Menu Development: Page 2

  • An image of several cherry and almond pastries with a spoon drizzling icing on top.
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera bakes up new pastries, sweets

    Months after its biggest menu transformation to date, the chain added five baked goods and three croissant breakfast sandwiches to its lineup.

    By • Aug. 21, 2024
  • Freebird World Burrito's brisket-based menu items.
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    Courtesy of Freebird World Burrito
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    Sun Holdings buys 64-unit Freebirds World Burrito

    The Texas-based burrito brand is Sun Holdings’ second purchase of a brand, and proof of its ability to grow as a brand owner, CEO Guillermo Perales said.

    By • Aug. 20, 2024
  • Sherif Mityas has been promoted to Brix CEO.
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    Courtesy of Brix Holdings
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    Q&A

    Friendly’s plans a comeback after decades of decline

    The CEO of the chain’s parent company says a new menu, store renovations and social media savvy moves are breathing new life into the retro brand.

    By • Aug. 19, 2024
  • An image of serveral food items from Taco Bell's Craving's Value Menu
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    C-stores are taking aim at QSRs in the value war. Will it pay off?

    C-stores are using value offerings to compete with QSRs as consumers look for cheaper options.

    By Christine Blank • Aug. 16, 2024
  • A Chili's Burger framed by fries and a drink.
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    Courtesy of Brinker
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    Chili’s sees sales, traffic surge

    By emphasizing price competitiveness with fast food, Brinker International’s flagship brand avoided the downturn that has plagued other full-service chains.

    By • Aug. 15, 2024
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken's 2024 $5 value deals: A chicken nuggets combo, a famous bowl with mashed potatoes and nuggets, and a 2-piece combo.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC expands $5 meal deal

    As U.S. sales shrink, KFC’s new value meals and several digital exclusives could help the chain win back consumers.

    By • Aug. 13, 2024
  • Impossible Quality Meats menu
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    Permission granted by Impossible Foods
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    Impossible Foods opens first brick and mortar concept

    CEO Peter McGuinness said Impossible Quality Meats is part of the company’s mission to prove its plant-based products are not like “a warm beer or a cold shower.”

    By Elizabeth Flood • Aug. 12, 2024
  • A photograph of a Potbelly sandwich shop sign.
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    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
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    Potbelly boosts value scores with $7.99 Skinny Combo

    The deal hits a sweet spot for consumers who feel like they’re getting a filling meal without having to break the bank, CEO Robert Wright said. 

    By • Aug. 12, 2024
  • A photograph of a pink building with white polka dots with a sign that says "The Original Rainbow Cone."
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    Permission granted by The Original Rainbow Cone
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    Deep Dive

    Dessert concepts are seeing record growth. But are they just a fad?

    To stay relevant, chains like The Original Rainbow Cone and Dirty Dough are expanding their menus beyond their core offerings.

    By • Aug. 12, 2024
  • An image of a Noodles & Company restaurant with outdoor seating
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    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
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    Noodles & Company to add 3 new menu items in October

    The ongoing transformation, which will include new and improved dishes, will impact two-thirds of its offerings and help drive guest transactions.

    By • Aug. 8, 2024
  • Rendering of a store design.
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    Courtesy of Knuckies Hoagies
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    Walmart adds hoagies to in-store restaurant roster

    The retailer plans to open 14 in-store Knuckies Hoagies locations across six states just weeks after announcing partnerships with Crave’s Hot Dogs and Mr. Gatti’s Pizza. 

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Aug. 8, 2024
  • An image of Papa Johns sign on a store
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns wants to improve its value perception

    After posting a comparable sales decline of 3.6% in North America, the chain is working to highlight its value offerings instead of just its premium products.

    By • Aug. 8, 2024
  • An image of various chicken cantina items offered by Taco Bell
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell’s menu innovations drive US same-store sales

    The chain’s premium Chicken Cantina menu shifted its sales mix towards chicken by 10 points and joined other LTOs and value deals in driving sales growth.

    By • Aug. 6, 2024
  • A Denny's location in Emeryville, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Denny’s ramps up value with relaunch of popular menu

    The $2, $4, $6, $8 menu will return in the next few weeks with the addition of a $10 category after initial tests revealed an uptick in traffic and improved customer perception of value.

    By • Aug. 2, 2024
  • A building with a white exterior and branding for District Taco
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    Permission granted by District Taco
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    Deep Dive

    How 4 chains are chasing Chipotle

    From small regional brands to old challengers undergoing an overhaul, Mexican brands are relying on menu differentiation and franchising to catch the segment leader.

    By • July 31, 2024
  • Starbucks Summer Berry Refreshers beverages, blue drinks with red pearls.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks’ US traffic troubles continue

    Domestic comparable traffic fell 6% in Q3 despite the chain’s efforts to drive sales with product launches and improved operational throughput.

    By • July 31, 2024
  • An image of McDonald's McDouble and Big Mac.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    McDonald’s pilots a ‘more satiating burger’

    In addition to improving its core burgers, the chain plans to further deploy its McCrispy platform, now available in over 55 markets globally.

    By • July 30, 2024
  • A photo of crinkle fries in a box that says Sonic and two burgers next to each other in front of a blue backdrop.
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    Permission granted by Sonic Drive-In
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    Sonic Drive-In smashes up burger menu

    The new smashed burgers follow on the heels of the brand’s addition of a $1.99 value menu and six premium drinks. 

    By • July 29, 2024
  • Closeup image of cook beating dairy butter and salt in metal bowl
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    DragonImages via iStock

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    Sponsored by Catania Oils

    As butter prices soar, alternatives gain appeal

    As butter prices climb to record highs, restaurateurs look to liquid butter alternatives for relief.

    July 29, 2024
  • An image of Red Loster sign on the outside of a restaurant
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Red Lobster expects positive net income by fiscal 2026

    The chain also anticipates adjusted EBITDA growth of 43% from fiscal 2025 to 2027 after emerging from Chapter 11.

    By • July 25, 2024
  • An image of a cheeseburger, chicken sandwhich, chicken nuggest, fries and a drink on a blank background. The image includes "$5 Meal Deal" wording.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    How chains are competing in the 2024 value wars

    From McDonald’s and Burger King’s $5 meals to Del Taco’s $2 menu, fast food chains ramped up their value meals this year to attract price-sensitive guests.

    By • July 22, 2024
  • El Pollo Loco's new guacamole burritos.
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    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
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    El Pollo Loco adds new types of burritos to its menu

    The burritos, which include guacamole at no upcharge, are a response to customer demand for more filling menu items.

    By • July 22, 2024
  • A white plate with the words "sizzler" and "family steakhouse" with a burger, fries and pickles. The photo also includes a basket of cheese toast, wrapped silverware and two drinks.
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    Permission granted by Sizzler
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    Sizzler upgrades burger menu

    The Prime Rib Burger and Crispy Bacon Burger are part of the chain’s efforts to refresh its image, said Robert Clark, Sizzler USA’s chief growth officer.

    By • July 19, 2024
  • A photo of a plate with two fried eggs, two slices of bacon and two pancakes with syrup.
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    Permission granted by Perkins
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    Perkins enters value wars with breakfast trios

    The chain’s Great American Trio sells at a price point of $5 to $7, making it competitive with similar meals offered by Denny’s and IHOP. 

    By • July 19, 2024
  • Two sandwiches on plates from Panera Bread
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera Bread spices up sandwich menu

    The chain also added two avocado toast flavors and revived blueberry and sesame bagels as part of its latest menu change.

    By • July 18, 2024