski • Nov. 20, 2024 -
Smoothie King hires Red Robin exec as CIO
Jyoti Lynch is tasked with creating a comprehensive technology strategy to enhance the guest experience and improve franchise profitability.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 20, 2024 -
Bojangles to install ordering kiosks across its system
The chicken chain said its pilot of the Grubbrr technology had high adoption rates and helped increase throughput.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 15, 2024 -
Sponsored by NCR Voyix
Deliver distinctive guest experiences and liberate your staff from manual tasks
In the next decade, restaurants will drive rapid growth by owning the experience in new ways.
Nov. 12, 2024 -
Serve Robotics buys Autocado maker Vebu
The acquisition of the Chipotle-backed equipment developer signals Serve’s interests are growing from the sidewalk to the kitchen.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 7, 2024 -
Paytronix acquired by The Access Group
The deal will expand the offerings available through Paytronix’s platform and help accelerate its growth, executives said.
By Jessica Loder • Nov. 1, 2024 -
Sponsored by NCR Voyix
Optimizing technology costs through smarter architecture
Maximize efficiency and cut costs — learn how smart tech architecture can transform your business's bottom line.
By NCR Voyix • Oct. 28, 2024 -
Chipotle’s latest automation tool to help with hiring, recruitment
Paradox, a conversational AI system, will manage administrative tasks and is expected to reduce the time to hire by 75%.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 22, 2024 -
Grubhub boosts delivery access with Amazon Key partnership
The tie-up gives Grubhub delivery partners one-click access to restricted residential buildings and has already improved the driver and customer experience.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 21, 2024 -
Sponsored by reciProfity
How the lack of food costing technology is costing restaurants more money
For restaurant owners, understanding the nuances of food costing is not just an operational necessity; it’s a crucial factor in ensuring profitability and sustainability.
Oct. 21, 2024 -
Richtech Robotics to open 20 more automated restaurants inside Walmart stores
The tech company, which uses robotic arms to create drinks, will become a Ghost Kitchens America franchisee as part of its expansion plans.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 18, 2024 -
Serve Robotics debuts faster, larger robots for Uber Eats deal
The company is on track to deploy about 250 robots in Los Angeles in Q1 2025, and its next gen model can run for longer and carry more.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 16, 2024 -
Toast adds branded apps and text marketing
The company said its new features can help restaurants drive traffic and frequency, and that apps are more effective than websites.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 8, 2024 -
Starbucks buys more innovation farms to create climate-proof coffee
Farmers in Costa Rica and Guatemala will test drones, hybrid crop varieties and more as the company aims to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the region.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 7, 2024 -
Uber Eats to deliver with Avride robots in Austin
The deal is the latest in a string of partnerships between the delivery giant and robotics developers, and includes sidewalk robots and robotaxis.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 4, 2024 -
DoorDash’s commerce platform includes AI phone ordering
Partner restaurants can also access tools to create their own apps and customer support solutions.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 25, 2024 -
DoorDash, Uber Eats win NYC customer data court battle
New York City’s rule requiring delivery apps to give restaurants consumer information violates the First Amendment, a judge found Tuesday.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 25, 2024 -
Presto Automation puts itself up for sale
The tech firm, which was delisted from the Nasdaq earlier this year, does not anticipate changes to its operations as a result of a sale.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 24, 2024 -
Olo cuts 9% of workforce despite profitability
The restaurant tech company laid off more employees after reporting a 27% revenue surge last quarter to attain “balanced growth.”
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Sept. 23, 2024 -
White Castle pivots to gamified, tiered rewards
The slider chain is looking to encourage specific consumer behaviors, like late-night visits or trialing new menu items, with “quests” across three loyalty levels.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 19, 2024 -
Olive Garden will test Uber delivery to fight sales slump
Parent company Darden Restaurants will pilot the delivery platform’s white-label service at select units this year, with tentative plans for nationwide deployment in 2025.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 19, 2024 -
Dave & Buster’s prioritizes tech investments on the hunt for better experience
Technology updates and the introduction of on-premise sales managers who tailor consumer experience to specific stores are showing promise.
By Bryan Wassel • Sept. 16, 2024 -
Chipotle starts in-store testing for avocado, makeline robots
The two pieces of equipment, including the Autocado, were developed in conjunction with firms backed by its venture fund.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 16, 2024