Beyond hot chocolate: Sweeten your customers' cups with Ghirardelli year-round

Hot cocoa isn't just for cold, snowy days anymore. Customers look for different ways to get their chocolate fix year-round.

Nov. 29, 2021

How brands are turning inclusive holiday campaigns into more than 'inspiration porn'

Starbucks and Target lead the way for marketers trying to authentically embrace diversity and inclusion during a busy yet reflective season.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 24, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Restaurant Dive

Check out a selection of articles about some of the biggest trends — from the rise of dessert concepts to a cohort of Mexican chains trying to overtake Chipotle  — shaping the restaurant industry in 2024.

By Restaurant Dive staff

Toast's new restaurant products suite aims to alleviate labor pressure

Based on customer feedback, the POS platform developed features that will help operators manage operations and pay, Co-founder and President Aman Narang said.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 16, 2021

Re-imagining the drive-thru to meet new consumer patterns

What's behind the resurgence of drive-thrus and how can restaurants capture their share of this burgeoning market?

Nov. 15, 2021

Make your business an escape from holiday stress with custom entertainment

As the holiday season ramps up, so do customers' stress levels — here’s how businesses can be more mindful.

Nov. 15, 2021

Study: Mobile gamers level up commitment to QSR digital ordering

The growing number of mobile gamers ordering takeout via apps and websites could be pertinent to brands in the QSR space, per AdColony.

By Asa Hiken • Nov. 11, 2021

McDonald's cooks up first NFT play by flipping rare McRib into digital art

Celebrating the cult favorite's 40th anniversary, the chain enshrined the sandwich as a permanent asset that fans can own via a Twitter sweepstakes.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 28, 2021

Bringing the phygital experience to restaurants

With the ever-growing use of technologies used in the restaurant industry, customers expect the same level of personalization and convenience in person as they do online.

Oct. 26, 2021

C3 is opening first brick-and-mortar market in Manhattan

The digital restaurant platform's 40,000-square-foot food hall, dubbed Citizens New York, will allow diners to eat on-premise or order for takeout and delivery.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 26, 2021

Impossible Foods opens 2 food stands in Seattle arena

The plant-based meat maker's latest stadium expansion comes as major QSRs like McDonald's are considering a larger push into meat alternatives.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 25, 2021

How 5 new QSR designs optimize the off-premise experience

From multiple drive-thru lanes to GPS-enabled curbside pickup, fast food brands are embracing new designs to create frictionless off-premise channels.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 20, 2021

Panera aims to be carbon negative by 2050

The chain also unveiled a slate of sustainability goals for 2025, including more reusable packaging and renewable energy.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 20, 2021

The key to a successful holiday season will be flexible staffing

For small employers, flexibility and adjustable hours are factors to compete on now that workers' demands are changing, writes Sumir Meghani, CEO and co-founder of Instawork.

By Sumir Meghani • Oct. 18, 2021

Report: 50% of operators plan to deploy automation tech in 2 to 3 years

Eighty-seven percent of restaurant owners/operators believe that technology adoption has been critical for survival throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Lightspeed's Global State of Hospitality report. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 15, 2021

NRA: Declining disposable income dampens demand for on-premise eating

Diners want to eat at restaurants and order off-premise more often than they currently do, the association's SVP Hudson Riehle shared at DoorDash's Main Street Strong Conference on Wednesday.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 14, 2021

Popeyes heats up Megan Thee Stallion collab with merch drops, new chicken sandwich

A partnership with the hip-hop star, who is now a franchise owner, spotlights a sauce inspired by her sassy personality and an Easter egg-loaded video.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 14, 2021

How the 'chameleon effect' is limiting your business (and what to do about it)

In under a second, a single behavior can change the vibe of an entire venue. Businesses need a way to harness that tendency to positively engage guests.

Oct. 4, 2021

Survey: 36% of TikTok users order from restaurants after seeing them on the app

Chipotle and Arby's have recently launched campaigns on the social media app, which marketing agency MGH says has a potential to drive sales.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 1, 2021

Why alcohol delivery will still be a big opportunity post-pandemic

Alcohol delivery is at the nexus of two big trends: on-demand delivery and eCommerce.

Sept. 27, 2021

What happens when businesses play the best of the internet on their TVs

Today, 72% of all U.S. adults use social media. The most commonly used social media platforms all have one thing in common: snackable videos. Here's what that means for business entertainment. 

Sept. 27, 2021

DoorDash rolls out alcohol delivery to 20 states

Customers can toggle to the alcohol tab in the company's app to search for beverages from restaurants, grocery stores, local retailers and convenience stores.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 20, 2021

Del Taco rolls out Del Yeah Rewards program

The Mexican chain's four-tiered loyalty offering comes amid increased consumer participation in restaurant rewards programs and follows a taco subscription launch by rival Taco Bell. 

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 17, 2021

Pret A Manger brings its coffee subscription program to the US

The café chain is offering two monthly subscription plans, which cost $29.99 and $19.99, respectively, for up to five drinks a day.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 16, 2021

The top restaurant trends in 2021

Whether it's adopting contactless payment strategies, experimenting with online ordering, or finding ways to connect to their local communities, restaurants are open to finding the best ways to connect with their diners.

Sept. 13, 2021

How to transform your business's TV into a sales driver

Here's how digital signage can boost your marketing efforts by transforming what's playing on the TV. 

Sept. 7, 2021