Consumer Trends
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Courtesy of Taco Bell
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 -
NewSaetiew via Getty Images
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 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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TrendlineMenu 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 -
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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 -
Robert Way via Getty Images
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 -
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Deep Dive8 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 -
Weedezign via Getty Images
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 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
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 -
Courtesy of Del Taco
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 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
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 -
Courtesy of Papa Johns
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 -
Sadi Maria via Getty Images
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 -
Courtesy of Church's Chicken
Why Church’s launched a loyalty program for its value-seeking customers
Church’s Texas Chicken is one of a growing number of companies that have launched or revamped loyalty programs with a focus on driving more value for members.
By Michael Brady • Dec. 6, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
10 of the restaurant industry’s most impactful bankruptcies of 2024
While dozens of brands and operators filed for bankruptcy this year, a sample of major filings show a range of problems from rising labor costs to low traffic.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 5, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Red Lobster adds happy hour as turnaround continues
The seafood chain is looking to reverse its sales troubles of recent years, and discounts on drinks and apps could help it draw consumers.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 2, 2024 -
4kodiak via Getty Images
NRA predicts a big year for Korean, Vietnamese and Filipino flavors
The NRA also found that cold brew, sweet and spicy ingredients, and a focus on sustainability are trends to watch for 2025.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 2, 2024 -
ozgurcankaya via Getty Images
Over a third of consumers plan to order takeout, delivery for Thanksgiving
Of the consumers planning to order out, a majority said it was easier and a third said it’s cheaper or equal to the cost of buying groceries and cooking, according to Popmenu.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 26, 2024 -
Permission granted by Cava
The restaurant industry’s Q3 winners and losers
2024 has hammered many chains with closures, declining sales and problems of brand perception. But some, like Cava and Chili’s, have managed to rise above the fray.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 26, 2024 -
lechatnoir via Getty Images
Are customers tipping more? Here’s what the data says.
While customers feel more pressure to tip across industries, they still tip a relatively stable 18% at restaurants.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 25, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Jack in the Box sales continue to lag, but unit count grows
Comparable sales headwinds haven’t slowed Jack in the Box’s growth, with the brand opening more stores than it closed for the second year in a row.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Courtesy of Peet's Coffee
Deep DiveHow do coffee chains design, market and analyze their seasonal LTOs?
While flexibility is important, many brands plan coffee LTOs more than a year in advance, meaning next year’s holiday drinks are already in the works at places like Peet’s and Dutch Bros.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 19, 2024 -
Courtesy of Portillo's
Chains struggle to stand out amid ‘noise’ of value wars
Papa Johns, Popeyes and Burger King’s value messages did not break through, while Portillo’s sought to sidestep deep discounting.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 18, 2024 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Chipotle defrauded investors with inconsistent meal sizes, says plaintiff seeking class action
The case is an example of securities lawsuits run amok, a directors and officers liability law specialist says.
By Robert Freedman • Nov. 14, 2024 -
Courtesy of Cava
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 13, 2024 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
Deep DiveWhat 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 Julie Littman , Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 12, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 5, 2024
