Technology: Page 18

  • Square POS
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    Courtesy of CashApp - Square
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    SoundHound AI, Square launch tool to automate phone ordering

    SoundHound for Restaurants' voice assistant answers phone calls, take orders, accept modifications and send confirmations to complete payments.

    By Alicia Kelso • May 19, 2022
  • Domino's mind-ordering app promoting Stranger Things fourth season. Retrieved by Marketing Dive on May 16, 2022
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    Retrieved from Domino's Pizza, Inc. on May 16, 2022
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    Domino's grants 'Stranger Things' fans 'mind-ordering' powers through new app

    An immersive mobile experience tied to the Netflix show’s return uses facial recognition and eye-tracking technology to help users order pizza.

    By Peter Adams • Updated May 17, 2022
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet. Explore the Trendlineâž”
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    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
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    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
  • Buffalo Wild Wings is testing Miso Robotics' robotic chicken fryer, Flippy Wings.
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    Permission granted by Miso Robotics
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    Wing Zone, Wavemaker Labs launch automated restaurant pilot

    Wing Zone Labs plans to open up to 20 units, which will deploy Miso's Flippy 2 to handle frying stations with a goal of eventually becoming fully automated.

    By Alicia Kelso • May 11, 2022
  • Person holds phone in Starbucks store
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    Retrieved from Starbucks on May 04, 2022
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    Starbucks builds out 'third place' with foray into NFTs

    As a means to build a community around coffee, the chain will link the upcoming digital tokens to exclusive content and perks.

    By Natalie Black (Koltun) • May 6, 2022
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    Retrieved from Starbucks on January 27, 2021
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    90% of new Starbucks stores will have drive-thrus

    This move is part of a $1 billion investment, which includes tech upgrades such as handheld devices and equipment upgrades to improve efficiency, service and profitability.

    By • May 4, 2022
  • Toast has launched new a contactless order and payment solution
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    Courtesy of Toast
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    Toast checks into hotels

    Toast for Hotel Restaurants will provide tools to streamline operations, increase revenue and process room charges directly from its suite of features.

    By Alicia Kelso • May 3, 2022
  • A man carrying orange bags with the word Grubhub on the side.
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    Courtesy of Grubhub
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    Report: 41% of independent restaurants operate virtual brands

    Sixty-eight percent of respondents report their virtual restaurants are permanent additions, surveys by Grubhub and Technomic find. 

    By • April 27, 2022
  • Starbucks at The Giant Company store in Doylestown, Pennsylvania
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    Courtesy of The Giant Company
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    Starbucks hires McDonald's alum as CTO

    Deb Hall Lefevre joins the coffee chain on May 2, marking Starbucks' third executive change since Howard Schultz became interim CEO on April 4.

    By • April 26, 2022
  • Jack in the Box and Miso Robotics are testing Flippy 2
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    Courtesy of Miso Robotics
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    Jack in the Box will test Miso beverage and fry cook robots

    Flippy 2 can increase throughput by 30%, or around 60 baskets per hour, and Sippy can fill 200 drinks per hour, reducing labor pressure.

    By • April 26, 2022
  • White Castle launched a loyalty program nationwide September 2020.
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    Courtesy of White Caslte
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    White Castle plans takeout-only unit next to its busiest restaurant

    The new 1,800-square-foot unit in Orlando, Florida, will only offer pickup and delivery for digital orders as off-premise restaurant demand holds steady.

    By Alicia Kelso • April 22, 2022
  • Miso Robotics' 2nd iteration of the Flippy robot.
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    Courtesy of Miso Robotics
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    Deep Dive

    6 restaurant tech solutions to combat 2022's challenges

    From QR codes to advanced mobile apps and robots, restaurants are planning to adopt more technology within their operations in the year ahead. 

    By • April 20, 2022
  • Chipotle in Savannah, Georgia
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
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    Chipotle launches $50M venture fund to access emerging tech

    Cultivate Next, which will be funded solely by the chain, will focus on Series B stage companies that can help accelerate Chipotle's strategic priorities.

