Operations

New restaurant equipment and back-of-the-house technology

Restaurant chains paint rosier picture of labor and staffing

By Lisa Jennings on Nov. 06, 2023

Midway through 3Q earnings, it appears wage inflation is still a challenge, but restaurants are fully staffed, turnover is low and efforts to optimize efficiency are paying off.

Operations

Outback sales fall against 'softer backdrop'

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 03, 2023

The chain saw a marked slowdown after Labor Day and is planning to ease up on price increases to give consumers a break.

Operations

Potbelly consumers are 'hanging in there,' says CEO

By Lisa Jennings on Nov. 03, 2023

The Chicago-based sandwich chain reported same-store sales up 8%, driven by traffic. That momentum is expected to continue into Q4.

Operations

Portillo's rides out traffic declines with 'transaction arbitrage'

By Lisa Jennings on Nov. 02, 2023

Moves into high-population-growth states are driving revenue growth that company officials say will help the Chicago-based chain manage through ebbs and flows of consumer behavior.

Operations

Sweetgreen plans to open more automated restaurants next year

By Lisa Jennings on Nov. 02, 2023

The salad chain expects to open as many as nine of its Infinite Kitchen locations in 2024 while two to four existing units will be retrofitted with the robotic make lines. More are planned for 2025.

Operations

Red Robin expects to save $5M a year by hand-breading its chicken

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 02, 2023

The move will help offset some of the $8 million per quarter the chain is spending on better food and staffing.

Premium

Operations

Fast-casual pizza faces an existential crisis

By Lisa Jennings on Nov. 02, 2023

Blaze Pizza is preparing for a brand relaunch, but the concept must first solve some fundamental problems laid bare by the pandemic. CEO Beto Guajardo outlines his strategy for profitability.

Operations