Consumer Trends

  • Am image of a sign on a window that says "Meal Deal" and shows a chicken sandwich and burger with nuggest, fries and a Coca-Cola.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    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 • Oct. 8, 2024
  • A worker takes orders from customers in the drive-thru lane at a Chick-fil-A restaurant.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Study: Chick-fil-A leads in drive-thru satisfaction, Taco Bell in speed

    Intouch Insight’s drive-thru study found across-the-board improvements in chains’ speed. The firm added Raising Cane’s to its ranking for the first time.

    By • Oct. 7, 2024
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    Hispanolistic via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Restaurant Dive

    Check out a selection of articles about some of the biggest trends — from the rise of dessert concepts to a cohort of Mexican chains trying to overtake Chipotle  — shaping the restaurant industry in 2024.

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • Three people working in a kictchen with 2 Square Kiosks visible.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    The top restaurant trends in 2024

    From automation to sustainability, these are the most compelling global trends shaping the food and beverage industry in 2024.

    Oct. 7, 2024
  • Del Taco items against a white background.
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    Courtesy of Del Taco
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    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 • Oct. 4, 2024
  • An image of a chicken big mac sold by a McDonald's duplicate set up by the chain to promote the sandwich
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    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 • Oct. 3, 2024
  • Grubbrr's kiosks on display at the National Restaurant Association Show in 2024.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    9 restaurant industry trade shows to attend in 2025

    The coming year is brimming with restaurant conferences and trade shows covering key issues for the business sector, from franchising strategy to economic forecasts.

    By Restaurant Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024
  • An arm reaches out of a gray car to collect a bag of food while an employee with blue gloves hands off the bag.
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    NewSaetiew via Getty Images
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    Restaurant comp sales recovering in September, report shows

    The first three weeks of the month indicate a return to positive same-store sales following a 0.4% dip in August and a rough second quarter, per Black Box Intelligence.

    By • Sept. 27, 2024
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    Permission granted by Black Rock Coffee
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    Q&A

    Black Rock Coffee CEO: Experience is key to stand out in glut of ‘beverage places’

    As more and more brands serve a wider array of coffee and caffeinated drinks, in-store service will become more important, Mark Davis said. 

    By • Sept. 27, 2024
  • A photo of a person looking at a phone while sitting on a couch in a living room.
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    Courtesy of PDI Technologies
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    C-stores trail restaurants in delivery satisfaction

    While many convenience retailers continue to focus on improving menus, customers want better speed, clarity and customization, according to a new report from Intouch Insight.

    By Jessica Loder • Sept. 27, 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 extends $5 meal deal in value push

    The Golden Arches is also adding other value promotions as it looks to bounce back from weak comparable sales in Q2 and better compete with rival offerings.

    By • Sept. 12, 2024
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Deep Dive

    Brian Niccol was hired to transform Starbucks. Is that possible?

    Niccol must contend with the coffee chain’s growing brand identity and consumer perception problems, and balance its “third place” value proposition with efficient digital fulfillment.

    By • Sept. 9, 2024
  • An combined image with tacos, burgers and other fast food items offered as part of value offeirngs.
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    Courtesy of Carl's Jr. and Taco John's
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    QSRs made 2024 the summer of value

    Nearly a dozen major QSRs launched limited-time and permanent value offerings to woo guests.

    By • Sept. 3, 2024
  • The Starbucks company logo on a glass door.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    A look back at August’s frantic restaurant CEO switch-ups

    In four weeks, at least eight restaurant companies named new CEOs as sliding sales and declining traffic pushed brands to try turnarounds.

    By • Aug. 30, 2024
  • An iced coffee, breakfast sandwich and hash browns beside purple text reading $6 meal deal
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    Courtesy of Dunkin'
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    Dunkin’ launches $6 fall value meal

    The brand’s entry into the 2024 value wars includes a breakfast sandwich with a medium coffee and hashbrowns.

    By • Aug. 28, 2024
  • An image of a woman's hand holding a smart phone with an app loaded from Red Robin.
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    Courtesy of Red Robin
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    How Red Robin’s loyalty revamp helped drive same-store sales growth

    The company grew its loyalty membership to over 14.2 million during the second quarter, driven by its May rollout of a revamped points-based program.

    By • Aug. 27, 2024
  • A grocery bag with fresh seafood from Alaska.
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    Permission granted by Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
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    Sponsored by Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute

    Opportunities for growing seafood sales in foodservice

    Consumers seek to increase seafood consumption, and they prefer wild-caught products from Alaska.

    Aug. 26, 2024
  • The exterior of a Cava in Chicago
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    Permission granted by Cava
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    Cava’s traffic surges in Q2

    Customers are switching to the fast casual chain from across the restaurant industry thanks to its moderate approach to menu pricing.

    By • Aug. 22, 2024
  • Shot of Starbucks store in Seattle on July 3 2024
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Will Brian Niccol’s customer experience success as CEO of Chipotle translate to Starbucks?

    The executive spearheaded mobile ordering upgrades and better order fulfillment at Chipotle. Experts say the same lessons could improve customer experience at Starbucks.

    By Bryan Wassel • Aug. 19, 2024
  • An image of a tip jar in the foreground with a customer paying by credit card in the background
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    Nikola Stojadinovic via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    ‘Tipflation’ narrative is harmful to the restaurant industry

    Saying that tips have spun "out of control" is inaccurate, as data shows a minimal decline in tip percent averages, writes Kevin Bryla, CMO of SpotOn.

    By Kevin Bryla • Aug. 16, 2024
  • An image of serveral food items from Taco Bell's Craving's Value Menu
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    C-stores are taking aim at QSRs in the value war. Will it pay off?

    C-stores are using value offerings to compete with QSRs as consumers look for cheaper options.

    By Christine Blank • Aug. 16, 2024
  • One of the burritos served by Banda Burrito, Denny's rapidly growing virtual brand.
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    Courtesy of Denny's
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    Denny’s deploys Banda Burritos brand nationwide

    The expansion is another vote of confidence for the chain’s virtual brands at a time when competitors have pulled back from the concept.

    By • Aug. 15, 2024
  • A Chipotle Mexican Grill employee.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    The restaurant industry’s Q2 winners and losers

    The last few months have produced radically different outcomes at publicly traded restaurant brands, ranging from sinking sales at McDonald’s to Wingstop’s 28.6% comparable sales jump.

    By • Aug. 14, 2024
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken's 2024 $5 value deals: A chicken nuggets combo, a famous bowl with mashed potatoes and nuggets, and a 2-piece combo.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC expands $5 meal deal

    As U.S. sales shrink, KFC’s new value meals and several digital exclusives could help the chain win back consumers.

    By • Aug. 13, 2024
  • Pedestrians walk by a Chipotle restaurant in San Francisco, California
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Restaurant industry to grow 0.5% in 2024, IFMA says

    The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association forecasts continued demand for eating out from high-income cohorts, despite a drop off in low-income consumers. 

    By • Aug. 8, 2024
  • McDonald’s Reveals New Collector’s Meal Inspired by Fan-favorite Collectibles.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's USA
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    Beanie Babies, Barbie and more: McDonald’s new collector cups nod to past tie-ins

    The latest nostalgia play from the fast food brand comes as it has lost some of its steam, with comparable sales slipping in Q2.

    By Peter Adams • Aug. 7, 2024