How the 'chameleon effect' is limiting your business (and what to do about it)

In under a second, a single behavior can change the vibe of an entire venue. Businesses need a way to harness that tendency to positively engage guests.

Oct. 4, 2021

Survey: 36% of TikTok users order from restaurants after seeing them on the app

Chipotle and Arby's have recently launched campaigns on the social media app, which marketing agency MGH says has a potential to drive sales.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 1, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Menu development

Restaurants big and small are experimenting with their menus to align with the preferences of on-the-go diners and mitigate the impact of rising food costs, supply chain disruption and shrinking consumer discretionary funds. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

What happens when businesses play the best of the internet on their TVs

Today, 72% of all U.S. adults use social media. The most commonly used social media platforms all have one thing in common: snackable videos. Here's what that means for business entertainment. 

Sept. 27, 2021

Why alcohol delivery will still be a big opportunity post-pandemic

Alcohol delivery is at the nexus of two big trends: on-demand delivery and eCommerce.

Sept. 27, 2021

DoorDash rolls out alcohol delivery to 20 states

Customers can toggle to the alcohol tab in the company's app to search for beverages from restaurants, grocery stores, local retailers and convenience stores.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 20, 2021

Del Taco rolls out Del Yeah Rewards program

The Mexican chain's four-tiered loyalty offering comes amid increased consumer participation in restaurant rewards programs and follows a taco subscription launch by rival Taco Bell. 

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 17, 2021

Pret A Manger brings its coffee subscription program to the US

The café chain is offering two monthly subscription plans, which cost $29.99 and $19.99, respectively, for up to five drinks a day.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 16, 2021

The top restaurant trends in 2021

Whether it's adopting contactless payment strategies, experimenting with online ordering, or finding ways to connect to their local communities, restaurants are open to finding the best ways to connect with their diners.

Sept. 13, 2021

How to transform your business's TV into a sales driver

Here's how digital signage can boost your marketing efforts by transforming what's playing on the TV. 

Sept. 7, 2021

New research finds higher pay positively impacts customer service

Cornell researchers compared restaurant reviews where minimum wage rose versus where it was stagnant and found an improvement in the perceived quality of service with higher wages.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 1, 2021

How McDonald's boosts mobile growth with Famous Orders platform

The burger chain's celebrity tie-ups are a key part of driving app downloads and expanding membership in its new mobile-based loyalty program.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 1, 2021

Study: QSR diners prefer engaging with staff over technology

Only 18% of consumers think that deploying labor-saving technology is one of the top three things restaurants can do to improve service, Big Red Rooster research finds. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 31, 2021

Emotional loyalty: Evolving restaurants' approach to brand love

Brands that are connection-focused win the day over those that are reliant on discounts as shortcuts to boost short-term metrics, writes Ellen Green, AVP of loyalty and CRM at Hathway.

By Ellen Green • Aug. 27, 2021

NRA: 6 in 10 US adults have changed restaurant plans due to delta variant

Nineteen percent of consumers have stopped going to restaurants, one of the many growing concerns mentioned in a National Restaurant Association letter urging Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 26, 2021

OpenTable teams with Clear to create digital vaccine cards for diners

OpenTable users who place a reservation at a restaurant that has a vaccine requirement will be directed to a Clear banner where they can make a free, secure digital vaccine card. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 24, 2021

How QSR loyalty programs stack up in 2021

Chains from McDonald's to Burger King are adding loyalty programs for the first time to attract and retain customers, and they're gaining ground against competitors' long-standing programs. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 24, 2021

Full-service restaurant tickets up 20%, report shows

With diners going out to socialize more and celebrate special occasions, the amount of large party orders rose 32% during Q2 2021, according to Black Box Intelligence. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 20, 2021

45% of consumers say Subway should drop embattled Megan Rapinoe, survey finds

The U.S. soccer star, who appears in the chain's latest ad campaign, is facing backlash after kneeling at the Tokyo Olympics to protest racism.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 18, 2021

Subway's CMO on why the brand's transformation is just beginning

Carrie Walsh details how the brand experimented with new channels and collaborated with agency partners on a campaign featuring top athletes.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 13, 2021

IHOP trials alcohol menu at 3 restaurants

The pancake chain found in a July survey that 66% of its recent customers would be interested in adult beverages with their meal. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 12, 2021

Rising prices didn't hurt Q2 restaurant traffic, studies show

Diner spending at restaurants jumped 32% during the period as operators hiked their menu prices to cover labor costs and other inflationary pressures, according to The NPD Group.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 10, 2021

What the US hospitality industry can learn from Australia

Restaurants Down Under can teach American operators a thing or two about how the segment might fare in the coming months, writes Peter Dougherty, general manager of hospitality at Lightspeed.

By Peter Dougherty • Aug. 10, 2021

OpenTable allows restaurants to share vaccine requirements

Diners can view these rules on a restaurant's profile page under Safety Precautions, which also shows measures such as contactless payment options and whether waitstaff wear masks.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 9, 2021

30% of diners would leave a restaurant if asked for proof of vaccination, report shows

Comparatively, 68% of diners say they would comply with mask requirements to eat inside a restaurant, according to Datassential research.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 5, 2021

OpenTable diners can now send restaurants direct messages

Customers can use the reservation platform's Direct Messaging feature to make requests, ask questions and modify or cancel their reservation. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 4, 2021