A day in the life of a WD engineer goes by quickly – not only is the work fast-paced, but the projects big and the challenges complicated. Collaborative Solutions Unlike your standard engineering consulting firm, at WD, we’re all on the same team – the engineers, the architects, the construction managers, the designers, the strategists, […]
Vertical: Food
What Do Consumers Actually Want from the Drive-Thru of the Future?
A wave of innovation and out-of-the-box designs has washed over the restaurant industry, but do consumers care about all the new bells and whistles, especially when it comes to drive-thrus? Included in the full POV: Proprietary research from a WD customer survey Exploration of 5 current QSR drive-thru designs and strategies Insights on the three […]
Is Dual Branding Right for My QSR?
In the dynamic world of the restaurant industry, staying ahead of the curve is paramount. From our perspective, dual branded quick service restaurants (QSRs), like the well-loved Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon combo, are staging a remarkable comeback. In this conversation with Rob Seely, WDs Executive Director of Operations Strategy and Design, we delve into the […]
The Best Places to Go in Austin, Texas for a Culinary and Retail Adventure
We frequently find ourselves in Austin, Texas, whether it’s for conferences, speaking engagements, or simply to immerse ourselves in the vibrant culture of the city. With each visit, we uncover new culinary delights, refreshing drinks, and unique shopping experiences that showcase the essence of this dynamic Texan metropolis. As we prepare for our next trip, […]
Why Dual Branding in QSRs is Making a Comeback
Dual branding in QSRs has been around for years with wavering popularity and success. More recently, they appear to be making a comeback, but do the benefits of two restaurants joining forces really outweigh the challenges? Included in the full POV: History and current trends of dual branded QSRs Insights on pros and cons for […]
Dine-O-Mite
During the pandemic, restaurants entered a period of intense uncertainty and near-collapse that forced them to rapidly adapt. In 2020 alone, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) reported that restaurant industry sales were down $240 billion from projected sales pre-pandemic and it wasn’t rare to see your local restaurants boarding up their doors. Restaurants responded to […]
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to an Immersive Experience
The spinning and shaking have stopped. After hanging on for dear life, the house has finally settled, bringing a serene calmness to everything. You feel okay, but something is… different. You get yourself up, gather your belongings, and head for the door. As you peer outside for the first time in a while, your eyes […]
Drive-thru Break-Through
Flash back to 1960. McDonald’s. You pull up to a window, give them your order, sit and wait for a few and viola, you get a bag full of goodies and now get to hang out in the parking lot with your friends. Such a novel idea. No long lines, no hassle and you can […]
The Amazing Evolution of the Retail World
After a long conversation about how we want to work going forward, it hit us: office culture, cooler talk, cubicles, conference rooms, Dilbert jokes, corner offices—honestly, the whole idea of a traditional office—has either evaporated or mutated beyond recognition. All of it. Swept onto the shoulder of the high-speed, tech-fueled highway we now live on, […]
Feeding the People
Robot chefs. AI taking drive-thru orders. Drone delivery. A tech-influenced restaurant industry is no longer a far-off future. It’s here. And it has been brought on by some of the most disruptive industry pressures and changes of our lifetime. So where do you go from here? The inconvenient truth is that there is no one […]