Chipotle's 'Boorito' returns in TikTok challenge for Halloween

The Mexican food chain is offering free burritos for a year to five TikTok users who post the most popular "before and after" views of getting into costume.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 25, 2019

McDonald's improves drive-thru times by 20 seconds

Faster food prep, menu simplification and tech implementation helped the largest fast food chain boost speed of service and improve customer satisfaction. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 22, 2019

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

Chili's new CMO dishes on brand DNA and marketing's role within the organization

Ellie Doty details how Chili's integrates tech into marketing and shares lessons she learned after more than a decade at Yum Brands.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 21, 2019

Lunch Break: Taziki's CEO Dan Simpson talks delivery and data control

Should restaurants partner with third-party platforms or build out their own fleet of drivers? For Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe, the answer was both. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 18, 2019

Wendy's sponsors mobile games in new Giphy arcade

As the launch partner for Giphy Arcade, the fast food chain again shows a willingness to experiment with unique, interactive formats​.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 18, 2019

Outback trials AI to analyze diner interactions with staff

Franchisee Evergreen Restaurant Group will use the tech from Presto to track and share updates on wait times and other metrics in real-time with managers.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 17, 2019

Chick-fil-A diners can now order from their table

Customers can skip the line by placing a dine-in mobile order through the chain's app and tapping their smartphones to tech-enabled table numbers, which tell employees where to deliver the food.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 17, 2019

It's not just for drive-thrus: How AI can transform back of house

With heavy hitters like McDonald's and Yum Brands pushing forward with this cutting-edge technology, all restaurants should consider the impact it will have on behind-the-scenes operations.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 16, 2019

Pickup app Ritual enters Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands

The third-party digital platform is in seven countries and aims to partner with 15,000 restaurants by the end of the year. 

By Lauren Manning • Oct. 15, 2019

Digitization primes restaurants for growth — and ADA lawsuits

Domino's recent fight over website accessibility highlights a growing risk companies face as they work to bulk up online orders.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 14, 2019

Jimmy John's orders its 1st nationwide Snapchat Lens game

Users have 30 seconds to catch as many falling digital sandwiches as they can in their mouths in the AR game.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 14, 2019

Wendy's expects digital to drive 10% of sales by 2024

Online sales, which includes delivery, are up 325% year-to-date, and the company is making big pushes in delivery, loyalty and its in-app experience to expand its digital customer base. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 11, 2019

62% of diners fear restaurant data breaches, report says

New research shows 40% of consumers are frustrated by the number of steps required to order food online. Operators need to strike a balance between seamless digital ordering and security.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 11, 2019

AI could define the future of restaurants. What happens when it fails?

Twenty-five percent of companies report up to a 50% failure rate for their AI projects, according to an IDC survey, a phenomenon that poses privacy threats for diners and reputational risks for restaurants. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 9, 2019

Domino's ADA ruling to spur industry compliance

The Supreme Court's refusal to hear an appeal from the pizza chain regarding accessibility issues with its website could open up other companies to similar lawsuits, critics say. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 8, 2019

Uber Works matches gig workers with restaurants

The tech platform aims to help operators navigate a tight labor market, giving app users detailed information about available shifts and tracking workers' productivity.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 4, 2019

Diners want mobile ordering, but only 18% of restaurant apps offer it

This disconnect could be detrimental to growing off-premise with 91% of consumers placing delivery orders via a brand's app or website in the last year, a National Restaurant Association study shows.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 3, 2019

Delivery by the numbers: How top third-party platforms compare

Outsourcing delivery comes with some big risks and rewards. Restaurant Dive compared the top five U.S. delivery platforms on commission rates, driver employment status, lawsuit history and more to see how they stack up.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 3, 2019

Delivery profit is elusive. Are hybrid models the answer?

Restaurant execs are challenging the idea that standard third-party partnerships are key to survival in today’s market, but even non-traditional off-premise systems come with obstacles. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 2, 2019

Starbucks now offers customer free digital access to news websites

The promotion follows the coffee chain's decision to no longer sell newspapers, and allows patrons to read from seven online publications, including the Chicago Tribune, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 2, 2019

Olo, Google integration lets diners order via Search, Maps and Assistant

Olo's Rails system, which processes orders received from third-party channels, transfers orders that come from the three Google channels directly into restaurants' point-of-sale system. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 2, 2019

How Twitch pushes Grubhub beyond Instagram's 'digital mood board of food porn'

"When I think about gaming, I think it's like the new 'Netflix and chill' for us. Grubhub and gaming go hand in hand," an executive said at Advertising Week.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Sept. 30, 2019

Uber Eats app adds allergy friendly filter, nixes single-use plastics

The latest updates allow users to search dietary preference and will require customers to specifically request the inclusion of straws and utensils.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 27, 2019

Want a job at McDonald's? Ask Alexa.

McDonald's Apply Thru works with Alexa and Google Assistant and sends a text message to users with a link to continue the application online, but the process seems far from seamless. 

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 26, 2019

Bon Appetit, Grubhub debut ghost kitchen concept

The delivery-only restaurant, which will be operated by Lettuce Entertain You, will offer meals from the media company's magazine, website and Instagram feed.

By Lauren Manning • Sept. 25, 2019