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 Julie Littman • April 19, 2023

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

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

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 Julie Littman • March 29, 2023

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

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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 21, 2023

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

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 Julie Littman • March 17, 2023

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

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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 1, 2023

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

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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 23, 2023

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

Grocery inflation continues to decline in January, but still outpaces menu prices

Food-at-home prices rose in January at an 11.3% annual rate, the lowest rate increase since April 2022, while menu prices increased 8.2%, the third consecutive month of deceleration. 

By Sam Silverstein , Julie Littman • Feb. 15, 2023

63% of consumers plan to order from a restaurant on Valentine’s Day

Forty-nine percent of consumers celebrating the holiday said they will dine out, while 25% plan to order takeout or delivery, according to a Popmenu study. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 13, 2023

Chick-fil-A pilots first chicken-free sandwich

The cauliflower sandwich, which is marinated, breaded and pressure cooked simiarly to its chicken sandwich, will be available in Denver; Charleston, South Carolina; and in the Greensboro-Triad region in North Carolina.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 9, 2023

Uber One subscription is boosting delivery spend, frequency and user loyalty for Uber Eats

Delivery made up 34% of Uber’s revenue, and ongoing investment in non-restaurant categories, like grocery, c-store and alcohol, may help growth.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 9, 2023

Egg prices to remain high for as long as bird flu continues, experts say

After prices more than doubled over the past year, producers are grappling with the impact of the virus while politicians and activists call for investigations into potential price gouging.

By Chris Casey • Feb. 2, 2023

Ghost kitchens need to go omnichannel if they want to survive, experts say

After a year of dashed expansion plans, closures and high-profile regulatory infractions, segment players may need brand awareness and expanded access points to thrive.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 31, 2023

Study: 55% of diners aren’t restaurant loyalty members

Over one-third of customers have cut spending on restaurants year-to-year, a William Blair survey finds, forcing operators to look for ways to retain diners.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 24, 2023

Report: QSR traffic down 4.2% in Q4

Net sales were up 6.1% during the quarter due to an uptick in average check, according to a report from Revenue Management Solutions.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 23, 2023

Survey: 10% of small businesses that use TikTok go viral

TikTok may help small and mid-sized brands compete with major companies on the strength of authentic brand engagement, a Capterra survey shows.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 9, 2023

6 ways restaurateurs can fight “Lunchflation” as costs rise

With consumers changing their spending habits, what are some ways restaurateurs can fight inflation?

By Deborah Findling and Kaitlin Keefer • Jan. 9, 2023

5 trends that will shape the restaurant industry in 2023

Restaurants will experiment with dynamic menu pricing, cater to diners who are trading down and move away from ghost kitchens as inflation pressures the bottom line, experts predict.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Julie Littman • Jan. 5, 2023

BTIG: Papa Johns’ value menu attracting new base of customers

The Papa Pairings platform, which offers guests $6.99 menu items, is attracting customers earning $60,000 or less annually, according to a BTIG report.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 22, 2022