Menu Development: Page 22


  • Chef Scott Rodriguez, Applebee's chief culinary officer
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    Courtesy of https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221024005086/en
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    Applebee’s hires Papa Johns, BJ’s vet as culinary lead

    Chef Scott Rodriguez has over two decades of casual dining experience, and helped chains create new offerings through research and development. 

    By Oct. 24, 2022
  • An image of three Krispy Kreme doughnuts and six in a box.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's/Krispy Kreme
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    McDonald’s to sell Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Louisville

    Three doughnut varieties will be available for in-restaurant and drive-thru purchases at nine McDonald’s units starting Oct. 26. 

    By Oct. 18, 2022
  • A photo of pizza folded that is part of Pizza Hut's new menu launched in October 2022.
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    Courtesy of Pizza Hut
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    Pizza Hut adds menu category with Melts

    The launch of handheld Pizza Hut Melts follows a rollout of oven-baked pastas as the chain struggles to reverse same-store sales declines.

    By Oct. 18, 2022
  • An image of Domino's pizza boxes
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Domino’s to raise pricing on carryout Mix & Match Deal

    Months after raising delivery Mix & Match item prices from $5.99 to $6.99, the chain plans to do the same for carryout because the deal retained value. 

    By Oct. 13, 2022
  • Four McDonald's figurines designed by Cactus Plant Flea Market encircle a Happy Meal placed on a red table against a sky-blue backdrop.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's USA
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    Deja vu? McDonald’s adult Happy Meals raise specter of past promos run awry

    Kotaku pointed to posts from overwhelmed employees on Reddit and TikTok, while a budding resale market underpins strong demand for the meals.

    By Peter Adams • Updated Oct. 10, 2022
  • Pete Davidson for Taco Bell
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Pete Davidson pairs new Taco Bell breakfast item with an apology

    The Breakfast Crunchwrap reflects an effort by the QSR to reach consumers looking for comfort and familiarity in the morning.

    By Sara Karlovitch • Oct. 4, 2022
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet.
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    Getty Images
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    Report: 31% of restaurants have reduced menu size due to inflation

    Another 38% of restaurants have adjusted the number of food suppliers they use, according to a Toast survey. 

    By Oct. 3, 2022
  • Four McDonald's figurines designed by Cactus Plant Flea Market encircle a Happy Meal placed on a red table against a sky-blue backdrop.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's USA
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    McDonald’s repackages Happy Meals for adults with cult streetwear label

    Meant to invoke nostalgia, the menu bundles come with unique art and collectible figurines as the chain tries to align with pop culture tastemakers.

    By Peter Adams • Sept. 30, 2022
  • An image of various pumpkins in green, white, orange and various sizes.
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    Getty Images
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    Report: Pumpkin-flavored menu items flood restaurants

    In the last 30 days, SpotOn’s restaurant clients have added nearly 2,000 pumpkin-flavored menu items, 40% of which are pumpkin-flavored beers.

    By Sept. 26, 2022
  • An image of a beige building with Pie Five logo on the outside.
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    Permission granted by Rave Restaurant Group
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    Pie Five rolls out biggest menu transformation in its history

    After six months of testing, the company will add individual pizzas to its menu and eliminate large pizzas. 

    By Sept. 23, 2022
  • A selection of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's food with new branding
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    Courtesy of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
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    Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s refresh brand identity with flavor as inspiration

    The changes will debut in an ad campaign and come months after parent company CKE announced plans for a $500 million brand transformation.

    By Chris Kelly • Sept. 23, 2022
  • Livestock cows in New Zealand
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    Permission granted by Silver Fern Farms
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    Report: Beef prices to rise 15% in 2023, poultry costs will fall

    Poultry prices are expected to ease substantially next year, benefiting chicken-heavy brands like Wingstop and Chipotle, according to a BTIG report.

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 22, 2022
  • Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Report: Starbucks, Dunkin’ score traffic bump from pumpkin spice lattes

    Placer.ai finds visits at Starbucks and Dunkin’ rose nearly 26% and nearly 10%, respectively, in the week following their fall menu launches.

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 20, 2022
  • Chipotle Garlic Guajillo Steak metaverse
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle launches its Garlic Guajillo Steak in the metaverse

    The chain says the menu item, which will debut in the Chipotle Grill Simulator on Roblox, is the first from a restaurant brand to launch in the metaverse.

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 13, 2022
  • An image of several plant-based meat items from Baja Fresh
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    Courtesy of Baja Fresh
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    Baja Fresh makes plant-based items permanent

    The Impossible Meat taco, burrito and bowl received positive customer feedback during the yearlong test at the fast casual chain.

    By Sept. 1, 2022
  • A picture of three sandwiches
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    Permission granted by Del Taco
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    Del Taco adds tortas to its menu

    The addition of Epic Tortas comes nine months after the debut of Del Taco’s 20 for $2 value menu, which helped drive sales during the most recent quarter. 

    By Aug. 30, 2022
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    Courtesy of CKE
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    Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s ask Twitch community to help build new menu item

    After polling followers about their favorite ingredients, the brands are sponsoring creator livestreams where people can vote on their preferred meals.

    By Peter Adams • Aug. 26, 2022
  • Brinker International launched its second virtual brand, Maggiano's Italian Classics, in 2021.
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    Retrieved from Maggiano's Italian Classics on August 18, 2021
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    Brinker to trim virtual brand menu, hike prices

    The company is rightsizing menus, pricing and kitchen operations for It’s Just Wings and Maggiano’s Italian Classics, which drove 6% of sales in fiscal 2022. 

    By Aug. 25, 2022
  • Burger King Impossible Chicken Sandwich
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King’s original chicken sandwich goes plant based

    The brand’s Impossible Original Chick’n Sandwich pilot follows two Impossible Whopper launches and last year’s Impossible Nuggets test.

    By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 22, 2022
  • An image of a table and several plates with a burger and breakfast items
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    Permission granted by IHOP
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    IHOP’s new menu serves up customization

    The Choice menu, which includes made-to-order griddle combos, steakburgers and chicken sandwiches, will be available any time of day.

    By Aug. 22, 2022
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    yaoinlove via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s will test a Chicken Big Mac in Miami

    The Chicken Big Mac received positive diner reviews when it launched for a limited time in the U.K. earlier this year, according to McDonald’s. 

    By Aug. 18, 2022
  • A marketing image featuring several Taco Bell products with the company's new plant-based protein blend.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell pilots its own plant-based protein option

    Customers will be able to try the proprietary soy and pea protein blend in menu items at participating stores in the Birmingham, Alabama, area. 

    By Aug. 18, 2022
  • Applebee's launched a virtual brand Cosmic Wings February 2021 with Uber Eats.
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    Permission granted by Cosmic Wings
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    Applebee’s to add items from virtual brand Cosmic Wings to core menu

    The strategy will help the wing brand expand its reach from 13% of customers to 100%, Applebee’s President John Cywinski said. 

    By Aug. 10, 2022
  • An image of three bowls that contain various food items like pepperoni, meats and vegetables
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    Permission granted by Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns’ latest menu item removes the dough

    Papa Bowls is the third product launch at the pizza chain this year, and franchisees are excited about this item because of how easy it is to cook. 

    By Aug. 9, 2022
  • A person holds a smartphone showing the Starbucks app
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Despite menu price increases, Starbucks Rewards members keep coming back

    Guest counts reached an all-time high during the quarter, with loyalty customer growth outpacing non-members. 

    By Aug. 3, 2022