Menu Development

  • A photograph of salmon held in tongs over a bowl of various vegetables, rice and greens.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava adds glazed salmon to menu

    The first seafood offering at the fast casual chain could be one of several new proteins in test, including roasted garlic shrimp, coming to the menu.

    By • Updated April 15, 2026
  • Six versions of Chili's Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich
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    Courtesy of Chili's
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    Chili’s serves up new Big Crispy chicken sandwich platform

    The chain is balancing the 3 for Me value offering with more premium versions of its Big Crispy sandwich to preserve its margins and sales mix.

    By • April 15, 2026
  • Five fancy drinks at McDonald's against a dark blue background.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonalds to launch refreshers and crafted sodas in May

    The chain will expand its beverage menu nationwide after a highly successful test period at 500 restaurants last year.

    By • April 14, 2026
  • A hand holds a bread roll from Panera with a salad inside
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    Permission granted by Panera Bread
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    How Panera developed its Salad Stuffers

    Creating its Italian Stuffed Roll took 20 iterations to ensure that it had the right crunch, softness and could properly hold a salad.

    By • April 10, 2026
  • A hand holds a Burger King slider in front of boxes of similar miniature burgers.
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King tests sliders in Oregon and Ohio

    After updating the Whopper, the brand is innovating in a new burger category, with a national rollout possible depending on test market performance.

    By • Updated April 9, 2026
  • Five premium soft drinks developed by Pepsi for deployment at Saucy by KFC.
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    Courtesy of Pepsi
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    KFC’s Saucy adds premium Pepsi Drips products

    The chicken chain’s tender-focused spinoff is getting four new beverages that combine soda with premium ingredients like blue raspberry boba.

    By • April 8, 2026
  • An image of a hand holding up a bread roll stuffed with a salad
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    Permission granted by Panera Bread
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    Panera turns salads into handhelds

    The fast casual chain said the Salad Stuffer platform, which can transform any salad into a sandwich, performed well during testing.

    By • April 8, 2026
  • Three Starbucks mango strawberry refreshers on a table.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks launches highly-caffeinated refreshers

    With an extra 75 milligrams of caffeine compared to the regular versions of its refreshers, Starbucks’ new drinks widen the brand’s range of beverages.

    By • April 7, 2026
  • A photo of a person walking in front of a store holding a chicken sandwich.
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    Frozen drinks and fresh flavors emerge as c-store retailers prep for spring

    Pilot also added two new food programs, Stinker rolled out pizza rolls and Love’s debuted pesto-forward items as part of a rotating menu.

    By Jessica Loder • April 6, 2026
  • Foods with flavor bubbles toppings
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    Permission granted by The Culinary Institute of America
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    Sponsored by KIKKOMAN SALES USA, INC.

    The science of spherification: 3 key takeaways from the ‘Year of the Sphere’

    Discover how spherification is evolving into an essential tool for the modern kitchen.

    April 6, 2026
  • A collage of Coke pairings at QSR chains
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    Courtesy of Coca-Cola
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    Coca-Cola reasserts fast food dominance over Pepsi in new campaign

    For the first time, the soda giant is bringing together more than a dozen QSRs to demonstrate how diverse customers are united by their drink orders.

    By Chris Kelly • April 3, 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 sets date for Under $3 Menu debut

    The value menu, which launches April 21, will include at least 10 items and builds on the chain’s strategy of boosting traffic with low-priced items.

    By • April 2, 2026
  • Nestle, sparkling water, caffeine
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    Courtesy of Nestle
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    How c-stores are capitalizing on Americans’ caffeine obsession

    Convenience stores are uniquely set up to meet consumers’ increasing appetite for the stimulant, from deeper beverage selections to snacks and energy shots, experts say.

    By Christine Blank • March 31, 2026
  • A spread of KFC items including sandwiches, snackers, nuggets, fries and drinks.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC mimics Taco Bell in latest value play

    The $7, $9 and $11 Value Feast Boxes can offer significant discounts — almost reaching 50% — according to a Restaurant Dive analysis.

    By • March 31, 2026
  • An image of three iced coffees with a sky blue background
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    Permission granted by IHOP
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    IHOP expands value platform, launches proprietary coffee

    The menu updates are part of the chain’s strategy to drive traffic with wallet-friendly offers and boost check averages with premium items.

    By • March 31, 2026
  • A fast food chicken sandwich with a breaded cutlet, soft potato bun, mayo, tomatoes and pickles.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s upgrades chicken sandwich lineup

    The brand said enhancements like new breading, buns and reformulated mayo makes the items juicier and better than the competition.

    By • March 30, 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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    Papa Johns launches toasted sandwich lineup

    Under pressure from Domino’s growing market share, Papa Johns launched a new menu category that could expand its reach across consumer cohorts.

    By • March 30, 2026
  • An image of three large platters in the forefront with various food items. I nthe bagkround there are three cups, chips and tortillas.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    How 10 major restaurant chains are overhauling their strategies

    From Wendy’s to Outback, heavyweight brands are investing in new menu items and operational improvements  — often accompanied by closures and renovations — to get back on track.

    By • March 26, 2026
  • An image of a McDonald's sign
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    JillianCain via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s Big Arch Burger drives only mild traffic boost

    Traffic rose just 2.2% during the week of the premium burger’s launch despite the product generating significant social media buzz, per Placer.ai.

    By • March 23, 2026
  • A spread of pasta entrees from Maggiano's Little Italy.
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    Courtesy of Maggiano's Little Italy
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    Maggiano’s raises portion sizes in Chili’s-style value play

    Increasing portions could help the brand draw more traffic, but structural factors mean its turnaround won’t be as fast — or dramatic — as Chili’s revival.

    By • March 18, 2026
  • Taco Bell's Cantina Chicken Rolled Quesadilla
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell adds premium chicken quesadilla to permanent menu

    The Yum Brands subsidiary is building a differentiated chicken lineup as the protein takes QSR menus by storm.

    By • March 17, 2026
  • An image of various burritos and other items from Taco Bell.
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell
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    Q4 2025’s restaurant winners and loses

    Casual dining? Good, not great. Fast casual? Bad, not terrible. Taco Bell? Living Más. Wendy's? Living Menos.

    By • March 16, 2026
  • Three brightly colored drinks from Sonic.
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    Courtesy of Sonic
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    Sonic launches caffeinated refreshers as QSR drinks boom

    The drinks boast 45 milligrams of caffeine alongside fruit inclusions, giving the brand a premium product for snacking occasions and the afternoon daypart.

    By • March 16, 2026
  • A close up photograph of a cheeseburger with tomatoes, red onions, lettuce and pickles.
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    Getty Images
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    Beef costs exceed burger prices, pressuring QSRs

    A Datassential report revealed that prices for the menu item are up 14%, while meat costs are up 32% over the past two years.

    By • March 13, 2026
  • Customers enter a McDonald's restaurant.
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    Mario Tama / Staff via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s reportedly eyes $3 or less value platform

    The low-priced menu will include items like a four-piece Chicken McNuggets and a sausage biscuit when it launches in April, per The Wall Street Journal.

    By • March 12, 2026