Roving server robots are old news: How the latest in AI and automation is going to make an appearance at the big show in Chicago this year . . . Robots have been dominating the National Restaurant Association Show’s tech pavilion and equipment booths for years, and in 2022, we saw everything from robot dogs… read more

NAFEM’s first female president will speak at the May 19 gathering in person in Chicago and accessible by Zoom. Louise O’Sullivan will speak at the inaugural meeting of the Women Industry Leaders group on May 19. Those heading to Chicago for the National Restaurant Association Show in May might also want to mark their calendars… read more

Chipotle Mexican Grill unveiled a new all-electric restaurant design that utilizes renewable energy from wind and solar power through the purchase of renewable energy credits. Restaurants with the new features recently opened in Gloucester, Va., and Jacksonville, Fla., with a third location opening later this summer in Castle Rock, Colo. “With our aggressive development goal… read more

Kitchen Innovations Awards The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, the foodservice industry’s premier event, today announced the 20 recipients of the 2023 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards. Each year, the KI Awards program recognizes the year’s most forward-thinking and cutting-edge kitchen equipment and product innovations that meaningfully improve foodservice operations. The National Restaurant Association Show… read more

More Restaurants Embrace Subscription Model to Drive Revenue and Retain Customers Restaurants are turning to subscription models to ensure steady revenue and customer visits. The move is industry-wide, too, with large chains like Panera and P.F. Chang’s and local eateries experimenting with different subscription perks and benefits. As the Associated Press reports, subscriptions work as… read more

McDonald’s and KFC just updated their apps to encourage order-ahead business and offer digital exclusive deals, respectively. Several companies are hinting at more updates to come . . . . Restaurant brands update their apps to attract value-and-convenience-seeking consumers McDonald’s has upgraded its app to encourage mobile order-ahead business. The company sent an update this… read more

THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT TO REMEMBER IS TO TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY. In today’s world, a company’s success is increasingly defined by its ability to meet the “triple bottom line”— concurrently serving the needs of people, planet, and profit. This is no small task, especially for food service providers that must ensure food… read more

The coffee chain is launching a variety of initiatives aimed at reducing waste, including eliminating plastic cutlery in its Canadian restaurants . . . Tim Hortons restaurants across Canada are entering the new year with sustainable cutlery. The coffee chain is introducing wooden and fiber cutlery in early 2023. The wooden cutlery and fiber spoon… read more