Technology: Page 24


  • McDonald's pilots automated drive-thru ordering in Chicago

    The 10 restaurants testing the tech report roughly 85% order accuracy and only around 20% of orders at these locations need to be recorded by an employee, CEO Chris Kempczinski said at Bernstein's Strategic Decisions Conference. 

    By June 3, 2021
  • OpenTable partnered with UrVenue in 2021 to offer a one-stop resort booking platform
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    Retrieved from YouTube/UrVenue on June 02, 2021
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    OpenTable teams with UrVenue to offer integrated resort booking

    This partnership will make it easier for resort guests to make restaurant reservations alongside clubs, pools and other recreational experiences, while deepening OpenTable's connection to the hotel industry. 

    By June 3, 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
  • Pizza Hut new store concept retrieved by Marketing Dive on April 5, 2021
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    Courtesy of Pizza Hut
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    Yum to acquire AI-based company Dragontail Systems for $72.3M

    Yum plans to scale the tech globally. Nearly 1,500 Pizza Hut locations across 10 countries already use the technology, which automates operations from the kitchen flow through the delivery process.

    By May 27, 2021
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Danny Meyer's equity group invests $21.5M in 7shifts' labor technology

    7shifts will use the funding to scale its team and expand its product offerings, including scheduling and employee communication platforms.

    By Alicia Kelso • May 26, 2021
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    Chris Hondros via Getty Images
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    Ghost kitchen provider JustKitchen to raise $20M as it plots US expansion

    The company will enter Seattle and several California cities as part of its international growth plan, and will use the funds to develop software and build more spoke kitchens.   

    By Updated June 9, 2021
  • restaurant worker PPE
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    dapiki moto. (2020). "New Normal" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Unsplash.
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    Opinion

    How a more financially stable workforce can fuel restaurant industry recovery

    Forty-eight percent of restaurant workers said they'd be willing to leave their job for one that gives them their tips immediately at the end of their shift, writes Andrew Garner of Netspend.

    By Andrew Garner • May 21, 2021
  • Panera next gen store design
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    Retrieved from Panera on May 20, 2021
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    Panera unveils double drive-thru store design

    Going forward, all Panera builds and remodels will feature this design, and most locations will be in suburban markets to accommodate the drive-thrus.

    By May 20, 2021
  • Taco Bell mobile store
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    Retrieved from Taco Bell on August 20, 2020
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    Deep Dive

    Yum ramps up transformation with new tech deals. How will they impact marketing?

    Broader trends in the QSR category and changing media consumption habits could herald a bigger focus on performance marketing, experts suggest.

    By Peter Adams • May 17, 2021
  • Sponsored
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    Anchiy via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Waze

    Road trip! How restaurants can reach visitors and locals on the move

    As people begin to plan their summer vacations,  here are three insights restaurants can use to get in front of tourists and locals alike. 

    May 17, 2021
  • Grubhub Direct
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    Permission granted by Grubhub
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    Grubhub launches commission-free platform for independent restaurants

    Grubhub Direct allows independent operators to create customizable ordering websites, manage customer relationships and access diner data including names, emails and order history.

    By May 12, 2021
  • Opinion

    Why restaurants need to be digital now

    To thrive in an increasingly online marketplace, restaurants need to invest in technologies that help manage the customer relationship and manage delivery automation, says Hypertrack founder and CEO Kashyap Deorah.

    By Kashyap Deorah • May 7, 2021
  • Study: 92% of diners plan to maintain digital ordering habits post-vaccine

    PYMTNTS/Paytronix research also found that 57% of vaccinated diners use loyalty programs compared to 42% of unvaccinated diners, which could be because immunized diners spend more on food orders, per the report. 

    By Alicia Kelso • May 7, 2021
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    Victor J. Blue via Getty Images
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    Square adds to-go alcohol delivery feature

    The commission-free, on-demand delivery option lets restaurants and bars offer customers the option to buy alcohol from their website and have it delivered through DoorDash.

    By Alicia Kelso • May 6, 2021
  • Modern Restaurant Concepts tested ghost kitchens but won't pursue them

    CEO Rob McColgan said driving diner awareness in trade areas without physical locations was too challenging, but shared virtual brand Honest Pizza Co. has been successful and could be scaled across its network.

    By May 3, 2021
  • Two of McDonald's newest chicken sandwiches released in February 2020
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    Retrieved from McDonald's on January 05, 2021
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    McDonald's Q1 bolstered by chicken sandwich, marketing investments

    The chain also generated nearly $1.5 billion in digital sales for the period and has over 20 million active app users, which could boost its loyalty program once it comes out of test mode.

    By Alicia Kelso • April 30, 2021
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    Most of Landry's restaurants will accept bitcoin in the next 3 months

    CEO Tilman Fertitta told CNBC the move to accept cryptocurrencies is "inevitable." Pizza Hut, KFC, Starbucks, Subway and Burger King all accept the payment in some global markets.

    By Alicia Kelso • April 29, 2021
  • Restaurant plated food, interior
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    Wennington, Jay. (2014). "Gourmet meal and white wine" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Unsplash.
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    Opinion

    3 priorities for a post-pandemic restaurant industry

    Restaurants should improve their energy optimization, save money by cutting down food waste and explore cost-effective service models like ghost kitchens, says Therma founder and CEO Manik Suri.

    By Manik Suri • April 26, 2021
  • Taco Bell Rewards
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Study: 39% of married parents would spend more at a restaurant with a loyalty program

    Married parents would also purchase more at restaurants if they could order and pay digitally, while single parents are more likely to order more through curbside pickup, research from PYMNTS and Paytronix finds.

    By Alicia Kelso • April 23, 2021
  • Chipotle carside pickup
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle's digital sales surpass 50% as chain doubles down on mobile pickup

    Just over half of the restaurant's digital sales were from order-ahead transactions as the company continues to add Chipotlane models to its footprint.

    By Alicia Kelso , April 22, 2021
  • Deliverect raises $65 million
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    Courtesy of PR Newswire
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    Deliverect lands another $65M in funding, 1 year after raising $18M

    The tech company will use the cash infusion to support further R&D, solidify its position in the U.S. and continue its international expansion.

    By Alicia Kelso • April 21, 2021
  • Study: Over 50% of consumers planning a private event in 2021 will cater it

    Seventy-two percent of consumers are planning to hold an in-person event this year, with private restaurant space the fourth-most in demand location, according to a survey by Tripleseat and SevenRooms. 

    By Alicia Kelso • April 20, 2021
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    Neilson Barnard via Getty Images
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    Squarespace files to go public through a direct listing

    The website-building platform, which has over 3 million subscribers including restaurants, makes the move weeks after completing its acquisition of reservation system Tock. 

    By April 19, 2021
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    Getty Images/ SDI Productions

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    Sponsored by Waze

    Successful restaurants put tech innovation on the menu

    Here are four key restaurant technology trends that can save labor costs, increase sales, streamline systems, and make consumers feel safer. 

    April 19, 2021
  • Toast has launched new a contactless order and payment solution
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    Courtesy of Toast
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    Toast adds enhanced tools to contactless order and pay platform

    The new options aim to cut overhead costs while allowing guests to create group orders from individual devices and place it onto one check, as well as start a tab on their own.

    By Alicia Kelso • April 15, 2021
  • Slice's app connects customers with independent pizzerias
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    Permission granted by Slice
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    Slice secures $40M in additional funding

    The company plans to expand its vertical platform for its 15,000-plus pizzeria partners, add new products and scale its Slice Accelerates program, which provides $15,000 worth of tech assistance. 

    By April 14, 2021