Technology: Page 23


  • OpenTable customers check in at restaurant, masks, COVID-19
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    Permission granted by OpenTable
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    OpenTable allows restaurants to share vaccine requirements

    Diners can view these rules on a restaurant's profile page under Safety Precautions, which also shows measures such as contactless payment options and whether waitstaff wear masks.

    By Aug. 9, 2021
  • IHOP delivery
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    Retrieved from IHOP on March 09, 2020
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    IHOP explores virtual brands, new loyalty program

    A delivery-only model could leverage the breakfast chain's current infrastructure, which includes two full kitchens in about 70% of its restaurants.

    By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 6, 2021
  • 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
  • Yelp added vaccination required tags to its review pages August 2021.
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    Permission granted by Yelp
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    Yelp tag lets restaurants list 'proof of vaccination required' in profiles

    The reservation platform has also deployed an "all staff fully vaccinated" tag, and is increasing its monitoring of restaurant pages to ensure operators aren't bombarded by negative reviews related to COVID-19 safety measures.

    By Aug. 5, 2021
  • OpenTable launched direct messaging in August 2021.
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    Permission granted by OpenTable
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    OpenTable diners can now send restaurants direct messages

    Customers can use the reservation platform's Direct Messaging feature to make requests, ask questions and modify or cancel their reservation. 

    By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 4, 2021
  • Gopuff
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    Courtesy of Gopuff
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    Gopuff raises another $1B to fuel rapid growth

    The company, which is now valued at $15 billion, will use the funding to expand to new locations and offer fresh meal delivery through Gopuff Kitchens.

    By Jeff Wells • Aug. 2, 2021
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The on-premise restaurant experiencing isn't dying — it's evolving

    Rather than debating whether virtual channels are overtaking traditional ones, QSRs should focus on how the two avenues can complement each other, writes Shauna Moran, insights analyst at GWI.

    By Shauna Moran • July 26, 2021
  • Chipotle introduced a quesadilla to its digital menu in March 2021.
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    Retrieved from Chipotle/PR Newswire on March 09, 2021
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    Chipotle's digital sales rose 10.5% during Q2

    CEO Brian Niccol said he expects the company's returns to continue to improve as it accelerates its order and pay ahead model, Chipotlanes, which open with 20% higher sales compared to traditional stores.

    By Alicia Kelso , July 21, 2021
  • Choco team photo
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    Courtesy of Choco
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    Restaurant supply chain startup Choco secures $100M in funding

    The company, which reported transaction volume quadrupling in the past year, will use the cash infusion to deploy new payment tools and expand in its existing markets.

    By Alicia Kelso • July 20, 2021
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    Maja Hitij via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    How successful ghost kitchens are built

    Restaurant operators need to focus on location, menu development and consumer satisfaction KPIs when developing delivery-only concepts, writes Chris Adams, vice president of strategy at Oracle Food and Beverage.

    By Chris Adams • July 16, 2021
  • Host kitchen and software startup CEO and founder George Jacobs
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    Retrieved from Acelerate on July 15, 2021
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    Host kitchen and software startup Acelerate secures $14.4M in funding

    The company licenses seven proprietary brands to existing restaurants and works with operators to bring their menus to other restaurant partners.

    By Alicia Kelso , July 15, 2021
  • Chipotle free burrito TV ad airing around NBA Finals retrieved by Marketing Dive on July 7, 2021
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    Permission granted by Chipotle Mexican Grill
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    Chipotle hides giveaway codes in NBA Finals ads for a 'game within the game'

    The TV spots show the brand drawing a clearer link to its mobile business and building on a popular "Freeting" promotion from 2019.

    By Peter Adams • July 8, 2021
  • C3's digital brand Umami Burger
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    Retrieved from Umami Burger on July 06, 2021
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    C3 raises $80M to grow virtual brand footprint

    Reef Technology, which co-led the investment alongside Brookfield Asset Management, has committed to carrying C3's brands in 500 of its ghost kitchens in the U.S. 

