McDonald's meets Happy Meal nutrition benchmark ahead of deadline

The QSR boosted the number of its iconic meals served with water, milk or juice by 15% between 2013 and 2018, and the majority of its 20 major markets have hit all five of its health commitments two years early.

By Julie Littman • May 15, 2019

59% of consumers support a $15 minimum wage, survey says

It's unclear how operators could support hefty pay increases with razor-thin margins, or if diners will shell out extra cash to make wage hikes possible. 

By Lauren Manning • May 14, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Menu development

Restaurants big and small are experimenting with their menus to align with the preferences of on-the-go diners and mitigate the impact of rising food costs, supply chain disruption and shrinking consumer discretionary funds. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

Impossible shortage burning restaurants that put it on the map

Independents are accusing the company of overpromising production capacity and hanging them out to dry following major corporate partnerships. Will $300 million in new funding be enough to restore both supply and its reputation?

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 13, 2019

Chick-fil-A is researching plant-based chicken substitutes

While there are several meatless burger options, the company could be the first major fast food chain to offer a plant-based chicken item in the U.S.

By Lauren Manning • May 13, 2019

Noodles & Company launches personalized nutrition calculator

The tool is available on the restaurant's website and mobile app, and allows diners to create dishes that are in line with keto, paleo, vegetarian and other lifestyle diets.

By Alicia Kelso • May 9, 2019

Chick-fil-A has the strongest QSR brand personality, study says

A Zion & Zion report ranked major fast food chains on five personality dimensions, placing Sonic and Dairy Queen close behind the chicken chain while Papa John's and Burger King earned low marks.

By Lauren Manning • May 9, 2019

Business catering averages $275 per check, says ezCater

Top industries ordering catering include healthcare, IT/technology and finance, but each of these segments have unique off-premise demands.

By Julie Littman • May 1, 2019

Food trucks are the new restaurant billboards

Auntie Anne's, Shake Shack and others are going mobile to grow off-premise business while reaping the benefits of a new marketing avenue.

By Julie Littman • April 29, 2019

McDonald's Germany adds 1st vegan burger

While the fast food chain has been rolling out vegan options in international markets, it has yet to do so in the U.S., despite plant-based initiatives by rivals Burger King, Carl's Jr. and White Castle.

By Lauren Manning • April 26, 2019

Sweetgreen reverses cashless-only approach

Following a wave of bans against cashless stores, the salad chain will start accepting cash in Philadelphia in July and chainwide by the end of the year.

By Alicia Kelso • April 26, 2019

59% of restaurant operators fear disruption by mobile-savvy rivals

An Oracle study found a vast majority of operators believe that guest-facing mobile apps can reduce labor costs and improve speed of service.

By Alicia Kelso • April 23, 2019

'Welcome to Walmart. May I take your order?'

With popular local and fast casual chains siphoning off mealtime dollars, some grocers have brought the likes of Wahlburgers and Rapid Fired Pizza into stores.

By Lauren Manning • April 23, 2019

McDonald's reportedly adding international favorites to US menus

A leaked memo obtained by Business Insider revealed the chain's next menu items will include the McExtreme Bacon Burger from Spain and the Stroopwafel McFlurry from the Netherlands.

By Julie Littman • April 23, 2019

Yelp to rate restaurants' environmental footprints

Diners can now provide feedback on whether a restaurant uses single-use plastic items and compostable containers.

By Lauren Manning • April 23, 2019

Millennials to be the biggest food and beverage spenders in 10 years

Baby boomers and Gen Xers spend the most on restaurants and groceries currently, but as millennials' financials improve as they get older, CBRE predicts this demographic will take a lion's share of the spend. 

By Julie Littman • April 22, 2019

45% of diners have tried a restaurant because of social media

A new study from marketing agency MGH revealed that 74% of U.S. consumers are more likely to visit or order from an establishment that engages with its social media fans. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 22, 2019

Schools ban meal delivery citing disruption, safety concerns

Some Michigan schools instituted the ban due to safety risks in giving building access to strangers, as well as the potential for allergic reactions or food-borne illnesses from delivered meals. 

By Amelia Harper • April 16, 2019

Burger King plans to treat chickens better, and now they're going plant-based. Where's McDonald's?

Improving its animal welfare standards and introducing more vegetarian options could drive profits and protect against public backlash, says Kenny Torrella, VP of public engagement at Mercy for Animals.

By Kenny Torella • April 15, 2019

Panera's new tech could make breakfast rise and shine

Breakfast delivery has grown 250% at the chain, which is launching an Amazon Go-like tap and pay system, new portable morning foods and a revamped coffee program to better target diners on the go. 

By Julie Littman • April 15, 2019

McDonald's cage-free egg progress signals an industry sea change

The chain claims to be 33% cage-free on its way to reach 100% by 2025, and analysts predict the move will bring these egg costs down.

By Alicia Kelso • April 12, 2019

Restaurant website developer BentoBox gains over $16M in funding

The tech company has now garnered over $23 million in funding and plans to develop online ordering, POS and reservation features — reflecting restaurant demand for enhanced consumer-facing technology.

By Alicia Kelso • April 11, 2019

Restaurant brands bring recognition, familiarity and innovation to Big Food's menu

Restaurants like P.F. Chang's and California Pizza Kitchen have increasingly licensed items in grocery stores to help boost overall revenue, but food delivery could make these products less lucrative.  

By Christopher Doering • April 8, 2019

Why McDonald's is supersizing its tech spending

The QSR giant bought a technology company and invested in a mobile app developer in just a week, signaling an aggressive focus on its drive-thru sales and digital offerings.

By Julie Littman • April 5, 2019

Marijuana consumption expected to boost restaurant foot traffic, sales

A Technomic report indicated that 63% of cannabis consumers eat more food after use, presenting an opportunity for restaurants to grow revenue. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 4, 2019

Subway launches sandwich created with Tastemade data

The media brand's data-driven insights will help the chain offer locally relevant menu items for U.S. diners, such as the Green Goddess Tuna Melt. 

By Lauren Manning • April 4, 2019