McDonald’s faces stiff headwinds: Boycotts related to the war in the Middle East ate into its international business in Q1, while lower-income consumers in the US pull back.
Most restaurants are unconvinced by virtual brands: But while Chipotle backs away, IHOP sees an opportunity to expand beyond the breakfast business.
Operating costs are on the rise, prices are going up, and consumers are pulling back.
Chipotle’s sales soar in Q1: But the company’s intense emphasis on speed comes at the cost of a high burnout rate among employees.
Starbucks resumes talks with union as public opinion forces concessions: But a Supreme Court ruling could shift power in the company’s favor by making it harder to challenge unfair labor practices.
OpenTable aims to ensure the credibility of its review program: The restaurant reservation platform will begin showing members’ profile pictures and first names in reviews.
Rising QSR prices may be driving customers away: The average price was up 4.0% YoY in Q1, while traffic fell 3.5%.
Uber Eats looks to short-form videos to differentiate its platform: The format could help restaurants attract attention and highlight dishes, giving it a good chance of success.
McDonald’s learned a tough lesson about its global franchise model: The company bought all 225 of its franchised restaurants in Israel to give it firm control over its brand.
Nano-influencers reign on Instagram with a 6.23% engagement rate: TikTok's top influencers, meanwhile, maintain a 4.95% rate.
Fast-food franchisees explore cost-cutting options as California minimum wage hike looms: Operators are laying off workers, outsourcing delivery, and investing in automation—in addition to raising prices.
Consumers are dining out less often: Darden Restaurants reported softer same-restaurant sales as price pressures drive lower-income households to cut back.
Discover the dynamic shift toward digital wallets in the US and the UK in the latest podcast episode of "Behind the Numbers: The Banking & Payments Show." Delve into the compelling discourse on how younger generations' move to digital is rendering traditional wallets obsolete. Join host Rob Rubin, our US-based analyst Tyler Van Dyke, and UK-based analyst Carina Perkins as they unravel trends in digital transactions for dining, shopping, and ID verification. In the "For Argument's Sake" section, we dissect the fierce competition for market dominance among industry giants like Apple and Google, established players like PayPal, rising star Paze, and potential disruptors. Tune in for a forward-looking conversation and hit subscribe for the latest insights. Key insights: - Youth-led shift: Analysis reveals a robust trend among younger consumers pivoting to digital wallets for everyday activities, indicating a cultural and technological shift. - Market dominance debate: We uncover the strategic moves by tech titans and emergent challengers vying to capture the largest share of digital wallet users. - Cross-Atlantic perspectives: Insights from US and UK analysts present a diverse view on the adoption of digital wallets, offering a broader understanding of the global digital economy.
Wonder raises $700 million to fund its expansion efforts: The Marc Lore-led food delivery startup is aiming for nearly 100 locations by the end of 2025.
McDonald’s positions itself as a place to score a cheap meal: That’s familiar terrain for the fast-food giant, which should help convey that message to consumers.
Dynamic pricing is taking hold in restaurants: Adoption is rising as operators look to offset delivery costs and match prices to demand.
Coach follows in Ralph Lauren’s footsteps with hospitality launch: The brand joins a growing number of luxury players relying on restaurants to boost business.
Cava and Sweetgreen deliver healthy Q4 growth: Consumers’ appetites for fast, healthful food is driving the two QSR chains to expand.
Wendy’s defends its dynamic pricing plan against criticism: The QSR says it won’t raise prices when demand is higher. But the damage may already be done.
Starbucks softens its anti-union stance: That could help rebuild the company’s tarnished reputation.