Marketing

  • Streamer Cody “Clix” Conrod for Cava
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava ties gaming culture to loyalty rewards with Clix collaboration

    A partnership with the pro Fortnite player centers on a Cava Pass Challenge that looks to drive more people to the chain’s newly revamped loyalty program.

    By Peter Adams • Oct. 20, 2025
  • An orange background with simulated phone screens showing how Philz Coffee's loyalty system works.
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    Courtesy of Philz Coffee
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    Philz Coffee launches points-based loyalty program

    Fresh off its acquisition by Freeman Spogli, the coffee brand is adding a new system meant to reward frequency and deepen consumer connections.

    By • Oct. 17, 2025
  • Homeroom Restaurant in Oakland, California Explore the Trendline➔
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    Permission granted by Homeroom
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    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
  • An image of a customer entering a Cava restaurant.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Cava adds tiers, status matching to rewards program

    Consumers who can prove elite status in some other brands’ loyalty programs will be able to slot into the higher tiers of Cava’s system.

    By • Oct. 9, 2025
  • An image of a red sign with white logo that says "Wendy's." Above the sign is an cartoon image of a girl with red hair and pigtails with blue bows.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s to invest at least $20M to boost AUV

    After same-store sales dropped two quarters in a row, the burger brand shifted money from development funds to in-store labor and equipment.

    By • Oct. 9, 2025
  • Domino's rebranded assets
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Inside Domino’s first refresh in a decade — including its ‘cravemark’

    With younger consumers in mind, the pizza chain has a new look and sound, including an audio-visual expression voiced by singer Shaboozey.

    By Chris Kelly • Oct. 8, 2025
  • Aerial photograph of a Cracker Barrel sign.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel traffic nosedived after logo backlash

    Visits dropped by 10% in the weeks following the chain’s logo reversal, only improving to a 7% dip in the last week of September, according to Placer.ai.

    By • Oct. 7, 2025
  • An image showing some of Dunkin's branding pasted on the side of a building.
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    Courtesy of Dunkin'
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    Dunkin’ changes its rewards redemptions, again

    A Restaurant Dive analysis of new discount rates shows the coffee chain has largely made it more expensive to redeem items.

    By • Oct. 6, 2025
  • A Starbucks remade as a "Starbies"
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks ties in-store experiences, rewards to new Taylor Swift album

    The chain has outfitted a Nashville store with a pop-up vinyl shop, photo booth and more, and claims it is throwing “the largest global listening party.”

    By Peter Adams • Oct. 6, 2025
  • Jack in the Box video game
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    Courtesy of Jack in the Box
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    Jack in the Box launches AI-powered in-app game to deliver value

    DealQuest: Revenge of the Munchies offers bigger rewards the deeper players get into the game, potentially attracting cash-crunched consumers.

    By Aaron Baar • Oct. 3, 2025
  • A Qdoba storefront
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    Retrieved from Qdoba on October 02, 2025
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    Q&A

    Qdoba’s new CMO on turning the fast casual chain into a national brand

    As it rapidly expands, the chain looks to raise awareness with its first national marketing campaign, newly appointed CMO Jon Burke explains.

    By Chris Kelly • 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
  • A man stands on a stage talking
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
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    9 restaurant industry trade shows to attend in 2026

    Next year is jam-packed with restaurant conferences and trade shows that will cover key topics for the sector, ranging from franchising and menu development to economic forecasts.

    By Restaurant Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2025
  • A hand dips a chicken tender into a sauce
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    Courtesy of The Wendy's Company
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    Wendy’s chicken tenders are here

    The brand teased the addition of chicken tenders on its August earnings call, following the lead of McDonald’s and Taco Bell, which both added chicken strips this year.

    By • Sept. 30, 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 a store sign that says Shake Shack. To the left is a green neon sign of a burger
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack appoints first chief brand officer

    Michael Fanuele, who has consulted for Shake Shack since early this year, joins the chain as it increases paid media ad spend and marketing.

    By • Sept. 23, 2025
  • Taco Bell's $5, $7 and $9 luxe boxes. Each combo meal contains several items, a side and a drink.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell promotes execs focused on branding, technology

    As the chain works to triple its international store count in five years, these new executive promotions can help replicate the brand’s U.S. success abroad.

    By • Sept. 22, 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
  • Taco Bell drive-through
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    Courtesy of Yum Brands
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    How Yum’s AI factory supercharges marketing at Taco Bell and beyond

    Execs at the fast food giant detail an approach to artificial intelligence that is already powering transformation throughout its digitally focused brands.

    By Chris Kelly • Sept. 17, 2025
  • An imae of a white and beige restaurant with red awnings. The center is a logo of a person wearing glasses.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    KFC hires Wingstop marketer as CMO to fire up comeback plan

    Melissa Cash takes over at the Yum chain for Catherine Tan-Gillespie, who was promoted from CMO to president in April.

    By Chris Kelly • Sept. 15, 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
  • A person on a smartphone walks by a Shake Shack restaurant
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    How Shake Shack removes friction between web traffic and app downloads

    As it begins to invest in paid media at scale, the fast casual chain teamed with Google to drive more app conversions and return on ad spend.

    By Chris Kelly • Sept. 12, 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
  • 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