News

Waffle House adds digital order-and-pay capabilities

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 13, 2023

The 24-hour diner chain expects its first major investment in digital technology to boost off-premise business. An app is scheduled to be rolled out in early 2024.

Technology

Chipotle's latest investment: weed-cutting robots and climate-smart fertilizer

By Lisa Jennings on Dec. 13, 2023

The latest investments by the chain's Cultivate Next venture fund continue a focus on technology to better the planet.

Technology

Order cancellations cost the typical restaurant up to 3% of digital sales, new data show

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 13, 2023

A study from the tech supplier Otter found that the usual causes are a delivery taking too long or a kitchen being unable to keep up with incoming orders.

Financing

Restaurant menu prices keep rising faster than inflation

By Jonathan Maze on Dec. 13, 2023

Limited-service restaurants raised prices 0.4% last month and 6% over the past year, even as grocery inflation continued to ease.

Financing

How high-end restaurants are becoming like Taylor Swift concerts

By Jonathan Maze on Dec. 13, 2023

A Deeper Dive: Matt Tucker, head of the reservation platform Tock, explains how his company is working to avoid some of the same issues that have plagued online ticket sales.

Workforce

Report offers a new narrative of how Starbucks landed in union trouble

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 13, 2023

Though commissioned by Starbucks, it faults management for its naivety and misread of the situation, but says the chain never aimed to bust the union.

Premium

Financing

Why McDonald's wants a bigger piece of the beverage business

By Jonathan Maze on Dec. 13, 2023

The Bottom Line: The specialty beverage business generates $100 billion a year worldwide. It’s also profitable and its customers are loyal.

Operations

CosMc's wasn't McDonald's first attempt at a second concept

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 12, 2023

Restaurant Rewind: The home of the Golden Arches has looked at ventures ranging from a piano lounge to a Disneyland-like theme park. Why is it still a single-brand operation, CosMc's aside?

Technology