Consumer Trends

  • People sit inside a store drinking coffee. The sign of the store says Starbucks Coffee.
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    DKart via Getty Images
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    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.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    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
  • Front-of-end restaurant staff uses SevenRooms' customer relationship management software. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Courtesy of SevenRooms
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    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
  • An exterior photograph of a brick Starbucks coffee shop.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    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.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    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
  • Fast food kids meal with orange packaging.
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    Courtesy of Whataburger
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    Whataburger adds toys, interactive packaging to kids meals

    The new kids meals could help the chain compete for family dining dollars with QSR brands that have long offered kids flashy meal perks. 

    By • April 29, 2026
  • Six drinks, all colorful, comprising the vanguard of McDonald's post-CosMc's premium drinks lineup.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s adds beverage specialists to make refreshers, dirty sodas

    High-performing crew members will be trained for the beverage station, with all crew members eventually rotating into the role.

    By • April 28, 2026
  • An image of a darkened Red Lobster with empthy booths.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    More than a rough patch: Recent restaurant closures signal market correction

    Persistent traffic declines, rising costs and an oversaturated market are forcing brands to make tough decisions, and robust chains are taking advantage of the moment, experts say.

    By Michael Brady • April 24, 2026
  • A promotional image for Hut Rewards
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    Courtesy of Pizza Hut
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    Pizza Hut shifts loyalty program toward experience and exclusivity

    The pizza giant is adding merchandise drops, digital games and experiential rewards to boost consumer engagement.

    By • April 21, 2026
  • A woman grins at her phone while eating a Subway sandwich in a promotion image for the chain's MVP Rewards.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Diners are becoming less loyal: Tillster

    Leading brands in the restaurant sector could face greater competition from c-stores and grocery chains.

    By • April 20, 2026
  • A photograph of two arms holding up a plate of prawns above a wooden table full of food.
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Who’s Hungry? What GroundTruth’s first-party data says about today’s restaurant visitors.

    Most diners eat at places within 10 miles of their homes, so operators should target customers closest to their restaurants before expanding outward, GroundTruth’s Hayden Erwin says.

    By Hayden Erwin • April 17, 2026
  • A Starbucks store stands in Manhattan on January 30, 2024 in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Starbucks lets customers discover drinks, start orders in ChatGPT

    The app, in beta, takes the prompt-driven inspiration of ChatGPT and pushes customers into the Starbucks ecosystem to complete their orders.

    By Bryan Wassel • April 15, 2026
  • Six versions of Chili's Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich
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    Courtesy of Chili's
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    Chili’s serves up new Big Crispy chicken sandwich platform

    The chain is balancing the 3 for Me value offering with more premium versions of its Big Crispy sandwich to preserve its margins and sales mix.

    By • April 15, 2026
  • A promotional image for Chipotles "rewards on repeat" loyalty launch.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle overhauls rewards system

    More free items, greater redemption flexibility and an in-store campaign to boost enrollment could help the fast casual giant grow its rewards base.

    By • April 13, 2026
  • A woman holds up her smart phone to a tablet that is asking what percentage of a tip should be added.
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    Getty Images
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    Popmenu: 35% of diners are cutting back on restaurant tips

    Tipping fatigue and consumer price sensitivity driven by inflation may be lowering both the frequency and size of tips given to workers.

    By • April 10, 2026
  • A man holds a starbucks drink next to a phone with a Bank of America card onscreen.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Why points-based loyalty programs aren’t cutting it anymore

    Segment leaders like Starbucks are instead using AI-targeted messaging, aspirational experiences and gamification to nudge consumers from one-time visitors to lifetime fans, Paytronix says.

    By • April 8, 2026
  • Three Starbucks mango strawberry refreshers on a table.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks launches highly-caffeinated refreshers

    With an extra 75 milligrams of caffeine compared to the regular versions of its refreshers, Starbucks’ new drinks widen the brand’s range of beverages.

    By • April 7, 2026
  • A photo of a person walking in front of a store holding a chicken sandwich.
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    Frozen drinks and fresh flavors emerge as c-store retailers prep for spring

    Pilot also added two new food programs, Stinker rolled out pizza rolls and Love’s debuted pesto-forward items as part of a rotating menu.

    By Jessica Loder • April 6, 2026
  • Foods with flavor bubbles toppings
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    Permission granted by The Culinary Institute of America
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    Sponsored by KIKKOMAN SALES USA, INC.

    The science of spherification: 3 key takeaways from the ‘Year of the Sphere’

    Discover how spherification is evolving into an essential tool for the modern kitchen.

    April 6, 2026
  • A Starbucks barista hands a customer a coffee
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks adds performance bonuses for frontline workers

    Baristas and shift supervisors could see $300 quarterly bonuses starting in July, while Starbucks is expanding tipping across ordering channels.

    By • Updated April 3, 2026
  • A spread of KFC items including sandwiches, snackers, nuggets, fries and drinks.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC mimics Taco Bell in latest value play

    The $7, $9 and $11 Value Feast Boxes can offer significant discounts — almost reaching 50% — according to a Restaurant Dive analysis.

    By • March 31, 2026
  • A fast food chicken sandwich with a breaded cutlet, soft potato bun, mayo, tomatoes and pickles.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s upgrades chicken sandwich lineup

    The brand said enhancements like new breading, buns and reformulated mayo makes the items juicier and better than the competition.

    By • March 30, 2026
  • Three toasted sandwiches and a small cup of Papa Johns garlic sauce on a white table in front of a green background.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns launches toasted sandwich lineup

    Under pressure from Domino’s growing market share, Papa Johns launched a new menu category that could expand its reach across consumer cohorts.

    By • March 30, 2026
  • A close up of a white logo that says Wing Stop with a neon green glow.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Circana: Value and flavor propel Chili’s and Wingstop’s growth

    The two brands rose fastest in Circana’s 2026 Definitive U.S. Ranking as macroeconomic uncertainty pushed consumers towards holistic value.

    By • March 27, 2026
  • An image of three large platters in the forefront with various food items. I nthe bagkround there are three cups, chips and tortillas.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    How 10 major restaurant chains are overhauling their strategies

    From Wendy’s to Outback, heavyweight brands are investing in new menu items and operational improvements  — often accompanied by closures and renovations — to get back on track.

    By • March 26, 2026
  • A woman with shopping bags checks her cell phone in front of a store.
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    Getty Images
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    Why consumers love, and sometimes hate, tiered loyalty programs

    Tiers add flexibility and exclusivity, but when done wrong they can feel frustratingly slow or complex.

    By Bryan Wassel • March 26, 2026