restaurants

Presto Collaborates with ChatGPT Creator to Enhance Drive-thru AI Voice Assistant

by Katie Lee March 17, 2023

San Carlos, Calif. — Presto Automation Inc., the largest drive-thru automation technology provider in the hospitality industry, has formed a collaboration with OpenAI, an AI research and deployment company, to drive greater innovation around its drive-thru AI voice assistant. OpenAI’s ChatGPT API will be used to expand the feature set of the Presto’s drive-thru AI voice assistant (Presto Voice™), resulting in interactions that are more natural and human-like. Presto Voice uses advanced AI techniques including large language models (LLM) and generative AI to understand natural human language and offer logical …

March 17, 2023

News restaurants

Minority-Owned RReal Tacos Eyes New Growth Across the Southeast

by Katie Lee March 16, 2023

Atlanta — Entrepreneurs Miguel Hernandez and Damian Otero have created a marriage of the authentic flavors of Mexican street food along with the experience of a modern, high-energy taqueria at Rreal Tacos. Hernandez and Otero acquired the restaurant’s original Midtown Atlanta location in August 2021 from Adrian Villarreal, the brand’s founder and namesake. Since the purchase, they have expanded to three additional locations in West Midtown, Chamblee and Sandy Springs, growing their business with a 1,200% increase in sales, all without shouldering the burden of debt. “We’re completely debt-free. All …

March 16, 2023

Industry Voices restaurants software/technology vendors

From Layout to Takeout

by Katie Lee March 15, 2023

— By Zayn King-Dollie — Utilizing mobile ordering and building design to capitalize on takeout trends. Last year, The National Restaurant Association estimated that 2022 would have record-breaking sales revenue of $898 billion, a 12.4% increase from 2021 and 3.9% above pre-pandemic sales. The predictions signaled an optimistic future, but instead, many businesses now are facing additional hardships brought on by inflation. Even with higher sales, the industry profit margins are 11.5% lower than in 2019. A third of all restaurant operators expect sales revenue outcomes to …

March 15, 2023

construction and design franchise development News restaurants

Potbelly to Expand in NYC with Development Agreement and First Refranchise Deal

by Katie Lee March 15, 2023

Chicago — Potbelly Corporation, the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop, has finalized a multi-unit development agreement along with its first refranchising deal in New York City. This agreement includes multi-unit development for 13 new shops over the next 8 years, and the refranchise of eight shops, the ownership of which has been fully transferred. “I am excited to announce Potbelly’s expansion in New York City, one of the premier markets in the U.S., and that this expansion includes our first refranchise transaction,” says Bob Wright, president and chief executive officer. “This …

March 15, 2023

News people restaurants

Church’s Texas Chicken Names New U.S. Chief Operations Officer

by Katie Lee March 14, 2023

Atlanta — Church’s Texas Chicken® has hired Roland Gonzalez as U.S. chief operations officer. Gonzalez, who has held various senior executive roles in the quick-service industry, brings a wealth of experience in franchising, operations, P&L management, global business strategies and process improvement. Previous roles include executive vice president, operations at Virtual Dining Concepts and head of global operations standards and strategy at Restaurant Brands International. Managing and overseeing large teams of executives, he successfully led many global business initiatives and strategy for Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes. “Roland is …

March 14, 2023

franchise development News restaurants

WaBa Grill to Expand in Arizona with 10 New Units

by Katie Lee March 13, 2023

Anaheim Hills, Calif. — WaBa Grill, one of the nation’s leading healthy rice bowl chains, has recently inked a multi-unit development deal that will significantly expand its presence in Arizona. Signed by longtime WaBa Grill franchisee Jerry Bajwa of Bajwa Group of Companies, the new Arizona development deal paves the way for 10 WaBa Grill locations to open throughout Maricopa and Pima counties within the next 7 years. Bajwa, who currently owns and operates 19 successful WaBa Grill restaurants in Southern California, plus the brand’s lone Arizona location in Tempe, …

March 13, 2023

News restaurants signage software/technology vendors

Palmer Digital Group to Digitize Menu Boards for High-End QSR Chain

by Katie Lee March 10, 2023

Aurora, Ill. — Palmer Digital Group, a full-service supplier and installer of custom indoor and outdoor digital kiosks, display enclosures and drive-thru digital menu boards, has been selected by The Patio, a high-end QSR specializing in barbeque, sandwiches and salads, to digitize interior and exterior menu board systems at its six Chicago-area locations. PDG’s menu board solutions will completely modernize the in-store and drive-thru customer experience while accelerating the appearance of price adjustments, new menu additions, limited time offers and more across storewide menu board systems. PDG’s solution for The …

March 10, 2023

construction and design News restaurants

First KAO Bar & Grill, a Container Restaurant, to Open in April

by Katie Lee March 9, 2023

Miami — Co-founder Matias Pagano and The KAO Group — the minds behind South America’s Sushi Club concepts, as well as KAO Sushi & Grill in Coral Gables, Fla., and J&J Fresh Kitchen in Boca Raton, Fla. — are set to open the first KAO Bar & Grill concept in Hallandale Beach this April. The two-story restaurant will be the area’s first container project, adding a contemporary and vibrant spin to the neighborhood with colorful hand-painted murals by artist Falopapas and flavorful Argentine grill-inspired cuisine. The entire two-story, 5,000-square-foot restaurant, …

March 9, 2023

Industry Voices restaurants software/technology

Bridging the Digital Divide

by Katie Lee March 8, 2023

— By Jim Metevier — Striking the right balance between dine-in and digital investments. In a world where convenience is king, the quick-service restaurant industry is experiencing an unprecedented push toward digitization, and understandably so. Throughout 2020 and 2021, while in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, brands needed to pivot to survive. Traditional guest-facing techniques fell to the wayside, as consumers called for contactless pickup and delivery — relying mostly on apps and websites to place orders, and demanding as little person-to-person contact as possible. Amazingly, for …

March 8, 2023

News people restaurants

Church’s Texas Chicken Names New EVP, Global Chief Marketing Officer

by Katie Lee March 8, 2023

Atlanta — Quick-service chicken restaurant chain Church’s Texas Chicken® has hired Natalia Franco as executive vice president, global chief marketing officer role on March 6, bringing more than 30 years of executive leadership experience to the brand. In her new role, Franco is responsible for providing a strategic vision for the brand and creatively leading marketing ideation, brand execution and digital prowess across the organization to drive brand awareness and positioning, resulting in continued growth and stronger franchise relationships. “I’m thrilled to join this iconic brand as it continues on …

March 8, 2023

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