The Benefits of Scheduling Software for Restaurants
Scheduling software helps restaurants save time, control labor costs, improve communication, prevent conflicts, support compliance, and make smarter staffing decisions.
Aug 5, 2026
Scheduling software helps restaurants save time, control labor costs, improve communication, prevent conflicts, support compliance, and make smarter staffing decisions.
Aug 5, 2026
Dutch Bros invests $105 million to acquire Salad and Go’s closed locations, targeting rapid expansion in key southern markets. Learn what this means for multi-unit restaurant owners and operators.
Aug 6, 2026
Portillo’s trims corporate and field roles by 18% in a strategic shake-up to support future growth after soft traffic and sales. Read what this means for multi-unit operators.
Aug 6, 2026
Portillo’s announces industry veteran Kevin Kalicak as its new CFO and Treasurer, underscoring the brand’s growth strategy and financial vision.
Aug 5, 2026
Salad and Go's bankruptcy and closure offer key lessons on growth, risk management, and market dynamics for restaurant leaders. See what every operator can learn.
Aug 5, 2026
Learn how to calculate prime cost, track food and labor expenses, measure percentages, identify problems, and improve restaurant profitability consistently.
Aug 5, 2026
Checkers & Rally’s welcomes Peter Busse as Chief Development Officer, signaling a new era of strategic expansion and franchise support for the quick-service brand.
Aug 4, 2026
Skye Anderson will lead McDonald's USA as its new president, stepping in to accelerate growth and revive sales. Learn how her leadership could shape the future of the restaurant industry.
Aug 4, 2026
Dave & Buster’s announces Tarun Lal’s retirement as CEO, welcoming Darin Harper to the helm as the brand continues its Back-to-Basics strategy and growth initiatives.
Aug 4, 2026
Explore restaurant payment processing and learn how payments are authorized, settled, secured, reconciled, refunded, disputed, and deposited into business accounts.
Aug 3, 2026
Discover how AI integration in drive-thru technologies is transforming the restaurant industry. Learn about the advantages and challenges of implementing AI systems.
Photo by Igor Omilaev
Photo by Igor Omilaev
The integration of AI in drive-thru communications systems is reshaping the way restaurants interact with their customers. Valyant's AI tool, known for its seamless integration with existing software systems, such as PAR, HME, and POS, is leading the charge in this technological evolution. By enabling restaurant staff to leverage a generative AI chatbot to provide instant responses to on-the-job queries, Valyant is streamlining operations and enhancing customer service in drive-thru settings.
Valyant's AI integration brings numerous advantages to restaurants. By working directly with a variety of dive-thru communications systems, including industry-standard brands like Brink, Xenial, NCR, Aloha, and Oracle Microsystems, Valyant ensures compatibility and ease of implementation. The hands-free nature of the AI chatbot empowers staff to multitask efficiently, leading to faster service and improved order accuracy. Furthermore, existing customers can seamlessly transition to the new AI tools without disruptions, ensuring continuity in service quality.
Photo by Igor Omilaev
Despite the growing interest in generative AI, challenges and limitations persist. Recent reports, such as the one by Goldman Sachs, have shed light on the significant investments required in infrastructure to optimize the efficiency of AI tools. Estimates suggesting a marginal 0.5% contribution to labor productivity growth raise questions about the scalability and impact of generative AI in the long term. Understanding these challenges is crucial for businesses considering the adoption of AI-driven solutions in their operations.
Photo by Igor Omilaev
Major quick-service restaurant (QSR) brands have been actively testing drive-thru AI to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience. While Wendy's and McDonald's have been at the forefront of these trials, results have varied. Wendy's allowing franchisees to test drive-thru AI showcases industry experimentation, while McDonald's recent conclusion of testing with IBM hints at a reevaluation of AI strategies. The evolving landscape of drive-thru AI in QSRs underscores the importance of continuous innovation and adaptation.
Assessing the impact of AI on labor productivity growth requires a nuanced understanding of its potential. With Presto Automation's voice AI revealing a substantial need for human intervention in orders, questions arise about the immediate revenue-generating capabilities of AI technologies. The evolving dynamics of AI integration in drive-thru technologies highlight the intricate balance between automation and human involvement in optimizing operational outcomes.