Restaurants need to adjust to the shifting landscape: While the industry struggles to attract and retain workers, customers want a deal. We look at how some are innovating to address both challenges.
Domino’s delivery partnership with Uber Eats is paying off: The platform is helping the pizza chain reach new customers, while Domino’s loyalty program revamp boosts order frequency.
Luckin overtakes Starbucks as China’s top coffee chain: The company’s aggressive expansion and ultra-low prices are helping it take market share.
DoorDash takes its show on the road: The company plans to spend big on international expansion while deepening its push into non-restaurant categories.
Starbucks looks to broaden its appeal: Accessibility and inclusion considerations will guide the design of new company-owned stores.
Shake Shack’s revenues grew 20% in Q4: The company expects consumers to maintain a healthy appetite for its premium fast-food offerings, which stand in contrast to some lower-priced chains.
Fast food has gotten too expensive for low-income consumers: High prices are causing some to think twice before venturing to McDonald’s, Taco Bell, or Starbucks.
Uber rides strong mobility, delivery demand to Q4 earnings beat: The company’s flywheel is accelerating as user frequency, transaction size continue to grow.
McDonald’s is seeing a slower start to 2024: Those results stem from challenges related to the Middle East conflict, along with lower-income consumers pulling back on eating out.
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.
Domino’s plans to hit $7 billion in global retail sales over the next five years
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.