Labor-organizing momentum grows among retail workers: Many merchants struggle to find the right tone and messaging to respond to the movement.
Restaurants are experimenting with robots, but customers aren’t enthused: Labor crunches and high costs are pushing fast-food chains like Chipotle and Panera Bread to adopt automation front and back of house.
Panera’s new AI uses sensors, algorithms, and analytics to ensure coffee is optimally brewed: Restaurants are leaning into AI and automation, but will long-term effects lead to reduced hospitality and fewer customers?
Kroger looks to restaurants and retail partnerships to drive growth: As grocery margins shrink, the retailer enters the restaurant supply business and launches an ecommerce partnership with Bed Bath & Beyond.
Chipotle introduces a Roblox game and virtual restaurant: The simulation challenges players to roll burritos in the metaverse to earn “Burrito Bucks” that are redeemable for food at Chipotle locations.
High prices are taking their toll on people’s desire to shop: Consumer spending in the US increased slightly in February, but consumer sentiment remains depressed.
Sweetgreen experiments with store formats to deepen connections with digital customers: The salad chain wants to bring the in-store experience and added convenience to drive-thrus.
Restaurants scramble to roll out loyalty programs: Hardee’s, IHOP, and Carl’s Jr. are the latest chains to leverage loyalty to offer personalized experiences and deepen relationships with consumers.
The gap between rapid grocery and food delivery platforms is collapsing: Gopuff’s arrangement with BurgerFi is a harbinger of more restaurant partnerships to come.
Several retailers remain open in Russia against their will: Burger King, Papa John’s, and Marks & Spencer locations stay operational despite their parent companies’ support for Ukraine.
Uber Eats addresses rising costs with a temporary fuel surcharge: The move aims to ease the burden of high gas prices on delivery drivers, which could help it retain them.
There’s a disconnect between Starbucks’ progressive initiatives and some of its actions: The retailer is installing EV charging stations and phasing out its iconic cups at the same time it fights unionization efforts.
Sweetgreen finds digital sales deliver big: With two-thirds of those sales coming through its website and app, the chain can collect data on consumer preferences and behavior.
Wendy’s expansion relies on nontraditional retail formats: The fast-food company plans to open up to 200 ghost kitchens in 2022 to better reach underserved markets.
Unionization efforts pose a challenge to brands’ images: Labor efforts at Amazon, Apple, REI, and Starbucks show a side of these popular brands that could turn off consumers.
DoorDash was once again the most downloaded US food and drink app in 2021, racking up 37.0 million downloads, 5% fewer than in 2020. McDonald’s jumped to second on the list with 24.0 million downloads, 33% more than the year prior. Meanwhile, Uber Eats dropped to third place with 21.0 million downloads.
Domino’s Pizza offers a 'tip' to customers who pick up their orders: The campaign aims to help the pizza chain deal with staffing challenges.
COVID-19 is back at the top of mind for many consumers: Survey suggests spread of omicron variant has led many to change their behavior.
A&W highlights real-life workers in ads: New campaign serves as point of differentiation from fast-food rivals and seeks to lure job candidates in tight labor market.