Menu Development

  • A photogrpah of a makeline at a Chipotle with salsa, sour cream and white cheese visible.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Fresh ideas: How restaurants can overcome the challenge of seasonal produce

    Chili peppers, tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables vary by time of year, geography and growing conditions, so brands must manage the inconsistencies without losing customer trust.

    By Michael Brady • July 8, 2026
  • A bunch of chicken nuggets, a drink and a side.
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    Courtesy of Jollibee
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    Jollibee’s new chicken nuggets could juice sales

    A buzzy new menu launch may help the chain win diners and market confidence as it eyes a U.S. IPO and franchised growth.

    By • July 2, 2026
  • Four plastic cups with colorful beverages and ice inside sit on a white table, surrounded by fruit and against a pink patterned background.
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    Permission granted by Sheetz
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    Sheetz, Dash In lead the charge as refreshers reshape c-store beverage sales

    The drinks sit at the intersection of fruit flavor, wellness and afternoon treat occasions, making them highly adaptable across c-store menus.

    By Christine Blank • June 30, 2026
  • A person stands over dishes of chocolate dessert inside a restaurant kitchen.
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    Permission granted by Clementine
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    Opinion

    Why from-scratch cooking is a radical choice in 2026

    Few kitchens cook from scratch today, meaning important techniques and methods could be lost as young chefs work with pre-made ingredients, says Clementine co-owner and pastry chef Elise Russ. 

    By Elise Russ • June 29, 2026
  • A daytime image of a building with beige bricks and a Tropical Smoothie Cafe sign.
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    Permission granted by Tropical Smoothie Cafe
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    How Tropical Smoothie Cafe has grown under Blackstone’s ownership

    CEO Max Wetzel said the chain expects to open 175 units this year and has a pipeline of over 900 units to open after 2026.

    By • June 29, 2026
  • BJ's Restaurants' new chicken sandwiches
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    Courtesy of BJ's Restaurants
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    BJ’s fuels menu revamp with chicken sandwiches

    The new lineup offers a range of flavor options and could give the casual chain a chance to take market share from QSR chicken chains.

    By • June 25, 2026
  • Three colorful sodas with white custard cream dribbling down the inside of the cups.
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    Courtesy of Freddy's
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    Freddy’s adds dirty sodas with custard cream

    The fast casual burger chain is tapping into consumer desire for premium cold beverages with a new lineup, as dirty sodas take over restaurant menus.

    By • June 24, 2026
  • Six drinks, all colorful, comprising the vanguard of McDonald's post-CosMc's premium drinks lineup.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    QSRs are gaining ground in dispensed beverages

    While c-stores are still leading innovators in the segment, restaurant chains like McDonald’s and Whataburger have stepped up their new releases of refreshers, craft-style drinks and more.

    By Christine Blank • June 18, 2026
  • Taco Bell chalupas and nacho fries with fajita elements.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell teases fajita future with LTO

    Grilled onions and peppers will grace Taco Bell chalupas and nacho fries for a limited time, as the brand tests a QSR version of sizzling fajitas.

    By • June 17, 2026
  • A photogrpah of a beige and green corner building wih several cars parked in front. The facade has a white sign that says Panera Bread.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Panera adds Market Bowls in summer menu update

    In addition to $9.99 bowls, the chain debuted breakfast frittatas, new cold beverages and seasonal salads with premium ingredients such as shrimp.

    By • Updated June 17, 2026
  • Three flatbreads
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    Courtesy of Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King launches flatbread menu category

    The smoothie concept is expanding its food options in hopes of appealing to health-conscious snackers.

    By • June 17, 2026
  • Arby's Angus Cheesesteak, a sandwich made with steak and cheese.
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    Courtesy of Arby's
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    Arby’s adds new Angus Cheesesteak to core menu

    With parent Inspire Brands mulling an IPO, Arby’s could be looking for ways to round out its menu and better compete with chains like Jersey Mike’s. 

