Operations

  • An image of an orange building with a logo that says BJ's
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
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    BJ’s Restaurants appoints CEO

    Lyle D. Tick, current president and chief concept officer, was promoted to the top executive post after being with the company since September. 

    By • Updated June 6, 2025
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    Adam Gray via Getty Images
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    Starbucks revives COO position

    Mike Grams has become the chain's first chief operating officer since the role was removed from the corporate structure in 2022.

    By • June 5, 2025
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Back-of-house Technology

    From AI-enhanced POS systems and analytics to robot-powered kitchen equipment, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • A photogrpah of a beige building with an orange sign that says Hooters.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Hooters of America closes dozens more restaurants

    The closures, which occurred a few months after the chain filed for bankruptcy, won’t impact the sale of 100 company restaurants to two existing franchisees. 

    By • June 5, 2025
  • A robot table busser with a cat face on a tablet screen.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    The many faces of automation at the NRA Show

    This year artificial intelligence appeared in forms ranging from a cat-eared delivery robot to a generated analytics dashboard.

    By • June 5, 2025
  • Blaze Pizza's new signature pizzas.
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    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
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    Blaze Pizza appoints Starbucks vet as COO

    Jaime Denney, who has over 25 years of restaurant experience, will oversee company and franchise operations and work to boost speed, profitability and hospitality.

    By • June 5, 2025
  • A beige building with gold signage that says "Nusr-Et"
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    Leon Neal via Getty Images
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    Nusr-Et Steakhouse closes all but 2 US restaurants

    The fine dining chain owned by celebrity chef Salt-Bae has shifted focus to international growth.

    By • June 4, 2025
  • A photo of Washington, DC's city hall.
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    traveler1116 via Getty Images
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    DC city council pauses tipped wage hike

    In a possible prelude to repealing Initiative 82, a plan to eliminate the tipped minimum wage, the council voted Tuesday to delay a $2 wage increase scheduled for July 1.

    By • Updated June 4, 2025
  • An image of a brick building with a logo that says Saladworks
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    Retrieved from Saladworks on June 03, 2025
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    Saladworks to expand in North Carolina with 10-unit deal

    The chain, which once leaned on alternative growth vehicles like ghost kitchens and automated saladbots, will open the first of these traditional units in 2026.

    By • June 3, 2025
  • Two people hold Zaxbys food.
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    Courtesy of Zaxbys
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    Zaxbys’ latest LTO emphasizes late-night dining

    The fried chicken chain joins brands like Pizza Hut, Wendy’s and Portillo’s in making late-night occasions a strategic priority.

    By • June 3, 2025
  • A waiter picks up a cash tip from a table.
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    kali9 via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    No taxes on tips may happen soon. Here’s what it could look like for hospitality workers.

    Congress could pass legislation that includes eliminating taxes on tips as soon as this month. But what the legislation will look like — and its effects — are still up for debate.

    By Noelle Mateer • June 3, 2025
  • Rendering of Walmart Wienerschnitzel restaurant.
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    Retrieved from PR Newswire.
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    Walmart to bring Wienerschnitzel restaurants to 6 stores

    The retailer has partnered with the hot dog chain, marking its latest move to grow its roster of in-store quick-service restaurant partners.

    By Peyton Bigora • June 3, 2025
  • U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking during a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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    Chip Somodevilla / Staff via Getty Images
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    How tariffs could impact 11 major restaurant companies

    While a bulk of chains, including Sweetgreen and Chipotle, expect minimal impact to food costs because of domestic supply chains, the cost of new equipment could rise.

    By • May 30, 2025
  • The sign on a Red Robin restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Red Robin ‘far from claiming victory’ despite comps growth

    The casual chain’s turnaround efforts are paying off in terms of comparable sales and profits, but executives say a repeat performance is unlikely in Q2.

    By • May 30, 2025
  • A fast casual restaurant with a celebratory crowd ready for its opening.
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    Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
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    Chicken Salad Chick hits 300 restaurants

    As fast casual restaurants outperform the rest of the industry, the chain signed a record number of franchising agreements in Q1 and its AUV is growing.

    By • May 28, 2025
  • Adam, a robot made by Richtech Robotics, makes an espresso drink at the National Restaurant Association Show in May 2025.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Reporter’s notebook: 3 unanswered questions from the NRA Show

    Can a robot really replace a worker? Will tariffs trigger a recession? Can you charge $14 for a mocktail?

    By • May 28, 2025
  • Robot arms make a pizza.
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    Courtesy of Donatos Pizza
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    Donatos Pizza to open automated restaurant in airport

    The pizza chain, which has worked toward operating robotic pizzerias since 2023, said an airport environment is ideal for the concept.

    By • May 28, 2025
  • A hand drops sauce from a spoon onto plates of food.
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    Gins Wang via Getty Images
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    Full-service restaurant uncertainty: Why diners are trading up and down

    Customers are pulling back on spending in full-service dining — except when they aren’t. Both fine dining establishments and massive casual brands must adapt to mixed signals.

    By • May 28, 2025
  • A corporate headquarters in a flat landscape dotted with lakes.
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    TW Farlow via Getty Images
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    Darden closes one-third of Bahama Breeze restaurants

    The company closed 15 Bahama Breeze locations across eight states in May, as part of a push for its smaller brands to focus on high-performing units. 

    By • May 27, 2025
  • Three fast food beverages stand in line.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    McDonald’s will wind down CosMc’s, test drinks

     The Golden Arches will start shuttering its beverage innovation spinoff’s units in late June, just 18 months after its first location opened. 

    By • May 27, 2025
  • Waitress attending customers and using mobile phone in a restaurant
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    FG Trade via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Bottle Rocket

    How restaurants can serve up personalized experiences through technology

    The ability to speak directly to consumers elevates successful restaurants and brands.

    May 27, 2025
  • Contactless payment made a restaurant dinner table.
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    Southworks

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    Why dashboard dining and weekend restaurant visits are on the rise

    Consumer trends are contradictory, according to a Technomic presentation at the National Restaurant Association Show. Both on-premise group dining and solo car dining are growing.

    By • May 22, 2025
  • A photo of a parking lot with a number of EV chargers set up alongside the parking spaces.
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    Courtesy of BP Pulse
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    BP Pulse is bringing EV chargers to Waffle House

    Chosen sites in the Southeast and the Sunbelt will get six electric vehicle charging bays, with the first locations coming online next year.

    By Jessica Loder • May 22, 2025
  • Chili's Big Smasher cheeseburger accompanied by sides of chips, fries and cola on a wooden dining table
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    Permission granted by Chili's Grill & Bar
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    The restaurant industry’s Q1 2025 winners and losers

    Consumer price sensitivity led to declines at Chipotle, McDonald’s and other QSRs, while Chili’s and Cava were among a handful of companies to see traffic and sales gains.

    By • May 22, 2025
  • An image of a person wearing a black polo shirt smiling in front of a wood paneled background.
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    Permission granted by Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King appoints CFO as president

    In his expanded role, Gavin Felder will oversee day-to-day management and retain his financial responsibilities at the fast-growing smoothie chain.

    By • May 22, 2025
  • A photograph of various burgers, chicken sandwich, chicken nuggets and fries in cardboard packaging.
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    Ant DM via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack bets on 10 casino locations with PENN Entertainment

    The fast casual chain, which already operates in three casinos, will open its first restaurants with the entertainment company in 2026.

    By • May 21, 2025