IHOP gets in the holiday spirit with Grinch-inspired menu, ads

The pancake chain's limited-time offerings include green pancakes, green whipped cream-topped hot chocolate and a "roast beast" omelet.  

By Erica Sweeney • Oct. 30, 2018

More than 80% of diners choose restaurants that respond to online reviews

Three out of four consumers believe those responses should be personalized, pressuring businesses to hone their brand voice and be vigilant about managing internet reputations.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 29, 2018

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

Starbucks can't quit its specialty Frappuccinos, despite sliding sales

The coffee chain rolled out a Halloween-themed blended drink for the fourth year in a row, though sales for the category were down 3% in May.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 26, 2018

Dunkin' launches revamped espresso to check premium rivals

The chain is betting upscale machinery, trained staff and its recent branding change will lure younger consumers away from Starbucks and other higher-priced competitors.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 25, 2018

First US sign language Starbucks opens in DC

The coffee giant brings the Signing Store to Washington during a time when the restaurant industry is publicly trying to change its diversity practices. 

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 24, 2018

Popeyes' drive-thru asks fans to drive 12 hours for free chicken

Customers can place an order at a roadside menu board in Fort Stockton, Texas, and pick up their food in New Orleans, a drive that takes 12 hours to complete, the same length of time their chicken will marinate. 

By Erica Sweeney • Oct. 24, 2018

Phoenix IHOP serves beer, Bloody Marys and wine on tap

After taking over a former Lone Star Steakhouse, the franchise owner left the bar intact, making it the first standalone IHOP to offer an alcoholic drink menu.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 23, 2018

Google adds reviews to Maps, putting pressure on restaurants

The search engine surpassed other review sites when mobile internet overtook desktop searches last year. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 22, 2018

Chipotle promises year of free 'booritos' in Instagram costume contest

Fans can vote for the "Boorito Champion" through the chain's Instagram Story on Nov. 1.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 22, 2018

OpenTable's CEO departs as Kayak chief assumes lead

The executive shakeup comes as competition in restaurant reservations heats up, and could signal a global push to connect travelers with lodging, transportation and dining all in one place.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 19, 2018

Subway drafts NBA players for trivia challenge on Instagram

Los Angeles Clippers' Boban Marjanović and Tobias Harris hosted the first weekly match that aims to boost the sandwich chain's loyalty program.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 19, 2018

Denny's taps CRM platform Punchh to boost customer engagement

The cloud-based marketing solution will allow the restaurant to collect behavioral analytics to develop personalized relationships with its diners.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 18, 2018

Inside Starbucks' secretive, ad-free Facebook community for fall enthusiasts

The Leaf Rakers Society, now at over 26,000 members, has become a powerful tool for peer-to-peer recommendations around seasonal products like the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 17, 2018

Comic Dive: Dunkin' Goes Nuts

After dropping "Donuts" from its branding, the coffee chain is embracing craft beer, dry shampoo, tiny homes and more to forge a fresh identity.

By John Hazard and Lisa Burdige • Oct. 16, 2018

Domino's US same-store sales slip, but earnings top expectations

The chain continues to look abroad for growth, announcing international same-store sales gains of 3.3% and opening 173 new restaurants during the period. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 16, 2018

Burger King partners with DoorDash for Twitch takeover

The chain's king mascot will battle popular gaming personalities in Activision's latest 'Call of Duty' game.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 15, 2018

From fast to fancy: QSRs go upscale to compete with fast casual

McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell and other major chains are trying to win customers with table service, butler bells and new store design. But will these changes alienate their core customers?

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 15, 2018

Wendy's CMO on striking the right amount of social media sass

At Advertising Week, the exec talked about the brand's reputation for dishing out direct, cheeky jabs at competitors and how this drives results. 

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Oct. 5, 2018

Pieology tests drone delivery as a tech war heats up between pizza chains

The California-based company plans to launch drone delivery permanently from its Samford, Connecticut store, following innovations such as Dominos' driverless delivery vehicles and Pizza Hut's pizza-ordering shoes. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 4, 2018

White Castle sends Wu-Tang Clan to space for new series promoting Impossible Slider

The partnership with Impossible Foods, maker of a popular plant-based hamburger, includes a retro-styled series that features fan questions. 

By Erica Sweeney • Oct. 4, 2018

Activist investor takes stake in Papa John's

Legion Partners Asset Management and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System have teamed up to acquire a 5.5% stake of the pizza chain, and have met with company leaders to create a turnaround plan. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 3, 2018

How Starbucks and Cole Haan grow brand loyalty through product innovation

Marketers from both companies spoke at Advertising Week about driving purchases and experimentation from shoppers loyal and new, including through mobile tech and personalization.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 3, 2018

Will Chipotle's new loyalty program lure customers back?

The restaurant is trialing its new points-based rewards initiative in Phoenix, Kansas City and Columbus, Ohio, two years after its Chiptopia program failed to catch fire.  

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 2, 2018

QSR efforts to make healthy kids' meals aren't changing eating habits

New research from the University of Connecticut finds that although more chains are offering options like yogurt and fruit, kids are still eating less-healthy menu items. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 1, 2018

Shake Shack's 'Innovation Kitchen' allows for real-time product testing

The kitchen, located beneath the company’s corporate headquarters in New York City, enables chefs to spontaneously create dishes for customers upstairs. If the experiments are popular, they could be rolled out across the chain. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 1, 2018