Menu Development: Page 7

  • A Starbucks worker holds a beverage.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks to eliminate non-dairy milk upcharge, hold prices steady

    The coffee giant will move towards greater price transparency on customized drinks while cutting back on ineffective discounts, CEO Brian Niccol said.

    By • Oct. 31, 2024
  • Three versions of Subway's value meal, each consisting of a six-inch sub, small drink and sides.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway adds $6.99 meal deal through year’s end

    The monthslong discount signals a shift towards greater value emphasis for the chain, which has stayed largely aloof from 2024’s QSR price wars.

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
  • A photograph of chefs in a kitchen. Explore the Trendline➔
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    sam edwards via Getty Images
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    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
  • A large Zaxbys chicken finger pack. Many chicken fingers, pieces of toast and fries in a box.
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    Courtesy of Zaxbys
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    Zaxbys raises 4 dishes from LTO to permanent status

    As the chicken chain looks to accelerate national growth, new menu items could play a pivotal role in driving sales.

    By • Oct. 28, 2024
  • 7-Eleven
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    Retrieved from Seven & i Holdings.
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    7-Eleven plans 600 stores with new food-focused design by 2027

    The retailer’s newest format features “a larger product assortment and expanded food and beverage offerings,” CEO Joseph DePinto told investors on Thursday.

    By Brett Dworski • Oct. 28, 2024
  • People enter a McDonald's restaurant that has posters on the windows advertising meal deals.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s grilled by senators on price increases

    The chain said the lawmakers contorted facts and made inaccurate claims, and that their concerns reflect a lack of understanding of its franchising model. 

    By • Oct. 24, 2024
  • A photograph of a black sign that says "Starbucks Coffee Company" in front of a brick building.
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Starbucks’ US sales down as traffic nosedives

    CEO Brian Niccol said the chain will address issues with its complex menu, pricing architecture and mobile order and payments system.

    By • Oct. 23, 2024
  • A photographof three sandwiches at Dickey's
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    Courtesy of Dickey's
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    Dickey’s enhances menu with Southern-inspired fare

    The new menu accompanies recent strategic initiatives that include ceasing expansion of its non-barbecue brands and reinvesting in its traditional restaurants.

    By • Oct. 16, 2024
  • A person in a PSL hat sits at a table pouring something into a glass.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Looking to replace pumpkin spice? Stop looking.

    One day there may be another innovative product that hits the cultural zeitgeist, but even then experts say the fall favorite is here to stay.

    By Cara Salpini • Oct. 14, 2024
  • 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 tie-up with Krispy Kreme expands to Chicago

    The Golden Arches’ home market starts serving Krispy Kreme doughnuts next week as part of a drive to add the treats to 1,000 of its restaurants this year.

    By • Oct. 11, 2024
  • A picture of a hand lifting a Chicken Al Pastor Street Chalupa with another in the background.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell to test chicken al pastor

    The Al Pastor Street Chalupa is the first flavor variant of Taco Bell’s Cantina Chicken Menu. The chain will test more al pastor items in the future. 

    By • Oct. 9, 2024
  • An image of three noodle dishes from Noodles & Company
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    Permission granted by Noodles & Company
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    Noodles & Company brings new flavors to menu with 3 dishes

    The fast casual chain’s transformation will touch two-thirds of the menu and will fill in flavor gaps with items like Chipotle Chicken Cavatappi. 

    By • Oct. 9, 2024
  • Am image of a sign on a window that says "Meal Deal" and shows a chicken sandwich and burger with nuggest, fries and a Coca-Cola.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Did McDonald’s $5 Value Meal bring customers back? Here’s what the data shows.

    Traffic rose in the days following the promotion launch, but customers still view pricing negatively at McDonald’s.

    By • Oct. 8, 2024
  • EG Group
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    Retrieved from Cumberland Farms website.
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    EG America reveals 3 new foodservice concepts

    A Cumberland Farms store in Massachusetts is now home to the retailer’s first Alanza Pizza, Burger Baby and Wing Trip locations.

