Consumer Trends: Page 10

  • A mural in a Washington, D.C., Starbucks designed to highlight the chain's efforts at inclusive spatial design.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks opens first fully accessible store in DC

    The chain will begin adding inclusive design elements, like wide pedestrian pathways and power doors, to all new builds and remodels in the U.S.

    By • Feb. 20, 2024
  • Sliders featuring Beyond Chicken in various preparations with a flag of the company logo in a bun sit on a counter.
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    Courtesy of Beyond Meat
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    Deep Dive

    Plant-based meat needs to beef up its messaging in 2024

    Between slumping sales and shifting consumer mindsets, 2023 proved difficult for the sector. Here’s what analysts and experts say the category can do to recalibrate.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Feb. 14, 2024
  • An image of several people eating hamburgers and french fries from a generic fast food restaurant. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Diamond Dogs via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Loyalty & Rewards Strategy

    Capturing — and keeping — loyal customers is more crucial than ever as diner price sensitivity puts pressure on restaurants.

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • A photo of Franke bean-to-cup machines in a Family Express convenience store.
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    Permission granted by Franke Coffee
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    4 coffee trends for c-stores to watch

    Whether through new flavors, expanding creamer offerings or including more cold options, there are many ways for retailers to grow their java business throughout the day, experts say.

    By Christine Blank • Feb. 13, 2024
  • A steak meal with wine from Smokey Bones
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    Courtesy of Smokey Bones
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    Smokey Bones revamps loyalty program

    Members now receive five points for every dollar spent compared to one point, accelerating the rate in which points are accrued. 

    By • Feb. 9, 2024
  • A $10 family meal deal display at a grocery store.
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    Catherine Douglas Moran/Restaurant Dive
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    How grocers are promoting value among their foodservice offerings

    While price continues to draw in consumers, grocers are also finding more ways to showcase quality and highlight the convenience of their meal options.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Feb. 8, 2024
  • An image of a hand holding a smart phone with a KFC Rewards logo on the screen
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC US launches points-based digital rewards program

    Members earn 10 points for every eligible dollar spent online. Points are redeemable for free food in KFC’s Secret Recipe Vault, which rotates rewards.

    By • Feb. 6, 2024
  • A hand holds a smartphone with Sweetgreen's loyalty program on the screen
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    Permission granted by Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen adds annual loyalty subscription for $100

    Enrollment in the company’s rewards program was up 25% during the back half of 2023, and an annual option could further accelerate membership growth.

    By • Feb. 2, 2024
  • The Starbucks company logo on a glass door.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Starbucks says ‘misperceptions’ of Middle East stance dragged US traffic

    Visits to the coffee chain took a hit last quarter after customers called for a boycott of the brand when it sued Workers United over social media posts concerning Palestine.

    By • Feb. 2, 2024
  • An image of a Starbucks sign
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks to capitalize on record loyalty membership with app improvements

    Starbucks Reward members spent more than ever during Q1 2024, as the company looks to incentivize further patronage with greater personalization.

    By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 1, 2024
  • 5 chefs work in a restaurant kitchens
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    lechatnoir via Getty Images
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    Restaurant trend outlook for 2024

    Slow traffic, growing interest in afternoon snacking and trends toward value menus, digital and in-store personalization will shape the restaurant landscape.

    By Restaurant Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024
  • A photo of the kitchen area of the new Dash In.
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    Jessica Loder/C-Store Dive/Restaurant Dive
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    Column

    Fueling Up: To truly compete with restaurants, c-stores need to ‘break boundaries’

    Narrowing the gap with restaurants is top of mind for many c-store retailers. Achieving it requires stepping outside of convenience retail’s comfort zone, one expert says.

    By Brett Dworski • Jan. 31, 2024
  • Starbucks Oleato beverages on a gold cloth.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks will launch 3 new beverage platforms in 6 months

    Pressured by boycotts and snacking competition, the coffee chain will look to new drinks to strengthen its dwindling afternoon traffic.

