Marketing

  • Sweetgreen's catering bar set out on a table over a green carpet.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sweetgreen launches ‘Build Your Own’ catering bar

    The brand is the latest fast casual to see large-format catering as a lifeline, but operational problems could undercut the bid to secure big ticket orders.

    By • Feb. 6, 2026
  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle spends more on marketing amid search for ‘unicorn’ CMO

    The fast casual chain plans to better support its marketing with targeted media as it looks to reverse negative sales growth.

    By Chris Kelly • Feb. 4, 2026
  • Homeroom Restaurant in Oakland, California Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Homeroom
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Independent restaurants

    Dining room refreshes, menu innovation and other unique offerings can help independents stand out from competitors, win new customers and keep existing ones coming back. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • George Clooney in Grubhub's Super Bowl ad
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Grubhub
    Image attribution tooltip

    Grubhub — and George Clooney — make Super Bowl debuts to ‘eat the fees’

    The delivery platform promotes a new offer to remove delivery and service fees on restaurant orders over $50 in an oddball ad directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.

    By Chris Kelly • Feb. 3, 2026
  • Mockups of Just Salad's Rewards program
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Just Salad
    Image attribution tooltip

    Just Salad launches ‘instant gratification’ rewards system

    While many restaurant chains are shifting to points-based programs, the salad brand is leaning into gamified mystery rewards on every order above $12.

    By • Feb. 2, 2026
  • A zoomed in image of a building with gold signage. The sign says "P.F. Chang's."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    P.F. Chang’s names new CMO following brand platform launch

    Holly Smith replaces Sonika Patel, who lasted less than a year in the role but oversaw the launch of a “Light the Fire” campaign around the holidays. 

    By Peter Adams • Jan. 30, 2026
  • A smiling white woman with a Starbucks cup.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks Rewards moves to a tiered structure

    The chain is not changing the core points-for-dollar mechanism behind its Rewards system, but some consumers will earn points more quickly.

    By • Updated Jan. 29, 2026
  • An image of a giant logo that says Applbee's.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Applebee’s Date Night Pass builds on the chain’s marketing-led success

    CMO Michelle Chin details the return of the fan-favorite offer and the lessons she’s learned in her first few months at the Dine Brands chain.

    By Chris Kelly • Jan. 28, 2026
  • An empty Starbucks redesigned with lots of green and open space.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks’ sales spike on traffic, show turnaround is working

    The coffee giant saw transactions increase among rewards members and non-members, the first time both cohorts saw traffic growth in nearly four years.

    By • Jan. 28, 2026
  • A close up image of a round red sign that says "Chipotle Mexican Grill."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle/Photograph by Media Wisdom Photography Ltd
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle’s new CMO on how the brand’s latest ad meets consumer trends

    “Choices” contrasts daily prep at the fast casual Mexican chain with images of nuggets in fryer baskets and frozen burger patties on a conveyor belt.

    By Chris Kelly • Jan. 27, 2026
  • A Dave's Hot Chicken storefront
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Dave's Hot Chicken
    Image attribution tooltip
    Q&A

    Dave’s Hot Chicken CMO on building on organic growth as brand levels up

    Brandon Rhoten spent years leading creative and social strategy at Wendy’s at a time when the chain rewrote the rules for fast-food advertising.

    By Chris Kelly • Jan. 23, 2026
  • A person holding an order of Taco Bell chicken nuggets, nacho fries and a drink.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip

    Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets are back

    After a big year for Crispy Chicken products, Taco Bell is continuing to leverage menu items, like nuggets, to drive same-store sales growth.

    By • Jan. 22, 2026
  • A photograph of various hamburgers and nuggets from Wendy’s.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wendy’s
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wendy’s expands value menu with Biggie Deals

    The menu offers combos at a $4, $6 and $8 price points and builds off of its Biggie Bag by allowing for more customization.

