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Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Wingstop rolls out new Smart Kitchen
By Published: | Updated: Wingstop's 'game changing' Smart Kitchen is taking the restaurant chain to new heights. The new AI-powered kitchen has helped hundreds of locations slash their standard wait times in half - from around 20 minutes to around 10. The tech has massively outperformed paper-ticket methods, and the average wait time was only 16 minutes during the Super Bowl , one of Wingstop's busiest weekends of the year. The company is now hoping that shorter wait times will mean Americans choose it as an option for lunch, and that the chain will show up as a quick option on delivery apps. 'Being able to deliver on the speed expectation of the consumer of 10 minutes at lunch, and do it consistently, we think that's a powerful unlock,' Wingstop CEO Michael Skipworth told Restaurant Business . The Smart Kitchen testing phase began over a year ago after it was placed in about 30 restaurants. Now, it's in more than 400 Wingstop restaurants, and the chain plans to expand systemwide by the end of the year. The buffalo-style chicken wing chain was established in Garland, Texas, in 1994, and now has over 2,000 restaurants worldwide. In the past, the chain would have a standard wait time of around 30 to 40 minutes on third-party delivery apps, said Skipworth (pictured). That meant that Wingstop would not even show up in platform searches that allow customers to filter for delivery under half an hour. 'But with Smart Kitchens, Wingstop is now showing up as "fastest near you," or showing up in the "under 30 minutes" category,' he told Restaurant Business. Each machine uses collected data to predict how long a product will take to make. Data factors include time, weather patterns and sports events. When the orders come in, they appear on a screen at the 'bombardier station' and show graphics indicating the amount and type of chicken to cook. Employees can then swipe the images when an order is completed, which will automatically show up on another screen at the 'wingman station,' the machine where chicken is sauced and tossed. Workers can then take orders to the 'pilot station,' package them according to directions from the 'wingman station,' and add a sticker with order details to the bag after the machine prints it out. During the early stages, Skipworth told analysts the system would help ensure its service speed met customer expectations. Employees have been getting antsy while waiting for their days of squinting at paper tickets to be over. 'I'm getting phone calls every day from partners (franchisees) asking to be moved to the top of the rollout list,' said Marisa Carona, senior vice president, chief US franchise operations and development officer. Employees can learn how to use Smart Kitchens in one shift, and installation costs are expected to be offset by sale increases. While Smart Kitchens have worked wonders for Wingstop, other chains are also turning to AI in the hope of better efficiency and customer satisfaction, but also potential job losses for fast food workers.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Cava's sales soar after growing in middle-class suburban areas
Cava is bucking the trend by continuing to attract customers as other food chains struggle. The Mediterranean fast casual restaurant has seen footfall soar thanks in part to its decision to grow in middle-class suburban areas. Research firm predicted Cava will have a more successful first quarter of 2025 compared to other restaurant chains. So far this year, all major chains, including McDonald's, Burger King and Pizza Hut have seen sales drop. Even Cava rival Sweetgreen has struggled. Cava's customer numbers increased by nearly 20 percent in the first three months of this year, while rival chains overall saw visits fall 0.1 percent, Restaurant Business reported. Analysts say the key is Cava's push into America's middle-class suburbs, where it's found new fans without alienating its core base. 'Between 2022 and 2025, Cava steadily broadened its reach among working and middle-class "blue collar suburbs" and "suburban boomers" consumer segments,' the report said. It comes as Cava, known as the Mediterranean Chipotle, confirmed it would open between 62 and 66 new US locations. The chain finished 2024 with $954.3 million in revenue, representing a 35.1 percent increase compared to 2023. The chain is expecting to keep growing, and has projected its same-store sales will grow between 6 and 8 percent this year. If results go according to plan, Cava will finish its first quarter of 2025 with $1.19 billion in revenue. revealed that Cava's competitor Sweetgreen is also showing promise by drawing 'suburban style' visitors. Sweetgreen's customer numbers increased by more than 11 percent in the first quarter of this year, despite a 3.1 percent decline in same-store sales. But other restaurant chains weren't so lucky. Wingstop took a massive hit due to factors such as growing inflation and the LA wildfires . Chipotle also reported a downturn in revenue last month for the first time in five years. The Mexican-inspired fast food chain had been on a sales tear since 2020, steadily increasing its profits. But in April the company reported that sales fell a surprising 0.4 percent in the first quarter of 2025 when investors were expecting around 1.4 percent growth. Chipotle reported 5.4 percent growth in the previous quarter. 