Menu Development

  • A photo of a variety of food on a wooden table on trays and in baskets and bowls.
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    Permission granted by ezCater
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    As c-stores level up in foodservice, catering could be an ‘ideal’ next step

    Convenience retailers, especially those in rural areas, can boost revenue and grow their brand presence by offering food that is both delicious and durable.

    By Amanda Baltazar • Sept. 20, 2023
  • Three pocket pizza from Mod Pizza
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    Courtesy of Mod Pizza
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    Mod Pizza makes Pocket Pies permanent

    The menu item, which was first introduced in March as part of Pi Day, echoes Papa Johns’s Papadias and Pizza Hut’s Melts.

    By • Sept. 18, 2023
  • Donatos pizza
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    Courtesy of PR Newswire
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    Why Donatos sees opportunity in automated vending machines

    The pizza chain’s forthcoming prototype is just one example of how this technology can be an innovative grab-and-go option, but challenges over the perception of quality persist.

    By Danielle McLean • Sept. 18, 2023
  • An image of Moe's Southwest Grill
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    Courtesy of Moe's Southwest Grill
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    Q&A

    Moe’s longer operating hours, new ingredients help traffic

    Since deploying its Project Victory initiative, the TexMex chain has found opportunities — such as slicing whole-muscle beef — in 20% employee idle time, said Chief Brand Officer Tory Bartlett.

    By • Sept. 14, 2023
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    Permission granted by Huddle House
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    How Ascent Hospitality reinvigorated franchising at Perkins, Huddle House

    Prior to Peter Ortiz joining Ascent Hospitality as chief development officer, growth was virtually at a standstill for the brands. Now they have signed over 70 franchise agreements.

    By • Sept. 13, 2023
  • Rapper Ice Spice appears with her namesake Munchkins Drink in a Dunkin' ad
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    Courtesy of Dunkin'
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    Dunkin’ taps Ben Affleck, Ice Spice to put a name to its new fall drink

    An ad promoting the limited-time Ice Spice Munchkins Drink is the first work since the chain formalized its partnership with Affleck’s Artists Equity.

    By Jessica Deyo • Sept. 13, 2023
  • McDonald's drive thru sign
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s will remove self-serve beverage stations by 2032

    Operators said they are struggling to balance the space needed for drinks stations with slumping dining room traffic and rising digital orders.

    By • Sept. 12, 2023
  • A Pilot foodservice employee.
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    Courtesy of Pilot Travel Centers
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    Diners are happy with c-store food — but retailers have work to do, report says

    Operators need to guard against complacency, as the number of customers “extremely satisfied” with c-store foodservice has fallen from 2022, Intouch Insight said.

    By Jessica Loder • Sept. 11, 2023
  • A double-decker plant-based burger with lettuce and tomato, American cheese, pickles and other toppings sitting on a white wood-grain surface with white wood paneling in the background.
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    Courtesy of Beyond Meat
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    Plant-based sales in foodservice surge, rebuffing broader slowdown in category

    Following pandemic-induced declines, the space is seeing more promise in the foodservice sector. 

    By Elizabeth Flood • Sept. 7, 2023
  • An image of a Veggie Grill restaurant with tables and umbrellas outside.
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    Permission granted by Veggie Grill
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    Q&A

    Veggie Grill closed nearly half its stores to protect its future, CEO says

    Shifting demographics in a post-pandemic world made some of the plant-chain’s restaurants unprofitable, CEO T.K. Pillan said.

    By • Sept. 5, 2023
  • Three wraps from Jimmy John's in front of a red background
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    Permission granted by Jimmy John's
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    Jimmy John’s adds wraps to permanent menu

    Wraps, which were offered for two years as summer LTOs, are part of the chain’s plan to expand flavors and menu items. 

    By • Sept. 5, 2023
  • Panera's expanded dinner offerings from 2019.
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera’s smaller menu test may rollback its dinner focus

    In what appears to be a company memo shared by employees on Reddit, flatbread pizza and a number of hot entrees are on the chopping block, along with some baked goods and the children’s menu. 

