technology

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

A new era of celebrity 'voice cloning' for AI drive-thru orders is coming

By Lisa Jennings on Dec. 12, 2023

Drive-thru guests may soon hear familiar voices taking their order at their favorite quick-service chain.

Technology

Wendy's takes its shot at AI drive-thrus

By Jonathan Maze on Dec. 12, 2023

The burger chain has four in operation and plans to test more of them this year and next as rival McDonald’s is set to decide the future of its own effort.

Technology

SoundHound AI is buying another AI vendor, SYNQ3

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 07, 2023

The deal will expand the scope of SoundHound's operations to 10,000 locations across 25 chains, the buyer said. Terms were not disclosed.

Operations

Next up for Travis Kalanick: Robotic kitchens

By Lisa Jennings on Dec. 04, 2023

Meet the new Lab37, a subsidiary of CloudKitchens-parent City Storage Systems, which is launching new automated bowl-building technology similar to that of Sweetgreen, Chipotle and others.

Technology

Kitchen United shuts down its Kroger food halls

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 28, 2023

The unexpected move comes about a year after Kroger was part of a $100 million investment round in the ghost kitchen operator, which said it is shifting its focus to software.

Operations