Menu Development

  • 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
  • A Swig Dirty Soda location with a drive-thru.
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    Courtesy of Swig
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    Swig is bringing dirty sodas to Colorado

    The chain, known for its indulgent soft drink concoctions, is pushing for national growth as QSRs join the beverage trend and stoke consumer demand. 

    By • May 13, 2026
  • People walking in front of a Sweetgreen on Aug.8, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Sweetgreen sales wilt in another punishing quarter

    The brand launched wraps to supplement its core bowl and salad business, following its worst quarterly same-store sales performance.

    By • May 8, 2026
  • A photograh of a beige stone building with four windows out front. It has a yello face and while McDonald's logo.
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    Neal McNeil via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s value, menu innovation drive positive Q1 comparable sales

    Traffic could build in the U.S. with the second-quarter launch of an Under $3 Menu and beverage expansion.

    By • May 7, 2026
  • A picture of a hand giving a iced coffee drink to another person.
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    Permission granted by Dutch Bros
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    How Dutch Bros doubled its brand awareness in 18 months

    Mobile ordering, loyalty upgrades, a new breakfast menu and increased density in key markets accelerated sales growth for the brand.

    By • May 7, 2026
  • An image of two pan pizzas in front of a green background. On the right is a green pizza box.
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    Permission granted by Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns suffers major 6.4% comp sales drop

    The chain hopes new menu items, operational improvements and local advertising cooperatives can fend off Domino’s value offensive.

    By • May 7, 2026
  • A marketing image for Burger King's reworked Whopper
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King’s sales jumped, Popeyes slumped in Q1

    Years of investment in the burger brand’s operations and menu have won consumers back, but a loss of focus on service and the core menu hurt the chicken chain.

    By • May 6, 2026
  • A daytime photogrpah of a white building that has an orange sign that says Popeyes Louisina Kitchen
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    Walter Cicchetti via Getty Images
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    Popeyes wraps join core menu

    This move strengthens the chain’s snacking offerings and could help it capture more occasions as it struggles to improve sluggish sales.

    By • May 5, 2026
  • A photograph of a window with two posters that say McCafe.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s updates McCafé branding ahead of beverage expansion

    The chain updated the font style and coloring on its McCafé cups to better showcase its forthcoming crafted sodas, refreshers and energy drinks.

    By • May 4, 2026
  • Several Chipotle items with the brand's version of chicken al pastor.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle traffic turns positive after menu innovation

    The chain saw transactions and sales growth during Q1 with customers attracted by Chicken Al Pastor, a Cilantro Lime sauce and high-protein items.

    By • April 30, 2026
  • A spread of KFC items including sandwiches, snackers, nuggets, fries and drinks.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    Yum Brands wants AI and beverages to supercharge growth

    The company tested AI-arranged digital menu boards at Taco Bell and created a KFC Global Innovation Pantry to transfer successful LTOs between markets.

    By • Updated April 29, 2026
  • A photograph of 15 various sandwiches on a table with a Fresh Value Menu highlighted in the background from Subway
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway enters value wars with menu priced under $5

    The chain’s Fresh Value Menu offers 15 items and joins McDonald’s and Taco Bell in targeting specific pricing to drive traffic and improve affordability.

    By • April 28, 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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    McDonald’s adds beverage specialists to make refreshers, dirty sodas

    High-performing crew members will be trained for the beverage station, with all crew members eventually rotating into the role.

    By • April 28, 2026
  • Two women sitting together eating french fries
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    Andrea D’Agosto, represented by Artist Representation LLC

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    Sponsored by Lamb Weston

    In a rapidly changing market, innovation is the strategy that drives profit

    Operators who innovate see 7.5% higher sales growth. Here’s what’s driving the shift.

    April 27, 2026
  • A rendering of a building prototype that is red and beige with Smoothie King sigange
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    Permission granted by Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King to add flatbreads, high-protein food items

    The rollout is part of a brand evolution plan that includes store redesigns and national advertising to support the chain’s aggressive growth strategy. 

    By • April 21, 2026