It’s a tough time to be a mid-market restaurant chain: Consumers’ pullback on dining out has led Denny’s, TGI Friday’s, and Shari’s to close locations.
McDonald’s doesn’t want to be political: But franchisees in the US and Israel have put the brand in political hot water.
Not every restaurant chain is joining the value war: Chains such as Potbelly, Chipotle, and Red Robin that cater to slightly more affluent consumers are using a lighter touch to attract customers.
McDonald’s targets Gen Zers with limited-time Chicken Big Mac offering: The QSR is supporting the launch with a campaign that highlights dupe culture, livestreaming, and other generational touchstones.
Olive Garden inks delivery partnership with Uber following parent Darden Restaurants’ poor quarter: The company missed sales and earnings expectations as consumers cut back on restaurant visits.
McDonald’s, Starbucks refocus on core strengths: McDonald’s added kiosks for faster service, and Starbucks enhanced its stores’ ambiance to encourage longer customer visits.
Biden administration puts airlines’ loyalty programs under the microscope: The probe, which examines how carriers devalue points that consumers have earned, could send ripple effects across other industries.
Consumers still think fast food is too expensive, despite the value meal wars: While deals are boosting foot traffic in the short term, operators face long-term difficulties as customers either trade up to fast-casual chains or pull back entirely.
Starbucks tasks Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol with turning its business around: The company hopes the leadership change will reverse several quarters of declining sales—and reduce scrutiny from Howard Schultz and activist investors.
DoorDash is the latest delivery platform to turn to streaming to boost membership sign-ups: The company will offer DashPass subscribers free access to Max’s ad-supported tier in a bid to boost sign-ups and grow sales.
Fast food sales are under pressure as consumers zero in on value: Despite an industry-wide price war, recovery is uncertain as grocers and full-service chains capitalize on price sensitivities.
Uber and DoorDash report double-digit growth as customers prioritize convenience: Order frequency rose in Q2 thanks to both companies’ membership programs and growing selections of merchants.
Starbucks’ North American sales declined over the last two quarters: While the company isn’t satisfied with its results, efforts to win back customers and make coffee shops more efficient are working.
McDonald’s sales fell for the first time since 2020: The company’s overreliance on price hikes led it to lose its “value leadership” positioning. Reestablishing that role is the key to its turnaround.
Grab acquires Chope’s restaurant reservation business in Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, providing a blueprint for super apps absorbing flailing services to expand user engagement.
McDonald’s $5 meal deal boosts traffic: The company plans to seize on those gains by extending the offer as it looks to bolster “affordability plans” through the rest of the year.
Consumers’ hunger for restaurant meals continues into 2024: Our Industry KPIs data shows healthy demand for QSRs and fast-casual operators as diners look for deals.
Darden acquires Tex-Mex chain Chuy’s to stay current with Gen Z: The restaurant chain is diversifying its portfolio to keep pace with younger consumers’ palates as casual dining sales fall.
Pret-a-Manger ditches free coffee subscription, to customers’ dismay: The chain will switch to a cheaper model that it says will offer better value to a larger audience.