    By Jessica Loder • Oct. 8, 2024
  • Del Taco items against a white background.
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    Courtesy of Del Taco
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    Del Taco rolls out meal combos starting at $4.49

    The Mexican QSR chain’s new combo meals could help improve consumer value perceptions as 2024’s discount wars continue.

    By • Oct. 4, 2024
  • An image of a chicken big mac sold by a McDonald's duplicate set up by the chain to promote the sandwich
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s takes Chicken Big Mac national

    The sandwich, which is available starting Oct. 10 while supplies last, could help the chain recover traffic and sales. It swaps the Big Mac’s beef patties for tempura-coated chicken.

    By • Oct. 3, 2024
  • A photo of food items in a warming case in either wrappers or boxes. The boxes read "Hatch chicken."
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    Permission granted by Rebel
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    Rebel introduces Hatch Chicken QSR

    The proprietary eatery features a variety of chicken and sides and is expected to expand to 20 additional stores next year.

    By Jessica Loder • Oct. 2, 2024
  • An image of people sitting at tables eating barbecue. The walls say "Dickey's."
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    Courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Dickey’s to cease expanding non-barbecue brands

    Virtual brands grew over the past four years, but never had the same success of Dickey’s Barbecue, said Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group.

    By • Oct. 1, 2024
  • Shake Shack food with Worth It tagline
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    Retrieved from Shake Shack on October 01, 2024
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    Shake Shack touts premium ingredients in multichannel ‘Worth It’ ads

    Commercials that leverage slow-motion footage and a voice-over about how the chain lives up to the hype arrive as competitors focus on affordability. 

    By Jessica Hammers • Oct. 1, 2024
  • Couche-Tard
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    Retrieved from Couche-Tard.
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    The c-store value deals keep on rolling

    Circle K and EG America are the latest players to launch $5 meals amid what's become a booming trend this year to compete with QSRs.

    By Brett Dworski • Sept. 30, 2024
  • Several items from Sonic Drive-In arranged to showcase the brand's changes to its Fun99 value menu
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    Courtesy of Sonic
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    Sonic Drive-In switches up its $1.99 value menu

    The QSR chain, which added its permanent value menu in July, added Cream Slushes and Grilled Cheese Burgers as competition around affordability grows.

    By • Sept. 30, 2024
  • An image of a man with white hair wearing a suit
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    Courtesy of IHOP
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    IHOP president Jay Johns to retire

    Lawrence Kim, chief innovation officer at Yum, has been appointed president designee, effective Oct. 21, and will succeed Johns on Jan. 6.

    By • Sept. 26, 2024
  • Firehouse Subs hot sauce bar
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    Courtesy of Firehouse Subs
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    Firehouse Subs brings back fan-favorite Hot Sauce Bar with new campaign

    The RBI-owned sandwich chain debuted its first major effort since adopting a multi-agency roster model to handle its marketing earlier this year.

    By Aaron Baar • Sept. 26, 2024
  • Person in suit holds Qdoba queso
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    Courtesy of Qdoba
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    Qdoba looks to own National Queso Day on its way to national expansion

    New menu item Queso Apocalypto reflects the popularity of spicy foods and arrives as the chain ramps up marketing to Gen Z and adds locations.

    By Aaron Baar • Sept. 24, 2024
  • Castor River Habitat & Farm packaged rice
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    Permission granted by Castor River Habitat & Farm
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    Sponsored by Our Farms

    Just Salad sources regenerative rice

    It started with a simple vision: food that tastes great and doesn’t cost the planet. For Just Salad, that vision guides everything from pioneering carbon-labeled menus to their famous reusable bowls

    Sept. 23, 2024
  • People enter a McDonald's restaurant that has posters on the windows advertising meal deals.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Why consumers, not restaurants, are dictating value

    Guests with tighter budgets are seeking out more affordable options, and restaurants — desperate for their dollars — are responding with a battle for the best value offer. 

    By • Sept. 18, 2024