Menu Development

  • A stock image of a bowl of bi bim bap.
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    4kodiak via Getty Images
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    NRA predicts a big year for Korean, Vietnamese and Filipino flavors

    The NRA also found that cold brew, sweet and spicy ingredients, and a focus on sustainability are trends to watch for 2025.

    By • Dec. 2, 2024
  • A family holds up glasses in cheer while eating at a Thanskgiving meal.
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    ozgurcankaya via Getty Images
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    Over a third of consumers plan to order takeout, delivery for Thanksgiving

    Of the consumers planning to order out, a majority said it was easier and a third said it’s cheaper or equal to the cost of buying groceries and cooking, according to Popmenu.

    By • Nov. 26, 2024
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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
  • A promotional image for Chipotle's smoked brisket menu item. Text on the image reads, "Limited time only Smoked Brisket Chipotle"The image shows a burrito bowl with rice, beans, meat and peppers on the left. On the right is sliced beef with a cup of dipping sauce and sliced peppers.
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    ‘Not just the beef’: How Chipotle’s supply chain helped bring back smoked brisket

    The return of the popular menu item required what CEO Scott Boatwright called “a huge cross-muscle effort.”

    By Philip Neuffer • Nov. 26, 2024
  • An image of various items from McDonald's included in its McValue meal.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    McDonald’s to launch value platform in January

    The platform will include the $5 Meal Deal, exclusive in-app offers, local food and drink deals and Buy One, Add One for $1.

    By • Nov. 22, 2024
  • An image of a veal parmesan chop with marinara sauce and mozzarella on a dark table.
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    Permission granted by Maggiano's
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    Maggiano’s is just getting started with menu updates, remodels

    In his first months as the chain’s VP of innovation and growth, Anthony Amoroso helped create new menu items like Rigatoni al la Vodka and updated the Caesar salad, both of which are already driving sales.

    By • Nov. 21, 2024
  • Individuals holding Peet's Coffee seasonal drinks
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    Courtesy of Peet's Coffee
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    Deep Dive

    How do coffee chains design, market and analyze their seasonal LTOs?

    While flexibility is important, many brands plan coffee LTOs more than a year in advance, meaning next year’s holiday drinks are already in the works at places like Peet’s and Dutch Bros.

    By • Nov. 19, 2024
  • A white bowl with blue liner that contains a pasta dish with tomatoes, asapragus and lobster.
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    Courtesy of Red Lobster
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    Red Lobster brings back old favorites, new items in menu remake

    The casual chain added seven new dishes and revived classics like hush puppies and popcorn shrimp.

    By • Nov. 12, 2024
  • An image of a burger and french fries from McDonald's
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    What restaurants, suppliers can learn from McDonald’s E.coli outbreak

    The fast food giant’s initial response to the outbreak was quick, but guest sentiment suffered from a lack of direct consumer messaging.

    By , Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 12, 2024
  • Krispy Kreme doughnuts are displayed in a box.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Krispy Kreme will serve doughnuts in 2K McDonald’s by year’s end

    To support this rapid expansion, Krispy Kreme will boost production at its existing facilities and may work with third-party logistics firms.

    By • Nov. 8, 2024
  • A red emergency pizza box from Domino's
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    How QSR pizza chains are competing on value

    Domino’s focus on promotions and discounts helped increase sales, while Papa Johns and Pizza Hut struggled with similar offerings.

    By • Nov. 7, 2024
  • An image of serveral food items from Taco Bell's Craving's Value Menu
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Here’s what restaurants need to consider when crafting a value menu

    Companies have to stay competitive and drive traffic with value-priced items. But they have to be careful not to go too low, experts say.

    By Danielle McLean • Nov. 7, 2024
  • Country fried turkey sits on a table in a Cracker Barrel ad
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    Permission granted by Cracker Barrel
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    Q&A

    Cracker Barrel’s new CMO on reconnecting a heritage brand to culture

    Sarah Moore discussed changing Cracker Barrel’s approach to partnerships and prioritizing apps like TikTok to keep a finger on the consumer pulse.