    By • April 19, 2022
  • Popeyes opened its Times Square location in 2022.
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    Permission granted by Popeyes
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    Popeyes to open 200-plus units in US and Canada in 2022

    Over half of these planned locations will have double drive-thrus, and the chain will test a new back-of-house design to streamline operations.

    By • April 19, 2022
  • Chili's expanded its partnership with Bear Robotics into 51 states in 2022.
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    Permission granted by Chili's
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    Chili's to deploy Rita the Robot at 51 more locations

    Chili's has tested the Bear Robotics tech, which can lead guests to tables, run food and sing a birthday song, at 10 locations over the past 18 months.

    By • Updated April 18, 2022
  • McDonald's Canada's distribution fleet has added its first electric vehicle, a Volvo VNR Electric Class 8 tractor.
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    Courtesy of Volvo Trucks North America
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    McDonald's Canada to test Volvo electric truck for restaurant delivery

    The company plans to transition its fleet to lower-emission vehicles "where feasible" to service its more than 1,400 restaurants.

    By Max Garland • April 14, 2022
  • Yelp eco-friendly attributes
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    Courtesy of Yelp
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    Yelp adds eco-friendly business search filter

    Searchable attributes like "provides reusable tableware" or "bring your own container allowed" will make it easier for consumers to find businesses that have adopted sustainable practices, the company said.

    By Alicia Kelso • April 13, 2022
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    Courtesy of Miso Robotics
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    Panera tests Miso Robotics coffee monitoring system

    CookRight Coffee, a new AI-enabled coffee monitoring system, combines time, temperature and volume data with predictive analytics to alert employees when to brew a new batch.

    By • April 12, 2022
  • Buffalo Wild Wings is testing Miso Robotics' robotic chicken fryer, Flippy Wings.
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    Permission granted by Miso Robotics
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    Study: One-third of diners don't want to see robots preparing their food

    While consumers understand the benefits of automation, 32% would prefer not to see the technology in action, new research from Big Red Rooster finds.

    By Alicia Kelso • April 11, 2022
  • A bike courier with a red delivery bag.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    DoorDash launches DashPass for Students

    The $4.99 monthly subscription gives U.S. college students access to free delivery from grocers, convenience stores and restaurants.

    By • April 11, 2022
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    Permission granted by GRUBBRR
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    Sponsored by GRUBBRR

    GRUBBRR solutions mitigate labor shortage woes

    The labor shortage shows no sign of letting up; for restaurant operators that want to not only survive, but thrive in this new labor landscape, the only answer is automation.

    April 11, 2022
  • Close-up photo of female hands with smartphone. Young woman typing on a mobile phone on a sunny street.
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    Kirill Smyslov via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The importance of embracing today's always-connected diner

    Restaurants should reconsider their investments to ensure a great, connected experience for their customers, writes Anthony Cross, Yelp's vice president of restaurant products.

    By Anthony Cross • April 4, 2022
  • A Flytrex drone can carry up to 6.6 pounds and make five-mile round trips, according to the company’s website.
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    Permission granted by Flytrex
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    Flytrex and Brinker International bring drone delivery partnership to Texas

    Flytrex's expansion into Texas follows its growth in North Carolina, where the company has entered three markets since September 2020.

    By Alicia Kelso • April 1, 2022
  • Yelp partners with Hazel Analytics
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    Courtesy of yelp
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    Yelp partners with Hazel Analytics to expand health scores on its platform

    Hazel Analytics will incorporate data from health departments across 48 U.S. states to facilitate health scores across Yelp's nearly 700,000 pages.

    By Alicia Kelso • March 31, 2022
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    Courtesy of Meta
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    Wendy's opens metaverse restaurant in Horizon Worlds

    Teaming with the QSR chain is a major play by Meta to achieve its vision for connecting brands and consumers on a platform it sees as a top priority.

    By Chris Kelly • March 31, 2022
  • Chipotle began testing radio-frequency identification technology in 2022 to trace meat, dairy and avocados from five suppliers.
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    Chipotle tests RFID technology to improve food traceability

    The tech will trace meat, dairy and avocados from five of the company's suppliers at about 200 Chicago-area restaurants.

    By • March 31, 2022