A&W Tests First National Catering Program Ahead of February Rollout
More than a century after its beginnings as a California root beer stand, A&W is testing its first national catering program, with a nationwide rollout planned for February 2027. The Kentucky-based root beer and burger brand launched a 10-restaurant pilot program...
Automated Vending Startup Brings Scheduled Pickup, Loyalty Programs to Kiosks
Editor’s Note: This article was updated Oct. 21 to correctly reflect MealMate’s storage capacity and the technology’s origin story. Can automated vending machines help restaurant brands reach customers in new places and outside typical hours? The...
Open Lockers Tackles Order Handoff at NYC Food Hall
New York City’s Shaver Hall recently launched two dozen smart lockers to manage the smooth handoff of delivery and pickup orders amid 11 eateries, three sit-down restaurants, two bars and several live entertainment spaces. Open Lockers, the firm behind Shaver Hall’s...
How a Nintendo Game Inspired Wingstop’s Kitchen Tech
Cooking Mama, the food-prep simulation video game series that debuted on Nintendo consoles in 2006, was among the inspiration for the new kitchen display system rolled out across more than 2,500 Wingstop U.S. units over the course of 10 months. That’s according to...
Outstanding Operators
Food On Demand Outstanding Operators features restaurant brands with innovative operations that are taking creative paths to success with delivery and all things off-premises.