DoorDash will shutter Chowbotics 18 months after acquisition

DoorDash acquired the robotics firm, which builds salad-making robots dubbed “Sally,” in February 2021. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 8, 2022

Report: 38% of consumers interested in metaverse would add restaurant purchases to experience

Twenty percent of consumers are familiar with the metaverse and 18% have participated in the virtual environment, Paytronix and PYMNTS research finds. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 7, 2022

Explore the 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

Piestro, Serve Robotics partner to offer robot delivery from automated pizzerias

The robot can carry up to four pizzas at a time and complete deliveries in about 15 minutes.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 7, 2022

Study: Gen Z diners visit restaurants less often than older demographics

Pandemic pressure and higher menu prices driven by inflation have discouraged Gen Z from dining out, NPD Group finds.

By Alicia Kelso • July 6, 2022

Chipotle rolls up texting, sports and loyalty to drive results

Despite not being an official sponsor of the NBA, the chain hid a code in its TV ads during the Finals that loyalty members could text to unlock a special offer.

By Robert Williams • July 5, 2022

McDonald's stakes out virtual summer camp in mobile app

Featuring merchandise, menu hacks and music performances, the 27-day effort offers another sign the chain views its app as a linchpin to winning Gen Z.

By Peter Adams • June 30, 2022

DoorDash patent application hints at autonomous vehicles under consideration

While the company said patents don’t necessarily mean a product is under development, it is actively seeking ways to use robotics to supplement its Dasher community. 

By Julie Littman • June 30, 2022

Food benefits platform Sharebite raises $39M

The technology, which enables restaurants to deliver food to corporate clients, will use the funding to grow and launch new products.

By Alicia Kelso • June 29, 2022

BurgerFi and Anthony's launch co-branded Visa rewards card

The card offers customers 3% cashback on all purchases at any of the brands’ 185 locations.

By Alicia Kelso • June 28, 2022

Kura Sushi deploys server robots systemwide

Kur-B the KuraBot will deliver drinks and condiments to customers tableside at all 37 restaurant locations. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 24, 2022

McDonald's AI voice ordering tests underperforming on accuracy, survey says

Accuracy rates for the drive-thru tech are in the low 80% range, which puts it below the 95%-plus level the company wants before broader adoption, BTIG reports.

By Alicia Kelso • June 23, 2022

10 ways restaurants are embracing automation

Robots are quickly becoming the new face of labor across the restaurant industry. Here’s a look at how automation technology is shaping the segment.

June 17, 2022

Inside the restaurant: How a fry cook robot holds the line for White Castle

At a Mokena, Illinois, White Castle, Miso Robotics’ Flippy 2 allows one worker to shift roles to man the hospitality door.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 14, 2022

The key to surviving a recession is automation. Here's how 3 different types of restaurants are doing it.

Esper partners with restaurant operations of all shapes and sizes to deliver custom solutions for modernization.

June 13, 2022

Toast heats up restaurant payments competition

As Toast adds services, the Boston startup is taking business from larger rivals and fintech peers, analysts say.

By Jonathan Berr • June 9, 2022

Miso Robotics teams with Amazon Web Services to speed up product deployment

The partnership will allow the robotics firm’s software engineers to receive simulation results in minutes or hours instead of days.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 8, 2022

Lunchbox acquires NovaDine to improve offerings for enterprise chains

The transaction will enable restaurants to manage digital guest experiences from a single operating system and increase Lunchbox’s scale.  

By Alicia Kelso • June 8, 2022

Uber Eats debuts nationwide food shipping

Despite competition from Goldbelly and DoorDash, Uber's head of U.S. and Canada merchant ops says the offering adds new value for partner restaurants.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 7, 2022

Tim Hortons US debuts first drive-thru-only model

The first drive-thru only model restaurants will open this summer in several states including West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan and New York.

By Alicia Kelso • June 7, 2022

Chick-fil-A tests autonomous delivery in Austin, Texas

Refraction AI, which offers self-delivery technology, tele-operations and delivery robots that use the bike lane, will be deployed at two locations in the city. 

By Julie Littman • May 31, 2022

The new faces of labor? Meet the robots of the National Restaurant Association Show

As restaurants struggle to find labor, tech companies like Nala Robotics and Richtech are developing automated chefs and baristas to fill gaps.

By Thai Phi Le • May 23, 2022

Nextbite exec dishes on how operators can make virtual brands successful

These concepts can optimize excess kitchen capacity and slow dayparts, but also poise operators to be nimble in emerging markets like Web3, says Chief Growth Officer Geoff Madding.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 23, 2022

Future-proofing device-based technology saves restaurants headaches — and millions in OpEx

 How restaurants can win in the newest arena of customer experience.  

May 23, 2022

Stop wasting your time dealing with sales tax - Automate it!

Automating sales tax eliminates stress and saves time on a task that does nothing for your bottom line.

May 23, 2022

Wow Bao launches virtual loyalty program through Paytronix

Bao Bucks could grow revenue for partner restaurants and secure Wow Bao's customer base, which can now access its menu at over 600 host kitchens. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 20, 2022