Technology
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Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle’s advanced equipment strategy takes a step forward
The fast casual giant said its avocado processing machine and automated digital makeline are in the final steps before in-restaurant testing.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 26, 2024 -
Courtesy of Marco's Pizza
Marco’s opens first location with new digital-focused design
The prototype, which has the option for a pickup door and window, is expected to accelerate the chain’s growth while improving customer services.
By Julie Littman • July 25, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
TrendlineBack-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 -
Courtesy of Zaxby's
Zaxbys creates e-commerce division, adds chief digital officer
Chris Kung, who joins the fast food chain after four years at Dollar General, will oversee the company’s new e-commerce and loyalty team.
By Julie Littman • July 24, 2024 -
Retrieved from Casey's.
C-stores see higher loyalty retention than QSRs, data shows
However, they sign up new members much more slowly than quick- and full-service restaurants, according to data from Paytronix.
By Jessica Loder • July 24, 2024 -
Permission granted by Bojangles
Bojangles to deploy voice AI at hundreds of drive-thrus
The chicken chain is positioning itself as an aggressive early-adopter of drive-thru voice AI, and says Hi Auto’s tool is more than 95% accurate.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 23, 2024 -
Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
Coffee and EV charging: Mercedes-Benz partners with Starbucks
The collaboration will add DC fast chargers at 100 retail locations along the 1,400-mile Interstate 5 corridor.
By Haley Cawthon • July 22, 2024 -
Courtesy of Burger King
Why Burger King is all-in on gamification
A full pipeline of new and unique in-app games drives engagement for the brand, according to Preston Nix, director of loyalty and CRM.
By Amanda Baltazar • July 18, 2024 -
Permission granted by One Table Restaurant Group
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 18, 2024 -
Permission granted by Beef O' Brady's
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 Julie Littman • July 17, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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 -
MartinPrescott via Getty Images
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 9, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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 -
Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
Panera faces potential class-action lawsuit over data breach involving employee information
Corporate files were accessed during a security incident in March, but workers weren’t informed about sensitive data being exposed until June, the lawsuit claims.
By Carolyn Crist • June 28, 2024 -
Bryan Bedder / Stringer via Getty Images
Amex banks on spending at high-end restaurants
Analysts say American Express wants to cash in on the restaurant industry’s success and give customers admission to premium experiences.
By Patrick Cooley • June 27, 2024 -
Moyo Studio via Getty Images
Amex to buy Tock for $400M
American Express said it will buy the reservation platform from website builder Squarespace to buttress its dining digital services.
By Patrick Cooley • June 24, 2024 -
Courtesy of Carl's Jr
How Carl’s Jr. is driving in-store visits with AI-fueled CTV advertising
The QSR paired contextual targeting data with IRIS.TV’s private marketplace to engage young men with shared interests like anime and gaming.
By Aaron Baar • June 21, 2024 -
metamorworks via Getty Images
SoundHound AI acquires ordering platform Allset
Allset, a platform designed specifically for pickup orders, will help SoundHound speed up its goal of developing a multi-channel, voice-ordering system.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 20, 2024 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
McDonald’s ends IBM drive-thru voice order test
The fast food chain still sees a future for automated order taking at the drive-thru and expects to make a decision about the tech by year’s end.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 17, 2024 -
Courtesy of CKE
CKE appoints Papa Johns vet as chief technology and growth officer
Justin Falciola will oversee information technology, digital strategy and operations and help deploy new technologies as the company invests in digital channels.
By Julie Littman • June 12, 2024 -
doble-d via Getty Images
Restaurant openings up 6%, but momentum slowing
Sweets and snack concepts had the most openings with new dessert stores up 52%, followed by shaved ice outlets up 22%, according to a Yelp report.
By Julie Littman • June 5, 2024 -
Permission granted by Fiserv
‘They feel like they got tricked’: How tipping requests can hurt customer relationships
Consumers are being asked to tip more often and for more services than they were in the past. It’s leaving them with a bad taste in their mouths.
By Lisa Scherzer • June 3, 2024 -
Courtesy of Presto Automation
Taco John’s rolls out drive-thru AI test with Presto
Following the completion of a pilot phase, the Mexican chain will expand the technology to franchised locations later this year.
By Julie Littman • June 3, 2024 -
Courtesy of Amazon/Grubhub
Amazon adds Grubhub restaurant delivery to platform
Prime subscribers will have access to an ongoing Grubhub+ membership, too.
By Julie Littman • May 30, 2024 -
Permission granted by CosMc's
CosMc’s launches loyalty app
The McDonald’s spinoff launched an app despite having only four locations, in a possible show of the burger giant's confidence in its new brand.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 28, 2024 -
Don Wu via Getty Images
Grubbrr CEO: Automation could make restaurants a high-wage, high-productivity business
Kiosks may not be a silver bullet for labor troubles — they seem better suited to boost check sizes — but they may be part of a gradual transformation of restaurant work, Sam Zietz said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 21, 2024
