Chicken sandwich wars boosted Popeyes traffic 218%

The viral frenzy after its sandwich launch drove 10.1 million visits to Chick-fil-A, Zaxby's, KFC and its own brand during the last weekend of August.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 12, 2019

63% of millennials seek plant-based, unprocessed food

A new study could spell trouble for restaurants selling alternative meats since manufacturers like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat have complicated ingredient lists. 

By Lauren Manning • Sept. 10, 2019

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

Wendy's breakfast menu arrives next month

The fast food chain has been in and out of the morning daypart since the 1980s, but with McDonald's struggling to grow breakfast, now could be the time for the smaller chain to make its mark.

By Julie Littman • Updated Feb. 4, 2020

Restaurant sales projected to break 3-year slump, rise 3.7%

The industry is finding renewed growth thanks in large part to the popularity of food delivery and big innovation investments from major players.

By Lauren Manning • Sept. 9, 2019

KFC's Beyond Fried Chicken sells out in less than 5 hours

The chain is the first U.S. QSR to pilot plant-based poultry and is evaluating the results of its single-store test to determine potential rollout plans.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Aug. 27, 2019

Diners are delivery platform-loyal, study says

A Toast report suggests that restaurants should team with multiple third-party delivery partners to diversify their customer bases and stay competitive.   

By Lauren Manning • Aug. 26, 2019

McDonald's enters the chicken sandwich wars

The QSR giant is testing a Crispy Sandwich and Deluxe Sandwich starting Monday in Houston and Knoxville, Tennessee. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Dec. 2, 2019

Over 50% of consumers don't know how brands use their data, report says

The new survey from Acquia also finds that 65% of customers would stop engaging with a brand that's dishonest about its data usage. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 20, 2019

Restaurant spending to hit record $863B in 2019

U.S. Census Bureau data predicts overall industry sales will increase 4% this year, as QSRs use tech to avoid friction with customers set on convenience.

By Lauren Manning • Aug. 20, 2019

Restaurants rethink marketing, but Facebook remains king

A Toast report found that 67% of restaurant professionals plan to pay for social media ads this year, with 91% advertising on Facebook and 78% on Instagram.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 15, 2019

Chick-fil-A tops QSRs in brand intimacy, report says

The chain's focus on customer service and its loyalty program have built a strong fan base despite criticism for its donations to anti-LGBTQ groups.

By Lauren Manning • Aug. 15, 2019

Pizza Hut's closure plans could cede foot traffic to Little Caesars

From April to August, Pizza Hut led in share of visits with 36%, followed by Little Caesars at 31%, Domino's at 24% and Papa John's with 10%. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 14, 2019

Chipotle is America's favorite Mexican food chain, survey finds

The chain topped rankings for food safety and overall cleanliness, suggesting that its food safety woes may be behind it. 

By Lauren Manning • Aug. 13, 2019

Vinyl gloves used at major QSRs linked to health risks, study says

Gloves used at McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's contain chemicals that can cause reproductive issues in adults and brain development delays in children, according to the report.

By Lauren Manning • Aug. 12, 2019

McDonald's introduces BOGO for $1 value deal

The promotion comes less than two years after the chain's $1 $2 $3 Dollar Menu and amid franchisee complaints that its value strategy isn't sustainable. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 12, 2019

Deliveroo's 'rescue team' will convert struggling restaurants to delivery-only

The initiative, which offers participating stores space in its virtual kitchens and help with menu development, branding and pricing, marks the platform's latest bid to stay competitive in the U.K. market. 

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 9, 2019

McDonald's lifts store traffic 23% with Halloween influencer contest

Influencer marketing firm Linqia flipped top-performing organic content into amplified social and display ads.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 8, 2019

Popeyes sells out of chicken sandwiches

Supply was meant to last through September, but sold out in two weeks. The chain directed consumers to its app to receive notifications once it's available. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Aug. 27, 2019

21% of diners willing to pay more at eatertainment than traditional night venue

While activities are a top consideration for where consumers choose to go out, quality food also is top of mind, according to a SevenRooms report. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 5, 2019

Impossible Burgers are coming to grocery shelves in September

The plant-based burger maker announced a large co-packing agreement with OSI Group that will ramp up its production and reach, which could help ease supply shortages for restaurants.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Jessi Devenyns • Aug. 2, 2019

Mastercard recreates world's top restaurant experiences for cardholders

The Priceless concept mirrors the ambiance of a rotating series of international eateries, while emphasizing Mastercard's branding.

By Barry Levine • Aug. 2, 2019

Navigating customer ratings and employment discrimination in restaurants

Businesses that rely on diner feedback to make personnel decisions need to ensure those reviews are not tainted by prejudice, says labor and employment litigator Kyle Winnick. 

By Kyle Winnick • July 31, 2019

Taco Bell Spain debuts vegan meat substitute

The chain has opted for a more robust vegetarian menu in the U.S. as the list of QSRs going plant-based grows.

By Lauren Manning • July 31, 2019

Arby's readies special food truck menu for 'Storm Area 51' event

"We can't confirm if there are aliens at Area 51. But, if they do show up, they deserve the best meats on Earth," CMO Jim Taylor said.

By Dianna Christe • July 29, 2019

Delivery disconnect: Restaurants don't always prioritize what diners want

Data from Toast shows there's a large disparity between consumer and restaurant sentiments, whether it's what third-party apps are used or which delivery qualities are valued most. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 25, 2019