XRobotics Raises Millions To Produce More Pizza-Making Robots
Last year brought a lot of headlines about the tight labor market and how operators just couldn’t find enough bodies. Might that make now an ideal time for a kitchen-automation solution like XRobotics to make a pitch? Sure. It doesn’t hurt. But Igor Buchatskiy says...
Seattle Named ‘Most Expensive Delivery Market’ as DoorDash Raises Fees
DoorDash is raising delivery fees in Seattle, again. Amid ongoing battles with strict gig worker regulations, the company calls Seattle “the most expensive market to facilitate delivery in the U.S.” The city’s PayUp law, effective January 2024, required app-based...
Golden Corral Relaunches Its Off-Premises Offshoot With a New Tech Partner
Golden Corral made a splash in 2023 when it launched Homeward Kitchen, a fast-casual concept with a leaner dine-in area, enhanced pick-up area, and tricked-out drive-thru. And it worked. Sort of. Consumers who ordered from the North Carolina location seemed pleased...
Naya Caters Pop-Up Events As a Key Part Of Its Marketing
When you have dishes as tasty as Naya, which is known for Lebanese food, offered in 34 locations on the East Coast, the challenge isn’t always persuasion, but trial. Try it and you will like it. That’s the bet. But how to get food on new forks? One solution: catering...
From LAX to Hollywood, Venhub Expands 24/7 Automated Smart Stores
As contactless shopping grows, Venhub is rolling out its automated Smart Stores in places where convenience is key, such as transit centers, entertainment districts, and underserved neighborhoods. “People can expect a seamless transaction, interface, and process....
University of Chicago Economists Reveal a Surge in QSR Labor Productivity
The litany of ailments that troubled restaurants in 2024 have been well-documented. Price inflation? Yes. Employee turnover? Sure. Rent increases? Often. But was it all migraine city? No. There was a silver lining. In real labor productivity, which assesses how much...
You Heard Right. AI in Restaurants is Becoming Normal.
The days of AI being spoken about in theoretical terms are quickly becoming obsolete. In the restaurant industry, it’s a much more practical and everyday matter, according to new research from Deloitte. Deloitte recently unveiled its State of AI in Restaurants Survey...
AI Is Not Just For Drive-Thru. It Can Also Help With Front-of-House.
It’s really not a big deal anymore to putter through a drive-thru and communicate with a human-sounding AI voice. It’s becoming normal. Also becoming normalized are that many operators are finding AI valuable in providing accuracy in order-taking. But what’s...
Olo to be Acquired by Thoma Bravo in $2B All-Cash Deal
In a major move in restaurant tech, Olo will be acquired by Thoma Bravo in a $2 billion cash deal. Olo says this will support growth and product expansion for the over 750 restaurant brands it currently works with. Founded in 2005, Olo has grown into a widely used...
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.