'The first quarter wasn't a good one for Chipotle with sales coming in below expectations and same-restaurant sales falling for the first time in many years,' Neil Saunders, a retail expert at GlobalData, told But these numbers are nothing compared to the decline in sit-down restaurants like Hooters and TGI Fridays, both of which have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and are in the process of closing restaurants . Cava is scheduled to release its first quarter earnings report later today.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Surprising fast food chain that is bucking the trend to gain customers this year
Cava is bucking the trend by continuing to attract customers as other food chains struggle. The Mediterranean fast casual restaurant has seen footfall soar thanks in part to its decision to grow in middle-class suburban areas. Research firm predicted Cava will have a more successful first quarter of 2025 compared to other restaurant chains. Cava's customer numbers increased by nearly 20 percent in the first three months of this year, while fast-casual chains overall saw visits fall 0.1 percent, Restaurant Business reported. The secret to the chain's success is how it has broadened its audience over the last few years. 'Between Q1 2022 and Q1 2025, Cava steadily broadened its reach among working and middle-class "blue collar suburbs" and "suburban boomers" consumer segments,' the report said. During this time, the chain also gained customers who fall into the 'upper suburban diverse families' segment, while holding onto its share of wealthy suburban families. These factors indicate that Cava is continuing to reach its core audience, but it's also working to gain new customers. It comes as Cava, known as the Mediterranean Chipotle, confirmed it would open between 62 and 66 new US locations. What began as a full-service restaurant named Cava Mezze has turned into one of the nation's top-growing fast-food chains. It serves Mediterranean food to guests, with the goal of bringing 'heart, health, and humanity to food.' The chain made its stock market debut in 2023. It opened at $42 a share, giving it a value over $4.6 billion. The chain finished 2024 with $954.3 million in revenue, representing a 35.1 percent increase compared to 2023. The chain is expecting to keep growing, and has projected its same-store sales will grow between 6 and 8 percent this year. If results go according to plan, Cava will finish its first quarter of 2025 with $1.19 billion in revenue. revealed that Cava's competitor Sweetgreen is also showing promise by drawing 'suburban style' visitors. Sweetgreen's customer numbers increased by more than 11 percent in the first quarter of this year, despite a 3.1 percent decline in same-store sales. But other restaurant chains weren't so lucky. Wingstop took a massive hit due to factors such as growing inflation and the LA wildfires. Chipotle also reported a downturn in revenue last month for the first time in five years. The Mexican-inspired fast food chain had been on a sales tear since 2020, steadily increasing its profits. But in April the company reported that sales fell a surprising 0.4 percent in the first quarter of 2025 when investors were expecting around 1.4 percent growth. Chipotle reported 5.4 percent growth in the previous quarter. 'The first quarter wasn't a good one for Chipotle with sales coming in below expectations and same-restaurant sales falling for the first time in many years,' Neil Saunders, a retail expert at GlobalData, told But these numbers are nothing compared to the decline in sit-down restaurants like Hooters and TGI Fridays, both of which have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and are in the process of closing restaurants.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This steakhouse unseated the Olive Garden as America's top casual dining chain
A steakhouse chain has dethroned the Olive Garden as America's number one dining location. Texas Roadhouse, a Louisville-born steakhouse chain that has been growing for years, has overtaken Olive Garden according to systemwide sales data from Technomic on the Top 500 largest restaurant chains in the U.S. Olive Garden, which has held the top position since 2018, recorded $5.2 billion in U.S. systemwide sales for 2024, a 0.8% increase compared to the previous year. The Italian chain opened 15 new restaurants, a 1.7% growth, bringing its total number of locations to 923 the Restaurant Business reported. Analysts suggest that inflationary pressures may have contributed to a decline in business from lower-income consumers for Olive Garden. In response, the restaurant reintroduced promotional offers, including never-ending pasta. However, the brand's sales growth rate slowed compared to 2023, when it reported an 8.8% increase. Meanwhile, Texas Roadhouse experienced significant growth and galloped ahead of Olive Garden with a robust 14.7% surge, ringing in $5.5 billion, Restaurant Business wrote. The business has also been busy adding 26 new locations, totaling 664 spots. Factors cited for Texas Roadhouse's performance include consumer demand for steak coming out of the pandemic, store development, and investment in staffing and operations while keeping prices lower than inflation, according to Restaurant Business. 