New things are brewing for today’s coffee shops. 

A previous blog about AI order-taking in drive-thru explored the impact that it could have on labor.

Developing designated or double-duty stations for carryout and delivery transactions demands distinctive design decisions.

What’s old is new again in the foodservice industry as operators and the supply chain prepare for 2024.

The tactical benefits of using voice-activated ordering systems in the drive-thru are many.

One thing we know for sure: Restaurants of the future will continue to solve consumers’ needs and desires for alternatives to cooking and eating at home.

Speed and efficiency serve as the hallmarks of any foodservice operation, but for drive-thru stations, these factors become the difference between sinking or swimming.

Restaurants owners and foodservice operators recognize the importance of controlling their customer experience —both inside their four walls and outside. That’s where takeout and paper goods come into the equation, says Scott Attman, vice president of Acme Paper, a packaging distributor.

How often have we heard the term “the new normal” over the past three years?

From AI to robots there’s lots of tech to talk about. Burger King prepares to close hundreds of locations while Portillo’s may be poised for takeoff. Economic news includes many labor updates plus small businesses share their perspective. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

April is the traditional start of the baseball season. And rightly or wrongly, many teams often feel how competitive they will be during the upcoming season will depend on their ability score runs, mainly via hitting home runs. It’s fun because I often encounter the same kind of thinking in the restaurant industry.

Chain leaders share lessons learned

Location and logistics remain top considerations for a seamless off-premises experience. 

Recently, I was invited to a gathering of chain restaurant operators and the support centers of said chains.

Correct placement and proper organization represent critical success factors for these spaces. 

Packaging considerations gain more headspace today as off-premises solutions dominate discussions.

Keeping takeout and delivery customers happy is even more important than it once was.

Looking back on the past couple of years, it seems a growing number of restaurants outside of the quick-service space, namely fast-casual and full-service operations, continue to add drive-thru service to their offerings.

Smokey Bones opened its first all-digital drive-thru lane at one of its fast-casual restaurants in Bowling Green, Ky.

Panera Bread opened its first unit dedicated solely to off-premises customers. Known as Panera To Go, this digital-only location features a reduced front of the house with no seating; guests and delivery drivers can pick up orders from dedicated shelves. 

The barbecue stalwart doubles down on its commitment to off-premises with the opening of its first drive-thru location.

Wow Bao, an Asian fast-casual brand created in 2003 by Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, has, over nearly two decades, done things differently.

Many restaurant operators opt to include cocktails-to-go as part of their permanent offering. 

P.F. Chang’s opened its second to go location in Jacksonville, Fla. This marks the 11th P.F. Chang’s To Go location systemwide.

Despite all the advances in off-premises options like delivery, full-service restaurants remain a great place for people to have a good time and enjoy great food together and for that reason this dining option continues to hold a special place in society.

Since the pandemic, takeout orders have been skyrocketing in the restaurant industry. This includes not just quick-service operations but also fast casual and even fine dining. And, of late a growing number of noncommercial operators, like healthcare, college and even corporate foodservice, allow customers to order ahead and pick up their food.

Road-tested strategies for last-mile success.

New realities have shifted space allocation strategies.

Restaurants and foodservice accounts continue to sit up and take notice what customers want from their food packaging. Over the past 18 months, with more takeout and to-go orders than ever, materials that keep food hot (or cold) and retain its quality and integrity have been increasingly in demand.

Piggybacking on the success of meal kits delivered to homes, many restaurants added meal kit variations to carryout menus as a revenue driver in the last 18 to 24 months.