    By • June 15, 2026
  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle is testing these 5 things to bring back buzz

    From a crispy chicken to renaming its group meals, Chipotle is considering various operational changes that could help drive sales and traffic.

    By • June 15, 2026
  • A rendering of a KFC next-generation restaurant that includes pink neon lights and black facade.
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    Permission granted by KFC
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    KFC’s global transformation has sauce at the center

    The fried chicken chain’s rebrand will include new sauces and design elements developed through its Saucy spinoff, as well as an expansion of its Kwench beverage platform.

    By • June 15, 2026
  • A photograph of two people in the foreground looking at a chalkboard menu that is blurred
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    Getty Images
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    Menu prices moderate in May despite 3-year high inflation

    Menu prices were up only 3.5%, down from a 4% increase at the beginning of the year. 

    By • June 11, 2026
  • A burger, a soda and a basket of chips.
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    Courtesy of Chili's
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    Why restaurant value needs to go beyond just price

    Premium add-ons, generous portions and better experiences are helping boost sales at chains like Chili’s, despite the challenging consumer environment.

    By Danielle McLean • June 11, 2026
  • People dressed in yelp sit at a table inside a restaurant and bar eating food and drinking beer.
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    andresr via Getty Images
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    How independent restaurants are leaning into World Cup frenzy

    Of the tournament-themed menu additions, 65% added from March to May were drinks, while 27% were merchandise, according to SpotOn data.

    By • June 8, 2026
  • An image of a McDonald's with a playplace
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    M. Suhail via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s bets chicken, restaurant improvements will grow sales

    The McDonald’s > NEXT plan focuses on improving food quality and taste, customer experiences, restaurant interiors and hospitality.  

    By • June 2, 2026
  • A close up image of a veggie slider with white bun and jalapeno cheese. There is a orange background
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    Permission granted by White Castle
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    White Castle to add veggie slider to core menu

    Roughly a year after it added a Crispy Chicken Slider to its permanent menu, the chain will add a Southwest Veggie Slider on June 15.

    By • June 2, 2026
  • An exterior photograph of a Cafe Rio restaurant.
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    Courtesy of Cafe Rio
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    Cafe Rio hires &pizza CEO after losing its way

    Mike Burns will oversee an effort to return the fast casual Mexican chain to sales growth with speedy service, better food and cleaner restaurants.

    By • June 2, 2026
  • a sandwhich with tomato, bacon and herbs inside
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    Permission granted by Good Foods Group
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    Sponsored by Good Foods Group

    What’s driving the shift toward cleaner, simpler menus?

    When Americans are deciding where their next meal will come from, nutrition is just part of the equation.

    May 26, 2026
  • A photo of a Cava location in a brick endcap retail space.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava wins Q1 with 9.7% same-store sales jump

    The fast casual chain posted the strongest comparable sales results of the segment, while Sweetgreen and Wingstop faced steep declines.

    By • May 19, 2026
  • A close up image of a person holding up a slice of Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Restaurant LTOs are booming thanks to health, novelty and value

    GLP-1s, international crises and consumer demand for novelty have made limited-time items an ever more important part of restaurant menu playbooks.

    By • May 18, 2026
  • Three toasted sandwiches and a small cup of Papa Johns garlic sauce on a white table in front of a green background.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    How 5 restaurant chains are growing beyond their core menus

    From sandwiches at pizza brands to flatbreads at smoothie concepts, restaurants are reacting to consumer competition with food innovation.

    By , • May 18, 2026
  • An exterior image of a Pizza Hut with bricks and red signage
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    Courtesy of Yum Brands/Pizza Hut
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    Pizza Hut franchisee says AI caused $100M in damages

    Chaac Pizza Northeast, which depends on DoorDash to deliver its orders, said the chain’s Dragontail AI system hurt delivery times and damaged operations.

    By • May 14, 2026