Menu Development


  • A woman and man at a cash register
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle

    How 7 fast casual, full-service chains are hiking prices

    Applebee’s, Chipotle and Shake Shack have raised prices between 7.5% and 10%, and Noodles & Company will test dynamic pricing as chains contend with inflation. 

    By Restaurant Dive Team • March 24, 2023
  • A photograph of Fogo de Chao's roasted power vegetable bowl
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    Permission granted by Fogo de Chão

    Fogo de Chão says plant-based fare, cocktail lounges attract young diners

    By offering a richer menu than just fire-roasted meats, the Brazilian restaurant has gained strong awareness among younger consumers, which has helped it open new restaurants.

    By March 24, 2023
  • A young woman customer placing her order at a fast food convenience restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    YinYang via Getty Images

    How 5 QSR giants are tackling menu pricing, strategy

    McDonald’s, Starbucks and Wendy’s took price between 6% and 10% in 2022, and experts expect prices to rise further as chains face economic headwinds. 

    By Restaurant Dive Team • March 23, 2023
  • An image of Elote Mexican Street Corn Hash at First Watch
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by First Watch

    How breakfast brands are reinventing morning menus

    Restaurants like First Watch, Snooze and Another Broken Egg Cafe have been adding twists to classic menu items as the segment emphasizes affordable brunch options.

    By March 23, 2023
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Subway

    Subway brings back Footlong Pass subscription

    The chain, which sold out 10,000 subscriptions in August in under six hours, is now offering 250,000 passes to rewards members for April redemption. 

    By March 17, 2023
  • A photo of a guest viewing an augmented reality experience on Denny's menu.
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    Courtesy of Denny's

    Denny’s serves up AR experience with new menu overhaul

    Guests can take a virtual tour of Denny’s new menu and get exclusive deals, as part of a brand update that includes new kitchen equipment and food offerings. 

    By March 15, 2023
  • A photograph of an Applebee's sign.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images

    How Applebee’s new president plans to revive franchisee development

    With high costs hurting potential ROI on new builds, Tony Moralejo wants to save with a new kitchen prototype and franchisee incentives.

    By March 7, 2023
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Rosie Bradbury/Industry Dive

    Sweetgreen launches catering as workers return to offices

    The fast casual chain slowly grew the channel through a pilot program last year as it expanded into new markets. 

    By March 7, 2023
  • An image of a Wetzel's Pretzels inside a convenience store.
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    Permission granted by Wetzel's Pretzels
    Q&A

    How Wetzel’s Pretzels built a pipeline to reach 400 units this year

    CEO Jennifer Schuler discusses the chain’s strategy of opening units inside c-stores and large retailers like Walmart and Macy’s.

    By March 1, 2023
  • Image of assorted doughnuts in an open Krispy Kreme box.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images

    McDonald’s scales Krispy Kreme pilot to 160 Kentucky units

    Months after launching at nine stores, the chain will begin selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts from units in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky, on March 21.

    By Feb. 27, 2023
  • Chipotle fajita TikTok
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill

    Chipotle adding TikTok viral fajita quesadilla to digital menu

    The menu item, which began as a menu hack video on the social media platform, will be available starting Thursday.

    By Feb. 27, 2023
  • A photograph of two people at a Shake Shack eating white truffle burgers.
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    Permission granted by Shake Shack

    Shake Shack serves up fine dining experience with White Truffle Menu

    Ten Shake Shack restaurants are taking reservations for a prix fixe tasting menu that costs $20 per person.

    By Feb. 22, 2023
  • Cardi B and Offset team for duo meal at McDonald's
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    Courtesy of McDonald's

    McDonald’s readies first-ever duo meal with Cardi B and Offset

    Timed to Valentine's Day, the effort includes tie-ups with dating apps and a kiss cam billboard in Times Square.

