Dunkin' pilots multi-tender options for loyalty program

Allowing customers to earn rewards no matter how they pay should keep the brand competitive while Starbucks and others revamp their programs to make it easier to earn points.

By Lauren Manning • April 17, 2019

Rethinking the brand experience beyond space and size

Without designing for experience, an overemphasis on size will leave customers hungry for more, says innovation agency T3's president Ben Gaddis.

By Ben Gaddis • April 12, 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

KFC parodies influencers with CGI hipster Colonel Sanders

The chain handed its Instagram account over to the "Virtual Influencer Colonel" and partnered with Dr. Pepper, TurboTax and Old Spice for the campaign.

By Robert Williams • April 11, 2019

Caffè Nero cracks open Easter egg hunt for app users

The campaign returns for a second year after spurring 100,000 app downloads and 300,000 "egg-agements" in 2018.

By Robert Williams • April 11, 2019

Dig Inn lands $20M led by Danny Meyer-backed investor, will expand into full-service

The farm-to-table plans to open a sit-down location in New York City, in a move that bucks the industry trend of casual dining chain's launching fast casual concepts to drive growth. 

By Kevin Whiteley • April 10, 2019

Benihana enters sports arenas with AEG partnership

The restaurant is bringing its teppanyaki tables and performing chefs to 400- and 550-square-foot units in Dignity Health Sports Park and Sprint Center as casual chains look to nontraditional channels for growth.

By Kevin Whiteley • April 8, 2019

Taco Bell launches 'hiring parties' to beef up labor force

The Mexican QSR is using a different approach to hire workers in a tight labor market, hosting 600 events where prospective workers can partake in on-the-spot interviews and speak with employees and managers. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 5, 2019

Subway launches sandwich created with Tastemade data

The media brand's data-driven insights will help the chain offer locally relevant menu items for U.S. diners, such as the Green Goddess Tuna Melt. 

By Lauren Manning • April 4, 2019

Restaurant operators chase delivery, value menus to drive growth

A TD Bank survey found that 71% of franchisees feel pressure to expand and plan to turn to delivery, value meals, remodeling and mobile technology to boost performance.

By Alicia Kelso • April 3, 2019

Chipotle spurs 5x surge in loyalty app downloads, analyst says

Within a week of the nationwide rollout​, Chipotle Rewards registered its one-millionth member, according to an industry analyst at Barclays Capital.

By Robert Williams • April 3, 2019

Taco Bell launches vegetarian menu nationwide

Months after an April pilot at 200 Dallas stores, the chain will add a dedicated vegetarian menu to its revamped menu that will be released on Thursday.

By Kevin Whiteley • Updated Sept. 11, 2019

Burger King will roll out Impossible Whoppers nationwide

Burger King will be the largest chain to offer the product systemwide, a move that could spur rival burger brands to launch plant-based patties of their own. 

By Kevin Whiteley • Updated April 29, 2019

Major League Baseball quietly resumes Papa John's partnership

Bringing back its "Papa Slam" promotion alongside the MLB season may be what the beleaguered pizza chain needs to help boost declining sales. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 1, 2019

McDonald's makes millennial black consumers top priority with extensive 'campaign movement'

"Black & Positively Golden" is the chain's most significant effort targeted at African-Americans in 16 years and specifically courts younger consumers.

By Peter Adams • April 1, 2019

Buffalo Wild Wings shames fans on Instagram for not watching March Madness

The full-service chain is increasing its brand awareness through a new campaign that targets Instagram users hesitant to watch the NCAA tournament. 

By Robert Williams • March 29, 2019

Dunkin' and Peeps hit the road for spring-themed campaign

Dunkin's coffee car and the Peepsmobile will journey together through New England to dish out new marshmallow-flavored coffee and Peeps doughnuts.

By Erica Sweeney • March 29, 2019

Can a new CMO provide Papa John's the boost it needs?

After nearly a year without a top marketing executive, Karlin Linhardt will take over the role at the pizza chain where he will help differentiate the brand.

By Alicia Kelso • March 29, 2019

Postmates' latest partnership brings in-app food ordering to Coachella

A collaboration with AEG Presents lets concertgoers skip concession lines and pick up food and merchandise within a few minutes.

By Kevin Whiteley • March 29, 2019

DoorDash's new program supports immigrant-founded restaurants

The company's 'Kitchens Without Borders' spotlights the stories of these owners and offers business credits to fund a $0 delivery fee promotion, among other marketing opportunities.

By Alicia Kelso • March 28, 2019

Burger King crowdsources April Fools' prank ideas from students

In a partnership with the Clio Awards, the QSR will fly winners to Miami to work with its creative team to bring the prank to life.

By Erica Sweeney • March 25, 2019

Shaquille O'Neal joins Papa John's board, becomes a brand ambassador

The addition of the NBA Hall of Famer could help the national pizza chain improve its image, which has suffered as the chain struggles to regain its loyal customers following founder John Schnatter's ouster.

By Julie Littman • March 22, 2019

Dunkin' and Saucony bring back doughnut-themed running shoe

Last year's Boston Marathon collaboration between the two local brands quickly sold out, prompting them to create a new limited-edition offering.

By Erica Sweeney • March 22, 2019

Millennial parents increased restaurant visits by 5% in 2018

An NPD report found that the demographic is turning to fast casual and QSR chains for convenient family meals — a growing trend that chains like Chick-fil-A are taking advantage of. 

By Kevin Whiteley • March 22, 2019

Burger King sets rivals' ads aflame with AR app

Customers in Brazil win a free Whopper for virtually burning print and billboard ads of competitors like McDonald's.

By Robert Williams • March 21, 2019

Postmates rolls out free group delivery feature

The delivery platform's new Postmates Party option functions like Uber Pool for food, an offering that could give it a leg up over competitors if consumers are willing to sit through longer wait times. 

By Kevin Whiteley • March 21, 2019