Consumer Trends

  • Three colorful sodas with white custard cream dribbling down the inside of the cups.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Freddy's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Freddy’s adds dirty sodas with custard cream

    The fast casual burger chain is tapping into consumer desire for premium cold beverages with a new lineup, as dirty sodas take over restaurant menus.

    By • June 24, 2026
  • An image of a building with Texas Roadhouse signage
    Image attribution tooltip
    jetcityimage via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Full-service restaurants are winning the customer satisfaction battle

    Full-service and casual chains were clustered at the upper end of ACSI’s score range, with Texas Roadhouse and LongHorn Steakhouse tied for the top spot.

    By • June 24, 2026
  • Front-of-end restaurant staff uses SevenRooms' customer relationship management software. Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of SevenRooms
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    How AI is shaping the restaurant industry

    Automated technology can transform restaurant systems and relieve pressure from rising operating costs, opening up new opportunities for chains looking to sharpen their value proposition. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • A close up photograph of a pink and brown drink.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks pilots TikTok program for boosting employee-generated content

    With Gen Z frequently learning about new products from employee-generated content, Starbucks is leaning in with help from the social media platform.

    By Sara Karlovitch • June 23, 2026
  • People walking in front of a Sweetgreen on Aug.8, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sweetgreen’s turnaround hinges on hospitality. Can it balance the human and digital sides?

    The company wants to offer customers a great experience through machine and in-person ordering. Figuring out that balance will be vital to its long-term business success.

    By Bryan Wassel • June 22, 2026
  • A sign that says "Since 1956 Jersey Miek's Subs"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Jersey Mike’s is the new king of QSR satisfaction

    Consumer satisfaction with key fast food performance indicators remained static from 2025 to 2026, but the industry is still facing major headwinds.

    By • June 22, 2026
  • Arby's Angus Cheesesteak, a sandwich made with steak and cheese.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Arby's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Arby’s adds new Angus Cheesesteak to core menu

    With parent Inspire Brands mulling an IPO, Arby’s could be looking for ways to round out its menu and better compete with chains like Jersey Mike’s. 

    By • June 15, 2026
  • man at a bar reaching out for service
    Image attribution tooltip

    Adobe Stock

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Toast

    Why do restaurant regulars stop coming back? It’s a slow fade, not a blowup

    Toast survey data: Most don’t stop after one bad night. They drift off gradually, often feeling unrecognized.

    By Caroline Price • June 15, 2026
  • Family eating at an restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip

    Paperboy Media Group

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Toast

    The most valuable thing a restaurant can offer isn’t on the menu

    Restaurant loyalty and retention report from Toast and Resy: what keeps your best guests coming back.

    By Caroline Price • June 8, 2026
  • Roadside billboard advertising Denny’s value menu with prices and driving directions.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Adobe Stock / Kristina Blokhin

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Facteus

    The QSR value wars are buying traffic, not loyalty

    Approximately 83% of QSR chains saw retention fall despite a heavy promo environment.

    By Phil Fox • June 1, 2026
  • A smiling woman behind a table of green Wingstop merch.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wingstop
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wingstop launches loyalty program

    Club Wingstop’s exclusive perks and experiences could help improve guest frequency and same-store sales growth.

    By • May 27, 2026
  • a sandwhich with tomato, bacon and herbs inside
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Good Foods Group
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Good Foods Group

    What’s driving the shift toward cleaner, simpler menus?

    When Americans are deciding where their next meal will come from, nutrition is just part of the equation.

    May 26, 2026
  • An empty Starbucks redesigned for on-premise occasions with couches and nice chairs.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Inside Starbucks’ atmospheric and experiential renovations

    At a remodeled Chicago cafe, the proportion of on-premise traffic has doubled as consumers enjoy couches, comfy seating, outlets and warm lighting. 

    By • May 21, 2026
  • Four Cold Brews, three with flavored cold foam toppings.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip

    Taco Bell tests cold brew coffee

    The chain will use its Live Más Cafés to pilot the beverages, which could see a wider national rollout.

    By • May 21, 2026
  • A close up image of a person holding up a slice of Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip

    Restaurant LTOs are booming thanks to health, novelty and value

    GLP-1s, international crises and consumer demand for novelty have made limited-time items an ever more important part of restaurant menu playbooks.

    By • May 18, 2026
  • People walking in front of a Sweetgreen on Aug.8, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sweetgreen sales wilt in another punishing quarter

    The brand launched wraps to supplement its core bowl and salad business, following its worst quarterly same-store sales performance.

    By • May 8, 2026
  • A photograph of various hamburgers and nuggets from Wendy’s.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wendy’s
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wendy’s bets order accuracy and clean stores will revive sales

    A 7.8% drop in comparable sales is pressuring the chain to draw consumers back, as Burger King and McDonald’s have seen gains in recent quarters.

    By • May 8, 2026
  • A picture of a hand giving a iced coffee drink to another person.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Dutch Bros
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Dutch Bros doubled its brand awareness in 18 months

    Mobile ordering, loyalty upgrades, a new breakfast menu and increased density in key markets accelerated sales growth for the brand.

    By • May 7, 2026
  • An image of two pan pizzas in front of a green background. On the right is a green pizza box.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Papa Johns
    Image attribution tooltip

    Papa Johns suffers major 6.4% comp sales drop

    The chain hopes new menu items, operational improvements and local advertising cooperatives can fend off Domino’s value offensive.

    By • May 7, 2026
  • A daytime photogrpah of a white building that has an orange sign that says Popeyes Louisina Kitchen
    Image attribution tooltip
    Walter Cicchetti via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Popeyes wraps join core menu

    This move strengthens the chain’s snacking offerings and could help it capture more occasions as it struggles to improve sluggish sales.

    By • May 5, 2026
  • A bucket of chicken tenders, nuggets and french fries.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of KFC
    Image attribution tooltip

    KFC expands $10 bucket deal across weekdays

    The brand is positioning the bucket deals as a value-oriented solution for weekday dinners, which could help it drive traffic.

    By • May 5, 2026
  • Two people walk towards a Taco Bell restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Taco Bell grows loyalty and digital sales

    The brand’s loyalty program is resonating with consumers and driving them to engage with the brand more frequently, Yum Brands CEO said.

    By Kristen Doerer • May 5, 2026
  • People sit inside a store drinking coffee. The sign of the store says Starbucks Coffee.
    Image attribution tooltip
    DKart via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks’ loyalty update is driving frequency as membership grows

    Starbucks Rewards is no longer “a coupon book,” CEO Brian Niccol said. “We had to stop doing all that discounting. This needed to be about engagement.”

    By Bryan Wassel • April 30, 2026
  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wingstop
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wingstop links same-store sales slides to Iran War

    Low-income consumers cut spending following gas price spikes, but large portions and a loyalty update could bring them back, the chain’s CEO said.

    By • April 29, 2026
  • An exterior photograph of a brick Starbucks coffee shop.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks turnaround plan is paying off, CEO says

    A litany of changes, from remodels to customizable caffeine levels, are helping the coffee giant grow transactions and speed up its turnaround.

    By • April 29, 2026
  • A spread of KFC items including sandwiches, snackers, nuggets, fries and drinks.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of KFC
    Image attribution tooltip

    Yum Brands wants AI and beverages to supercharge growth

    The company tested AI-arranged digital menu boards at Taco Bell and created a KFC Global Innovation Pantry to transfer successful LTOs between markets.

    By • Updated April 29, 2026