Consumer Trends
-
Courtesy of QDOBA
Jalapeños served at Qdoba, Chipotle tied to Salmonella outbreak
Both chains stopped serving potentially contaminated peppers after hundreds of consumers across 27 states fell ill.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen says turnaround is working, despite soft sales
Improvements in value perception, transactions and throughput were derailed by worries about Cyclospora, though the brand doesn’t serve iceberg lettuce.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 7, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Getty Images
TrendlineTop 5 stories from Restaurant Dive
Check out a selection of articles about some of the biggest trends and news — from Jersey Mike’s IPO to an uptick in restaurant closures — shaping the restaurant industry in 2026.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Duane Prokop via Getty Images
Taco Bell, Taylor Farms Cyclospora case count hits 6K
The vast majority of the individuals sickened in the outbreak fell ill before Taco Bell and Taylor Farms removed potentially contaminated lettuce.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 6, 2026 -
Courtesy of 7 Brew
7 Brew debuts app, overhauls loyalty system
The new app could aid the coffee brand’s growth by driving sales and raising the quality and volume of consumer data it collects.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 6, 2026 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Burger King sales surge, but Popeyes faces uphill battle
While Burger King’s revival has gained momentum in recent months, Popeyes has continued to struggle despite its turnaround efforts — but RBI has hope for the chicken chain’s sluggish sales.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 6, 2026 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s CEO blames US traffic drop on execution problems
The Golden Arches is acting with urgency to correct value issues and operational inefficiencies in the U.S. after a sales miss, executives said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 4, 2026 -
Courtesy of Domino's Pizza
Domino’s pays diners to beta test its relaunched app, website
The pizza chain’s new campaign encourages consumers to leave feedback about its updated digital ordering experience.
By Chris Kelly • Aug. 3, 2026 -
Permission granted by Rokt
Sponsored by RoktThe next competitive advantage for QSRs may be the company they keep
Brand partnerships are evolving from awareness campaigns into measurable growth engines.
By Rob Murphy • Aug. 3, 2026 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Chipotle’s efforts to engage customers with rewards in-restaurant pay off
“While food quality and generous portions bring guests through our doors, it's the experience we deliver that keeps them coming back,” CEO Scott Boatwright said.
By Kristen Doerer • July 30, 2026 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
Why Taco Bell predicts a swift recovery from Cyclospora
Loyalty, value offers and swift removal of lettuce have mitigated the sales impact of the ongoing outbreak of the foodborne parasitic illness.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 30, 2026 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks remodels, service tweaks are paying off
The coffee giant gained same-store sales momentum in the U.S. market with its third consecutive quarter of comps growth.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 30, 2026 -
Permission granted by Gong cha
Gong cha inks 50-store franchise deal in Texas
The agreement will significantly expand the bubble tea chain’s U.S. footprint, and comes after it bought 170 stores from its master franchisee in March.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 28, 2026 -
Courtesy of GoToFoods
How Moe’s Southwest Grill is using music to shape its experience abroad
No matter where Moe’s opens a location, “music is one of the most important things not only to the brand, but to how we bring the brand to life in our stores,” GoToFoods’ Brittany Metcalfe said.
By Bryan Wassel • July 28, 2026 -
Retrieved from SingleThread Restaurant & Inn on July 16, 2026
Travelers are booking lodging based on hotel restaurants
This summer, 60% of travelers have booked a hotel specifically because of its restaurant, while hotel restaurant dining is up year over year, per OpenTable.
By Jenna Graber • July 27, 2026 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Cracker Barrel taps former Bloomin’ chief as CEO
David Deno will succeed Julie Masino, who is leaving less than a year after surviving an ouster attempt triggered by rebranding backlash.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated July 27, 2026 -
Courtesy of Jollibee
How 4 QSR chains sped up franchised growth in H1
From chicken chains to frozen custard joints, growing restaurant concepts are working to accelerate their store development in 2026.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 24, 2026 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
Taco Bell flooded with lawsuits over diarrhea outbreak
The fast food giant, supplier Taylor Farms and at least one franchisee face legal action from consumers in multiple states over alleged deceptive marketing and illness tied to lettuce.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 23, 2026 -
Courtesy of Dutch Bros
Gas price moderation won’t end restaurant consumer woes
Falling gas prices may not mean a return to consumer health, as wages fall and savings deplete, worsening the gap between restaurant winners and losers.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 22, 2026 -
Courtesy of Burger King
Burger King reworks manager role to support guest experience
The chain is redefining its restaurant manager role with a new, more distinct uniform and new responsibilities to better address guest concerns.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 20, 2026 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
Taco Bell pulls some ingredients as cyclosporiasis outbreak grows
The brand said its decision was a voluntary precaution and that no specific brand or restaurant has been confirmed as the source of the outbreak.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 16, 2026 -
Getty Images
OpinionRestaurants have never known more about their guests. So why are they losing them?
The answer to repeat customer visits isn’t more loyalty tiers or programs, but deploying guest data to enhance experiences and remember preferences, writes Guestologie’s Ryan Volberg.
By Ryan Volberg • July 6, 2026 -
Courtesy of Jollibee
Jollibee’s new chicken nuggets could juice sales
A buzzy new menu launch may help the chain win diners and market confidence as it eyes a U.S. IPO and franchised growth.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 2, 2026 -
Getty Images
World Cup kicks US restaurant traffic up a notch
Transactions in host cities jumped by as much as 28% during the group stage of the soccer tournament, per Square data.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 1, 2026 -
Permission granted by Sheetz
Sheetz, Dash In lead the charge as refreshers reshape c-store beverage sales
The drinks sit at the intersection of fruit flavor, wellness and afternoon treat occasions, making them highly adaptable across c-store menus.
By Christine Blank • June 30, 2026 -
jetcityimage via Getty Images
Church’s Texas Chicken debuts catering
The chicken chain is one of many QSRs shifting toward large group orders to work around the price sensitivity of individual consumers and drive sales.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 30, 2026