    By Chris Kelly , Feb. 13, 2023
  • An image of Chick-fil-A's cauliflower sandwich
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Chick-fil-A

    Chick-fil-A pilots first chicken-free sandwich

    The cauliflower sandwich, which is marinated, breaded and pressure cooked simiarly to its chicken sandwich, will be available in Denver; Charleston, South Carolina; and in the Greensboro-Triad region in North Carolina.

    By Feb. 9, 2023
  • A photo of pizza folded that is part of Pizza Hut's new menu launched in October 2022.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Pizza Hut

    Yum sales boosted by Pizza Hut Melts, Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

    Value-heavy menu items were key to driving visits among lower-income diners, Yum CEO David Gibbs said on the company’s Q4 earnings call.

    By Feb. 8, 2023
  • A promotional image showing three boxes of Domino's loaded tots.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Domino's Pizza

    Domino’s adds loaded tater tots to menu

    The menu item, which comes in three varieties as part of the chain’s $6.99 Mix & Match Deal, marks Domino’s first potato product on its national menu.

    By Feb. 6, 2023
  • A photo of a chef in a white coat.
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    Courtesy of Red Robin

    Red Robin hires CPK vet as VP of culinary

    Brian Sullivan, who spent 34 years at California Pizza Kitchen, will help Red Robin invest in higher food quality and a menu refresh. 

    By Feb. 2, 2023
  • A promotional image for Dunkin's old loyalty program, DD Perks, illustrating that program's coffee-centric offerings.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Dunkin'

    Dunkin’ doubles down on loyalty with exclusive latte

    Months after retooling its rewards program, the chain has added the Brownie Batter Signature Latte, its first beverage available only to loyalty members.

    By Feb. 1, 2023
  • Image attribution tooltip
    yaoinlove via Getty Images

    McDonald’s will lean into chicken, coffee to grow diner frequency

    The core menu categories pose significant growth opportunity, McDonald’s executives said Tuesday, as the chain aims to better compete with chicken-only chains and leverage coffee’s high margins. 

    By Jan. 31, 2023
  • Chick-fil-A piloted a virtual restaurant brand via Little Blue Menu in fall 2021.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Chick-fil-A on September 15, 2021

    Chick-fil-A to open second Little Blue Menu location

    The chain’s original Nashville, Tennessee, prototype offers items from virtual concepts Outfox Wings and Because, Burger in addition to Chick-fil-A’s menu. 

    By Updated Jan. 30, 2023
  • A picture of chicken wings at Mod Pizza
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    Permission granted by Mod Pizza

    Mod tries expanding beyond pizza with wings test

    If the pilot is successful, Mod could add wings to its permanent menu, revising its offerings alongside brands like Pizza Hut, Papa Johns and Pie Five.

    By Jan. 26, 2023
  • An exterior shot of a Red Robin restaurant, which is lit from inside, at night
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Cbraccialini is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

    Red Robin unveils comeback plan for sales, brand positioning

    The restaurant chain will focus on improving its basic operations, including labor practices and food quality, that have floundered in recent years.

    By Jan. 10, 2023
  • An image of Panera's three toasted baguette sandwiches.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Panera Bread

    Panera expands sandwich line with toasted baguettes

    The fast casual chain’s latest menu addition builds on its “warm and hearty” offerings, which include flatbread pizzas and grain bowls. 

    By Jan. 6, 2023
  • A picture of a Chipotle with a pickup lane.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle

    Chipotle targets Gen Z with wellness Snapchat Lens, menu items

    To address how Gen Z and millennials approach wellness, the chain is focused on convenience and mobile gamification.

    By Aaron Baar • Jan. 3, 2023
  • Papa John's Papadia sandwich
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Papa John's/Business Wire on February 26, 2021

    BTIG: Papa Johns’ value menu attracting new base of customers

    The Papa Pairings platform, which offers guests $6.99 menu items, is attracting customers earning $60,000 or less annually, according to a BTIG report.

    By Dec. 22, 2022