Menu Development
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Courtesy of Carl's Jr. and Taco John's
QSRs made 2024 the summer of value
Nearly a dozen major QSRs launched limited-time and permanent value offerings to woo guests.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 3, 2024 -
Jessica Loder/Restaurant Dive
Q&AHow Rutter’s keeps innovating its menu
Philip Santini, senior director of advertising and food service, breaks down how the c-store retailer keeps offerings exciting and competes with restaurants.
By Jessica Loder • Aug. 29, 2024 -
Courtesy of Subway
Q&AHow Subway developed its latest snackable menu items
The chain’s latest menu innovations, from Subway Sidekicks to spicy sandwiches, appeal to guest demands for bolder flavors, Chef Paul Fabre said.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 28, 2024 -
The image by Cbraccialini is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Red Robin reports highest guest satisfaction in nearly a decade
Improvements to its labor model, increased focus on food quality and decreased wait times have all boosted the guest experience, the chain said.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 23, 2024 -
Permission granted by Cava
Cava’s traffic surges in Q2
Customers are switching to the fast casual chain from across the restaurant industry thanks to its moderate approach to menu pricing.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 22, 2024 -
Permission granted by Taco Bell
Taco Bell will let franchisees stop breakfast
Ditching the morning meal gives franchisees the flexibility to focus on other dayparts, the brand said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 22, 2024 -
Courtesy of Panera Bread
Panera bakes up new pastries, sweets
Months after its biggest menu transformation to date, the chain added five baked goods and three croissant breakfast sandwiches to its lineup.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 21, 2024 -
Courtesy of Freebird World Burrito
Sun Holdings buys 64-unit Freebirds World Burrito
The Texas-based burrito brand is Sun Holdings’ second purchase of a brand, and proof of its ability to grow as a brand owner, CEO Guillermo Perales said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 20, 2024 -
Courtesy of Brix Holdings
Q&AFriendly’s plans a comeback after decades of decline
The CEO of the chain’s parent company says a new menu, store renovations and social media savvy moves are breathing new life into the retro brand.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 19, 2024 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
C-stores are taking aim at QSRs in the value war. Will it pay off?
C-stores are using value offerings to compete with QSRs as consumers look for cheaper options.
By Christine Blank • Aug. 16, 2024 -
Courtesy of Brinker
Chili’s sees sales, traffic surge
By emphasizing price competitiveness with fast food, Brinker International’s flagship brand avoided the downturn that has plagued other full-service chains.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 15, 2024 -
Courtesy of KFC
KFC expands $5 meal deal
As U.S. sales shrink, KFC’s new value meals and several digital exclusives could help the chain win back consumers.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 13, 2024 -
Permission granted by Impossible Foods
Impossible Foods opens first brick and mortar concept
CEO Peter McGuinness said Impossible Quality Meats is part of the company’s mission to prove its plant-based products are not like “a warm beer or a cold shower.”
By Elizabeth Flood • Aug. 12, 2024 -
Andrew Burton via Getty Images
Potbelly boosts value scores with $7.99 Skinny Combo
The deal hits a sweet spot for consumers who feel like they’re getting a filling meal without having to break the bank, CEO Robert Wright said.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 12, 2024 -
Permission granted by The Original Rainbow Cone
Deep DiveDessert concepts are seeing record growth. But are they just a fad?
To stay relevant, chains like The Original Rainbow Cone and Dirty Dough are expanding their menus beyond their core offerings.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 12, 2024 -
Courtesy of Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company to add 3 new menu items in October
The ongoing transformation, which will include new and improved dishes, will impact two-thirds of its offerings and help drive guest transactions.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 8, 2024 -
Courtesy of Knuckies Hoagies
Walmart adds hoagies to in-store restaurant roster
The retailer plans to open 14 in-store Knuckies Hoagies locations across six states just weeks after announcing partnerships with Crave’s Hot Dogs and Mr. Gatti’s Pizza.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Aug. 8, 2024 -
Courtesy of Papa Johns
Papa Johns wants to improve its value perception
After posting a comparable sales decline of 3.6% in North America, the chain is working to highlight its value offerings instead of just its premium products.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 8, 2024 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
Taco Bell’s menu innovations drive US same-store sales
The chain’s premium Chicken Cantina menu shifted its sales mix towards chicken by 10 points and joined other LTOs and value deals in driving sales growth.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 6, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Denny’s ramps up value with relaunch of popular menu
The $2, $4, $6, $8 menu will return in the next few weeks with the addition of a $10 category after initial tests revealed an uptick in traffic and improved customer perception of value.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 2, 2024 -
Permission granted by District Taco
Deep DiveHow 4 chains are chasing Chipotle
From small regional brands to old challengers undergoing an overhaul, Mexican brands are relying on menu differentiation and franchising to catch the segment leader.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 31, 2024 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks’ US traffic troubles continue
Domestic comparable traffic fell 6% in Q3 despite the chain’s efforts to drive sales with product launches and improved operational throughput.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 31, 2024 -
Permission granted by McDonald's
McDonald’s pilots a ‘more satiating burger’
In addition to improving its core burgers, the chain plans to further deploy its McCrispy platform, now available in over 55 markets globally.
By Julie Littman • July 30, 2024 -
Permission granted by Sonic Drive-In
Sonic Drive-In smashes up burger menu
The new smashed burgers follow on the heels of the brand’s addition of a $1.99 value menu and six premium drinks.
By Julie Littman • July 29, 2024 -
DragonImages via iStock
Sponsored by Catania OilsAs butter prices soar, alternatives gain appeal
As butter prices climb to record highs, restaurateurs look to liquid butter alternatives for relief.
July 29, 2024
