Little Caesars drones, Starbucks pickup, Wendy’s spicy chicken

Little Caesars first started experimenting with drone delivery in 2023 through a partnership with Flytrex. Now the pizza chain is doubling down on that partnership, announcing the deployment of a high-capacity drone delivery test in Wylie, Texas. The test features Flytrex’s Sky2 drone that can transport up to 8.

8 pounds, meaning it can carry two large pizzas and sodas in a single delivery. The companies said this is the largest carrying capacity of any food delivery drone available today. In a statement, Little Caesars VP of Innovation Trish Heusel said this partnership is an example of how the chain is pushing the boundaries of convenience, speed, and accessibility in the pizza category.

Starbucks will soon let you plan your visit. The coffee shop giant will launch scheduled ordering on its mobile app May 11, allowing customers to plan a specific time to pick up their mobile order within an hour. Customers pick from one of a selection of five-minute windows when they place their order on the company’s mobile app. The new technology is powered by the chain’s Smart Queue algorithm.

Restaurants are bracing for the impact of $4 gas. If pump prices remain elevated, experts say it could start to erode restaurant sales and traffic this year. Inflation in diesel, meanwhile, could eventually make its way to restaurants’ bottom lines as distributors pass along higher shipping costs. Operators at RLC this week said they’re investing in value and service to keep customers happy. They’re also trying to stay focused on long-term growth beyond what is, hopefully, a blip on the radar.