Menu Development

  • An image of two chicken sliders with a handful of crinkle fries around them.
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    Courtesy of White Castle
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    White Castle updates core menu with Crispy Chicken Sliders

    The QSR added a new version of its Crispy Chicken Sliders to its menu — the first permanent addition since 2022 — that is cheaper than its predecessor.

    By • June 30, 2025
  • An image of four cocktails in the foreground of different colors and a blurred bar in the background.
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    KatieSik via Getty Images
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    How restaurants can build cocktail menus that shine this summer

    Flavorful, fun and eye-catching alcoholic drinks can help boost sales, but they need to be served quickly and reflect a brand ethos, experts say.

    By Danielle McLean • June 30, 2025
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    sam edwards via Getty Images
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    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
  • A beige building with a yellow "M" and white "McDonald's" sign.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s adds Daily Double to menu

    The Golden Arches said the burger has performed well in several markets and will use it to anchor a pricier value meal option.

    By • June 27, 2025
  • An image of a dark pink drink in a cup with a giant W on it.
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    Permission granted by Whataburger
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    Whataburger adds premium drinks to beverage lineup

    Whatafreshers and lemonade are the latest additions to the chain’s growing drink menu, which includes hot and iced coffee and shakes.

    By • June 27, 2025
  • An image of various cold beverages from Taco Bell.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell doubles down on beverages

    The chain launched a new drinks lineup nationwide and plans to expand its Live Mas Café concept to 30 additional locations.

    By • June 26, 2025
  • An image of a white coffee cup on a table. The coffee cup hasa green logo for Starbucks.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Starbucks standardizes pricing for flavor customizations

    The changes, which include a flat 80-cent fee for any added sauces or syrups, are part of the chain’s work to improve customer experience. 

    By • June 26, 2025
  • An image of three Krispy Kreme doughnuts and six in a box.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's/Krispy Kreme
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    Krispy Kreme, McDonald’s end partnership

    Effective July 2, the two chains will stop selling doughnuts in McDonald’s restaurants, with Krispy Kreme citing profitability issues.

    By • June 24, 2025
  • A table with different chicken items from Taco Bell
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell
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    It’s the summer of chicken for QSRs

    Chains including Culver’s, McDonald’s and Taco Bell hope to attract customers with new poultry lineups this season.

    By • June 24, 2025
  • A grab-and-go section in a store.
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    Sam Silverstein/Restaurant Dive
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    Walmart is leveling up in foodservice. How can grocers compete?

    As the retailer adds hot bars, grab-and-go items and in-store QSRs, supermarkets can tap their workers and deep knowledge of their customer base as valuable differentiators, sources said.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • June 18, 2025
  • An image of a breakfast sandwich, coffee and hashbrowns on a table
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    Permission granted by Portillo's
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    Portillo’s expands breakfast test

    The chain, which began testing the morning daypart in April, added five more restaurants and a new menu item to the Chicagoland pilot.

    By • June 17, 2025
  • A photograph of four salads on a checkered table.
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    Courtesy of Califorinia Pizza Kitchen
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    California Pizza Kitchen adds 3 salads to permanent menu

    The offerings come months after it partnered with Man Vs Fries to add a virtual menu.

    By • June 10, 2025
  • A photograph of three chicken sandwiches
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    Courtesy of Culver's
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    Culver’s revamps chicken sandwiches

    The chain will update three chicken sandwiches on June 16, just as rivals Popeyes and McDonald’s launch new items in the popular category.

    By • June 10, 2025
  • McDonald's Snack Wrap Files homepage
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    Retrieved from McDonald's on June 03, 2025
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    McDonald’s goes behind the scenes to hype fan-favorite Snack Wrap return

    The marketing campaign will include a new spot, a Snapchat activation and a throwback web portal that features behind-the-scenes content.

    By Chris Kelly • June 5, 2025
  • Three fast food beverages stand in line.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    McDonald’s will wind down CosMc’s, test drinks

     The Golden Arches will start shuttering its beverage innovation spinoff’s units in late June, just 18 months after its first location opened. 

    By • May 27, 2025
  • Chili's Big Smasher cheeseburger accompanied by sides of chips, fries and cola on a wooden dining table
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    Permission granted by Chili's Grill & Bar
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    The restaurant industry’s Q1 2025 winners and losers

    Consumer price sensitivity led to declines at Chipotle, McDonald’s and other QSRs, while Chili’s and Cava were among a handful of companies to see traffic and sales gains.

    By • May 22, 2025
  • Kent Companies
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    Retrieved from Kent Companies.
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    Kent Companies rolling out food-focused c-store format

    Locations feature a made-to-order kitchen, a drive-thru, a beer and ice cave, two-bay car washes and a dog wash.

    By Brett Dworski • May 19, 2025
  • Arko
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    Retrieved from NACS.
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    Arko begins building food-focused stores, will debut new foodservice program

    The convenience retailer is investing between $700,000 and $1.1 million into each new location and intends to finish all seven pilot sites by the end of 2025.

    By Brett Dworski • May 12, 2025
  • Exterior of a Potbelly restaurant
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    How Potbelly harnessed transformational growth

    After undertaking a turnaround strategy, the company has grown comparable sales, accelerated franchise development and added popular menu items.

    By • May 12, 2025
  • An image of a gray building with a white logo that says "Shake Shack"
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack to open new support center, flagship restaurant in Atlanta

    The new support center and flagship location, equipped with a full bar, represent an evolution for the brand and could signal an increased reliance on menu innovation and LTOs as growth drivers.

    By • May 9, 2025
  • A picture of a hand giving a iced coffee drink to another person.
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    Permission granted by Dutch Bros
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    How restaurants can tap into the beverage craze

    Young, health-conscious consumers are seeking out innovative non-alcoholic drinks, and well-positioned restaurants can capture that new demand.

    By Danielle McLean • May 9, 2025
  • A rendering of a new Huddle House prototype.
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    Courtesy of Huddle House
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    Huddle House pursues drive-thrus, non-traditional growth in rebrand

    As casual dining struggles, brands are leaning into a wide array of real estate and menu changes to capture fast casual and QSR diners.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • An image of a Noodles & Company restaurant with outdoor seating
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    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
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    How Noodles & Company beat Chipotle’s Q1 comparable sales

    The chain posted a 4.4% increase in comp sales in Q1 2025 even though larger chains like Chipotle and Wingstop posted anemic comps.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • An image of three Krispy Kreme doughnuts and six in a box.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's/Krispy Kreme
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    Krispy Kreme pauses McDonald’s rollout as sales drop

    The doughnut chain said it has stopped expanding its McDonald’s presence while it works to assess the profitability of the business model.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • An image of the Shake Shack logo on a window.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack rolls out digital menu boards, combos to speed up drive-thru

    The drive-thru efforts build on five consecutive quarters of improvements to speed of service and order accuracy.

    By Bryan Wassel • May 5, 2025
  • Three fast food beverages stand in line.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    McDonald’s to test expanded beverage menu this year

    Adding more items to its menu, including energy drinks and coffee, will help the chain compete with sector rivals and boost profitability.

    By • May 1, 2025