Consumer Trends: Page 2
-
Beanie Babies, Barbie and more: McDonald’s new collector cups nod to past tie-ins
The latest nostalgia play from the fast food brand comes as it has lost some of its steam, with comparable sales slipping in Q2.
By Peter Adams • Aug. 7, 2024 -
How Outback is planning to turn around same-store sales declines
The chain is implementing technological investments and will simplify its menu to create more value.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 7, 2024 -
Trendline
Top 5 stories from Restaurant Dive
Check out a selection of articles about some of the biggest trends — from the rise of dessert concepts to a cohort of Mexican chains trying to overtake Chipotle — shaping the restaurant industry in 2024.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Taco Bell’s menu innovations drive US same-store sales
The chain’s premium Chicken Cantina menu shifted its sales mix towards chicken by 10 points and joined other LTOs and value deals in driving sales growth.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 6, 2024 -
Starbucks’ US traffic troubles continue
Domestic comparable traffic fell 6% in Q3 despite the chain’s efforts to drive sales with product launches and improved operational throughput.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 31, 2024 -
Cava wants to improve its dining room ambiance. Should other QSRs follow suit?
QSRs typically don’t want people to linger, but experts say there are steps operators can take to forge a deeper connection with diners while also keeping them moving.
By Danielle McLean • July 29, 2024 -
How Chipotle boosted traffic 8%
Limited-time offers and increased labor deployment grew Chipotle’s transactions and throughput in Q2, driving same-store sales up by 11%.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 25, 2024 -
How chains are competing in the 2024 value wars
From McDonald’s and Burger King’s $5 meals to Del Taco’s $2 menu, fast food chains ramped up their value meals this year to attract price-sensitive guests.
By Julie Littman • July 22, 2024 -
Sponsored by Tattle
The true cost of not having enough guest insights for your restaurants
Restaurants are bleeding revenue because they overlook these crucial operational insights.
July 22, 2024 -
One Table Restaurant Brands files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections
Fees on third-party orders and rising debt costs meant a partial recovery from 2020 was not enough to allow the parent company of Tender Greens and Tacaya to repay its creditors.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 18, 2024 -
Hotel restaurants use storytelling, immersive experiences to draw repeat guests
Successful concepts center narratives, offer signature experiences and are well-attuned to changing customer tastes, experts say.
By Brian Martucci • July 17, 2024 -
The forces shaping Gen Z’s snack and beverage consumption
Gen Z has a sweet tooth and loves childhood flavors, but they increasingly demand healthy ingredients, major restaurants and suppliers say.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 17, 2024 -
NYC delivery worker earnings up 22%
Decreases in consumer tips and total employment were more than offset by sharp rises in base pay, according to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 15, 2024 -
Restaurant customer satisfaction grows despite rising prices, ACSI finds
Consumers want premium experiences to help make the meal feel worth the cost, according to ACSI’s Forrest Morgeson.
By Bryan Wassel • July 8, 2024 -
Sonic launches $1.99 value menu
The chain confirmed its value menu is permanent, in contrast to the temporary discounts offered by McDonald’s, KFC and Burger King this summer.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 1, 2024 -
Taco Bell beefs up value with $7 Luxe Cravings box
Six months after it launched its 10-item Cravings menu, the chain added a five-item meal that it says is 55% cheaper than buying the items separately.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 27, 2024 -
Starbucks adds caffeinated, sparkling iced teas to core menu
The launch also includes two new food items, a Caramel Swirl Iced Coffee and new customizations for drinks, as the chain continues is multi-pronged effort to drives traffic by menu changes.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 26, 2024 -
White Castle bolsters late-night staff to help drive and satisfy increased sales
Orders placed between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. are an increased percentage of sales at the fast food chain, and it hopes to capitalize on growing demand.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 26, 2024 -
Sonic adds 6 beverages to permanent menu
With photogenic twists on classic flavors like cola and lemonade, the chain appears to be aiming for Gen Z consumers.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 24, 2024 -
How Carl’s Jr. is driving in-store visits with AI-fueled CTV advertising
The QSR paired contextual targeting data with IRIS.TV’s private marketplace to engage young men with shared interests like anime and gaming.
By Aaron Baar • June 21, 2024 -
McDonald’s to launch $5 Meal Deal next week
The QSR giant will enter the summer value wars on June 25 with its national offer of a McDouble or McChicken, small fry, four-piece McNuggets and a drink.
By Julie Littman • June 20, 2024 -
Dave & Buster’s sees customer satisfaction growth despite higher game prices
Guest satisfaction scores are at historical highs, and CEO Chris Morris believes there is room to increase game prices without taking a hit.
By Bryan Wassel • June 18, 2024 -
Starbucks, Marriott Bonvoy link loyalty programs
The deal is the latest in Starbucks’ large, corporate rewards partnerships, which include link ups with Bank of America and Delta SkyMiles.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 18, 2024 -
Traffic at QSR chains in California declines following minimum wage increase
Price increases meant to offset the cost of the sector’s $20 minimum wage in the state have significantly dented customer visits, data from Placer.ai shows.
By Julie Littman • June 13, 2024 -
Restaurant openings up 6%, but momentum slowing
Sweets and snack concepts had the most openings with new dessert stores up 52%, followed by shaved ice outlets up 22%, according to a Yelp report.
By Julie Littman • June 5, 2024 -
‘They feel like they got tricked’: How tipping requests can hurt customer relationships
Consumers are being asked to tip more often and for more services than they were in the past. It’s leaving them with a bad taste in their mouths.
By Lisa Scherzer • June 3, 2024