    By Peter Adams • Nov. 7, 2024
  • Popeyes signage
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    Courtesy of Popeyes
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    Popeyes didn’t focus on value in Q3 and paid for it

    The chain lacked enough compelling promotions to attract price-sensitive customers during the summer, contributing to negative comparable sales.

    By • Nov. 6, 2024
  • Pedestrians walk by a KFC and a Taco Bell restaurant on July 2, 2014 in San Rafael, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Taco Bell is a winner and KFC a loser in Yum Brands’ Q3

    KFC’s value meal did not turn its same-store sales declines around, but Taco Bell’s mix of menu innovation and value messaging drove growth for the company.

    By • Nov. 5, 2024
  • An image of various food items from Burger King's Fiery menu
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King’s LTOs met with stiff competition in Q3

    The chain’s summer promotions, including its Fiery menu, had trouble cutting through QSR value messages, resulting in softer than expected sales in Q3.

    By • Nov. 5, 2024
  • A photo of a whole pepperoni pizza in a box and several other slices of pizza either on a while background or in a triangle-shaped box. The boxes say "7-Eleven."
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    7-Eleven crashes the $5 value meal party

    Customers can get two of the chain’s “new, bigger” pizza slices and a 20-ounce Coke or Sprite in the latest cost-conscious c-store deal.

    By Jessica Loder • Nov. 1, 2024
  • A Starbucks worker holds a beverage.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks to eliminate non-dairy milk upcharge, hold prices steady

    The coffee giant will move towards greater price transparency on customized drinks while cutting back on ineffective discounts, CEO Brian Niccol said.

    By • Oct. 31, 2024
  • Three versions of Subway's value meal, each consisting of a six-inch sub, small drink and sides.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway adds $6.99 meal deal through year’s end

    The monthslong discount signals a shift towards greater value emphasis for the chain, which has stayed largely aloof from 2024’s QSR price wars.

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
  • A large Zaxbys chicken finger pack. Many chicken fingers, pieces of toast and fries in a box.
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    Courtesy of Zaxbys
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    Zaxbys raises 4 dishes from LTO to permanent status

    As the chicken chain looks to accelerate national growth, new menu items could play a pivotal role in driving sales.

    By • Oct. 28, 2024
  • 7-Eleven
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    Retrieved from Seven & i Holdings.
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    7-Eleven plans 600 stores with new food-focused design by 2027

    The retailer’s newest format features “a larger product assortment and expanded food and beverage offerings,” CEO Joseph DePinto told investors on Thursday.

    By Brett Dworski • Oct. 28, 2024
  • People enter a McDonald's restaurant that has posters on the windows advertising meal deals.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s grilled by senators on price increases

    The chain said the lawmakers contorted facts and made inaccurate claims, and that their concerns reflect a lack of understanding of its franchising model. 

    By • Oct. 24, 2024
  • A photograph of a black sign that says "Starbucks Coffee Company" in front of a brick building.
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Starbucks’ US sales down as traffic nosedives

    CEO Brian Niccol said the chain will address issues with its complex menu, pricing architecture and mobile order and payments system.

    By • Oct. 23, 2024
  • A photographof three sandwiches at Dickey's
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    Courtesy of Dickey's
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    Dickey’s enhances menu with Southern-inspired fare

    The new menu accompanies recent strategic initiatives that include ceasing expansion of its non-barbecue brands and reinvesting in its traditional restaurants.

    By • Oct. 16, 2024
  • A person in a PSL hat sits at a table pouring something into a glass.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Looking to replace pumpkin spice? Stop looking.

    One day there may be another innovative product that hits the cultural zeitgeist, but even then experts say the fall favorite is here to stay.

    By Cara Salpini • Oct. 14, 2024
  • 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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    McDonald’s tie-up with Krispy Kreme expands to Chicago

    The Golden Arches’ home market starts serving Krispy Kreme doughnuts next week as part of a drive to add the treats to 1,000 of its restaurants this year.

    By • Oct. 11, 2024