85 stories · last 7 days by relevance
Domino's introduced a Detroit-style pizza offering while Popeyes reintroduced a $6 Big Box promotion, amid signs that fast-food consumers' perception of value is eroding.
Dining behavior data from Zest shows that frequency and habit drive restaurant choices more than active deliberation, suggesting operators should focus on building repeat visits over one-time attracti
Bowl formats are expanding beyond health-focused niches to compete across more meal occasions, signaling a shift in how QSR operators are positioning the category.
Carl's Jr. is ramping up marketing spend and revamping its burger offerings after recent sales slowdown, signaling an attempt to rebuild brand momentum in a competitive QSR segment.
Research indicates that expanding restaurant chains demonstrate stronger digital visibility across search, reviews, social platforms, and AI compared to contracting chains, suggesting that growth and
Bundles serve as a value-communication tool for restaurants without explicit discounting, but their effectiveness appears to vary by daypart—suggesting operators may need distinct bundling strategies
Restaurant operators can use data and AI to gain visibility across multi-unit systems while preserving human judgment in decision-making, suggesting that technology works best as a complement to opera
Chili's sustained operational improvements and menu innovation are driving traffic and sales growth relative to competitors in casual dining, signaling that operational excellence and targeted marketi
A CEO reports that consumers are expressing dissatisfaction with fast-food pricing, signaling potential pressure on chains to reconsider their pricing strategies.
Papa John's brand perception index has improved year-over-year, but the chain still trails competitors in value and customer satisfaction measures.
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
Industry experts debate whether recent moves at Wendy's and Pizza Hut will improve performance, while data indicates independent restaurants are gaining ground relative to chains.
Fast-food chains are prioritizing menu quality improvements to counter declining sales, though such upgrades signal operational trade-offs that may strain existing systems.
Starbucks' fall menu, headlined by the Pumpkin Spice Latte and new beverages with food pairings, achieved record sales performance at launch.
Denny's launched a Fall Fest Menu nationwide featuring autumn-themed dishes with apple and pumpkin offerings.
Krystal has partnered with Hasbro to create branded kids' meals.
Aggregate of seasonal menu drops and single-franchise openings — illustrative of mid-market promotional activity but no systemic operator insight.
Family-dining chains face headwinds as consumers increasingly opt for specialized dining concepts instead of traditional multi-category venues.
Domino's is launching a new menu item as it competes more directly with fast-food chains, while Walmart expands into restaurant delivery.
New research indicates GLP-1 adoption patterns are more dynamic and demographically varied than commonly assumed, with men underrepresented in typical characterizations and restaurant-level usage diff
Domino's developed a single-serve pizza with design goals centered on taste, customization, and operational efficiency, with the rectangular shape echoing the brand's iconic logo.
Loyalty programs are increasingly serving as data collection tools rather than purely transactional offers, enabling restaurants to build first-party customer insights.
Coffee concepts are gaining share while pizza concepts face headwinds, and some established QSR chains are undergoing turnarounds, according to Restaurant Dive's Q2 2026 analysis.
Domino's latest pizza launch and its marketing strategy suggest that fast-food pizza chains are reassessing their competitive positioning as their business model evolves.
7-Eleven is launching the BiG Flavor Bar, a customizable sauce and topping station with new original sauces, signaling the chain's effort to deepen food customization and differentiate its in-store fo
Panda Express is bringing back Cantonese BBQ Brisket, a limited-time menu item that previously generated consumer interest and is now returning to locations.
Wendy's promoted a new CMO, Pizza Hut separated from Yum Brands, and independent restaurants have seen sales growth, according to a debate between industry analysts.
A restaurant's reservation system captures customer data from busy service nights, creating a record of guest information.
Industry experts are examining the potential federal definition of ultra-processed foods and its implications for restaurant operators, signaling possible regulatory shifts ahead.
A new research roundup from Modern Restaurant Management covers consumer traffic patterns, resale market dynamics, menu pricing, workplace meal programs, private chef demand, and sports bar attributes
Major quick-service and casual-dining chains including Taco Bell, Popeyes, Burger King, Applebee's, Chipotle, and others have introduced new menu items.
Chicken Salad Chick is launching two new fall-themed menu items, including a spicy Nashville Hottie chicken salad variant, alongside returning favorites starting August 31.
Fall-themed menu items including pumpkin spice, pecan, and tiramisu are appearing on restaurant menus, though consumer demand for these flavors remains unclear.
Major chains including Panera, Qdoba, Applebee's, and others are featuring cheese-forward dishes on fall menus, signaling continued consumer appetite for indulgent, comfort-food ingredients.
Zaxby's has partnered with Nerds candy to launch a strawberry milkshake.
Restaurant consultant David Scott Peters recommends holiday menus focus on operational simplicity and profitability through dish costing, inventory optimization, and testing—suggesting operators shoul
QSR Magazine published a report on average-unit volumes for emerging quick-service restaurant brands in 2026.
Qdoba is running a September promotion called 'Diptember' that showcases its lineup of dips, salsas, and sauces, including a newly launched queso.
Lower-ABV cocktails like spritzes and earlier happy hours emerged as top drinking trends over recent months, according to Square data—signaling operators may see sustained demand for lighter, session-
Single-brand seasonal LTO with no broader operator insight.
Sweetgreen is rolling out its Fall Harvest menu nationwide, featuring returning and new seasonal items including a Maple Glazed Salmon plate and Roasted Bacon Brussels side.
GLP-1 drugs are altering taste perception among users, signaling that food brands may need to reformulate products or marketing strategies to accommodate shifting consumer palate preferences.
Church's Texas Chicken has launched Big Deal Boxes and is testing chicken and waffles in select markets.
Golden Chick has introduced its first queso product line.
KFC Canada and Cheetos Flamin' Hot have launched a collaborative menu item.
Roundup of seasonal menu launches and promotional bundles across segments — routine news without strategic insight for multi-unit operators.
McDonald's launched a state-themed meal offering and is bringing back a menu item while introducing a new product nationally.
Single-brand birthday LTO campaign with discount offers — no strategic signal for multi-location operators beyond standard promotional tactics.
A restaurant consultant argues that successful fall game-day menus can leverage existing pantry ingredients rather than requiring new stock, positioning simplification as a strategic advantage during
Routine menu calendar roundup with LTO launches across QSR and casual segments — tactically useful for comps tracking but no strategic signal.