AI Meets Coffee: Clouffee & Tea Opens First Robot-Run Café in Las Vegas
Richtech Robotics is launching an automated coffee shop, Clouffee & Tea, featuring its AI-powered robotic barista, Adam, with the first location opening on Feb. 9 at Town Square in Las Vegas. The robot can interact with customers, take verbal orders, and prepare a variety of milk teas, coffees, and desserts, marking a significant step for Richtech in the foodservice industry. The company plans to open more locations soon, following Adam’s previous deployment in Ghost Kitchens International and Dawsonville, GA.
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Employee-First Design: The Key to the Restaurant of the Future
Restaurants are prioritizing employee experience and engagement, recognizing that happy employees lead to better customer satisfaction and lower turnover. Brands like Chick-fil-A, Brinker International, and Freddy’s are implementing design improvements, process simplifications, and intuitive equipment—such as SKU reductions, pictogram systems, and larger serving trays—to reduce stress and improve efficiency. By directly involving employees in decision-making, companies are enhancing workplace satisfaction, boosting productivity, and ultimately driving cost savings in the evolving restaurant industry.
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Food, Finance, and Tariffs: The Uncertain Future of Restaurant Costs
Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China have already sent markets into turmoil, with experts warning they could raise inflation, impact supply chains, and cost the restaurant industry up to $12.1 billion. Restaurants are bracing for higher prices on key imports like avocados, beef, and aluminum, forcing them to consider menu price hikes, supply chain diversification, or shrinkflation to offset rising costs. While the tariffs are not yet fully in effect, industry leaders remain uncertain, with some experts believing Trump is using them as a negotiation tactic rather than a permanent policy shift.
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What Customers Want: Fixing the Flaws in Mobile Order Pickup
A study of 1,752 QSR app users by Ipsos and Nation’s Restaurant News found that while mobile order pickup is growing, there are inconsistencies in payment options, order customization, and loyalty rewards across brands. While order accuracy (94%) and temperature satisfaction (94%) were high, only 35% of customers found their order ready upon arrival, and coffee chains, despite excelling in speed and customization, scored lowest on food quality. Salad, bowl, and pizza brands had the highest overall satisfaction, highlighting the need for restaurants to refine mobile experiences for convenience and consistency.
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Back by Demand: Applebee’s Relaunches Exclusive Date Night Pass
Applebee’s is bringing back its Date Night Pass subscription, offering 3,000 passes for $100 each, which provide $50 off meals 12 times between March 2025 and February 2026. The chain is also launching the Applebee’s Date Night Challenge, where customers can enter to win gift cards or a luxury date night experience, while simultaneously promoting Super Bowl deals like 20 free wings with a $40 order. As Applebee’s faces declining same-store sales (-5.9%), these promotions aim to boost engagement and drive traffic in a highly competitive market.
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