    By • Jan. 14, 2026
  • A close up image of a round red sign that says "Chipotle Mexican Grill."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle/Photograph by Media Wisdom Photography Ltd
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle brand chief Chris Brandt steps down

    The award-winning executive led marketing for the fast casual chain for nearly eight years.

    By Chris Kelly • Jan. 14, 2026
  • credit cards cash networks Visa Mastercard restaurants American Express interchange
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    January reset: Turning the post-holiday slowdown into strategic growth

    Savvy operators can stop revenue bleed and convert downtime into training time, writes Toast’s Julie Powell.

    By Julie Powell • Jan. 12, 2026
  • A burger, a soda and a basket of chips.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chili's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Restaurant winners and losers in 2025

    Chili’s, coffee brands and Taco Bell did well, while fast casual chains struggled and Sweetgreen saw its worst year as a public firm.

    By • Jan. 12, 2026
  • A person stands in front of a blurred background. The person is wearing a blue suit.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by White Castle
    Image attribution tooltip

    White Castle appoints CMO

    Jamie Richardson has worked at the chain for nearly 30 years and succeeds Lynn Blashford, who is retiring. 

    By • Jan. 9, 2026
  • Three Dunkin' drinks with a brown drink in the foreground and a green drink and orange drink in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Dunkin'
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dunkin’ adds protein milk to menu

    The protein-heavy version of dairy milk allows the brand to appeal to consumer health preferences without adding many SKUs.

    By • Jan. 8, 2026
  • A Starbucks hub appears on season two of "Beast Games"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks links with MrBeast to fuel Prime Video competition series

    The coffee chain will appear in season two of “Beast Games” and offer a limited-edition drink in a bid to the popular creator’s younger fan base.

    By Jessica Hammers • Jan. 5, 2026
  • Malik Nabers in an IHOP ad
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from IHOP on December 23, 2025
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why IHOP flipped a fantasy football punishment into bottomless pancakes

    President Lawrence Kim explains why the breakfast chain tapped into fantasy football culture as part of its latest value-focused play.

    By Chris Kelly • Jan. 5, 2026
  • A picture of an Olive Garden restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Olive Garden
    Image attribution tooltip

    Olive Garden drives sales growth with delivery, smaller portions

    The Italian chain will accelerate the rollout of a lower-priced menu, which features seven existing items in reduced sizes, after receiving positive consumer feedback over affordability.

    By • Dec. 19, 2025
  • Cups and Munchkins on a Yellow Brick Road
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Dunkin'
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dunkin’ and Starbucks boost traffic with holiday LTOs

    The chains’ successful holiday campaigns show the legacy coffee sector isn’t out of ammunition in a competitive battle with rising stars.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
  • An image of a beige building with signage that says Dickey's Barbecue Pit.
    Image attribution tooltip
    J. Michael Jones via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    Dickey’s discounting strategy is burning profits, franchisees say

    Marketing tactics like free sandwich cards, frequent loyalty perks and catering discounts made the brand the Bed Bath & Beyond of barbecue, operators say.

    By • Dec. 11, 2025
  • Taco Bell's $5, $7 and $9 luxe boxes. Each combo meal contains several items, a side and a drink.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip

    Yum Brands: Solo dining, customization are reshaping value strategy

    Chief Marketing Officer Ken Muench said the lack of control and predictability in consumers’ lives is pushing diners toward customized experiences — even when that means passing up a deal.

    By • Dec. 10, 2025
  • A person in a suit stands on stage surrounded by a large crowd in the stands.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks’ on-premise experience could stave off coffee competitors

    CEO Brian Niccol said the chain’s emphasis on a coffeehouse atmosphere would result in consumers choosing the chain over “soulless” options.

    By • Dec. 10, 2025
  • A spread of White Castle's Love Kit offering for Valentine's Day.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of White Castle
    Image attribution tooltip

    White Castle debuts burger kiosk at Boston Logan Airport

    The automated kiosk gives the chain, which has long embraced new technologies, a toehold in New England with which to build brand awareness.

    By • Updated Dec. 3, 2025