Weekly Global News Wrap: Taco Bell's first U.S. digital-only restaurant opens; Domino's, Chick-fil-A trialling robot delivery; McDonald's to train employees to fight harassment
Here is a summary of the most interesting news stories of the week from around the world.
Taco Bell will open its first digital-only U.S. restaurant in New York’s Times Square, featuring 10 self-order kiosks. CNBC reports the location also features a separate entrance for mobile and delivery order pick-up from cubbies. Read more here.
Domino’s in the U.S. has teamed up with tech developer Nuro to kick off a robotic pizza delivery pilot in Houston. Forbes reports people opting to get a delivery via a Nuro R2 robotic vehicle will receive text updates on the order and a unique code number to unlock and retrieve their pizza from a storage compartment when it arrives. Read more here.
Chick-fil-A is also testing robot delivery in the U.S., under a new partnership with robotics company Kiwibot. Restaurant Business reports up to three locations in the Santa Monica, California area are now offering customers the option of having their food brought to them by one of Kiwibot's semi-autonomous, four-wheeled rovers. Read more here.
Panera Bread said they have closed their in-house delivery channel after five years and will now rely on third-party delivery services instead, Nation’s Restaurant News reports. The chain previously expanded its delivery capabilities over the years to become one of the largest non-pizza restaurant companies in the U.S. offering in-house delivery. Read more here.
McDonald’s will mandate worker training to combat harassment, discrimination and violence in its 39,000 restaurants. Reuters reported that the restaurants, a majority of which are run by franchisees, will be required to meet the new standards starting in January 2022. Read more here.