Process Analysis – OM in the News

Fully-Autonomous Restaurant in San Francisco

Mezli, which just opened its first restaurant in August 2022, utilizes technology to bring healthy Mediterranean grain bowls to the market.

The initial restaurant is fully-autonomous and housed in a 20-foot shipping container. Their Mediterranean bowls are priced to be affordable, with the flagship bowls starting at $6.99. A Michelin-starred chef assisted with the creation of their menu.

The process begins each day at Mezli’s central kitchen with food preparation. Food is then delivered to the restaurant. Robots at the restaurant receive customer […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2022-09-25T23:56:43+00:00September 27, 2022|Tags: apps, automation, location, process design, processes, robotics, robots, technology|

Worker Safety Affects Starbucks Location Decisions

Crime, drug use, and homelessness are impacting Starbucks’ location choices.

The company is closing 16 stores in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland, citing concerns about employee and customer safety. In a crime ridden area of Sacramento, one Starbucks stills provides only take-out, long after COVID restrictions were lifted. Because of safety concerns, the restrooms are closed and there is no indoor seating.

Video Spotlight:

Starbucks closing 16 stores due to safety concerns (July 12, 2022, NewsNation)

This […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2022-09-25T20:59:25+00:00September 25, 2022|Tags: capacity planning, ethics, location|

McDonald’s Cancels the McPlant

After a lackluster six-month test of the McPlant product in 600 U.S. restaurants, McDonald’s has pulled the item from its menu across the U.S. citing low sales.

In February 2020, OM in the News reported that Impossible Foods had bowed out of supplying plant-based burgers to McDonald’s, citing capacity concerns. For Beyond Meat, which took on the contract to supply the McPlant patty, the loss of this lucrative contract will no doubt have serious repercussions.

Video Spotlight:

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By Lisa M. Spencer|2022-09-19T05:03:13+00:00September 21, 2022|Tags: capacity planning, external environment, product design, product quality, service design, strategy|

1099-K Changes Impact Small Firms and Individuals

With the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, an important provision related to the 1099-K tax form affects those who receive payments through third-party networks. Just a few examples of those who may be affected: anyone paid for a side hustle through Paypal, who sells on eBay, or who contracts with companies such as Uber and Lyft.

In this post, we’ll focus on the capacity and productivity impacts of this tax law change on a variety of stakeholders.

WHAT […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2022-08-15T04:27:35+00:00August 18, 2022|Tags: automated processes, capacity, gig economy, regulations, service processes, technology|