How 9 restaurants are using menu innovation to wean diners off value

Food quality, quick follow-ups on buzzy LTOs and tests for new dayparts are helping major restaurant chains move beyond the recent value war.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 12, 2026

Bojangles bets breakfast, boneless chicken will spur national growth

The regional poultry powerhouse is looking to build up its presence in recent market entries and establish a durable customer base.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 11, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Loyalty & Rewards Strategy

Capturing — and keeping — loyal customers is more crucial than ever as diner price sensitivity puts pressure on restaurants.

By Restaurant Dive staff

How Applebee’s menu innovation pipeline is boosting traffic and spend

The chain has eight quarters of menu innovation ready in advance, allowing the brand to offer a new item every three months.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 11, 2026

How Chili’s supply chain improvements are helping menu consistency

CSCO James Butler has reordered Chili’s supply chain priorities to focus on diner experience, resulting in sales growth for the chain and its suppliers.

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 9, 2026

How Wendy’s CEO plans to revive beleaguered burger chain

Robert Wright said the brand will make breakfast optional for franchisees and focus on improved ingredients, portfolio optimization and enhanced marketing. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 6, 2026

McDonald’s pilots mix-and-match bundles

Following mishaps with its $3 and Under menu, the fast food chain laid out a plan to restore frequency and increase sales through entry-level value options.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 4, 2026

Taco Bell’s winning streak ends, KFC’s turnaround continues

Yum Brands hopes continued marketing magic at Taco Bell, menu investments at KFC and overall tech improvements will result in strong sales growth.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 3, 2026

7 Brew debuts first food menu

The coffee chain’s food launch could help it compete with Starbucks and Dutch Bros, which have more developed breakfast and snack offerings.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 2, 2026

College and university student dining trends

Gen Z craves bold global flavor. Discover how Kikkoman elevates campus dining with less prep!

By Kikkoman Sales USA • Nov. 2, 2026

Starbucks’ strong comps driven by ticket growth

The chain is moving from a turnaround to a sustained growth plan, CEO Brian Niccol said, as traffic, mix, pricing and merch all contribute to sales growth.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 30, 2026

Popeyes wing cuts and value miss drag sales, Burger King stays hot

Popeyes’ focus on the core menu has improved satisfaction, food quality and value scores — but not sales. Burger King’s success sped up its refranchising.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 29, 2026

P.F. Chang’s CMO is cooking up a plan to recapture chain’s old magic

The casual Asian dining chain is a year into a turnaround and has moved from 22nd place to third in same-store sales growth among its competitive set.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 28, 2026

Casey’s launches pan pizza

The retailer is adding the offering to all of its stores as it found many markets lacked easy access to the crust type.

By Jessica Loder • Oct. 26, 2026

Making dessert work harder: The business case for seasonal LTOs

Seasonal desserts can do more than add a sweet finish — they can help drive check growth and give guests a reason to return. Discover how to create craveable holiday LTOs.

By Michelle Rivera • Oct. 26, 2026

Restaurants are about to inherit the food industry’s hardest labeling problem

Multistate operators need to create a single plan to satisfy allergen notification rules across state lines, writes Steritech’s Chris Boyles.

By Chris Boyles • Oct. 23, 2026

Taco Bell, Pepsi renew vows after KFC divorce

Remaining with the sodamaker signals strategic menu continuity for Taco Bell and the Mountain Dew Baja Blast, while sister-brand KFC pursues an overhaul.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 22, 2026

Why Q3 marked the end of fast food value wars

A two-year QSR value war produced only losers, analysts say, and brands are now looking to quality, rather than price, as a frequency driver.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 22, 2026

Sweetgreen expands craft drink lineup

Restaurants offering the four new housemade drinks saw the share of beverage transactions jump nearly 25%.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 21, 2026

Domino’s links with Minecraft to push personal pizza via gaming

The collaboration with the popular video game includes creator content, in-game items, packaging and giveaways in support of the new Domino offering.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 21, 2026

Wendy’s bets $7.99 meal deal will boost traffic

The chain’s combo meal LTO could help restore its value proposition following six quarters of sliding sales.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 20, 2026

How Whataburger’s supply chain chief curbed inflation — and fought fires along the way

The burger chain’s CSCO has worked to diversify its partner network, as well as tackle the rising cost of beef and diesel fuel.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 20, 2026

KFC ditches Pepsi for Coke in latest turnaround move

The fried chicken chain — once owned by Pepsi — will shift beverage providers as part of a broader overhaul of its menu and operations.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 16, 2026

Taco Bell tests 4 horchata beverages

Live Más Cafés will pilot the drinks ahead of a December nationwide launch as the chain pushes toward $5 billion in annual drink sales.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 15, 2026

Noodles & Company adds ramen to core menu

The chain’s Chili Garlic Ramen LTO was one of its most successful launches ever, prompting it to build out a new menu platform.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 14, 2026

Why Yum Brands is deepening supplier relationships

The restaurant company has built a network of suppliers that are “ready to flex with us” if disruption strikes, Chief Supply Chain Officer Eric Craft said.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 14, 2026