    By • Jan. 31, 2024
  • Wings & Rings catering wing box
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    Permission granted by Wings & Rings
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    Deep Dive

    Return-to-office traffic is fueling a catering boom in 2024

    Chains like Cracker Barrel, BJs and Wings & Rings will continue to lean into the profitable channel this year after seeing double-digit growth in 2023.

    By • Jan. 29, 2024
  • An image of the interior of a Dirty Dough location.
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    Courtesy of Craveworthy Brands
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    Craveworthy Brands buys major stake in Dirty Dough Cookies

    This deal marks Craveworthy’s first investment in a snack brand, and reflects growing restaurant interest in concepts and menus that target diner spending between traditional dayparts. 

    By • Jan. 24, 2024
  • Interior of a grocery store
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    Catherine Douglas Moran/Restaurant Dive
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    Inside the store: Wegmans’ foodservice paradise in Manhattan

    The grocer’s first Manhattan location devotes nearly an entire floor to “restaurant foods selections” including fresh sushi, pizza and poke bowls.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Jan. 24, 2024
  • Two flags flown by fast food workers demonstrating in support of AB 257.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    California’s $20 fast food wage poses risk and reward, execs say at ICR

    Operational changes, value offerings and pricing are key tools in preserving traditional margins as wages rise, leadership from major chains shared. 

    By • Jan. 23, 2024
  • An image of an indoor mini golf course with neon lighting
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    Permission granted by Puttshack
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    How Puttshack and Pinstripes sustain AUVs over $8M

    At the ICR Conference in Orlando, Florida, company executives discussed how post-pandemic consumer trends are driving traffic in the eatertainment space.

    By • Jan. 22, 2024
  • Photo of a young woman in a kitchen during a cooking class, preparing bruschetta
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    AleksandarNakic via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Tock

    Unique dining experiences are the secret sauce to your restaurant’s success

    Reconsider dining ‘experiences' as a unique value-add that’s different from everyday service.

    Jan. 22, 2024
  • An image of the bar at Marriott's Ritz-Carlton Portland
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    Retrieved from Ritz-Carlton on January 16, 2024
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    3 trends that will shape hotel restaurants in 2024

    Gone are the days of “Cheesecake Factory”-size menus as hotels prioritize a la carte and plant-forward food and beverage options, according to Marriott International’s senior director of culinary for the U.S. and Canada.

    By Jenna Graber • Jan. 18, 2024
  • A rendering of a Mr. Gatti's pizza franchise with a c-store.
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    Courtesy of Mr. Gatti's Pizza
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    Mr. Gatti’s Pizza develops c-store franchise model

    The pizza chain will initially focus on expanding in Texas and the Southeast, with plans to eventually target the Southwest and Midwest, as well.

    By Jessica Loder • Jan. 16, 2024
  • Woman standing behind counter and cash register serves ice cream cone.
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    Permission granted by Lynne Marek
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    Will Toast raise prices this year?

    The restaurant point-of-sale provider may give clients a choice when it makes price adjustments, following a fee flub last year.

    By Caitlin Mullen • Jan. 12, 2024
  • An in-store bar.
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    Retrieved from Maizano on November 27, 2023
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    Deep Dive

    7 restaurant industry trends to watch in 2024

    Development costs will remain high and service fees could frustrate diners, but personalized offers and labor-saving tech may give brands an edge.

    By , , • Jan. 10, 2024
  • A promotional image for Taco Bell's new vegetarian combo deal.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell expands value menu

    In a bid to boost value and increase digital engagement, Taco Bell is adding six value items and a veggie combo.

    By • Jan. 8, 2024
  • A customers uses an app on their phone.
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    LeoPatrizi via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Personalization will rule restaurant loyalty programs in 2024

    Major chains are using real-time consumer data and artificial intelligence to provide more personalized perks, which may grow engagement even as diners’ emotional attachment to brands dips. 

    By Danielle McLean • Jan. 4, 2024
  • A Starbucks worker pours a beverage into a cup meant to represent a customer's personal drinkware.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks will accept diners’ personal mugs for drive-thru, app orders

    The chain has implemented new equipment and standardized its process for fulfilling personal cup orders following a 200 drive-thru-store test last year. 

    By • Jan. 3, 2024