Summer 2026 Restaurant Labor Law Updates.
Stay compliant with key restaurant labor regulations in Summer 2026, including minimum wage increases, scheduling laws, and retirement requirements.
Jul 24, 2026
Stay compliant with key restaurant labor regulations in Summer 2026, including minimum wage increases, scheduling laws, and retirement requirements.
Jul 24, 2026
Fogo de Chão has announced Daniel Duran as its new CFO, marking a strategic leadership transition designed to enhance global growth and financial innovation for the renowned restaurant brand.
Jul 24, 2026
Learn how to calculate, benchmark, track, and improve restaurant payroll percentage while balancing staffing costs, sales, service, and profitability effectively.
Jul 24, 2026
Cicis Pizza’s systemwide sales have surged over 50%, fueled by digital innovation, modern operations, and a revamped franchise strategy. Learn what restaurant owners can take away from Cicis’ transformation.
Jul 24, 2026
Discover how restaurant apps help owners manage labor, payroll, inventory, food safety, reporting, and back-office operations more efficiently every day.
Jul 24, 2026
Portillo’s welcomes industry veteran Christopher Hansen as Executive Chef and Senior Director of Culinary Innovation to steer menu strategy and fuel national growth.
Jul 23, 2026
KFC Global has selected experienced leader Maria Cacciapuoti as its new Chief Operations Officer. Discover how her extensive expertise will help shape KFC’s global operations and franchise partnerships.
Jul 23, 2026
Ziggi’s Coffee welcomes Stacey Pool as Chief Growth Officer to spearhead national expansion and enhance franchise profitability as the brand celebrates a decade of franchising success.
Jul 23, 2026
Cinnabon grows 30% in U.S. units, adding 308 net stores as flexible formats expand into travel centers and convenience; 95 more openings forecast and 359 in pipeline.
Jul 22, 2026
QDOBA targets 2,000 restaurants in 10 years, powered by franchising and recent securitizations, aiming for $5B sales, $2.7M AUV, and 28% margins.
Jul 22, 2026
Discover how restaurant innovation labs are revolutionizing operations and menu development.
Photo by Austin Distel
The concept of kitchen innovation labs in the restaurant industry is not new but has gained significant momentum in recent years. These labs serve as dedicated spaces for testing new technologies, equipment, layouts, and menu items before full implementation. By allowing for controlled experimentation, restaurant chains can streamline operations, enhance efficiencies, and ensure a seamless rollout of innovations across their establishments.
Photo by Austin Distel
One of the primary benefits of kitchen innovation labs is their ability to improve speed of service and overall operational efficiency. By testing new processes and equipment in a controlled environment, restaurants can identify bottlenecks, optimize workflows, and refine cooking techniques. This proactive approach enables them to deliver faster service to customers without compromising on quality, ultimately boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Shake Shack's recent investment in a kitchen innovation lab reflects a strategic move towards driving menu changes, limited-time offers (LTOs), and premium item development. By leveraging this facility, Shake Shack can experiment with new culinary concepts, test customer preferences, and fine-tune recipes before introducing them to a wider audience. This proactive approach positions the brand at the forefront of innovation in the fast-casual dining sector.
Several prominent restaurant chains have embraced the concept of innovation labs to stay competitive and meet evolving consumer demands. Chipotle, known for its commitment to fresh ingredients and sustainability, established an innovation lab in 2016 to explore new cooking techniques and eco-friendly practices. Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, Subway, McDonald's, and Yum Brands have also followed suit, integrating kitchen labs into their operational strategies to drive continuous improvement and menu innovation.