Consumer Trends: Page 5

  • A car sits underneath Taco Bell's new drive-thru camera stations, which are decorated in neon signage
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell Corp.
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    Chick-fil-A wins on order accuracy, experience at the drive-thru

    QSR speed of service improved slightly, but mobile orders, app payments and customizations have created more complex transactions, Intouch Insight’s yearly drive-thru report revealed.

    By • Oct. 2, 2025
  • A photograph of a brick building with signage that says "Krystal"
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    Permission granted by Krystal
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    Krystal launches first loyalty program

    Consumers will earn 10 points for every dollar spent, as the QSR brand looks to drive frequency and increase check.

    By • Oct. 1, 2025
  • An image of a waitress serving three people at a table. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Restaurant Dive

    Check out a selection of articles about some of the biggest trends and news — from Chili’s traffic success to Yum’s appointment of a new CEO  — shaping the restaurant industry in 2025.

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • A sandwich, a bag of chips, a coke, a red background.
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    Courtesy of Jimmy John's
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    Jimmy John’s moves to points-based rewards

    Switching from a surprise-and-delight program to JJ Rewards could help drive frequency and incentivize the chain’s most loyal guests.

    By • Sept. 29, 2025
  • Young people laughing together
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    iStock/ Monkey Business Images

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    Sponsored by GS1 US

    Satisfying demanding diners: How global standards deliver trust on the plate

    Today’s guests expect faster service, top-quality food and seamless tech experiences — without compromising on cost or hospitality.

    Sept. 29, 2025
  • A burritio, chips, drink, side of queso and some salsas.
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    Courtesy of Moe's Southwest Grill
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    Moe’s Southwest Grill adds value meal for under $10

    The fast casual sector is facing value pressure from both directions, as QSRs cut combo prices and casual dining emphasizes holistic value.

    By • Sept. 24, 2025
  • An image of several food items on a table from First Watch's LTO menu with two people partially in view in the background
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    Morning meal traffic grows as food spending stays high

    Protein-heavy items, the breakfast daypart and dishes without artificial colors are the big winners from H1 2025, according to a Circana report.

    By • Sept. 22, 2025
  • A photograph of a menu with Cracker Barrel branding
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel forecasts 8% traffic drop from logo backlash

    The chain saw 5.4% same-store sales growth in the quarter, but its recent logo controversy derailed ongoing performance improvements.

    By • Sept. 18, 2025
  • Plates of breakfast food.
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    Courtesy of IHOP
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    IHOP offers $6 value menu daily

    The breakfast chain could be looking to replicate sister brand Applebee’s success in using expanded value offerings to drive traffic.

    By • Sept. 15, 2025
  • Chipotle
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle is cheaper than competitors, but consumers haven’t noticed: BTIG

    The Mexican fast casual brand has a significant pricing advantage over competitors like Sweetgreen, but it is still facing value-perception problems.

    By • Sept. 11, 2025
  • An image of a breakfast sandwich, coffee and hashbrowns on a table
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    Permission granted by Portillo's
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    Portillo’s cuts projected openings, breakfast pilot

    The fast casual chain will focus on core markets and simplify operations as pricing and promotional problems weigh on same-store sales.

    By • Sept. 10, 2025
  • An image of a building with Cracker Barrel branding
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    Courtesy of Cracker Barrel
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    Cracker Barrel halts remodels after logo backlash, lackluster test

    The chain only remodeled four stores before deciding to discontinue its reimage efforts, which drew the ire of loyal customers. 

    By • Sept. 10, 2025
  • A smiling white man in a suit. He's wearing a jacket with peaked lapels and no tie, for what it's worth.
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    Permission granted by Starbucks
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    By the numbers: Starbucks’ first year under CEO Brian Niccol

    What’s changed 12 months after the chain’s dramatic restaurant leadership shakeup? The numbers reveal a mix of store growth, declining comp sales and continued labor strife. 

