technology

Local Kitchens raises $40M to open more high-tech food halls

By Joe Guszkowski on Jun. 25, 2024

The 12-unit multi-brand restaurant chain plans to expand into Southern California with its enlightened take on the ghost kitchen model.

Operations

New York restaurateur shares cautionary tale of cyber scam

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 25, 2024

A sophisticated attack robbed Gotham Bar & Grill of its payroll and forced the restaurant to shutter temporarily. Owner Bret Csencsitz wants others in the industry to learn from his mistakes.

Technology

American Express is acquiring Tock from Squarespace for $400M

By Joe Guszkowski on Jun. 21, 2024

The deal solidifies Amex as a major player in restaurant reservations and will unlock more perks for cardholders.

Technology

Customer feedback startup Ovation raises $2M

By Joe Guszkowski on Jun. 21, 2024

The company will use the funding to develop new features for its tech, which is based around two-question diner surveys.

Technology

SoundHound AI acquires restaurant-ordering marketplace Allset

By Joe Guszkowski on Jun. 20, 2024

The deal moves the company closer to its goal of bringing voice-enabled restaurant ordering to smart cars and TVs.

Premium

Financing

Reassessing McDonald's tech deals from 2019

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 17, 2024

The Bottom Line: The fast-food giant’s decision to end its drive-thru AI test with IBM is the latest pullback away from a pair of technology acquisitions it made five years ago.

Technology

McDonald's is ending its drive-thru AI test

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 14, 2024

The Chicago-based fast-food giant is ending its partnership with IBM on automated order-taking without an expansion. But McDonald’s still believes AI drive-thrus are in its future.

Marketing

Thermometers say its time to give air conditioning its due

By Peter Romeo on Jun. 13, 2024

Restaurant Rewind: Never mind AI. Here's the technology that'll really matter, starting this week and continuing through the summer. This week's episode looks at the machinery's beginnings and a few moments when it brought change to the business.

Technology