Dunkin' trolls McDonald's over Donut Sticks launch

The coffee chain mockingly tweeted "blueprints" of new donut packaging, which emulate the burger giant's Big Mac box, suggesting McDonald's copied its Donut Fries offering.

By Kevin Whiteley • March 5, 2019

Papa John's eyes sports stars, social influencers as brand rehabilitation efforts continue

The strategy, which follows a campaign focused on the chain's franchisees, was announced amid a reported 8.1% slide in same-store sales in North America for Q4.

By Erica Sweeney • Feb. 28, 2019

Explore the 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

Burger King, KFC revamp brand mascots as chicken rivalry heats up

Burger King has debuted the "K.F.G.," or King of Flame Grilling — which mocks Colonel Sanders — while KFC rolls out a RoboCop iteration of its mascot.

By Erica Sweeney • Feb. 25, 2019

Baskin-Robbins sees 12% lift in store visits from Spotify ads

The ice cream chain matched 430,000 U.S. store visits to an audio ad via new measurement partner Placed.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 22, 2019

Bojangles' debuts 'flour-tossing' billboard for NBA All-Star weekend

For the sporting event taking place in its hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, the chain is also holding a social media contest tied to the interactive billboard. 

By Erica Sweeney • Feb. 14, 2019

McDonald's rolls out Donut Sticks amid lackluster breakfast traffic

Growing QSR competition in the morning daypart and the chain's all-day breakfast menu may be undercutting the morning rush, but LTOs may not be enough to make sales rise and shine. 

By Kevin Whiteley • Feb. 13, 2019

Shake Shack's first CMO tasked with revisiting self-order kiosks

BarkBox vet Jay Livingston may have his work cut out for him, as the chain's first brush with cashless payment kiosks failed following customer backlash. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 12, 2019

Burger King's 'Whopper Detour' generated 1.5M app downloads

Trolling McDonald's helped catapult Burger King's app to the top of Apple’s App Store rankings, Restaurant Brands' CEO said during a conference call with analysts this week.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 12, 2019

Chipotle offers behind-the-scenes look at its kitchens in new campaign

As part of "Behind the Foil," the chain broadcast live its food prep on Facebook from a restaurant in California. 

By Erica Sweeney • Feb. 12, 2019

Restaurant reservations to spike 433% on Valentine's Day, study projects

Research from OpenTable and Toast also found that the holiday will yield a 7% jump in online orders, and businesses will need to be proactive with staffing to reap the full benefits of this influx. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 11, 2019

Starbucks Canada pledges to donate 100% of leftover food

The company has partnered with food rescue organization Second Harvest to donate perishable items like yogurt and milk alongside pastries and breads, a move that could further boost the coffee giant's brand halo. 

By Kevin Whiteley • Feb. 11, 2019

KFC readies Valentine's Day contest on Reddit with Colonel-inspired rug

Customers can post KFC-themed artwork on Reddit to win a date-night package including the rug, fried chicken pajamas, gift cards and subscription to an online streaming service.

By Erica Sweeney • Feb. 8, 2019

OpenTable's Matchmaker tool helps ease Valentine's Day reservation stress

The platform, which gives personalized restaurant recommendations after a series of questions, could help the service differentiate from competitors on one of the biggest dining days of the year.

By Kevin Whiteley • Feb. 7, 2019

Chick-fil-A leads QSR space in loyalty, survey says

As the fast food segment continues to anchor its offerings around speed and convenience, the chicken chain is piquing consumer interest through strategic limitations and quality experience.

By Kevin Whiteley • Feb. 6, 2019

T-Mobile teams with Taco Bell, Lyft for freebies via mobile app

An expanded T-Mobile Tuesdays promotion serves up free tacos and free rides from the participating companies.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 5, 2019

Super Bowl QSR ads don't always lead to meaningful traffic gains

Many fast food brands turned to promotions instead, and location data can help understand the full impact of these marketing efforts. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 4, 2019

What Super Bowl advertiser Burger King can learn from Wendy's 'win' last year

Location data shows that the triumph could have been even bigger, according to Factual CMO Brian Czarny. 

By Brian Czarny • Feb. 1, 2019

Burger King trolls McDonald's for losing Big Mac trademark in the EU

In its latest stunt, the burger chain takes aim at its archrival by offering "Not Big Macs" in Sweden.

By Erica Sweeney • Feb. 1, 2019

Domino's doles out loyalty points for all pizza — including competitors' — with help of AI

The brand is deploying a proprietary scanning technology on its mobile app ahead of one of the busiest pizza sales days of the year.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 30, 2019

Pizza Hut promises free pizza for a year to first baby born during Super Bowl

The chain is also delivering free pies to hospitals in Boston and Los Angeles to "ease the FOMO" of soon-to-be parents, who will likely miss the big game.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 30, 2019

Dunkin' plans Vegas wedding chapel takeover for Valentine's Day

The first 100 couples will get an exclusive edible bouquet, and the pop-up will feature themed decorations and an officiant with "Dunkin' pink hair" to preside over weddings and vow renewals.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 29, 2019

Taco Bell cooks up faux movie trailer for the return of Nacho Fries

The campaign includes running the spot in theaters, printing movie posters and creating special "For Your Consideration" media kits.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 28, 2019

Burger King teases Super Bowl spot with DoorDash mystery box

The burger chain will return to the Super Bowl for the first time in 12 years and is building buzz with a mysterious delivery.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 24, 2019

Report: Loyalty rewards, coupons bring QSR customers back

But as fast food competition intensifies, chains should also leverage their mobile apps to capture repeat diners and boost profits.   

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 22, 2019

Burger King customers can trade McDonald's MacCoins for Big King XL sandwich

In its latest attempt at "flame-grilling the competition," Burger King is playing into the confusion that McDonald’s 2018 MacCoins campaign caused some consumers. 

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 18, 2019