    By • Sept. 9, 2025
  • A portrait of Sean Tresvant, Taco Bell's incoming CEO.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Yum prepares for CEO swap with more exec changes

    As Chris Turner prepares to take over Yum, Taco Bell’s parent company promoted three leaders, including a CFO, and will add a chief scale officer role.

    By • Sept. 9, 2025
  • Three pumpkin themed coffee drinks from Starbucks. Two are iced, one is hot and has whipped cream.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte broke records. Is that enough?

    CEO Brian Niccol said the chain had its strongest sales Tuesday ever, and Placer.ai data showed the launch outpaced rivals’ fall LTO debuts.

    By • Sept. 8, 2025
  • Checkers and Rally's meal
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    Courtesy of Checkers and Rally's
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    Why Checkers and Rally’s are keeping the pedal to the metal on value

    CMO Scott Johnson explains how the sister chains built on a new brand platform via a partnership with rapper GloRilla as the QSR value wars persist.

    By Chris Kelly • Sept. 8, 2025
  • Customers enter a McDonald's restaurant.
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    Mario Tama / Staff via Getty Images
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    How 3 quick-service restaurants are looking to CX to revive traffic

    Wendy’s is focusing on operations, McDonald’s on loyalty and Taco Bell on digital ordering. How can each approach keep customers coming back?

    By Bryan Wassel • Sept. 4, 2025
  • A bowl loaded with Chipotle's Carne Asada LTO.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle brings back Carne Asada to cure sliding sales

    The return of the highly anticipated protein could help the fast casual giant kick a sales slump that has so far proved resistant to LTOs.

    By • Sept. 2, 2025
  • A photograph of a yellow sign with Denny's in red.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Denny’s adds 5 Slams for $5

    After sunsetting its $2-$4-$6-$8 value play, the casual dining brand is focused on time-limited promotions centering on meals.

    By • Aug. 27, 2025
  • Chili's Fast Food Financing pop-up
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    Courtesy of Chili's Grill & Bar
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    Why consumer confidence is the leading restaurant traffic indicator

    Dwindling confidence in macroeconomic growth means consumers are more price-sensitive than ever, in a potential win for value-oriented brands, Revenue Management Solutions said.

    By • Aug. 27, 2025
  • An image of two chicken wraps from McDonald's
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    Courtesy of MCDonald's
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    Restaurant winners and losers from H1 2025

    Casual dining chains, led by Chili’s, had a surprisingly strong quarter, while fast casuals, like Chipotle and Sweetgreen, struggled with consumer pullback and operations problems.

    By • Aug. 27, 2025
  • Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley for Little Caesars
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    Courtesy of Little Caesars
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    Little Caesars dials up NFL marketing with deals, co-branded campaign

    The pizza chain is also flexing partnerships with football stars like Saquon Barkley for its fourth year as the Official Pizza Sponsor of the league.

    By Jessica Hammers • Aug. 26, 2025
  • Five flat pizzas.
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    Courtesy of Pizza Hut
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    Pizza Hut’s new menu category targets solo diners

    Crafted Flatzz, which include flatbread-style pies, marks Pizza Hut’s largest global launch of a menu item and will be available in over 20 countries.

    By • Aug. 20, 2025
  • A collage of Chipotle-themed Urban Outfitters products
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle targets Gen Z with college rewards program

    The fast casual chain is offering free points, occasional prize drops and faster rewards accrual to loyalty members who validate their college enrollment.

    By • Aug. 19, 2025
  • Peter the Pita Chip plushie on a Cava bag
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava’s traffic growth slows as consumers show reticence

    Fast casual segment leaders fell behind some fast food competitors in sales growth this quarter, with Cava the latest to post flat traffic growth.

    By • Aug. 13, 2025
  • A promotional image of several Pepsi premium mixed drinks.
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    Courtesy of PepsiCo
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    Why Coke and Pepsi think dirty soda is a win for restaurants

    Consumer demand for premium, customizable beverages is pushing soda makers to add everything from fruit to flavored soft serve ice cream to sodas.

    By • Aug. 12, 2025