The Latest News
Bites CEO Calls 3PD ‘Broken,’ Says AI Will Fix It
Bite launched its ordering experience on ChatGPT in mid-April, betting on agentic commerce as the future of online restaurant ordering. CEO says chatbots have the potential to correct many of 3PD’s pitfalls.
Anime Promos Connect Fast Food with Fandoms
As anime experiences a surge of popularity, restaurants are connecting with the previously niche genre’s fan bases through promotional campaigns featuring popular characters and themes.
Michelin Guide’s Great Lakes Expansion Offers Acclaim to Midwest Restaurant Scenes
The Michelin Guide announced an expansion into the Great Lakes region, bringing culinary prestige to six Midwest cities. Michelin-recognized restaurants report benefits ranging from revenue boosts to eased labor challenges.
Shake Shack CTO Weighs in on Loyalty Launch, AI-Powered Operations
Shake Shack’s Project Catalyst is a tech overhaul spanning loyalty, POS, kitchen systems and AI to support faster growth, smoother operations and stronger guest engagement.
Wonder Buys Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken, Eyes Growth
Wonder makes its first full restaurant acquisition, bringing Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken into its portfolio with plans to grow the brand across the East Coast.
Outstanding Operator: Via 313
The Detroit-style pizzeria headquartered in the Lone Star State is reaping the benefits of significant investments into its off-prem operations. From an AI voice agent to 3PD partnerships, Via 313 looks to tech to service customers beyond the restaurant.
Outstanding Operator: Buona
With 78 percent of orders off-prem, Buona puts convenience, quality, and personalized experiences at the center of its strategy.
Grubhub CEO Reveals Strategy Behind Cutting Large Order Fees
The food delivery platform will absorb delivery and service fees on orders over $50, a revenue stream that brought in more than $1 billion across the category last year.
The Pure-Play Playbook: What DoorDash’s Deliveroo Acquisition Will Likely Reveal About a Maturing Model
As DoorDash expands into new markets, its strategies for subscriptions, advertising, and merchant tools could reshape how restaurants connect with customers worldwide.
Outstanding Operator: FUSIAN
Fast-casual sushi concept tailors tech stack around guest experience. With seven locations across Ohio, FUSIAN relies on guest feedback to guide off-prem operations.
By Hans Lammeman
Toast Unites Forces with Instacart through Strategic Partnership
Collaboration enables retailers to sync brick-and-mortar inventory with Instacart Marketplace, and Instacart Business becomes a procurement partner for Toast restaurant locations.
Just Salad Breaks from Norm with Gamified New Loyalty Program
The brand’s new loyalty program intentionally strays from the standard points-and-tiers model, instead offering mystery rewards and monthly freebies. Brand leaders say the approach reduces friction for customers.
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
Domino’s Sees Delivery Sales Fall After Incentivizing Customer Pickup
A year after a national ad campaign incentivized Domino’s customers to pick up their pizzas rather than having them delivered, its customers have followed suit.
Research
American Dining Habits Lean Towards Takeout, Delivery as Convenience Trumps All
Since the onset of the pandemic, consumers are sticking to their takeout and delivery trends, according to a survey by U.S. Foods.
The Deliverers
Toast Shifts to Uber Eats Direct as Primary Delivery Partner
Toast is switching to Uber Eats Direct as its primary delivery option, offering lower fees for restaurants.
Best Practices
What are your peers doing in delivery? Get some of the best practices out there.
New AI Restaurant-Tech Tools Serve as Analyst, Marketer, and Manager
It’s like having an always available consultant who knows the minutiae of your business.