Operations News & Media

Restaurant recovery efforts stall

July 28, 2020

COVID-19 case surges and the rollbacks in reopening plans have stalled the U.S. restaurant industry's recovery, according to The NPD Group. Major restaurant…

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Panera exec reveals the strategy behind free coffee subscription

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Panera's free coffee subscription has been a catalyst driving growth and revenue, said Eduardo Luz, chief brand and concept officer.

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Panera launches 'Under $10 menu'

July 24, 2020

Panera has rolled out six menu items this week that cost less than $10, according to a company press release. They include the:

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Dickey's doubles down on catering

July 24, 2020

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is launching its latest catering innovation next month — the Big Yellow Box — designed to serve 12 people, according to a company press…

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Clean Juice launches mobile app with Lunchbox

July 24, 2020

Clean Juice, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based organic juice bar franchise, has launched a branded mobile app under a partnership with Lunchbox, an omnichannel…

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Zuul raises $9M to expand ghost kitchens in NYC

July 23, 2020

Zuul, a New York-based provider of ghost kitchens, said it raised $9 million in funding to expand its presence across the city.

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Chipotle sees Q2 digital surge to beat estimates amid COVID impact

July 22, 2020

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. said digital sales more than doubled during the second quarter, beating estimates despite taking an overall profit decline due to…

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Virtual restaurant group launches ghost kitchen franchise model

July 22, 2020

Miami-based virtual restaurant group, The Local Culinary, has launched a ghost kitchen franchise model.

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7 benefits of taking the Fast Casual Executive Summit virtual

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The virtual version of the Fast Casual Executive Summit is Oct. 20-21. Registration is open and is free to the first 500 restaurant executives who sign up.

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Starbucks gives more payment options to loyalty members

July 21, 2020

Starbucks is expanding the number of payment options available to its most loyal customers, allowing Starbucks Rewards members to pay using cash, credit/debit…

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Noodles & Co requiring facemasks, sales returning to pre-COVID levels

July 21, 2020

Noodles & Co is requiring all employees and guests to wear face coverings inside all company-owned restaurants as of tomorrow unless seated.

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Potbelly names former Wendy's COO as CEO

July 21, 2020

Potbelly Corp. has named Robert D. Wright, former Wendy's COO, as president and CEO. He succeeds Alan Johnson, who has held the role since December 2017, but…

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SAJJ Mediterranean launches digital market

July 21, 2020

SAJJ Mediterranean is expanding its consumer touchpoints beyond brick-and-mortar locations, food trucks and catering services to include an online SAJJ Market.

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GRUBBRR teams with GardaWorld Cash Services to provide contactless cash solution

July 21, 2020

GardaWorld Cash Services, a cash management service provider and part of a security services company, and GRUBBRR, a provider of ordering and fulfillment…

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Study: Only 42% would dine out

July 21, 2020

Fewer than half (42%) of Americans said they are planning to dine out even as regulations restricting their rights loosen, according to Harris Interactive and…

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Fast food industry worth $932B by 2027

July 21, 2020

The fast food restaurant sector will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.6% reaching $931.7 billion by 2027, according to ResearchandMarket.com, The…

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Deploying kiosks in your restaurants: What are you waiting for?

by Dipesh Hinduja — Director, Mobile Solution Architecture, Stratix Corp

Dipesh Hinduja of Stratixcorp gives advice for a successful kiosk deployment. Hint: Not having a Mobile Device Management system in place will derail your…

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Fat Brands looks to raise $9M in Series B offering

July 14, 2020

Fat Brands Inc., the parent company of Fatburger, Elevation Burger, Ponderosa and other brands, announced the pricing of 360,000 shares of Series B cumulative…

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Farmer Boys names former CKE, YUM exec as VP of Finance

July 14, 2020

Farmer Boys has hired restaurant industry and finance veteran Joseph Ortiz to serve as its VP of finance and accounting, where he will lead the respective…

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10 restaurant trends fueled by the pandemic

by Melissa Calvert — Academic Blogger, Accuratecite

Although COVID-19 has changed a lot of things about the industry, even a pandemic can't stop these 10 trends.

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