Consumer Trends

  • Wooden seats and tables inside a Cava. In the background there is a make line with digital menu boards.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava’s winning comp sales streak continued in Q3

    Cava is the clear leader of the Mediterranean fast casual segment, and has had one of the strongest 2024s of any major brand.

    By • Nov. 13, 2024
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    What restaurants, suppliers can learn from McDonald’s E.coli outbreak

    The fast food giant’s initial response to the outbreak was quick, but guest sentiment suffered from a lack of direct consumer messaging.

    By , Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 12, 2024
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    sam edwards via Getty Images
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    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
  • Pedestrians walk by a KFC and a Taco Bell restaurant on July 2, 2014 in San Rafael, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Taco Bell is a winner and KFC a loser in Yum Brands’ Q3

    KFC’s value meal did not turn its same-store sales declines around, but Taco Bell’s mix of menu innovation and value messaging drove growth for the company.

    By • Nov. 5, 2024
  • Various people with a drink and sweeteners
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    Permission granted by Smucker's
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    Sponsored by Smucker's

    Do your beverage offerings welcome all tastes?

    Learn more about what your ideal Sweeteners offering looks like!

    Nov. 4, 2024
  • An image of a white building with yellow signage that says McDonald's
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s E. coli outbreak now tied to 90 illnesses

    The CDC said Wednesday that it’s likely that slivered onions from Taylor Farms used on Quarter Pounders caused the outbreak.

    By • Oct. 31, 2024
  • A Starbucks worker holds a beverage.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks to eliminate non-dairy milk upcharge, hold prices steady

    The coffee giant will move towards greater price transparency on customized drinks while cutting back on ineffective discounts, CEO Brian Niccol said.

    By • Oct. 31, 2024
  • Three versions of Subway's value meal, each consisting of a six-inch sub, small drink and sides.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway adds $6.99 meal deal through year’s end

    The monthslong discount signals a shift towards greater value emphasis for the chain, which has stayed largely aloof from 2024’s QSR price wars.

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
  • An image of a McDonald's Quarter Pounder, fries and a coke.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s E. coli outbreak has sickened 75 people

    An additional 26 individuals said they fell ill after eating at the fast food chain, according to a Friday update from the CDC.

    By • Oct. 25, 2024
  • A Chick-fil-A restaurant is seen on July 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Chick-fil-A is tops for reputation, new report shows

    However, customers were increasingly upset over the chain’s rising prices — a sentiment shared across fast food customers, according to Chatmeter data.

    By • Oct. 22, 2024
  • An image of a Jollibee double drive-thru in Orlando.
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    Courtesy of Jollibee
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    Jollibee launches first loyalty program

    Members will gain access to exclusive deals and product news as well as give feedback on new menu items.

    By • Oct. 22, 2024
  • New York City waiter prepares dining room
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Amex Q3 restaurant spending growth edges down

    The card issuer has recently focused on courting cardholders hungry for restaurant services, but last week reported spending growth in that category had waned.

    By Lynne Marek • Oct. 21, 2024
  • A person in a PSL hat sits at a table pouring something into a glass.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Looking to replace pumpkin spice? Stop looking.

    One day there may be another innovative product that hits the cultural zeitgeist, but even then experts say the fall favorite is here to stay.

    By Cara Salpini • Oct. 14, 2024
  • Am image of a sign on a window that says "Meal Deal" and shows a chicken sandwich and burger with nuggest, fries and a Coca-Cola.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Did McDonald’s $5 Value Meal bring customers back? Here’s what the data shows.

    Traffic rose in the days following the promotion launch, but customers still view pricing negatively at McDonald’s.

    By • Oct. 8, 2024
  • A worker takes orders from customers in the drive-thru lane at a Chick-fil-A restaurant.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Study: Chick-fil-A leads in drive-thru satisfaction, Taco Bell in speed

    Intouch Insight’s drive-thru study found across-the-board improvements in chains’ speed. The firm added Raising Cane’s to its ranking for the first time.

    By • Oct. 7, 2024
  • Three people working in a kictchen with 2 Square Kiosks visible.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    The top restaurant trends in 2024

    From automation to sustainability, these are the most compelling global trends shaping the food and beverage industry in 2024.

    Oct. 7, 2024
  • Del Taco items against a white background.
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    Courtesy of Del Taco
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    Del Taco rolls out meal combos starting at $4.49

    The Mexican QSR chain’s new combo meals could help improve consumer value perceptions as 2024’s discount wars continue.

    By • Oct. 4, 2024
  • An image of a chicken big mac sold by a McDonald's duplicate set up by the chain to promote the sandwich
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s takes Chicken Big Mac national

    The sandwich, which is available starting Oct. 10 while supplies last, could help the chain recover traffic and sales. It swaps the Big Mac’s beef patties for tempura-coated chicken.

    By • Oct. 3, 2024
  • Grubbrr's kiosks on display at the National Restaurant Association Show in 2024.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    9 restaurant industry trade shows to attend in 2025

    The coming year is brimming with restaurant conferences and trade shows covering key issues for the business sector, from franchising strategy to economic forecasts.

    By Restaurant Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024
  • An arm reaches out of a gray car to collect a bag of food while an employee with blue gloves hands off the bag.
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    NewSaetiew via Getty Images
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    Restaurant comp sales recovering in September, report shows

    The first three weeks of the month indicate a return to positive same-store sales following a 0.4% dip in August and a rough second quarter, per Black Box Intelligence.

    By • Sept. 27, 2024
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    Permission granted by Black Rock Coffee
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    Q&A

    Black Rock Coffee CEO: Experience is key to stand out in glut of ‘beverage places’

    As more and more brands serve a wider array of coffee and caffeinated drinks, in-store service will become more important, Mark Davis said. 

    By • Sept. 27, 2024
  • A photo of a person looking at a phone while sitting on a couch in a living room.
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    Courtesy of PDI Technologies
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    C-stores trail restaurants in delivery satisfaction

    While many convenience retailers continue to focus on improving menus, customers want better speed, clarity and customization, according to a new report from Intouch Insight.

    By Jessica Loder • Sept. 27, 2024
  • An image of a cheeseburger, chicken sandwhich, chicken nuggest, fries and a drink on a blank background. The image includes "$5 Meal Deal" wording.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s extends $5 meal deal in value push

    The Golden Arches is also adding other value promotions as it looks to bounce back from weak comparable sales in Q2 and better compete with rival offerings.

    By • Sept. 12, 2024
  • An image of a man standing in front of a gray background.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Deep Dive

    Brian Niccol was hired to transform Starbucks. Is that possible?

    Niccol must contend with the coffee chain’s growing brand identity and consumer perception problems, and balance its “third place” value proposition with efficient digital fulfillment.

    By • Sept. 9, 2024
  • An combined image with tacos, burgers and other fast food items offered as part of value offeirngs.
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    Courtesy of Carl's Jr. and Taco John's
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    QSRs made 2024 the summer of value

    Nearly a dozen major QSRs launched limited-time and permanent value offerings to woo guests.

    By • Sept. 3, 2024
  • The Starbucks company logo on a glass door.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    A look back at August’s frantic restaurant CEO switch-ups

    In four weeks, at least eight restaurant companies named new CEOs as sliding sales and declining traffic pushed brands to try turnarounds.

    By • Aug. 30, 2024