Consumer Trends: Page 16


  • A cook prepares food on a preparation line while a mobile device is attached at the top of the line.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    The top restaurant trends in 2023

    As consumer dining preferences and economic conditions continue to evolve, it’s important to understand restaurant trends and strategies that work.

    May 22, 2023
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    How this brewery-gastropub saves 6 hours a week with integrated payroll

    Learn how a brewing company used Square to grow their business, boost revenue and generate higher numbers of repeat customers.

    May 15, 2023
  • Trendline

    Loyalty & Rewards Strategy

    Capturing — and keeping — loyal customers is more crucial than ever as diner price sensitivity puts pressure on restaurants.

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • Actor Ben Affleck, wearing a blue plaid shirt and dark coat, stands center frame in front of a Dunkin' cash register.
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    Permission granted by Dunkin'
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    Q&A

    Dunkin’s CMO on bringing the brand’s vision into focus — and those buzzy Ben Affleck ads

    Jill McVicar Nelson detailed a “fewer, bigger, better” ethos that is helping to balance brand and performance marketing at a transitional point for QSRs.

    By Peter Adams • May 10, 2023
  • A laptop with a picture of a nachos and guacamole dish is right next to a Square mobile device processing a smartphone. A hand reaches out to the laptop.
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    Sponsored by Square

    5 tips for building an omnichannel restaurant strategy

    Restaurants are finding new ways to meet consumers on the channels they’re already using. Here are five tips for building an omnichannel restaurant strategy to more effectively reach and engage with customers.

    May 8, 2023
  • Person holding out plate with burger and fries
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    Getty Images
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    Sponsored by MERGE

    Restaurant experience reset: Forecasting the future of quick service and casual dining

    A closer look at which recent restaurant trends will stand the test of time and which will fade from relevancy.  

    May 8, 2023
  • A selection of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's food with new branding
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    Courtesy of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
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    Major CKE franchisee goes bankrupt, shutters 39 stores

    Summit Restaurant Holdings, which operates around 106 Hardee’s locations, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Thursday.

    By May 5, 2023
  • Brinker International launched its second virtual brand, Maggiano's Italian Classics, in 2021.
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    Retrieved from Maggiano's Italian Classics on August 18, 2021
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    Brinker to phase out Maggiano’s Italian Classics virtual brand

    The brand lasted fewer than two years at the restaurant company, which is looking to to free up labor and time to focus on in-restaurant operations. 

    By May 4, 2023
  • Promotional image for Resy as part of its reservationship campaign.
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    Courtesy of Resy
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    Resy ‘drops’ exclusive reservations in new campaign

    “Reservationships” offers exclusive experiences with limited availability at in-demand eateries in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Washington, D.C.

    By May 1, 2023
  • A restaurant worker uses a tablet for payment operations while restaurant customers mingle in the background.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    The Future of Restaurants report: Square’s 2023 edition

    The Square Future of Restaurants report will help you understand the top trends, the changing landscape and expectations, and the tools and strategies that define the next era of the restaurant industry.

    May 1, 2023
  • Papa Johns Cool Ranch Papadia sandwiches in various packaging and contexts.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Q&A

    Papa Johns menu strategy chief talks balancing innovation with value

    The pizza chain is targeting younger diners with snackable menu items like handheld desserts and its new Doritos Cool Ranch Papadia, VP of National Calendar and Menu Strategy Kimberly Bean said.

    By April 28, 2023
  • A Chipotle restaurant branded with the name Freepotle
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    Courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill
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    Chipotle’s same-store sales rise 10.9% as traffic turns positive

    In-restaurant sales jumped nearly 23% year over year following efforts to boost operational efficiency, rewards and menu innovation. 

    By April 26, 2023
  • A glass goblet being held up by a hand and filled with an orange liquid on tap.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    How this brewery-gastropub saves 6 hours a week with integrated payroll

    Learn how a brewing company used Square to grow their business, boost revenue and generate higher numbers of repeat customers.

