Consumer Trends: Page 32
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Starbucks' renewed focus on coffee, 'happy hour' deals pays off
The coffee giant reported record consumer spending for its fourth quarter, breaking the company out of its U.S. sales slump and growing revenue 10% to $6.3 billion.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 2, 2018 -
McDonald's focuses on poultry with made-to-order meals
The addition of two new customizable products at more than 160 Washington restaurants comes as the chain looks to become a go-to chicken destination.
By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 2, 2018 -
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 -
IHOP gets in the holiday spirit with Grinch-inspired menu, ads
The pancake chain's limited-time offerings include green pancakes, green whipped cream-topped hot chocolate and a "roast beast" omelet.
By Erica Sweeney • Oct. 30, 2018 -
More than 80% of diners choose restaurants that respond to online reviews
Three out of four consumers believe those responses should be personalized, pressuring businesses to hone their brand voice and be vigilant about managing internet reputations.
By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 29, 2018 -
Joe & the Juice eyes IPO as the Danish chain expands in US
The coffee and juice company has about 300 stores in 14 countries and hopes its freeform ethos will appeal to young, urban U.S. consumers seeking nutritious food on the go.
By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 29, 2018 -
Will McDonald's new sandwich help breakfast sales rise and shine?
The fast food giant, which CEO Steve Easterbrook admitted is losing share in the morning daypart, will roll out Triple Breakfast Stacks next month — its first new breakfast item in five years.
By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 25, 2018 -
Dunkin' launches revamped espresso to check premium rivals
The chain is betting upscale machinery, trained staff and its recent branding change will lure younger consumers away from Starbucks and other higher-priced competitors.
By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 25, 2018 -
VeganBurg to bring plant-based comfort foods to 300 California locations
While chains like Panera and White Castle have added meatless options, the company hopes its 100% vegan burger menu will give it a meaningful slice of the market.
By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 23, 2018 -
Noon Mediterranean finds a buyer in Daphne's parent company
Elite Restaurant Group will convert the remaining 12 Noon stores to Daphne's, a Greek fast casual chain it acquired in April, creating a 36-restaurant network to compete in the crowded Mediterranean space.
By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 22, 2018 -
Wegmans tests a prepared foods ordering app
The grocer’s Pittsford, New York, flagship store is offering pizza, subs, sushi and more for pickup or delivery through its new 2GO service.
By Jeff Wells • Oct. 22, 2018 -
Time Out to open 5 food halls
The British media company enters a crowded scene in the U.S. after trialing the concept in Portugal for four years.
By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 19, 2018 -
Washington, DC mandates sexual harassment training for restaurants
The D.C. Council also voted to preserve the tip credit, a system some advocates believe is at the root of the industry's history of harassment.
By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 19, 2018 -
All but 2 burger chains fail antibiotics report card
Only Shake Shack and BurgerFi earned As on Chain Reaction's fourth annual antibiotic report, followed by Wendy's with a whopping D-.
By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 18, 2018 -
Burger King concocts Halloween sandwich that's 'clinically proven' to create nightmares
The brand conducted a sleep study to prove the Nightmare King stirs up bad dreams, and captured the research in found footage-style video.
By Erica Sweeney • Oct. 18, 2018 -
Most diners order delivery through restaurants, not third-party apps
Despite the staggering growth of companies such as Uber Eats, 53% of consumers still order food directly through their preferred brands, whether an app or a website.
By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 17, 2018 -
Inside Starbucks' secretive, ad-free Facebook community for fall enthusiasts
The Leaf Rakers Society, now at over 26,000 members, has become a powerful tool for peer-to-peer recommendations around seasonal products like the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
By Peter Adams • Oct. 17, 2018 -
Majority of diners will pay more for sustainable packaging
Forty-five percent of Americans consider sustainability when choosing a fast food outlet, but only 31% said those businesses clearly label items with proper disposal instructions, according to a study.
By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 16, 2018 -
Deep Dive
From fast to fancy: QSRs go upscale to compete with fast casual
McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell and other major chains are trying to win customers with table service, butler bells and new store design. But will these changes alienate their core customers?
By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 15, 2018 -
McDonald's franchisees may form a private association
Frustrated by stagnant sales and tight cash flows, operators met on Wednesday in Tampa, Florida, to discuss forming an independent organization — which could mean a rocky road ahead for the chain.
By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 11, 2018 -
Danny Meyer gives $20M vote of confidence to 'category disruptor' Goldbelly
The online food marketplace, founded in 2013, features products from local restaurants and purveyors that can be shipped throughout the U.S.
By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 10, 2018 -
Wendy's CMO on striking the right amount of social media sass
At Advertising Week, the exec talked about the brand's reputation for dishing out direct, cheeky jabs at competitors and how this drives results.
By Natalie Koltun • Oct. 5, 2018 -
Culture, career advancement are top draws for Gen Z workers, survey finds
As the industry struggles with a volatile labor market, results from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation suggest that businesses looking to lure this demographic should create flexible, ethical, diverse and positive workplaces.
By Morgan Fecto • Oct. 4, 2018 -
Could Sweetgreen's new pickup station model disrupt delivery?
The salad chain's new Outpost service, which offers no-fee delivery service to participating corporate offices, eliminates customer need for third-party services like DoorDash during lunchtime.
By Morgan Fecto • Oct. 2, 2018 -
QSR efforts to make healthy kids' meals aren't changing eating habits
New research from the University of Connecticut finds that although more chains are offering options like yogurt and fruit, kids are still eating less-healthy menu items.
By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 1, 2018 -
Shake Shack's 'Innovation Kitchen' allows for real-time product testing
The kitchen, located beneath the company’s corporate headquarters in New York City, enables chefs to spontaneously create dishes for customers upstairs. If the experiments are popular, they could be rolled out across the chain.
By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 1, 2018