Study: Consumers return to dine-in and want loyalty programs

Nearly 90% of diners are interested in joining a loyalty program, especially if it offers savings, as inflation impacts spending, a TouchBistro survey finds. 

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 15, 2022

The 4 biggest takeaways from Starbucks’ Investor Day

The coffee chain laid out plans to target loyalty growth, labor efficiency and international openings, with a goal of reaching 45,000 stores by 2025.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 14, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Restaurant Dive Outlook for 2023

Restaurants across categories are hungry for growth this year, with many embracing franchising. However, confidence in the ghost kitchen model is waning.

By Restaurant Dive staff

Chipotle launches its Garlic Guajillo Steak in the metaverse

The chain says the menu item, which will debut in the Chipotle Grill Simulator on Roblox, is the first from a restaurant brand to launch in the metaverse.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 13, 2022

Au Bon Pain to roll out modernized store design companywide in 2023

The chain’s cafes will feature a self-serve bakery and to-go areas to add efficiencies for off-premise customers.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 7, 2022

What Starbucks’ bet on NFTs says about the future of loyalty

The chain's renowned rewards program adds a buzzy new value-grab, potentially laying a course for other marketers to follow.

By Aaron Baar • Sept. 6, 2022

Survey: 88% of restaurant operators have neutral or positive outlook for 2023

Most operators say customers haven't reacted much to price changes, though 91% have raised prices, according to a Rewards Network report.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 6, 2022

Baja Fresh makes plant-based items permanent

The Impossible Meat taco, burrito and bowl received positive customer feedback during the yearlong test at the fast casual chain.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 1, 2022

Rubio’s Coastal Grill introduces a new rewards program

Rubio’s Rewards allows customers to cash in points in exchange for free menu items, with diners earning 10 points for every dollar spent. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 31, 2022

Burger King’s original chicken sandwich goes plant based

The brand’s Impossible Original Chick’n Sandwich pilot follows two Impossible Whopper launches and last year’s Impossible Nuggets test.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 22, 2022

IHOP’s new menu serves up customization

The Choice menu, which includes made-to-order griddle combos, steakburgers and chicken sandwiches, will be available any time of day.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 22, 2022

McDonald’s will test a Chicken Big Mac in Miami

The Chicken Big Mac received positive diner reviews when it launched for a limited time in the U.K. earlier this year, according to McDonald’s. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 18, 2022

Study: A quarter of low-income households have stopped eating out

Frequency among families with household income under $45,000 declined 6% during the second quarter, data from The NPD Group shows.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 17, 2022

Whole Foods co-founder plans to launch vegetarian restaurant chain

John Mackey’s past success scaling a business promoting healthy lifestyles could attract more investor attention as plant-based diets grow in popularity.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 9, 2022

Study: Over 66% of independent restaurants seeing sales declines from inflation

Seventy-six percent of operators surveyed by Seated said they have increased menu prices to deal with current economic conditions.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 5, 2022

Despite menu price increases, Starbucks Rewards members keep coming back

Guest counts reached an all-time high during the quarter, with loyalty customer growth outpacing non-members. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 3, 2022

Study: Consumers spending 40% of food budget on restaurants despite inflation

As inflation squeezes budgets, consumers say they would more likely cut spending on clothes and gym memberships before decreasing going out to eat, Popmenu finds.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 1, 2022

Jamba by Blendid expands to UCLA

The University of California Los Angeles marks the third college campus to open a Jamba by Blendid kiosk this year, and fifth overall for Blendid. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 26, 2022

Why Auntie Anne's wants to become a drive-thru destination

The soft pretzel chain opened its first co-branded drive-thru with Jamba in 2021. It now plans to have 15 such units by spring 2023.

By Julie Littman • July 20, 2022

Study: Dine-in tips have increased despite inflation

Tip percentage growth has slowed, however, and tips on online orders have shrunk even as the number of online orders has risen, Lightspeed data finds. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 12, 2022

Report: 38% of consumers interested in metaverse would add restaurant purchases to experience

Twenty percent of consumers are familiar with the metaverse and 18% have participated in the virtual environment, Paytronix and PYMNTS research finds. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 7, 2022

Study: Gen Z diners visit restaurants less often than older demographics

Pandemic pressure and higher menu prices driven by inflation have discouraged Gen Z from dining out, NPD Group finds.

By Alicia Kelso • July 6, 2022

McDonald’s franchisees ditch Dollar Drinks as inflation stings

Some stores have dropped the long-standing beverage promotion and are marketing value meals instead, The Wall Street Journal reports.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 5, 2022

Subway launches biggest menu update in its history

A year after its Eat Fresh Refresh menu debut, the chain unveiled 12 signature subs that customers can order by name or number instead of customizing.

By Julie Littman • July 5, 2022

Survey: Most restaurants are still short-staffed even as demand recovers

Thirty percent of restaurant owners said business has returned to pre-pandemic levels while 25% said it has surpassed them, per Popmenu. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 30, 2022

BurgerFi and Anthony's launch co-branded Visa rewards card

The card offers customers 3% cashback on all purchases at any of the brands’ 185 locations.

By Alicia Kelso • June 28, 2022