Restaurant News Roundup: May 2018

May is coming to a close and what a month it was for restaurant industry news. The National Restaurant Association Show just wrapped up in Chicago, the GDPR went into effect, long lives off-premise dining, delivery and digital ordering, and lastly – there was even some false new reported! Check it out below.

Dine Brands CEO: Death of casual and family dining is ‘false news’

With a focus on digital initiatives, Dine Brands Global announced their first-quarter earnings where CEO, Steve Joyce made it clear that “the death of casual and family dining and the abandonment by millennials of the categories” is nothing less than false news. Let’s face it, we don’t like false news. Read more here.

It’s Time for Restaurants to Embrace Tech

Dawn Sweeney, President of The National Restaurant Association brings attention to the need for embracing technology in her latest article. As technological advances continue, restauranteurs are having to embrace the change and learn to continue creating human connections with their diners. After all, a personal dining experience is what consumers are demanding these days. Read up on this article here.

Why the Biggest Brands Are All In On Digital Ordering

With a plethora of options out there – diners are turning to the brands that have embraced the technology that makes their guest experience better and more convenient. In this article, Russell Zack, a senior vice president of products and solutions at HelloWorld, a tech solution and consulting firm says, “three years from now, mobile ordering won’t be a point of differentiation—it will be core to the [quick-service] experience.” All the big brands out there aren’t letting the consumer get away. Read all about their plans for mobile order and pay, curbside pick-up, mobile apps, kiosks and more here.

Domino’s Runs Its First New York Times Ad – Suggests Even Sasquatch Can Now Order Pizza

You read that right ­– Dominos is always taking things one step further than most. Their latest innovation? They just recently launched 150,000 HotSpots among places their franchisees suggested locals might hang out and want to order pizza in the New York City area. What’s so cool about this? They now literally delivery to “pretty much anywhere a person suggests, as long as it is deemed to be a safe location.” Even if they don’t have an address – like Sasquatch. The other cool thing about this? The ad they placed in The New York Times to promote this is their first ever ad! Check out this story here.

14 of the Coolest NRA Show Finds: 2018 Edition

With the largest show of the year wrapping up just a week ago – it’s great to read about what others took away from the show. In this article, you can explore 14 of the freshest products on the show floor, everything from Artificial Intelligence to a Jet Steamer that can scramble eggs in 12 seconds to my personal favorite, flameless Sterno Products. Check out all 14 products here. Subscribe to the blog for more interesting restaurant content!

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About the Author

Amber Mullaney led all things marketing for QSR. A proud Texan native, she graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Public Relations and spent her career in the healthcare industry before making the switch to QSR and beyond, saying she loves a good challenge. Amber has a long list of things she loves, including tacos (especially tacos), sweet tea, Texas, the outdoors, and traveling with her husband and two daughters.