    April 24, 2023
  • An image of a hand scanning a QR code in a restaurant.
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    Getty Images
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    Study: 47% of consumers not comfortable using QR codes in restaurants

    Despite more QR codes to view menus, order and pay, 65% of consumers aged 60-plus are uncomfortable using the tech, per a William Blair survey.

    By April 19, 2023
  • A laptop with a picture of a nachos and guacamole dish is right next to a Square mobile device processing a smartphone. A hand reaches out to the laptop.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    5 tips for building an omnichannel restaurant strategy

    Restaurants are finding new ways to meet consumers on the channels they’re already using. Here are five tips for building an omnichannel restaurant strategy to more effectively reach and engage with customers.

    April 17, 2023
  • Tapping credit card on payment system
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     iStock.com/PeopleImages

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    Sponsored by PayiQ

    New study shows diners want personalized loyalty offers

    Restaurants are making a serious investment to try and meet these consumer needs, allocating an average of 10% of their company’s total budget towards installing and operating their loyalty program.

    April 3, 2023
  • Ordering takeout and delivery convenience food from an online Asian restaurant delivery meal from a smart phone.
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    Getty Images
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    QSRs expect 51% of tasks will be automated by 2025

    Operators said they will invest more in technology to support digital order fulfillment, operational efficiency in the kitchen and faster checkout times, per an Incisiv report. 

    By March 29, 2023
  • Friendly waitress serving at a restaurant
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    Getty Images
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    Sponsored by FedEx Office

    A feast for their eyes: Upgrading your restaurant’s graphics to engage diners

    A restaurant renaissance is underway, with restaurant operators eager to attract patrons through the door to enjoy a meal.

    March 27, 2023
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    Drew Angerer / Staff via Getty Images
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    Survey: 66% of franchisees feel optimistic about business

    Changing consumer preferences may push franchisees to invest in store remodels and digital ordering and delivery systems, TD Bank found in a survey.

    By March 21, 2023
  • An image of a bowl of salad being served right next to a plate of tacos.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    The Future of Restaurants report: Square’s 2023 edition

    The Square Future of Restaurants report will help you understand the top trends, the changing landscape and expectations, and the tools and strategies that define the next era of the restaurant industry.

    March 20, 2023
  • An image of a Chick-fil-A customer scanning her rewards program at the drive-thru
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    Retrieved from Chick-fil-A on March 17, 2023
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    Chick-fil-A to roll out updates to rewards program in April

    Chick-fil-A One, which has over 50 million members, will offer new items and increased points for redemption on some items starting April 4.

    By March 17, 2023
  • An image of a bowl of salad being served right next to a plate of tacos.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    The Future of Restaurants report: Square’s 2023 edition

    The Square Future of Restaurants report will help you understand the top trends, the changing landscape and expectations, and the tools and strategies that define the next era of the restaurant industry.

    March 13, 2023
  • Exterior of a Kroger store with a "Kitchen United Mix" sign on the building and delivery van.
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    Courtesy of Kroger
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    NRA: One-third of operators predict ghost kitchens will decline

    Consumers prefer to order from brick-and-mortar establishments, according to the National Restaurant Association’s State of the Industry Report.

    By March 1, 2023
  • A restaurant worker serving someone at the counter on a Square mobile payment platform.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    Robots in restaurants? What restaurateurs need to know about this growing trend

    What will it look like for restaurant owners to collaborate with robots?

    By Samantha Stone • Feb. 27, 2023
  • The image shows a row of drinks, including coffee and soda, available through Panera's Unlimited Sip Club
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    Panera adds annual membership, $0 delivery to drinks subscription

    The plan offers customers a roughly 17% discount on the Unlimited Sip Club, whose members account for about 25% of the chain’s traffic. 

    By Feb. 23, 2023
  • A restaurant worker serving someone at the counter on a Square mobile payment platform.
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    Permission granted by Square
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Square

    Robots in restaurants? What restaurateurs need to know about this growing trend

    What will it look like for restaurant owners to collaborate with robots?

    By Samantha Stone • Feb. 21, 2023