Menu Development: Page 3
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Cava’s traffic surges in Q2
Customers are switching to the fast casual chain from across the restaurant industry thanks to its moderate approach to menu pricing.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 22, 2024 -
Taco Bell will let franchisees stop breakfast
Ditching the morning meal gives franchisees the flexibility to focus on other dayparts, the brand said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 22, 2024 -
Trendline
Menu development
Restaurants big and small are experimenting with their menus to align with the preferences of on-the-go diners and mitigate the impact of rising food costs, supply chain disruption and shrinking consumer discretionary funds.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
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 Julie Littman • Aug. 21, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 20, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 19, 2024 -
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 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 15, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 13, 2024 -
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 -
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 Julie Littman • Aug. 12, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • Aug. 12, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • Aug. 8, 2024 -
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 -
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 Julie Littman • Aug. 8, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 6, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • Aug. 2, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 31, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 31, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • July 30, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • July 29, 2024 -
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 -
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 Julie Littman • July 25, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • July 22, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 22, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • July 19, 2024