Menu Development

  • An image of Red Loster sign on the outside of a restaurant
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Red Lobster expects positive net income by fiscal 2026

    The chain also anticipates adjusted EBITDA growth of 43% from fiscal 2025 to 2027 after emerging from Chapter 11.

    By • July 25, 2024
  • An image of a cheeseburger, chicken sandwhich, chicken nuggest, fries and a drink on a blank background. The image includes "$5 Meal Deal" wording.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    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 • July 22, 2024
  • El Pollo Loco's new guacamole burritos.
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    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
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    El Pollo adds new types of burritos to its menu

    The burritos, which include guacamole at no upcharge, are a response to customer demand for more filling menu items.

    By • July 22, 2024
  • A white plate with the words "sizzler" and "family steakhouse" with a burger, fries and pickles. The photo also includes a basket of cheese toast, wrapped silverware and two drinks.
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    Permission granted by Sizzler
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    Sizzler upgrades burger menu

    The Prime Rib Burger and Crispy Bacon Burger are part of the chain’s efforts to refresh its image, said Robert Clark, Sizzler USA’s chief growth officer.

    By • July 19, 2024
  • A photo of a plate with two fried eggs, two slices of bacon and two pancakes with syrup.
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    Permission granted by Perkins
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    Perkins enters value wars with breakfast trios

    The chain’s Great American Trio sells at a price point of $5 to $7, making it competitive with similar meals offered by Denny’s and IHOP. 

    By • July 19, 2024
  • Two sandwiches on plates from Panera Bread
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera Bread spices up sandwich menu

    The chain also added two avocado toast flavors and revived blueberry and sesame bagels as part of its latest menu change.

    By • July 18, 2024
  • A hand pours sauce on a cut of fish.
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    Courtesy of Hilton
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    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
  • Three fast food beverages stand in line.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    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 • July 17, 2024
  • An image of a cheeseburger, chicken sandwhich, chicken nuggest, fries and a drink on a blank background. The image includes "$5 Meal Deal" wording.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    Value offerings drove traffic boosts at major chains

    Buffalo Wild Wings recently saw traffic jump nearly 50% thanks to its $20 unlimited boneless wings offered Mondays and Wednesdays, according to Placer.ai data.

    By • July 16, 2024
  • An image of a taco, burrito and chips and guacamole under words that say "Del's Real Deal $2 and under.
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    Courtesy of Del Taco
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    Del Taco unveils $2 value menu

    As chains continue to roll out low-price lineups, Del Taco is looking to stand out by offering more than a dozen items under the eye-grabbing price point.

    By • July 11, 2024
  • A hand holding a cocktail in front of a smoke screen.
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    Courtesy of Maggiano's Little Italy
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    Maggiano’s looks to boost traffic with new cocktail menu, ingredients revamp

    The Mixologist Collection, which includes drinks that are mixed tableside, is part of “the first act” in the company’s push to elevate its dining experience.

    By • July 10, 2024
  • Three Subway sandwiches on a table on top of Subway wrapping paper.
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    Permission granted by Subway
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    Subway launches 3 new sandwiches in latest menu update

    This marks fourth time the chain has changed its menu this year as it leans into new products to boost sales.

    By • July 9, 2024
  • A rendering of a dining room with chairs, tables and booths with green interiors and framed pictures on the walls.
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    Permission granted by Perkins
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    How Perkins’ multifaceted refresh aims to accelerate growth

    The company is “elevating and adapting the brand” with its new name, store updates and an upcoming menu overhaul, President Toni Ronayne said in an interview.

    By • July 8, 2024
  • McDonald's Teams Up with Hit Anime Series "JUJUTSU KAISEN" to Unleash New App Exclusive Special Grade Garlic Sauce.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's USA
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    McDonald’s links with anime series for app-exclusive sauce

    The chain’s collaboration with “Jujutsu Kaisen” to launch its Special Grade Garlic Sauce also includes a tie-up with anime streaming service Crunchyroll. 

    By Jessica Deyo • July 3, 2024
  • weigel's
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    Retrieved from Weigel's.
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    Weigel’s adds smash burgers to the menu

    The Tennessee-based convenience retailer’s new offering comes in four types in the latest expansion to its foodservice program.

    By Jessica Loder • July 3, 2024
  • Three breakfast sandwiches from Panera stacked in a pyramid.
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera cooks up new breakfast menu

    Its April menu refresh consisting of sandwiches, salads and mac and cheese categories has received strong guest and staff member feedback. 

    By • June 27, 2024
  • The content of a Taco Bell $7 Luxe Cravings box spread out on a table.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    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 • June 27, 2024
  • Two Starbucks Iced Energy drinks nearby shattered ice cubes.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    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 • June 26, 2024
  • An image of a Hashbrown Shepherd's Pie offered in a cast iron skillet. A hand with a fork has beef at the end.
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    Permission granted by Cracker Barrel
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    Cracker Barrel begins menu transformation with 14-store test

    The company is testing 20 menu items and an easier-to-navigate menu that it says reduces recipe complexity.

    By • June 26, 2024
  • Six platter of boneless wings, some drenched in various sauces.
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    Courtesy of Popeyes
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    Popeyes adds 6 boneless wing flavors to permanent menu

    The new items come just months after the addition of bone-in wings to the core menu, which helped drive sales at the chain during Q1.

    By • June 25, 2024
  • A rendering of a green building with Perkins branding on it.
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    Permission granted by Perkins
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    Perkins rebrands, launches redesign

    Along with changing its name from Perkins Restaurant & Bakery to Perkins American Food Co., the casual brand will revamp its menu.

    By • June 24, 2024
  • A row of six sugary drinks served by Sonic.
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    Courtesy of Sonic
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    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 • June 24, 2024
  • An image of a cheeseburger, chicken sandwhich, chicken nuggest, fries and a drink on a blank background. The image includes "$5 Meal Deal" wording.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    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 • June 20, 2024
  • Guests play arcade games at Dave & Buster's.
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    Mark Davis via Getty Images
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    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
  • Three lavash wraps with meats inside stacked in a triangle on top of wrappers that say Subway.
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    Permission granted by Subway
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    Subway dips into more snack items with latest menu addition

    Three new Footlong Dippers will further enhance the company’s Sidekicks menu, which has sold nearly 30 million items since it launched in January.

    By • June 18, 2024