This week in restaurant news, Shake Shack and Wendy’s tap drive-thru while Red Robin reevaluates priorities. By PYMNTS  |  January 13, 2023 As restaurants look to offset margin pressure from food and wage inflation, Shake Shack is turning to the drive-thru channel to boost efficiency. In a presentation to investors Tuesday (Jan. 10) as part of the ICR Conference 2023, the fast-casual chain’s CEO, Randy Garutti, discussed the potential of the channel.“We believe that we’re targeting an over $4 million [average unit volume (AUV)],” Garutti said. “There have been many of the current drive-thrus who are run rating higher than...

From automated drive-thru lines to special pickup areas, brands hone the to-go channel. Ron Ruggless | Jan 12, 2023 Order-ahead lanes, automated drive-thru windows and special areas for to-go meal pickups are taking up more space in the ever-expanding off-premises restaurant tool kit in 2023. As pandemic-fueled digital ordering and off-premises habits continued, restaurant brands were incorporating more to-go innovations into their designs. At the end of 2022, McDonald’s unveiled a small-format test concept near Fort Worth, Texas, that incorporates many of the possible new strategies, targeted at the on-the-go consumer and delivery drivers.Full-service concepts like Texas Roadhouse and Black Bear Diner...

  Nancy Luna  McDonald's, Taco Bell, and Panera Bread unveiled new drive-thru tech. Taco Bell said it is testing AI-powered bots at the drive-thru.  Here are 13 chains adding voice bots, robotic fry cooks, and mobile-order express lanes.  McDonald's and Subway recently unveiled new contactless technology for takeout and drive-thru orders. DRIVETHRUCITY The nation's two largest fast food chains in terms of locations are joining a fray of restaurant companies betting big on innovation that involves faster service and fewer humans amid an ongoing labor shortage. Taco Bell, Chipotle, and Domino's are using AI-powered voice bots to take orders, while fast-casual...