Menu Development

  • Nestle, sparkling water, caffeine
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    Courtesy of Nestle
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    How c-stores are capitalizing on Americans’ caffeine obsession

    Convenience stores are uniquely set up to meet consumers’ increasing appetite for the stimulant, from deeper beverage selections to snacks and energy shots, experts say.

    By Christine Blank • March 31, 2026
  • A spread of KFC items including sandwiches, snackers, nuggets, fries and drinks.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC mimics Taco Bell in latest value play

    The $7, $9 and $11 Value Feast Boxes can offer significant discounts — almost reaching 50% — according to a Restaurant Dive analysis.

    By • March 31, 2026
  • An image of three iced coffees with a sky blue background
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    Permission granted by IHOP
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    IHOP expands value platform, launches proprietary coffee

    The menu updates are part of the chain’s strategy to drive traffic with wallet-friendly offers and boost check averages with premium items.

    By • March 31, 2026
  • A fast food chicken sandwich with a breaded cutlet, soft potato bun, mayo, tomatoes and pickles.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s upgrades chicken sandwich lineup

    The brand said enhancements like new breading, buns and reformulated mayo makes the items juicier and better than the competition.

    By • March 30, 2026
  • Three toasted sandwiches and a small cup of Papa Johns garlic sauce on a white table in front of a green background.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns launches toasted sandwich lineup

    Under pressure from Domino’s growing market share, Papa Johns launched a new menu category that could expand its reach across consumer cohorts.

    By • March 30, 2026
  • An image of three large platters in the forefront with various food items. I nthe bagkround there are three cups, chips and tortillas.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    How 10 major restaurant chains are overhauling their strategies

    From Wendy’s to Outback, heavyweight brands are investing in new menu items and operational improvements  — often accompanied by closures and renovations — to get back on track.

    By • March 26, 2026
  • An image of a McDonald's sign
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    JillianCain via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s Big Arch Burger drives only mild traffic boost

    Traffic rose just 2.2% during the week of the premium burger’s launch despite the product generating significant social media buzz, per Placer.ai.

    By • March 23, 2026
  • A spread of pasta entrees from Maggiano's Little Italy.
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    Courtesy of Maggiano's Little Italy
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    Maggiano’s raises portion sizes in Chili’s-style value play

    Increasing portions could help the brand draw more traffic, but structural factors mean its turnaround won’t be as fast — or dramatic — as Chili’s revival.

    By • March 18, 2026
  • Taco Bell's Cantina Chicken Rolled Quesadilla
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell adds premium chicken quesadilla to permanent menu

    The Yum Brands subsidiary is building a differentiated chicken lineup as the protein takes QSR menus by storm.

    By • March 17, 2026
  • An image of various burritos and other items from Taco Bell.
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell
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    Q4 2025’s restaurant winners and loses

    Casual dining? Good, not great. Fast casual? Bad, not terrible. Taco Bell? Living Más. Wendy's? Living Menos.

    By • March 16, 2026
  • Three brightly colored drinks from Sonic.
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    Courtesy of Sonic
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    Sonic launches caffeinated refreshers as QSR drinks boom

    The drinks boast 45 milligrams of caffeine alongside fruit inclusions, giving the brand a premium product for snacking occasions and the afternoon daypart.

    By • March 16, 2026
  • A close up photograph of a cheeseburger with tomatoes, red onions, lettuce and pickles.
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    Getty Images
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    Beef costs exceed burger prices, pressuring QSRs

    A Datassential report revealed that prices for the menu item are up 14%, while meat costs are up 32% over the past two years.

    By • March 13, 2026
  • Customers enter a McDonald's restaurant.
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    Mario Tama / Staff via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s reportedly eyes $3 or less value platform

    The low-priced menu will include items like a four-piece Chicken McNuggets and a sausage biscuit when it launches in April, per The Wall Street Journal.

    By • March 12, 2026
  • Casey's
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    Retrieved from Casey's.
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    Casey’s built its brand on pizza. Now it’s chasing chicken wings.

    The Iowa retailer plans to roll out the wing line to all 2,900-plus stores over the next two years as it diversifies its fast-growing food business.

    By Brett Dworski • March 12, 2026
  • Freshly roasted coffee beans are seen in a barrel
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Coffee, cold brew sales slip as lattes, energy drinks surge

    Drip coffee and cold brew orders fell in 2025 as energy drinks exploded and premium, handcrafted coffees saw a modest rise.

    By • March 11, 2026
  • Layne's Chicken Fingers
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    Permission granted by Layne's Chicken Fingers
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    Layne’s Chicken Fingers thinks it has what it takes to go national

    Cane’s. Dave’s. Now Layne’s? A small Texas chicken chain wants to be the next big thing. Multi-unit operators, a simple menu and a premium product could make it happen.

    By • March 11, 2026
  • A Taco Bell Mexican Pizza with premium chicken
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell makes Nacho Fries permanent, teases more LTOs

    The brand showed off more than 20 new menu items at its third-annual Live Más LIVE event, including LTOs meant to ramp up sales momentum.

    By • March 10, 2026
  • Pilot
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    Permission granted by Pilot
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    Pilot to overhaul foodservice program at all locations

    A new combination made-to-order and grab-and-go platform aims to set a consistent standard for the retailer’s menu, SVP Sean Marrero said.

    By Brett Dworski • March 9, 2026
  • Bag of Skittles Pop'd with a bowl of Skittles Pop'd and Skittles Pop'd on top of a cup of strawberry jalapeno frozen lemonade.
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    Permission granted by Mars
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    Sponsored by Mars

    From dirty sodas to frozen treats: What’s actually driving beverage trends in 2026

    From dirty sodas to frozen treats, see what’s really fueling beverage innovation—and why customizable, craveable drinks are driving growth in 2026.

    March 9, 2026
  • A consumers sits at a computer opened to landing page featuring the pizza orders of influencers and other celebrities.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s redefines celebrity meals in social-first campaign

    Ahead of March Madness, the pizza brand is hoping influencers will drive sales.

    By Sara Karlovitch • March 6, 2026
  • A close up imae of a white sign with Cracker Barrel logo and Uncle Herschal mascot.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel reports steepest traffic decline since botched rebrand

    Despite focusing on menu quality and value, the chain reported a 10% traffic drop nearly six months after it attempted to remove its iconic Uncle Herschel from its branding.

    By • March 5, 2026
  • A close up image of three burritos from Del Taco.
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    Courtesy of Del Taco
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    Del Taco unveils 18-month turnaround plan

    Under its Project Sunrise roadmap, the chain will focus on quality and consistency of menu items, bold innovation to drive trial, expansion of catering and a more impactful loyalty program.

    By • March 5, 2026
  • A chef prepares a seasonal Easter dish with pickeled egg dyed prupose and served with a watercress salad and olive oil dressing
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    Getty Images
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    How spring holidays can boost restaurant sales

    Savvy planning for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter visits can help restaurants recover after a challenging winter season.

    By Danielle McLean • March 4, 2026
  • Papa Johns Cool Ranch Papadia sandwiches in various packaging and contexts.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns will drop Papadias, Papa Bites from menu

    While the two items drove incremental sales in past quarters, they can disrupt operational rhythm and create more complexities, CEO Todd Penegor said.

    By • Feb. 27, 2026
  • An image of a building with a sign that says "Sweetgreen."
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen may change its pricing after disaster quarter

    The salad chain suffered the worst quarter among major fast casual restaurants. It is now rethinking everything from core prices to its menu’s emphasis on bowls.

    By • Feb. 27, 2026