Restaurants & Dining

Starbucks, Sweetgreen tweak membership programs to boost customer appeal: They’re not alone—54% of retailers plan to enhance their loyalty offerings this year.

Starbucks posts weaker growth as headwinds weigh on sales: The company is facing pressure from cost-conscious consumers in China, as well as stagnating foot traffic in the US.

Nearly 53,800 restaurants opened their doors last year: That was up 10% year-over-year. That growth shows no sign of abating as several chains plot aggressive expansion plans.

Starbucks bets on breakfast while more QSRs get into beverages: The coffee chain is hoping its new menu will encourage customers to buy more and visit more often, as well as hold off the competition.

Restaurants ended 2023 on a high note: Spending was up 7.8% YoY from November 1 to December 24, and that growth should continue as consumer sentiment improves.

Ghost kitchens disappeared as quickly as they came: Quality issues, consumer ambivalence, and shifting dining behaviors contributed to their downfall.

The robot is not ready to take your order: Over 70% of customer interactions at AI-powered drive-thrus require staff to step in, according to tech provider Presto.

McDonald’s ambitious expansion plan includes a play for Starbucks customers: The fast-food chain plans to open nearly 9,000 stores by 2027—including 10 locations of new small-format concept CosMc’s.

Consumers’ tastes have changed: While McDonald’s has benefited from consumers’ growing thriftiness, it recognizes that improving quality is key to its long-term success.

The tight labor market has driven up store associates’ pay: That’s a solid investment given that well-paid staff typically have longer tenures, which helps them deliver a better customer experience.

Starbucks, DoorDash, Mondelēz beat expectations as consumers spring for affordable indulgences: Shoppers continue to spend big on food delivery, snacks, and pumpkin spice lattes.

Taco Bell’s US same-store sales rose 8% in Q3: That made it the bright spot in parent company Yum Brands’ results thanks to aggressive promotions that appealed to cost-conscious consumers.

Retailers can learn a lot from quick-service restaurants in delivering a satisfying customer experience. Chipotle leverages first-party data for more personalized and predictive offers, while Sweetgreen experiments with new formats and technologies to provide a more omnichannel experience. Plus, Starbucks has proven that brand loyalty can go a long way even when making changes.

Higher prices aren’t scaring away McDonald’s customers: The fast-food chain surged past analysts’ expectations thanks to rising check sizes, and growing digital and delivery sales.

Chipotle has raised price five times since June 2021: It plans another hike next year in California when the state’s minimum wage for fast-food workers jumps to $20 in April.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how Netflix's ad business is coming along; the streaming giant's first live sports broadcast; and its new retail, dining, and live experience destinations. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Daniel Konstantinovic.

To build loyalty, brands first need to establish a foundation of trust by delivering on the basics. From there, brands can use subscription programs to ramp up purchase frequency and social media to engage with brand advocates. But to keep customers coming back, brands need to be constantly optimizing. Here’s some advice from executives at DoorDash and Taco Bell on how to build brand loyalty and what it takes to retain a loyal customer base.

It’s getting easier to score deals at grocery stores and restaurants: While prices are far higher than they were before the pandemic, promotions are back in vogue.

Pret plans to quintuple its US footprint by 2029: The sandwich chain wants to grow its presence in the suburbs and transportation hubs as the return to office stalls.