Although perhaps not considered direct competitors with Dunkin’, we noted that Panera is testing artificial intelligence coffee makers. In partnership with Miso Robotics, Panera is introducing “CookRight Coffee”, an AI-powered system that the company claims will monitor coffee metrics such as volume, temperature and time data with predictive analysis. And finally, I’ll confess to a raised eyebrow when I read that Philadelphia-based convenience store chain Wawa is planning to double its unit count within the next eight years. The company, which currently operates a little under 1000 units on the east coast also plans to significantly increase the number of drive-thru locations it operates. Company plans call for 54 new net openings in 2022.