Menu Development

  • 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
  • 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