Menu Development
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Subway adds $6.99 meal deal through year’s end
The monthslong discount signals a shift towards greater value emphasis for the chain, which has stayed largely aloof from 2024’s QSR price wars.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 29, 2024 -
Zaxbys raises 4 dishes from LTO to permanent status
As the chicken chain looks to accelerate national growth, new menu items could play a pivotal role in driving sales.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 28, 2024 -
7-Eleven plans 600 stores with new food-focused design by 2027
The retailer’s newest format features “a larger product assortment and expanded food and beverage offerings,” CEO Joseph DePinto told investors on Thursday.
By Brett Dworski • Oct. 28, 2024 -
McDonald’s grilled by senators on price increases
The chain said the lawmakers contorted facts and made inaccurate claims, and that their concerns reflect a lack of understanding of its franchising model.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 24, 2024 -
Starbucks’ US sales down as traffic nosedives
CEO Brian Niccol said the chain will address issues with its complex menu, pricing architecture and mobile order and payments system.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 23, 2024 -
Dickey’s enhances menu with Southern-inspired fare
The new menu accompanies recent strategic initiatives that include ceasing expansion of its non-barbecue brands and reinvesting in its traditional restaurants.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 16, 2024 -
Looking to replace pumpkin spice? Stop looking.
One day there may be another innovative product that hits the cultural zeitgeist, but even then experts say the fall favorite is here to stay.
By Cara Salpini • Oct. 14, 2024 -
McDonald’s tie-up with Krispy Kreme expands to Chicago
The Golden Arches’ home market starts serving Krispy Kreme doughnuts next week as part of a drive to add the treats to 1,000 of its restaurants this year.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 11, 2024 -
Taco Bell to test chicken al pastor
The Al Pastor Street Chalupa is the first flavor variant of Taco Bell’s Cantina Chicken Menu. The chain will test more al pastor items in the future.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 9, 2024 -
Noodles & Company brings new flavors to menu with 3 dishes
The fast casual chain’s transformation will touch two-thirds of the menu and will fill in flavor gaps with items like Chipotle Chicken Cavatappi.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 9, 2024 -
Did McDonald’s $5 Value Meal bring customers back? Here’s what the data shows.
Traffic rose in the days following the promotion launch, but customers still view pricing negatively at McDonald’s.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 8, 2024 -
EG America reveals 3 new foodservice concepts
A Cumberland Farms store in Massachusetts is now home to the retailer’s first Alanza Pizza, Burger Baby and Wing Trip locations.
By Jessica Loder • Oct. 8, 2024 -
Del Taco rolls out meal combos starting at $4.49
The Mexican QSR chain’s new combo meals could help improve consumer value perceptions as 2024’s discount wars continue.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 4, 2024 -
McDonald’s takes Chicken Big Mac national
The sandwich, which is available starting Oct. 10 while supplies last, could help the chain recover traffic and sales. It swaps the Big Mac’s beef patties for tempura-coated chicken.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 3, 2024 -
Rebel introduces Hatch Chicken QSR
The proprietary eatery features a variety of chicken and sides and is expected to expand to 20 additional stores next year.
By Jessica Loder • Oct. 2, 2024 -
Dickey’s to cease expanding non-barbecue brands
Virtual brands grew over the past four years, but never had the same success of Dickey’s Barbecue, said Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 1, 2024 -
Shake Shack touts premium ingredients in multichannel ‘Worth It’ ads
Commercials that leverage slow-motion footage and a voice-over about how the chain lives up to the hype arrive as competitors focus on affordability.
By Jessica Deyo • Oct. 1, 2024 -
The c-store value deals keep on rolling
Circle K and EG America are the latest players to launch $5 meals amid what's become a booming trend this year to compete with QSRs.
By Brett Dworski • Sept. 30, 2024 -
Sonic Drive-In switches up its $1.99 value menu
The QSR chain, which added its permanent value menu in July, added Cream Slushes and Grilled Cheese Burgers as competition around affordability grows.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 30, 2024 -
IHOP president Jay Johns to retire
Lawrence Kim, chief innovation officer at Yum, has been appointed president designee, effective Oct. 21, and will succeed Johns on Jan. 6.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 26, 2024 -
Firehouse Subs brings back fan-favorite Hot Sauce Bar with new campaign
The RBI-owned sandwich chain debuted its first major effort since adopting a multi-agency roster model to handle its marketing earlier this year.
By Aaron Baar • Sept. 26, 2024 -
Qdoba looks to own National Queso Day on its way to national expansion
New menu item Queso Apocalypto reflects the popularity of spicy foods and arrives as the chain ramps up marketing to Gen Z and adds locations.
By Aaron Baar • Sept. 24, 2024 -
Sponsored by Our Farms
Just Salad sources regenerative rice
It started with a simple vision: food that tastes great and doesn’t cost the planet. For Just Salad, that vision guides everything from pioneering carbon-labeled menus to their famous reusable bowls
Sept. 23, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Why consumers, not restaurants, are dictating value
Guests with tighter budgets are seeking out more affordable options, and restaurants — desperate for their dollars — are responding with a battle for the best value offer.
By Julie Littman • Updated Sept. 23, 2024 -
Mod Pizza changes its menu pricing strategy
The brand abandoned its “one price fits all” approach, regardless of toppings. Cheese and one-topping pizzas now cost less than multi-topping pies.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 18, 2024