QSR.pro Weekly: Uber’s $2.3B catering deal, Toast’s AI schedules
Originally sent (Pacific)
Plus faster drive-thrus, Wendy’s bid to keep restaurants open and Taco Bell’s next Milk Bar dessert.
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Uber agrees to buy ezCater for $2.3 billion
finance ·
Uber has agreed to buy the workplace-catering company for $2.3 billion in cash, subject to regulatory approval. It expects to bring restaurants more group orders through Uber Eats and Uber for Business.
Drive-thrus got faster at the pickup window
operations ·
The pickup window is where drive-thrus saved the most time this year. In Intouch Insight’s study, customers spent 1 minute, 40 seconds there, down 7.5 seconds from 2025. The average full visit took 5 minutes, 24 seconds.
The study covered 2,145 mystery-shopper visits across 13 U.S. brands in June and July.
Toast adds AI scheduling to its staffing tools
technology ·
Toast’s new Scheduling Agent, now in beta, drafts a weekly staff schedule using expected sales, employee availability and overtime risk. Managers can review and adjust it before publishing. The tool is part of Toast IQ Team, the company’s staffing package.
Wendy’s sought to keep seven Meritage restaurants open
finance ·
Wendy’s proposed keeping seven Meritage restaurants open by closing other locations instead and covering losses from the substitutions, Fast Company reported.
The seven were among ten restaurants Meritage planned to close October 9 during its bankruptcy. QSR.pro had not confirmed whether they closed as of October 11.
Taco Bell puts birthday cake in an empanada
marketing ·
Cake batter-flavored filling, pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles: Taco Bell’s new Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada arrives October 15. The advertised price is $3.49, though prices vary by restaurant. It will be sold at participating locations while supplies last.
Also this week
Red Robin refinances after 108 restaurant transfers
Red Robin completed a $115 million refinancing after transferring 108 restaurants to franchise operators, with eight more transfers expected by fiscal year-end.
HME adds cameras to drive-thru timing
HME’s Nitro Vision AI adds cameras to its drive-thru timer, following vehicles from the pre-menu queue through pickup.
Chick-fil-A adds a second scholarship window
Eligible restaurant employees can now apply for $1,500 scholarships twice a year, for up to $3,000 annually; the current application window closes October 27.
The Dunkin Zero sugar-labeling dispute
A proposed class action challenges Dunkin Zero’s zero-sugar labeling because the drinks contain the sweetener allulose.
Chipotle reaches 1,500 Chipotlanes
Chipotle’s September 29 opening in Bradenton, Florida, pairs its 1,500th pickup lane with a new restaurant design and kitchen equipment package.
Deliveroo plans UK robot deliveries
Deliveroo plans to begin Coco robot deliveries in London’s Canary Wharf this month, with four more UK locations due to follow.
Subway links ordering, kitchens and pickup
New Subway restaurants and remodels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa will use its Blueprint design from January 1, 2027, connecting ordering, kitchen screens and pickup.
True Food Kitchen gets interim borrowing approval
An October 6 court order permits True Food Kitchen to borrow up to $5 million as it pursues a sale or new investment during bankruptcy.