Consumer Trends

  • Arby's Angus Cheesesteak, a sandwich made with steak and cheese.
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    Courtesy of Arby's
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    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
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    Adobe Stock

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    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
  • 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
  • Family eating at an restaurant
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    Paperboy Media Group

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    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.
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    Adobe Stock / Kristina Blokhin

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    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.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    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
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    Permission granted by Good Foods Group
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    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.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    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.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    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
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    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
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    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.
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    Courtesy of Wendy’s
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    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.
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    Permission granted by Dutch Bros
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    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.
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    Permission granted by Papa Johns
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    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
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    Walter Cicchetti via Getty Images
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    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.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    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
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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.
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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
  • 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