Restaurant innovation

Restaurant innovation
‘Friends’ Central Perk Coffeehouse Opens as Brands Look for Consumer Connections
November 14, 2023

Warner Bros. Discovery is becoming the latest company to open a themed restaurant to deepen consumers’ connection with their brands, bringing a “Friends”-themed coffeeshop to Boston. The first Central Perk Coffeehouse opened in the city Tuesday (Nov. 14), inspired by the shop of the same...

Restaurant innovation
High-Income Consumers Turn to Restaurant-Finding Apps While Traveling
November 08, 2023

As restaurants look to reach tourists and travelers, PYMNTS Intelligence revealed that digital platforms can help them influence high-income diners. By the Numbers The latest installment of the PYMNTS Intelligence Connected Dining series, “Tracking the Impact of Digital Tools on Food Tourism and Travel Preferences,”...

Restaurant innovation
Shake Shack’s Self-Service Kiosks Boost Profitability and Efficiency
November 06, 2023

Shake Shack, the fast-casual restaurant chain, has had success with its use of kiosks. These self-service ordering stations have helped the company reduce labor hours and proven to be a high-margin channel, contributing to improved profitability. According to analyst Peter Saleh from BTIG, Shake Shack...

Restaurant innovation
Yum Brands to Leverage Cross-Brand Data Amid ‘100%’ Digital Transformation
November 01, 2023

Yum Brands is going all-in on data in its ongoing efforts to have “100% of sales powered by digital,” gearing up to combine insights across all its brands. On a third-quarter earnings call Wednesday (Nov. 1), executives from the quick-service restaurant (QSR) giant, the parent...

Restaurant innovation
Restaurants’ Digital Transformation Hits a Snag
October 30, 2023

As more of consumers’ daily routines are transformed by digital technologies, the restaurant industry’s digitization is actually taking a step back, PYMNTS Intelligence reveals. By the Numbers PYMNTS Intelligence’s study “How the World Does Digital: Daily Digital Engagement Hits New Heights” drew from a survey...

Restaurant innovation
C3 CEO Says CPG-ification of Restaurants Drives ROI for Operators
October 27, 2023

As the restaurant industry increasingly shifts to omnichannel, virtual restaurant platform C3 is seizing on the opportunity to drive profitability by making quick-service restaurants (QSRs) menus hew more towards a consumer-packaged goods (CPG) model than cooking from scratch. In an interview with PYMNTS, Sam Nazarian, CEO...

Restaurant innovation
Noodles & Co. Increases In-Store Digital Check-In 20%, Says CMO
October 23, 2023

As restaurants look to gain a comprehensive understanding of their customers’ behavior across channels, Noodles & Company is focused on linking in-store transactions back to consumers’ digital profiles to boost its data capabilities. In an interview with PYMNTS, Stacey Pool, chief marketing officer at the...

Restaurant innovation
Pizza Hut Extends Hours as Restaurant Workforce Recovery Boosts Capacity
October 17, 2023

Pizza Hut is reportedly adding late-night operating hours at thousands of locations across the United States. It’s a move that comes as the return of restaurant labor enables brands to better meet off-peak demand. The stores will now remain open until midnight or later, with...

Restaurant innovation
Digital Restaurant Firm C3 Parlays Virtual Brands Into Food Service Empire
October 12, 2023

Digital restaurant company C3 is expanding well beyond its ghost kitchen origins to brick-and-mortar locations, private jet food service, and most recently, an in-airport food hall. The food service company — founded and led by hospitality mogul Sam Nazarian, CEO of nightclub and restaurant group...