155 stories · last 30 days by relevance
Loyalty programs alone are insufficient to boost visit frequency at QSRs; making loyalty interactions more relevant to individual customers is needed to drive repeat visits.
Los Tacos No. 1 secured investment from TSG Consumer Partners to fuel expansion, signaling investor confidence in the NYC-based Mexican concept's growth potential.
KFC Global appointed Amy Ellis Durini as Chief Brand Officer in a newly created role, reporting to CEO Scott Mezvinsky starting November 2026, to lead global brand strategy and loyalty initiatives.
Chipotle is simultaneously launching two limited-time offerings—a reformulated Pollo Asado and new Chili Lime Chips—marking the first time the chain has run dual LTOs at once, suggesting a bid to driv
Panera replaced its surprise-and-delight rewards model with a points-based program featuring premium tiers, shifting toward predictable redemption value and member control.
Panera Bread has launched a tiered, points-based loyalty program designed to increase perceived value and member engagement through clearer reward mechanics.
InKind offers restaurants funding in exchange for future dining credits rather than debt or equity. The model suggests an alternative capital structure that avoids traditional borrowing constraints, t
Chipotle is relaunching its Chipotle IQ trivia game for Rewards members in the U.S. and Canada, offering over $1 million in free food as prizes—a move that signals the brand's continued focus on deepe
PAR Technology launched Guest360, a guest data platform that tracks restaurant customers across transactions regardless of loyalty program enrollment, designed to work with its existing Punchh loyalty
Loyalty program fraud is now a material threat to chain revenue and customer data; credential stuffing and weak authentication are evolving attack vectors brands must defend.
Wendy's is undergoing executive changes, Taco Bell partnered with Olivia Rodrigo, and recent sales data showed gains for independent restaurants—signaling continued industry consolidation pressures an
Original ChopShop is launching a dinner-focused promotion called 'Feel Good Nights' featuring new bowl options and a loyalty offer to drive weeknight traffic.
Sandwich chains are using loyalty programs to differentiate in a crowded segment where the format's versatility—spanning indulgent to health-focused options—makes menu competition intense.
Divine app has launched publicly, implemented a ban on AI-generated content, and signed a partnership with Taco Bell.
McDonald's loyalty program collects granular customer data including visit frequency predictions and churn scores, illustrating how QSR operators now build detailed behavioral profiles that extend wel
Restaurant technology has shifted from maximizing order capture across channels to a more strategic, efficiency-focused approach, signaling that operators are prioritizing quality and cost management
Burger King is running a weeklong promotional series for Royal Perks members from September 14–20, anchored around National Cheeseburger Day with daily deals including a free Rodeo Burger and buy-one-
Wendy's is offering 10-piece nuggets for $1.99 via its app through late September, signaling continued reliance on digital channels and limited-time deals to drive app engagement and traffic.
Starbucks' limited-time Unicorn Frappucino, after months of anticipation, generated a 28.5% traffic increase versus a typical Saturday, suggesting scarcity and pre-launch buzz can drive near-term tran
Chipotle has relaunched its Chipotle IQ trivia game, offering Rewards members chances to win free entrée codes and points.
Wings Etc. is repeating its September Fan Challenge promotion, offering free appetizers to rewards members who meet spending thresholds, timed with football season.
Olive Garden's pasta pass demonstrates that exclusive promotions can drive customer engagement, though experts signal that sustained brand loyalty depends on consistent execution of the dining experie
Red Robin is using data-driven marketing to identify and re-engage lapsed customers, suggesting targeted retention strategies are becoming a competitive tool in casual dining.
Owner secured $240M in funding led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives to develop AI agents aimed at independent restaurants.
Slim Chickens launched a Development Fund Program in August 2026 offering franchisees up to $200,000 per new restaurant, signaling an effort to accelerate unit growth through direct financial support.
Denny's launched a Fall Fest Menu nationwide featuring autumn-themed dishes with apple and pumpkin offerings.
Restaurant technology has not produced a major IPO in five years; industry observers are tracking 10 companies as potential candidates to break the drought.
Panera modified its rewards program structure, signaling an effort to deepen customer retention through revised earning mechanics.
Jollibee listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, expanding its capital-raising options as the Philippine chain pursues international growth.
OpenTable's AI-powered reservation links generated 17x more seated diners year-over-year, suggesting AI personalization is driving measurable reservation volume gains for the platform.
Panera has revamped its loyalty program to include a points system, tiered membership levels, and expanded reward options, signaling a shift toward more granular customer engagement and potentially hi
Panera launched a redesigned points-based MyPanera rewards program, signaling a shift toward flexible redemption models that may help brands compete for repeat transactions in a crowded loyalty landsc
McDonald's has consolidated data from nearly 220 million loyalty program members as part of a broader artificial intelligence strategy, signaling the chain's intent to leverage unified customer insigh
Chili's attributed its sales growth to five operational moves: menu simplification, friction reduction, value positioning, loyalty program infrastructure, and labor investment, signals that establishe
McDonald's consolidated 220 million loyalty records into a unified AI training system, signaling a shift toward centralized data infrastructure for personalization at scale.
Applebee's, an official NFL sponsor, is offering a season-long promotional pass for free boneless wings to drive gameday traffic during football season.
HTeaO, a Texas iced tea concept, reported $147M in 2025 sales and is positioning its water purification system and customization capabilities as differentiation points in the beverage market under new
Chipotle launched a back-to-school BOGO that achieved record redemptions, and has now rolled out another promotion tied to tennis player Taylor Fritz and the U.S. Open, signaling the chain's confidenc
Restaurant chains are increasingly using microtargeting—leveraging loyalty data and customer behavior to deliver personalized ads—with Red Robin cited as an example of the approach's effectiveness in
Angry Chickz launched a mobile app and rewards program, signaling the Nashville hot chicken chain's shift toward direct customer ordering and loyalty—a common pattern as chains seek to reduce commissi
Shell is offering McDonald's loyalty members discounts at Shell gas stations through mid-September, signaling a cross-category partnership to drive foot traffic and reward program enrollment.
Cava proves low-spend marketing (1% of revenue) can outperform via loyalty, social, and experience — a martech efficiency model worth studying for budget-constrained chains.
Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons have launched a partnership to enhance their loyalty programs.
Haidilao has adopted Infobip's data-driven personalization platform to enhance its global loyalty program, suggesting the chain is investing in customer retention tools as it expands internationally.
PAR Technology has launched Guest360, a platform designed to unify guest data across restaurant transactions.
Taco Bell is launching a limited-time offering featuring Tajín seasoning and a collaboration with artist Peso Pluma.
Fast Casual Executive Summit (Oct. 4-6 in Arlington, Texas) will explore how integrating fragmented tech systems into a unified customer view can improve returns for fast casual brands.
McDonald's is testing whether international markets can sustain growth through value deals, menu innovation, and loyalty initiatives despite ongoing consumer pressure.