Denny’s queued 500 restaurants for upgrades and tied the push to a named 24-month turnaround with heavy use of artificial intelligence.
Story Snapshot
- 500 locations are lined up for asset upgrades over 12 to 18 months.
- Project Grand Slam is the company’s five-part, 24-month roadmap.
- Artificial intelligence will guide pricing, labor, and forecasting.
- New point-of-sale, table tablets, and an upgraded app are rolling out.
Denny’s Puts 500 Stores in the Upgrade Pipeline
Chief Executive Officer Christopher Bode said 500 Denny’s restaurants are now in the queue to receive asset upgrades over the next 12 to 18 months. He framed it as a major step in the chain’s comeback plan and said it builds on more than 200 remodels done since the pandemic.
The number reflects scheduled work, not finished projects, but it signals a wide push across the system. The plan pairs store refreshes with technology meant to speed service and tighten operations.
The upgrade slate sits inside “Project Grand Slam,” Denny’s named turnaround plan. The company described it as a 24-month strategy that centers on menu innovation, facility upgrades, catering, technology, and better operations.
A company release earlier this year said Bode would lead the launch of Project Grand Slam and listed “America’s Diner 2.0” remodels and “Digital Transformation” as core pillars. That alignment ties physical changes in restaurants to software and data tools behind the scenes.
Denny's targets 500 restaurant upgrades as diner chain invests in AI, new technology: 'Project Grand Slam' https://t.co/LtOgo4AL5f
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) September 30, 2026
Artificial Intelligence Moves From Buzzword to Workhorse
Denny’s said it will lean on artificial intelligence to read local demand, set labor schedules, forecast food needs, streamline internal messages, and tune prices to each market. That focus fits how restaurants use artificial intelligence today.
Operators most often point these tools at margin levers first, like scheduling, inventory, and analytics, rather than flashy robots in the dining room. Used well, this can cut waste, match staffing to traffic, and help managers act sooner when trends change.
Technology upgrades will show up where guests feel them. The company is rolling out new point-of-sale systems and table-side tablets and is upgrading its mobile app. That mix aims to reduce order friction, improve check accuracy, and give servers faster tools. Point-of-sale speed matters when a rush hits.
Table tablets can speed reorders and payments. A better app supports off-premise ordering and loyalty. Tighter ties between these tools and back-office systems often lift ticket size and repeat visits.
Catering Expansion Broadens Where Denny’s Competes
Project Grand Slam does not stop at the four walls. Denny’s put catering on the front burner to reach customers away from the diner. The company said catering is the plan’s first major initiative and a new growth platform for franchisees.
That step meets demand where people work and gather and builds sales outside the normal breakfast and late-night spikes. If artificial intelligence tightens forecasting, catering also becomes easier to plan without swelling waste or labor cost.
USA Today reported the chain expects as many as 350 remodels and up to 20 new locations in the next year, setting visible milestones for guests to see and judge.
Remodels can refresh a brand image fast and fix nagging layout issues that slow service. New builds let Denny’s design for today’s traffic flows, from pickup shelves to power outlets at booths. That work, paired with smarter scheduling and menu tweaks, can make a 1950s format feel current without losing its diner soul.
Execution Signals to Watch in the Next 18 Months
The company’s language stresses speed and scale, but it also uses the word “queue” for the 500 sites, which means timing and scope can vary. The best tells of real progress will be easy to spot. Guests should see cleaner, brighter rooms, faster tickets, and fewer stockouts. Franchisees should get tools that cut waste and align staffing to demand.
Sources:
foxbusiness.com, globenewswire.com, linkedin.com, usatoday.com
