Restaurant Technology Archives

Restaurant chains find that loyalty marketing pays dividends

Enterprises see loyalty programs increasing revenue, competitiveness in digital arena

Marketers have long embraced reward programs to engage customers and encourage increased order spend and frequency. Restaurant chains are seeing the value of loyalty first-hand in the context of the digital ordering explosion. A number of brands have recently launched or revamped loyalty programs in recent months, including Burger King (improved), Velvet Taco (launched), and IHOP, which rolled out its International Bank of Rewards.

McDonald’s named Brian Rice executive vice president (EVP) and global chief information officer (CIO)

McDonald’s names Brian Rice EVP, global CIO

by Eatery Pulse Team

Former Cardinal Health, Kellogg executive joins QSR’s senior leadership team

McDonald’s named Brian Rice executive vice president (EVP) and global chief information officer (CIO). Rice will join the Global SLT (Senior Leadership Team) and report to Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s CEO.

Chipotle's Cultivate Next invested in Hyphen, a robotics foodservice platform + Meati Foods, a producer of mushroom root-based clean protein

Chipotle invests in Hyphen robotics platform, plant-based Meati

by Rick Zambrano

Funding completed through $50M Cultivate Next venture fund

Chipotle Mexican Grill invested in Hyphen, a robotics foodservice platform to automate kitchen operations and Meati Foods, a producer of mushroom root-based clean, plant-based protein. Both investments are financed through Chipotle’s Cultivate Next, a $50M venture fund.

A Taco Bell Go Mobile restaurant location has opened in North Las Vegas

Taco Bell Go Mobile opens in North Las Vegas

by Rick Zambrano

Dual drive-thru, dining-room-less store leverages efficiencies, speed of service of digital order-ahead

A Taco Bell Go Mobile location has opened in North Las Vegas. Diversified Restaurant Group, a multibrand quick-service franchisee debuted the first such unit in the Western United States.

On average, according to data from a Popmenu nationwide survey, 40% of individual or family food budgets are spent on restaurants monthly

Forty-percent of food budgets spent on restaurants: Popmenu

by ericnomis

When ordering online, consumers spend $50 or more on average

As consumers are facing historic inflation and soaring energy and food costs, one thing remains constant in their lives: restaurant meals. On average, according to data from a Popmenu nationwide survey, 40% of individual or family food budgets are spent on restaurants monthly. In fact, when ordering online, 33% of consumers spend $50 or more per order on average.

Nala Robotics’ autonomous robot chef, Pizzaiolaä headed to Chicago-based Slice Factory under a new agreement

Nala Robotics to deploy automated robot ‘chef’ at Slice Factory pizza chain

by Eatery Pulse Team

Robot to prepare pizza, pastas, chicken wings at Chicago-based pizza chain

Nala Robotics’ autonomous robot chef, Pizzaiolaä, is headed to Chicago-based Slice Factory under a new agreement. The technology company focuses on AI applications within the culinary industry. The voice-controlled pizza maker—Pizzaiolaä—will cook Slice Factory’s 28-inch jumbo slice and Chicago-style stuffed pizzas at its newest locations as it plans aggressive expansion.

Smokey Bones will add a digital drive-thru lane to its restaurants, starting with Bowling Green, Ky

Smokey Bones opens digital drive-thru at Bowling Green, Kentucky restaurant

by ericnomis

Drive-thru will also accept orders from virtual brands, The Wing Experience, Burger Experience

Smokey Bones will add a digital drive-thru lane to its restaurants, starting with Bowling Green, Ky. The drive-thru opening there today, June 22, begins a new chapter for the casual-dining chain, as it seeks to emulate the convenience of QSR drive-thrus by way of technology.

Through a partnership with Americana, Miso Robotics has expanded its robotics solutions, including Flippy 2, for restaurants outside the United States

Flippy 2 goes global in robotics pilot with Americana’s Wimpy

by ericnomis

Miso Robotics enters agreement with Americana to pilot its solutions for international stage

Through a partnership with Americana, Miso Robotics has expanded its robotics solutions to restaurants outside the United States. Americana’s popular Wimpy brand will test Flippy 2 at its location in The Dubai Mall. Beyond Wimpy, Americana serves as a master franchisee of KFC, Pizza Hut, Hardee’s, Krispy Kreme, and TGI Friday’s to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Panera Bread opened its first Panera To Go store in Chicago for Rapid Pick-Up and delivery

Panera To Go store, featuring chain’s digital-only service, opens in Chicago

by Rick Zambrano

Order-ahead, branded concept debuts as chain tests delivery-only ghost kitchens nationwide

Panera Bread opened its first Panera To Go store, which offers the chain’s Rapid Pick-Up and Delivery orders only, in Chicago. This is the first of three To Go stores, where customers order ahead on Panera’s website or app only, slated to debut. The digital-only unit reduces the front of house, but maximizes space for delivery drivers and customers picking up orders from Rapid Pick-Up and Panera Delivery shelves.

Taco Bell will unveil Taco Bell Defy, one of its most innovative designs, In Brooklyn Park, MN

Taco Bell Defy in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota to reimagine drive-thru service

by ericnomis

Vertical food drop, digital pick-up screens, video communication with staff to enhance, expedite drive-thru customer experience

Taco Bell will unveil Taco Bell Defy, one of its most innovative restaurant designs, in Brooklyn Park, Minn. June 7. Consisting of a four-lane drive-thru, Taco Bell Defy includes a proprietary vertical lift that sends Taco Bell items directly to awaiting customers.