Pickles, mayo and data privacy: Jersey Mike's rethinks mobile authentication

While historically slow to adopt new technologies, restaurants have to rethink mobile systems in an era of heightened privacy concerns.

By Samantha Schwartz • Sept. 25, 2019

Staffing app Pared sets up shop in DC

The platform, which connects restaurants with skilled professionals nearby, also plans to enter Philadelphia and Boston this year. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 24, 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

Sweetgreen strikes exclusive deal with Uber Eats, plans to create its own delivery program

The tech-centric chain plans to use $150 million, which brings its valuation to $1.6 billion, to also put more designated delivery locations within office buildings. 

By Julie Littman • Updated Sept. 27, 2019

Postmates valuation rises to $2.4B ahead of IPO

The additional $225 million in investor funding may not necessarily mean good news for the delivery provider, which has delayed its public debut since filing a confidential IPO in February.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 23, 2019

Starbucks launches voice ordering with Alibaba in China

Consumers will be able to order delivery from the coffee chain through Alibaba's smart speaker, Tmall Genie, which tracks orders in real time.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 19, 2019

&pizza deploys mobile kitchens from Zume

The partnership will allow the fast casual chain to deliver pizza and test new markets without paying for real estate.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 19, 2019

Postmates brings mobile food ordering to Yankee Stadium

Attendees can order and pay for food on the app and receive a notification when it's ready for pickup from designated locations.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 18, 2019

Yum Brands taps Walmart CIO for global digital, tech strategy

Clay Johnson will fill a newly created role at the company, which has been looking for a senior leader since February as part of its digital transformation.

By Samantha Schwartz • Sept. 18, 2019

Papa John's Snapchat lens boosted pizza orders 25% for Valentine's Day

Snapcodes and an AR lens let users create pizza-themed pictures and order directly from the app.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 17, 2019

Yelp's new 'Connect' tool lets restaurants send targeted brand updates

In addition to offering eateries a way to directly share personalized events, deals and menu items, the review platform launched predictive wait times to its Waitlist feature.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 12, 2019

McDonald's acquires AI tech company Apprente

The chain will also form a global technology team, McD Tech Labs, which will help further support its future innovations. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 10, 2019

Chowly and DoorDash partner for POS integration

The collaboration will let Chowly's restaurant partners use third-party delivery drivers while still taking orders through their native channels.  

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 10, 2019

How 5 Bay Area restaurateurs are surviving rising operating costs

Real estate pressures and a chef shortage are forcing restaurants to find creative solutions — like covering workers' Uber rides and having chefs serve diners — to protect their bottom lines and retain talent.

By Rosie Bradbury • Sept. 3, 2019

Yelp personalizes app based on user lifestyle

Users can now tailor their search experience based on diet, accessibility concerns, food and drink categories and interest.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 27, 2019

TripAdvisor's Wi-Fi subscription could help restaurants mine diner data

TripAdvisor Wi-Fi Plus lets restaurants offer customers an opt-in for free internet in exchange for their contact information.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 22, 2019

Waitr debuts app redesign amid continued struggles

The new app comes as the platform's stock is on a downward swing and less than a month after its founder and CEO stepped down.

By Lauren Manning • Aug. 22, 2019

Does DoorDash's latest acquisition give it an edge in autonomous delivery?

The delivery platform bought Scotty Labs, a startup developing autonomous and remote-controlled vehicle technology. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 21, 2019

Domino's bolsters tech lead with new Innovation Garage

Over 100 workers will be tasked with technological development in the space, which features a fully functioning pizza theater to test ideas in a store setting.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 21, 2019

Starship food delivery robots to expand to 100 college campuses before 2022

The tech startup raised $40 million in a Series A funding round, helping it inch closer to its goal of reaching more than 1 million university students.

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 21, 2019

Over 50% of consumers don't know how brands use their data, report says

The new survey from Acquia also finds that 65% of customers would stop engaging with a brand that's dishonest about its data usage. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 20, 2019

Cava's first test kitchen will accelerate menu innovation

The chain's data scientists will analyze diner reactions to products in real time and evaluate which products and technologies should be scaled. 

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 20, 2019

FAA grants approval for drone food delivery pilot in North Carolina

Third-party platforms and restaurants are looking to the skies for the next phase of food delivery, but landing in crowded urban areas and navigating liability issues could prove challenging.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 16, 2019

Postmates scores first permit for robot deliveries in San Francisco

The delivery platform's Serve bots are only allowed to roam a few sections of the city and must be accompanied by a human operator, but the technology could help optimize delivery for local drivers.

By Lauren Manning • Updated Aug. 19, 2019

McDonald's, Burger King and Subway pilot scannable programmatic print ads

A Brazilian newspaper printed QR codes to deliver ads that can be customized in real time based on weather and location.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 8, 2019

OpenTable, Quandoo partner to integrate restaurant bookings

Diners will soon be able to book the firms' listed restaurants via both platforms, while American Express plans to add perks for members on Resy.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 7, 2019