Technology: Page 5
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Coffee and EV charging: Mercedes-Benz partners with Starbucks
The collaboration will add DC fast chargers at 100 retail locations along the 1,400-mile Interstate 5 corridor.
By Haley Cawthon • July 22, 2024 -
Why Burger King is all-in on gamification
A full pipeline of new and unique in-app games drives engagement for the brand, according to Preston Nix, director of loyalty and CRM.
By Amanda Baltazar • July 18, 2024 -
One Table Restaurant Brands files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections
Fees on third-party orders and rising debt costs meant a partial recovery from 2020 was not enough to allow the parent company of Tender Greens and Tacaya to repay its creditors.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 18, 2024 -
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s launches SoundHound’s automated phone ordering system
After launching in over 30 corporate locations, the technology, which claims to be “highly accurate,” is now available to over 100 franchised units.
By Julie Littman • July 17, 2024 -
Mobile apps drive fast food satisfaction — so long as service is speedy
High-quality mobile apps can be central to the fast food experience if they enable improvements across the entire customer journey.
By Bryan Wassel • July 15, 2024 -
ConverseNow buys competitor Valyant AI
The companies expect the business combination will help speed up the deployment of voice AI at the drive-thru.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 9, 2024 -
Wendy’s inks deal with solar company to cut restaurant emissions
The collaboration with Ampion Renewable Energy will help provide renewable electricity to local utility grids and decrease restaurants’ reliance on fossil fuels.
By Zoya Mirza • July 1, 2024 -
Panera faces potential class-action lawsuit over data breach involving employee information
Corporate files were accessed during a security incident in March, but workers weren’t informed about sensitive data being exposed until June, the lawsuit claims.
By Carolyn Crist • June 28, 2024 -
Amex banks on spending at high-end restaurants
Analysts say American Express wants to cash in on the restaurant industry’s success and give customers admission to premium experiences.
By Patrick Cooley • June 27, 2024 -
Amex to buy Tock for $400M
American Express said it will buy the reservation platform from website builder Squarespace to buttress its dining digital services.
By Patrick Cooley • June 24, 2024 -
How Carl’s Jr. is driving in-store visits with AI-fueled CTV advertising
The QSR paired contextual targeting data with IRIS.TV’s private marketplace to engage young men with shared interests like anime and gaming.
By Aaron Baar • June 21, 2024 -
SoundHound AI acquires ordering platform Allset
Allset, a platform designed specifically for pickup orders, will help SoundHound speed up its goal of developing a multi-channel, voice-ordering system.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 20, 2024 -
McDonald’s ends IBM drive-thru voice order test
The fast food chain still sees a future for automated order taking at the drive-thru and expects to make a decision about the tech by year’s end.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 17, 2024 -
CKE appoints Papa Johns vet as chief technology and growth officer
Justin Falciola will oversee information technology, digital strategy and operations and help deploy new technologies as the company invests in digital channels.
By Julie Littman • June 12, 2024 -
Restaurant openings up 6%, but momentum slowing
Sweets and snack concepts had the most openings with new dessert stores up 52%, followed by shaved ice outlets up 22%, according to a Yelp report.
By Julie Littman • June 5, 2024 -
‘They feel like they got tricked’: How tipping requests can hurt customer relationships
Consumers are being asked to tip more often and for more services than they were in the past. It’s leaving them with a bad taste in their mouths.
By Lisa Scherzer • June 3, 2024 -
Taco John’s rolls out drive-thru AI test with Presto
Following the completion of a pilot phase, the Mexican chain will expand the technology to franchised locations later this year.
By Julie Littman • June 3, 2024 -
Amazon adds Grubhub restaurant delivery to platform
Prime subscribers will have access to an ongoing Grubhub+ membership, too.
By Julie Littman • May 30, 2024 -
CosMc’s launches loyalty app
The McDonald’s spinoff launched an app despite having only four locations, in a possible show of the burger giant's confidence in its new brand.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 28, 2024 -
Grubbrr CEO: Automation could make restaurants a high-wage, high-productivity business
Kiosks may not be a silver bullet for labor troubles — they seem better suited to boost check sizes — but they may be part of a gradual transformation of restaurant work, Sam Zietz said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 21, 2024 -
Q&A
Ask an expert: What structural problems killed the ghost kitchen?
Despite failed pioneers and industry consolidation, the ghost kitchen model could rise again as shifting real estate market conditions make them more attractive, says Alon Lagstein, counsel at Carlton Fields.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 17, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Chipotle leverages RFID technology, increases overall visibility
Executive Carlos Londono spoke about the company’s operations and its efforts to bring the technology to all of its 3,500 restaurants.
By Alejandra Carranza • May 15, 2024 -
Dutch Bros expands mobile order test
After seeing strong results from its initial pilot, the chain has expanded the channel to several more Arizona locations and expects to offer the function at most stores by the end of the year.
By Julie Littman • May 8, 2024 -
Portillo’s four-pronged strategy emphasizes drive-thru speed
The chain is working to improve staff deployment and food throughput as part of an overhaul plan, as drive-thru speeds lag 2019 numbers.
By Julie Littman • May 8, 2024 -
Wendy’s credits loyalty program, mobile app investments for customer growth
“The experience we deliver to our customers is the most impactful driver of our business,” CEO Kirk Tanner said.
By Bryan Wassel • May 7, 2024