Burger King expands loyalty program nationwide

The chain expects to have more than two-thirds of its restaurants activated with loyalty capabilities this month and will soon launch a new Royal Perks deal.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Sept. 2, 2021

Taco Bell decries rivals' celeb menu stunts in 'Build Your Own Cravings' mobile push

Even as it teases fellow QSRs like McDonald's and Chipotle that have relied on celebrities, Taco Bell's latest effort also features influencers.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 8, 2021

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

McDonald's plans to open nearly 500 restaurants in US and IOM segments in 2021

The chain called new restaurant development an "important driver of our growth" during its recent Q4 earnings call. McDonald's will also spend $500 million to modernize 1,200 existing locations. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 1, 2021

How restaurants are bringing tech to the table in 2021

Much of the industry's in-store tech investments have gone toward contactless payment solutions or tableside, but operators are also experimenting with cutting-edge air filtration to make diners comfortable.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 28, 2021

Chick-fil-A scores highest 'brand intimacy' marks among QSRs during the pandemic

This MLBM ranking also comes as several brands, including McDonald's, KFC and Burger King, pull a page from Chick-fil-A's playbook by launching signature chicken sandwiches.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 19, 2021

Panera takes its catering business virtual

The chain's Virtual Catering program allows companies to buy digital, timestamped vouchers to send to remote employees or clients ahead of an online meeting or event.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 14, 2021

Noodles & Company opens first ghost kitchen in Chicago

The Humboldt Park location will allow customers to order meals through the company's loyalty app, as well as third-party partners, for pickup and delivery.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • Updated May 20, 2021

Grubhub partners with Fiat Chrysler to add in-car food ordering

Consumers can reorder favorites or discover new restaurants, which allows them to find nearby eateries they have not ordered from before.

By Alicia Kelso , Julie Littman • Jan. 12, 2021

Focus Brands adds surcharge for digital pickup, delivery orders

The company said the additional 35 cent fee will help support the online ordering experience, but customers have already criticized the practice. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 7, 2021

2020 Trends: Expectations vs. reality

The restaurant industry had great expectations this year, but the pandemic completely changed the market's competitive landscape. Here's how the crisis impacted the trends we originally predicted for the year. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 23, 2020

McDonald’s franchisees calls for tech co-op amid new fees, Restaurant Business reports

The National Owners Association's latest push follows news of a $423-per-month technology investment cost added to operators' plates to cover a $70 million "lag" from the old payment structure.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 22, 2020

Burger King teams up with Google to add online ordering

This integration, which begins Monday at 5,000 restaurants, will allow customers to search for the nearest location, order and pay.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 18, 2020

Shake Shack rolls out in-app delivery nationwide

The feature, facilitated by Uber Eats, allows diners to track orders in real time with a $0.99 flat delivery fee and no delivery fee for orders over $35.

By Alicia Kelso • Updated March 18, 2021

McDonald’s USA president calls for end of corporate communication freeze, Restaurant Business reports

Joe Erlinger called on franchisees in a video Thursday to end a six-week halt in nonessential communication with corporate, which was incited by frustration over new fees and the end of a Happy Meal subsidy. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Jan. 22, 2021

Pandemic increased urgency to adopt 'transformational' tech, survey finds

One in four food services and food retailers believe they are an early adopter of technology compared to one in eight in 2019, according to Panasonic research published in December.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 16, 2020

New York to provide restaurants a free digital ordering platform through April

As part of New York's Empire State Digital Initiative, restaurants can use Ritual's commission-free e-commerce system for pickup and delivery.  

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 14, 2020

Grubhub's latest online ordering tools won't charge marketing fees

The delivery aggregator's new Direct Order Toolkit allows restaurant partners to add either a direct link for use in email marketing and social media, a direct "order now" button on their website or a QR code on printed materials. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 9, 2020

Innovator of the Year: DoorDash

Not long after the pandemic struck, the third-party aggregator rolled out tools for merchants, including commission-free deals, provided streamlined access to PPP applications and cold weather grants.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 9, 2020

The Restaurant Dive Awards for 2020

From Chipotle to DoorDash, these are the companies and executives that led restaurant industry innovation in a time of crisis.

By Restaurant Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

El Pollo Loco unveils 2 restaurant designs prioritizing off-premise channels

The new models include dual drive-thru lanes, dedicated curbside parking spaces, cubbies for mobile to-go orders, digital menu boards and either no dining room or a smaller one.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 3, 2020

Jamba debuts autonomous smoothie kiosk in Walmart

The smoothie-making robot, which is co-branded with Blendid, makes beverages using a robotic arm, blenders, refrigeration system and ingredient dispensers. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 3, 2020

Report: Digital expected to make up more than half of QSR sales by 2025

This marks a 70% increase over pre-COVID estimates, market research company Incisiv finds, and restaurants have plenty of runway for growth as digital maturity remains "low-medium."

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 23, 2020

Papa John's franchisees adds AI phone technology to streamline operations

The platform combines artificial intelligence with human operators to ensure restaurants don't miss orders, which could deepen customer loyalty. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated May 3, 2021

Pandemic revs up drive-thru design innovations

With drive-thru traffic increasing in the double-digits over the last two quarters, QSRs like Arby's, McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and Taco Bell have developed prototypes that better streamline the channel.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 19, 2020

Designing with distance: How restaurants are evolving to meet pandemic needs

Forced air blasted between bar seats. Chef's kitchens encased in glass cubes. Garage-style, floor-to-ceiling windows. Experts predict what could become dominant design assets across the industry.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 18, 2020