5 restaurant trends that will define 2020

Analysts predict that ghost restaurants and lifestyle brand campaigns will continue to evolve and shape the market, but Gen Z's influence and interest in micro chains could disrupt the ecosystem.

By Julie Littman , Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 6, 2020

Olympics, election will hurt restaurant traffic, analysts predict

These two events will lead to more people staying in versus going out to eat, which could impact traffic by 100 to 150 basis points and bolster pizza delivery, says BTIG.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 6, 2020

Survey: Restaurants need to add mobile ads, payments and apps to the menu

A robust mobile marketing strategy is crucial for restaurants to connect with customers and drive sales, AdTheorent finds.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 23, 2019

Coke, McDonald's logos deliver AR content via Snapchat Scan

The visual search feature will allow McDonald's users to unlock three lens by scanning french fry boxes, food trays and burger wrappers.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 20, 2019

Shake Shack in-houses AOR staff

Joining the QSR's marketing team, Agency Within employees will focus on digital experiences such as the recent food delivery deal with Grubhub.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 19, 2019

Chipotle offers to pay delivery fees on anything

The QSR celebrates college football's bowl season with a Twitter contest.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 19, 2019

Burger King dishes free Impossible Whoppers to delayed holiday flyers

Anyone whose flight is delayed between Dec. 18 and Dec. 30 can download the burger chain's app and input their travel details to receive a coupon.

By Dianna Christie • Dec. 18, 2019

Popeyes seeks Sunday sandwich makers in latest jab at Chick-fil-A

The chicken chain is running help wanted ads in major newspapers to emphasize the popularity of its sandwich and that it is open on Sundays, unlike its competitor.

By Dianna Christie • Dec. 17, 2019

80% of millennial parents visit a restaurant at least once a week

Millennial parents spend $22 at limited-service restaurants, twice as much as the average customer, and arethe highest restaurant users of any demographic.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 17, 2019

Why video needs to be a New Year priority for restaurant marketing

Using video can increase engagement and diner interaction, providing person-based marketing customers have come to expect, says Hannah Hambleton, content manager at Beambox. 

By Hannah Hambleton • Dec. 16, 2019

Comic Dive: Brand the Halls

It's beginning to look a lot like branded merchandise season as major QSRs and CPGs get in on the holiday spirit.

By John Hazard • Dec. 13, 2019

Delivery Hero to pay $4B for Korean food delivery provider

The acquisition will give Delivery Hero a stronghold in South Korea, where the service is competitive, but still has a lot of room for growth. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 13, 2019

Popeyes rides chicken sandwich buzz with ugly sweater

The QSR joins Red Lobster, KFC and Dunkin' offering holiday-themed merchandise, a growing trend for marketers to playfully engage with loyal fans. 

By Dianna Christie • Dec. 13, 2019

Supply challenges could delay McDonald's chicken sandwich launch, analysts predict

Research firm Stephens reports there are not enough five-pound chicken products, the same size that Chick-fil-A and Popeyes use for their sandwiches, to supply the fast food giant's U.S. system.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 12, 2019

Caribou Coffee boosts ROI with revamped loyalty program

The coffee chain's redemptions improved 215% after switching to a points-based program during a summer promotion.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 12, 2019

Jimmy John's expands loyalty rewards program nationwide

Freaky Fast Rewards works with the sandwich chain's app, with contactless payments offered through Apple Pay and Google Pay.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 12, 2019

Chipotle gives away burritos on Instagram

The QSR chain is offering free burritos to the first people who respond by text message to its short-lived Instagram posts.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 11, 2019

KFC brings back its fried chicken-scented Firelogs

The logs, made from recycled materials via a partnership with Enviro-Log, will be available exclusively on Walmart's website.

By Barry Levine • Dec. 5, 2019

McDonald's caters to devotees with 1st permanent e-commerce shop

Debuting with a holiday collection that includes tree ornaments and an ugly sweater, Golden Arches Unlimited sells gear that isn't available elsewhere.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 4, 2019

Dunkin' turns menu items into limited-edition holiday candles

The QSR is tapping into the sense of smell as it continues to ramp up its lifestyle positioning. 

By Dianna Christe • Dec. 2, 2019

Chick-fil-A encourages giving the gift of time with multichannel campaign

Across a TV spot, online store and pop-up shop, the QSR looks to deliver for the 73% of consumers that say they want more time with people they love this holiday season.

By Dianna Christie • Dec. 2, 2019

Papa John's RCS promo for vegan pizza outdoes SMS 23%

The pizza chain used the media-rich messaging format for a World Vegan Day campaign.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 2, 2019

American Express unveils in-app restaurant booking service

The service lets Platinum Card and Centurion members make reservations at more than 10,000 eateries worldwide.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 27, 2019

McDonald's Thanksgiving Twitter contest gifts a year of Uber Eats delivery

Uber Eats is also waiving delivery fees for late-night McDonald's orders from Nov. 27 through Cyber Monday.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 26, 2019

KFC hides 11 holiday gifts in limited-edition bucket illustrations

Customers can snap pictures of the drawings by Nicholas John Frith and post them to Instagram for a chance to win their real-world counterparts.

By Barry Levine , Peter Adams • Nov. 26, 2019