    By July 7, 2021
  • Grubhub and Yandex deployed Yandex's delivery robots to Ohio State University campus in August 2021 as part of a partnership to offer delivery of on-campus food to students.
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    Courtesy of Grubhub/Yandex
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    Grubhub, Yandex deploy delivery bots to first college campus

    The Ohio State University students will be able to order deliveries from on-campus dining through Grubhub's app, which will be fulfilled by 50 Yandex robots.

    By Updated Aug. 19, 2021
  • An image of McDonald's logo
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    McDonald's plans to cut franchisees' tech fees by 62% following uproar

    According to an internal memo obtained by Bloomberg, the change was made to "reset" the relationship between corporate and franchisees.

    By Alicia Kelso • July 1, 2021
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    Permission granted by Alexander Mann Solutions
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    Report: 47% of diners use at least one loyalty program

    The share of consumers using restaurant rewards increased 12% between Jan. 22 and April 22, research from Paytronix and PYMNTS finds.

    By Alicia Kelso • June 30, 2021
  • Donatos pizza
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    Courtesy of PR Newswire
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    Donatos partners with Reef Kitchens to open a ghost kitchen

    The delivery-only collaboration, which will expand the pizza chain's presence in Nashville, Tennessee, comes as the restaurant also grows through its relationship with Red Robin.

    By Alicia Kelso • June 25, 2021
  • Customer interface of Snackpass, a social e-commerce platform for restaurants
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    Permission granted by Snackpass
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    Social e-commerce platform Snackpass raises $70M

    The company will use the cash infusion to expand to major restaurant markets, including New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Austin, Texas.

    By Alicia Kelso • June 24, 2021
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    Robert Mora via Getty Images
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    Grubhub partners with Las Vegas hotel to replace in-room dining

    The deal with Resorts World Las Vegas lets guests order from the resort's 40 food and beverage concepts using the aggregator's app or via QR codes located on the property.

    By Alicia Kelso • June 24, 2021
  • OpenTable launches initiative to combat diner no-shows

    As part of its "Show-Up for Restaurants" campaign, the booking platform will offer the ability to label a diner as a potential no-show based on past activity.

    By Alicia Kelso • June 22, 2021
  • El Pollo Loco to launch drone delivery pilot

    The Mexican QSR, which will begin testing its Air Loco service on June 24, expects drones to reduce delivery costs by 25% to 30%. 

    By June 17, 2021
  • Fair use image of a menu item from C3's virtual brand Krispy Rice
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    Retrieved from Krispy Rice on June 16, 2021
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    C3, Chowly partner to bring virtual brands to 10K restaurants

    The collaboration will allow C3, which is currently in 250 kitchens, to rapidly expand through Chowly's network of enterprise and small restaurant clients. 

    By June 16, 2021
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    Courtesy of Jack in the Box
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    Jack in the Box duets with Jason Derulo on virtual restaurant brand

    One in a Milli will be exclusively available to diners in Los Angeles via Uber Eats, and launches as the chain plans to open up to eight ghost kitchens in three states through Reef Technology this summer. 

    By Chris Kelly • June 15, 2021
  • Restaurant365 acquires Compeat
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    Courtesy of PR Newswire
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    Restaurant365 acquires restaurant management platform Compeat

    Both companies provide similar solutions aimed at simplifying day-to-day operations, including accounting, inventory, scheduling, payroll and HR management, and the combined firm will serve over 28,000 restaurants. 

    By Alicia Kelso • June 14, 2021
  • Toast Inc. point of sale device
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    Courtesy of Toast Inc.
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    Toast buys back-office tech provider

    The acquisition will allow the POS company to offer insights into profitability by menu item, as well as automation and intelligence tools to streamline tasks like managing inventory and tracking margins.

    By June 11, 2021
  • Presto's Vision product that launched as part of its Staff Multiplier product in 2021
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    Permission granted by Presto
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    Presto rolls out product suite aimed at improving restaurant labor

    The technology company's Staff Multiplier offers various tools, including handheld devices and tablets, that could help understaffed operators contend with strong diner demand. 

    By June 3, 2021