The Latest News
Restaurant Industry Experts Weigh in on Dynamic Pricing
As the rapid advancement of AI collides with consumer trends demanding price transparency, industry experts share their their perspectives on dynamic pricing.
Alternate Delivery Platforms Find Success in Niche Spaces
Beyond the biggest delivery apps, smaller platforms are carving out market share through niche audiences, local focus and specialized operations.
Catering Leaders Stress SOPs, 3PD Approaches as Key to Scaling
Scaling a catering program is no simple task for an operation; it requires consistency across channels, accountability built into the store and brand levels, simple yet thorough standard operating procedures, and an appropriately dense tech stack designed to adapt. ...
DoorDash, Google Bet on AI to Shape the Future of Dining
From software that automatically professionalizes menu item photos to tools that capture the emerging trend of agentic ordering, Google and DoorDash tech leaders say artificial intelligence offers real-world solutions for restaurant operators.
Analysts Pick the Restaurant Industry’s Best Value Promos of 2026
In this month’s Around the Industry, restaurant industry researchers select the brands they believe have taken the most impressive approach to enhancing their value menus thus far in 2026.
Olo CEO Unpacks Vision for Second-Party Future
Noah Glass details Olo’s push to create a “second-party” Goldilocks zone for restaurant online ordering—a zero-commission, data-sharing alternative to traditional channels.
Swipe Savvy Acquires GiftAMeal to Expand Restaurant Loyalty and Social Impact
The deal brings GiftAMeal’s donation-driven engagement model into Swipe Savvy’s loyalty platform, expanding social impact tools that have already driven stronger guest frequency and spend.
Loyalty Programs Level Up With Fast Value, Tiers and Plenty of Tweaks
In 2026, the loyalty arms race is shifting from blanket discounts to tiered programs built around frequency, aspiration and smarter economics.
How AI Made April Fools’ Day Even More Confusing
Widespread use of artificial intelligence in marketing promotions ramped up the sense of confusion this April Fools’ Day, a holiday already dedicated to deception and harmless mischief. Emerging trends like purposefully ironic genuine LTOs and complex consumer sentiment around AI-use for generating visuals add to existing levels of uncertainty around promotions at the onset of April.
Fighting Back: How Restaurants Are Reclaiming the Customer Relationship
As delivery platforms consolidate globally, restaurants are investing in first-party ordering, loyalty and direct guest relationship.
Outstanding Operator: Landry’s
Landry’s approaches off-prem as one consistent operating model across pickup, delivery and catering, tailored to the needs of each brand in its diverse portfolio.
Outstanding Operator: Wonder
Wonder is scaling off-prem growth through kitchen automation, multi-concept orchestration and tighter delivery visibility.
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.
Food On Demand Topics
Finance
Around the Restaurant Industry at RFDC
Stagnant foot traffic, an uneven post-COVID recovery, the rise of automation, and a drive for experiences over things were the key themes at this year’s Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.
Research
Two New Polls Underscore Importance of Kiosks and Loyalty Programs
There is consensus among diners and operators that kiosks and loyalty programs are effective, according to two recent industry polls.
The Deliverers
DoorDash Delivers Grant To Organic Soup Kitchen in Santa Barbara
The third-party delivery provider crosses the 6 million free meals delivered mark.
Best Practices
What are your peers doing in delivery? Get some of the best practices out there.
VoicePlug Has AI Ordering Tech That Mimics Consumers And Drives Efficiency
VoicePlug is now integrated into Qu’s platform and its CEO anticipates wide adoption in the near future.