Menu Development

  • Chili's Big Smasher cheeseburger accompanied by sides of chips, fries and cola on a wooden dining table
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    Permission granted by Chili's Grill & Bar
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    The restaurant industry’s Q1 2025 winners and losers

    Consumer price sensitivity led to declines at Chipotle, McDonald’s and other QSRs, while Chili’s and Cava were among a handful of companies to see traffic and sales gains.

    By • May 22, 2025
  • Kent Companies
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    Retrieved from Kent Companies.
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    Kent Companies rolling out food-focused c-store format

    Locations feature a made-to-order kitchen, a drive-thru, a beer and ice cave, two-bay car washes and a dog wash.

    By Brett Dworski • May 19, 2025
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    sam edwards via Getty Images
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    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
  • Arko
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    Retrieved from NACS.
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    Arko begins building food-focused stores, will debut new foodservice program

    The convenience retailer is investing between $700,000 and $1.1 million into each new location and intends to finish all seven pilot sites by the end of 2025.

    By Brett Dworski • May 12, 2025
  • Exterior of a Potbelly restaurant
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    How Potbelly harnessed transformational growth

    After undertaking a turnaround strategy, the company has grown comparable sales, accelerated franchise development and added popular menu items.

    By • May 12, 2025
  • An image of a gray building with a white logo that says "Shake Shack"
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack to open new support center, flagship restaurant in Atlanta

    The new support center and flagship location, equipped with a full bar, represent an evolution for the brand and could signal an increased reliance on menu innovation and LTOs as growth drivers.

    By • May 9, 2025
  • A picture of a hand giving a iced coffee drink to another person.
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    Permission granted by Dutch Bros
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    How restaurants can tap into the beverage craze

    Young, health-conscious consumers are seeking out innovative non-alcoholic drinks, and well-positioned restaurants can capture that new demand.

    By Danielle McLean • May 9, 2025
  • A rendering of a new Huddle House prototype.
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    Courtesy of Huddle House
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    Huddle House pursues drive-thrus, non-traditional growth in rebrand

    As casual dining struggles, brands are leaning into a wide array of real estate and menu changes to capture fast casual and QSR diners.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • An image of a Noodles & Company restaurant with outdoor seating
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    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
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    How Noodles & Company beat Chipotle’s Q1 comparable sales

    The chain posted a 4.4% increase in comp sales in Q1 2025 even though larger chains like Chipotle and Wingstop posted anemic comps.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • An image of three Krispy Kreme doughnuts and six in a box.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's/Krispy Kreme
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    Krispy Kreme pauses McDonald’s rollout as sales drop

    The doughnut chain said it has stopped expanding its McDonald’s presence while it works to assess the profitability of the business model.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • An image of the Shake Shack logo on a window.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack rolls out digital menu boards, combos to speed up drive-thru

    The drive-thru efforts build on five consecutive quarters of improvements to speed of service and order accuracy.

    By Bryan Wassel • May 5, 2025
  • Three fast food beverages stand in line.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    McDonald’s to test expanded beverage menu this year

    Adding more items to its menu, including energy drinks and coffee, will help the chain compete with sector rivals and boost profitability.

    By • May 1, 2025
  • A photograph of a red and yellow sign with a giant yellow "M" above a red box that says "McDonald's Billions Served."
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s US traffic slides due to economic uncertainty

    Low- and middle-income guests pulled back spending in Q1, but the chain expects improved performance from promotions and the launch of chicken strips.

    By • May 1, 2025
  • A beige building with a green sign and white lettering that says "Panera Bread."
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Panera is shuttering its dough facilities to speed up innovation

    The closures and transition to par-baked bread are part of a brand turnaround effort under its new CEO. 

    By • May 1, 2025
  • An image of a pink sign that says "Saucy"
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    Permission granted by Saucy by KFC
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    Taco Bell sales surge, KFC will expand Saucy concept

    As Taco Bell succeeds in the U.S., KFC’s spinoff could replicate the Cantina strategy that Taco Bell has used to power its menu innovation.

    By • April 30, 2025
  • McDonald's new McCrispy chicken strips.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s chicken strips mark first permanent menu addition in 4 years

    The chain needs a menu win — and a leg up on fast-growing chicken competitors — after last year’s value and LTO successes were offset by an E. Coli outbreak.

    By • April 25, 2025
  • Omar Epps as the Sauce Boss in a Zaxbys campaign
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    Courtesy of Zaxbys
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    Q&A

    Zaxbys’ CMO on breaking through the chicken category with ‘sauce’

    The chain’s first work from Goodby Silverstein & Partners introduces a brand character that speaks to both signature sauces and cool charisma.

    By Chris Kelly • April 23, 2025
  • Wawa
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    Retrieved from Wawa.
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    10 notable c-store foodservice launches this past month

    Convenience retailers debuted fresh takes on sandwiches, smoothies and more in March and April. Here’s what caught our attention.

    By Brett Dworski • April 21, 2025
  • A person holding an order of Taco Bell chicken nuggets, nacho fries and a drink.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell Nuggets return, teasing more Crispy Chicken menu items

    After a strong initial performance, the chain is using the Nuggets LTO as a test run for adding Crispy Chicken to its regular menu next year.

    By • April 16, 2025
  • Chili's Fast Food Financing pop-up
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    Courtesy of Chili's Grill & Bar
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    Chili’s pop-up finances fast food meals in latest dig at rising prices

    A store emulating payday loan retailers doles out gift cards to “approved” visitors and serves a new burger positioned against the Quarter Pounder.

    By Peter Adams • April 16, 2025
  • Three hands hold up various breakfast sandwiches from Portillo's
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    Permission granted by Portillo's
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    Portillo’s to break into breakfast with pilot

    The fast casual chain will begin testing breakfast on April 15 at five select Chicagoland locations as part of its menu innovation strategy.

    By • Updated April 11, 2025
  • Potbelly's new prime rib steak sandwich.
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    Courtesy of Potbelly
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    Potbelly adds prime rib sandwich to menu

    As fast casual chains look to capture new occasions, premium proteins are a prominent part of menu makeovers.

    By • April 11, 2025
  • Collage of Panera campaign assets
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    Panera reintroduces brand with focus on dine-in cafe experience

    “It Just Meals Good,” the chain’s first work from 72andSunny, captures a variety of occasions for eating at Panera, whether catching up with a kid or an ex. 

    By Peter Adams • April 10, 2025
  • A hand dips a chicken tender into a sauce
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop launches NYC pop-up to spotlight tenders

    Chicken tenders are having a menu moment and could help the fast casual chain continue its wild sales momentum.

    By • April 9, 2025
  • An image of several food items on a table from First Watch's LTO menu with two people partially in view in the background
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    Why First Watch takes 18 months to develop seasonal menus

    The breakfast chain goes on “flavor tours” to inspire its LTOs, which it rotates every 10 weeks in order to keep up with evolving diner demands.

    By • April 7, 2025
  • President Donald Trump waves to a crowd at the White House on April 2, 2025.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Trump installs 10% baseline tariff, country-specific duties

    The president said he will levy import taxes on a wide range of countries, based on White House calculations. The National Restaurant Association said tariffs will only exacerbate pricing problems for the industry.

    By Philip Neuffer • April 3, 2025