'Even though some Texas Roadhouse steaks rank worse than others, there is not a bad deal anywhere among them,' Daily Meal reported. 'Even the cheapest, leanest cuts still pack plenty of flavor, reflecting the chain's staying power among buyers on a budget.' The top 10 casual dining chains and their 2024 U.S. sales, according to Technomic, are: Texas Roadhouse: $5.5 billion Olive Garden: $5.1 billion Chili's Grill & Bar: $4.6 billion Applebees's: $4.1 billion Buffalo Wild Wings: $4 billion Longhorn Steakhouse: $3 billion Outback Steakhouse: $2.7 billion The Cheesecake Factory: $2.6 billion Red Lobster: $1.7 billion Red Robin: $1.5 billion Springfield man accused of kidnapping, raping child at gunpoint Rock legend 'awestruck' by Coachella performance despite lackadaisical crowd 'No tolerance': Task force to drop hammer on illegal dirt bikes on roads as weather warms Mass. House Dem leaders giving Cape Cod rep facing charges 'room to look in the mirror' 1 man arrested in connection with stabbing near Boston school that left 1 hurt
Associated Press
26-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Informa Connect Foodservice Group Carries 19 Jesse H. Neal Awards Finalists
The most prestigious awards for business journalism, the Neals honor the brightest, most tenacious and innovative journalists for their exceptional work. NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, March 26, 2025 / / -- The Informa Connect Foodservice Group is excited to lift up 19 finalists for the 2025 Jesse H. Neal Awards. The most prestigious awards for business journalism, the Neals honor the brightest, most tenacious and innovative journalists, content creators and designers for their passion and exceptional work. We congratulate our media teams on being deemed exemplary in the following categories: • Best Climate Change Coverage – Climate Crisis, Restaurant Business • Best Brand-Related Event (Brand rev of $3-$7 mil USD) - Supermarket News' op-eds around the Kroger, Albertsons merger saga, Supermarket News / Jonathan Maze on Restaurant Finance, Restaurant Business • Best Coverage of the 2024 Election served on your market - Universal free school meals, meal debt and more: how the November election could impact school foodservice – FoodService Director / C-Store Women: Closing the Gap – CSP Daily News • Best Editorial Use of Data – Third-Party Delivery Report, Nation's Restaurant News • Best Industry Coverage ($3-$7 Mil USD) – Third-party delivery, Restaurant Business • Best News Coverage – Restaurant bankruptcies, Restaurant Business • Best Podcast (+$7mil USD revenue) – Restaurant Daily, Restaurant Business/Nation's Restaurant News • Best Profile (Article) (Brand rev of -$3mil USD) - MSU Chef Rajeev Patgaonkar reflects on 30 years of bringing India to East Lansing, FoodService Director • Best Profile (Article) (Brand rev of $3-$7 mil USD) - Everytable resets its table, Restaurant Business / Publix is the Supermarket News 2024 Retailer of the Year, Supermarket News / Retail Leader of the Year, CSP Daily News • Best Range of Work by a Media Brand (Brand rev of $3-$7 mil USD) – Restaurant Business • Best Range of Work by a Single Author (Brand rev of $3-$7 mil USD) – Lisa Jennings, Restaurant Business • Best Series (Brand rev of $3-$7 mil USD) – The Climate Crisis, Restaurant Business • Best Single Issue of a Tabloid/Newspaper/Magazine (Brand rev of $3-$7 mil USD) – Top 202, CSP Daily News • Best Subject Related Package (Brand rev of $3-$7 mil USD) – Labor Pains, Restaurant Business • Best Technical/Scientific Content - AI has arrived in restaurants, but what is it exactly?, Restaurant Business INTERVIEW AVAILABILITY Our award-winning editors are available as subject matter experts to consult and offer opinions on the restaurant, convenience/gas and retail industries. Jonathan Maze, Editor-in-Chief, Restaurant Business – Finance and general restaurant news Sam Oches, Editor-in-Chief, Nation's Restaurant News – General restaurant news Abigail Lewis, VP Content Strategy, CSP and Supermarket News – Convenience/retail, gas and grocery news ABOUT INFORMA Informa is a leading international B2B markets, live and on-demand events and digital services group. They connect businesses and professionals in 30+ industries with the knowledge they need to learn more, know more and do more. Informa has hundreds of global brands, products and services and employs 11,000 employees in ~30 countries worldwide. Informa Connect is a content-led, live and on-demand experiences business which connects professionals with knowledge, ideas and opportunities. Informa Connect, a community of over 1,000 colleagues globally, offers connection through events, mediaand research. They service a number of different industries including Finance, Bio Tech and Pharma, Restaurant and Food, Catering, Event Planning, Pop Culture, Marketing, Law, Energy, HR, Sustainability, Construction. Kim Collie +1 630-740-4707 X LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Legal Disclaimer:
