Dutch Bros’ mobile ordering is booming

The new digital channel already accounts for 8% of sales just a year after initial testing, executives said, and is available at 96% of stores.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 13, 2025

McDonald’s looks to loyalty to recapture traffic after disappointing quarter

The chain aims to reach its goal of 250 million 90-day active MyMcDonald’s Rewards users and $45 billion in annual systemwide sales by 2027.

By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 10, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Menu development

Restaurants big and small are experimenting with their menus to align with the preferences of on-the-go diners and mitigate the impact of rising food costs, supply chain disruption and shrinking consumer discretionary funds. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

McDonald’s will bring back snackwraps, chicken strips to boost sales

The Golden Arches will emphasize menu innovation in the chicken category this year to recover traffic momentum that was stalled by its E. coli outbreak. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 10, 2025

Yum Brands to scale loyalty, personalization in 2025

Taco Bell’s parent company is leveraging loyalty programs and AI-driven personalization in pursuit of higher digital sales.

By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 7, 2025

Chipotle builds 2025 around ‘total guest experience,’ CEO says

The company will continue to roll out kitchen equipment and mobile order-focused Chipotlanes to keep order throughput high.

By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 6, 2025

NRA: Traditional restaurant sales will surpass $1.1 trillion in 2025

The entire foodservice industry will reach $1.5 trillion in annual sales despite labor and food cost challenges thanks to pent-up diner demand, the National Restaurant Association predicts.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 6, 2025

How nonalcoholic beverages are driving the next wave of profits

Expanded zero-proof menus are attractive to Gen Z, who drink 20% less than millennials, and yield better margins than traditional cocktail offerings, writes Sidework CEO Rishabh Kewalramani.

By Rishabh Kewalramani • Feb. 5, 2025

How 3 rising pizza chains are plotting 2025 expansion

Marco’s Pizza, Mr Gatti’s and Donato’s are poised for growth this year as segment leaders face sluggish performance.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 3, 2025

What’s the restaurant outlook for 2025?

Price-sensitive diners and rising food and labor costs are pushing chains to refine their value propositions, setting the stage for cutthroat competition.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 31, 2025

Most customers prefer ordering delivery directly from restaurants

Convenience, ease of customization and the ability to earn rewards were top reasons customers preferred first-party channels, per an NCR Voyix report.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 30, 2025

2025 could be fast casual’s year, again

Long-term trends in consumer preference have put fast casual chains in a position to leverage price sensitivity, digital touchpoints and an appetite for human connection.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 27, 2025

How Yogurtland’s shift to digital powered 3 years of growth

After adding online ordering and remaking its loyalty program and app, the chain has had double-digit same-store sales growth and strong new unit expansion.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 23, 2025

Back to the Basics: Building catering programs

A growing number of restaurants are launching catering programs to keep pace with changing consumer behavior. It takes diverse menus, reliable service and the right infrastructure to stand out. 

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 22, 2025

Restaurant spending to increase slightly in 2025: Fitch

Investment in tech like artificial intelligence will also define the year, supporting restaurant operations as inflation and labor market challenges persist.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 21, 2025

Why quality may trump price in 2025’s restaurant value battle

The mixed success of recently launched value menus highlights the importance of focusing on more than just affordability, experts said.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 17, 2025

QSR traffic turns positive in Q4, report shows

A push toward more restaurant value offerings appears to be paying off, with spikes in traffic seen in October and November, according to Revenue Management Solutions data.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 16, 2025

Starbucks reverses open-door policy as it pursues coffeehouse environment

Under the new policy, customers will have to make a purchase if they want to hang out in Starbucks coffee shops or use its bathrooms.

By Kristen Doerer • Jan. 14, 2025

Baskin-Robbins’ new loyalty program aims to balance simplicity and variety

Baskin-Robbins Rewards, which launched in December, aims to make it easy for customers to earn rewards while offering a variety of redemption options.

By Bryan Wassel • Updated Jan. 15, 2025

8 restaurant trends to watch in 2025

Analysts forecast a slightly rosier year, predicting that consumer demand will rise, bankruptcies will slow and increased valuations will spark M&A.

By Julie Littman , Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 7, 2025

Consumers want deals, convenience from personalization, survey finds

Simple acts of recognition, with or without a human touch, can build long-term customer relationships, Boston Consulting Group’s Mark Abraham said.

By Bryan Wassel • Jan. 6, 2025

Starbucks’ turnaround plan will be ‘no quick fix,’ analysts say

The chain wants to improve customer experience by making its stores more welcoming and speeding up service. But will the changes come fast enough?

By Michael Brady • Jan. 6, 2025

Del Taco adds new burritos and value bundles

The chain’s same-store sales shrank considerably last quarter, though its value messaging may be starting to work, company leadership said.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 3, 2025

Inside Starbucks’ very long, very bad 2024

Traffic declines and labor strife kept the chain mired in trouble despite a CEO switch up and product launches aimed at reviving its fortunes.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 2, 2025

Why Todd Penegor wants Papa Johns to make more pizzas

Menu innovation may drive customer trial, but that doesn’t strengthen the brand’s core appeal, the chain’s CEO said during an investor event.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 12, 2024

Base pay has grown for restaurant workers: report

A steady rise in base wages has shrunk tips as a proportion of compensation, but the median tipped worker still gets $14.48 an hour in tips, per ADP.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 10, 2024