    By • Aug. 29, 2023
  • A woman's hand is holding a breakfast biscuit in a black takeout container with hashbrowns from IHOP.
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    Permission granted by IHOP
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    IHOP rolls out biscuit menu in latest menu evolution

    The Biscuits Menu comes a few months after the chain’s biggest revamp in its history, which included Eggs Benedicts.

    By • Aug. 28, 2023
  • Bone-in wings from Walk-On's with waffle fries in a paper plate.
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    Courtesy of Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
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    Walk-On’s adds bone-in wings for the first time

    The chain may add the wings, which come in three flavors — Buffalo, Sweet Chili and Lemon Pepper Dry Rub — to its permanent menu depending on performance as an LTO.

    By • Aug. 25, 2023
  • Dunkin's Pumpkin spice lineup has debuted earlier and earlier in recent years.
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    Courtesy of Dunkin
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    You’re not imagining it — pumpkin spice drinks are rolling out earlier

    August is the new autumn in the coffee category, as giants like Starbucks and smaller players like Tim Horton’s push the fall flavor profile in their cold beverage categories. 

    By • Updated Aug. 23, 2023
  • A picture of two men in formal photographs. The man on the left is wearing a chef's outfit.
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    Permission granted by Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen hires heads of culinary, marketing

    Chad Brauze’s and Michael Kotick’s experience will help the salad chain as it emphasizes heartier menu offerings and expands its loyalty program. 

    By • Aug. 21, 2023
  • An image of a Subway store in China
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway names new North American President, other execs

    Douglas Fry will replace Trevor Haynes as North American president, and the chain announced a new global chief development officer, president of EMEA and SVP of U.S. marketing. 

    By • Aug. 16, 2023
  • Wendy's is adding English muffin sandwiches to its breakfast menu on Aug. 22.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s adds English muffin sandwiches to breakfast menu

    The chain’s new offerings are designed to encourage diners to visit during the morning daypart, which it believes can grow sales without added labor costs.

    By • Aug. 14, 2023
  • Taylor Swift on stage
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    Kevin Winter via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Taylor Swift’s smash-hit tour shows restaurants can harness concert hype

    Restaurants near Swift’s Nashville show saw a 35% bump in average transaction counts YOY for the three days she played, writes Teddy Tsang, vice president of product marketing at Toast. 

    By Teddy Tsang • Aug. 11, 2023
  • Image of assorted doughnuts in an open Krispy Kreme box.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Krispy Kreme thinks there is more room to grow at McDonald’s

    The doughnut chain says it can expand delivered-fresh-daily doughnuts to more QSR touchpoints. But it’s up to the Golden Arches to make the call.

    By • Aug. 11, 2023
  • Beyond Meat's The Beyond Burgers in their packaging.
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    (Drew Angerer/Staff) via Getty Images
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    Troubled Beyond Meat reduces 2023 outlook as revenues plummet by almost a third

    The plant-based meat company reported disappointing second quarter results as the brand struggles to educate consumers on the benefits of its products.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Aug. 10, 2023
  • Wing Zone delivery
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    Permission granted by WIng Zone
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    Wing Zone unveils spinoff Hot Chicken concept in Las Vegas

    Wing Zone Hot Chicken and Wings Restaurant, which has one unit so far, is designed to capture consumer interest in the Nashville-inspired food.

    By • Aug. 8, 2023
  • Recreate Foods chicken nugget
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    Permission granted by Recreate Foods
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    Creator of Burger King’s Impossible Whopper takes on plant-based chicken industry

    Michael Salem is honing in on taste — a factor he says a lot of big companies seem to forget about — in his new venture with Recreate Foods.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Aug. 7, 2023
  • Battered fish and fries on a white plate.
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    Permission granted by Red Robin
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    Red Robin bets staffing, menu upgrades will reinvigorate brand

    CEO GJ Hart says the chain’s turnaround plan won’t reinvent the restaurant, but bring its best features forward, including burgers, bottomless fries and a kid-friendly atmosphere.

    By • Aug. 1, 2023
  • wawa
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    Retrieved from Wawa press release.
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    Wawa enters the pizza game

    The retailer brought the option to select stores in June, and as of mid-July debuted it in more than 900 locations.

    By Brett Dworski • July 31, 2023