Menu Development: Page 13

  • Pete Davidson for Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip

    Pete Davidson pairs new Taco Bell breakfast item with an apology

    The Breakfast Crunchwrap reflects an effort by the QSR to reach consumers looking for comfort and familiarity in the morning.

    By Sara Karlovitch • Oct. 4, 2022
  • A man and a woman dressed as a chef look at a tablet.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Report: 31% of restaurants have reduced menu size due to inflation

    Another 38% of restaurants have adjusted the number of food suppliers they use, according to a Toast survey. 

    By • Oct. 3, 2022
  • A photograph of chefs in a kitchen. Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    sam edwards via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    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
  • Four McDonald's figurines designed by Cactus Plant Flea Market encircle a Happy Meal placed on a red table against a sky-blue backdrop.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by McDonald's USA
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s repackages Happy Meals for adults with cult streetwear label

    Meant to invoke nostalgia, the menu bundles come with unique art and collectible figurines as the chain tries to align with pop culture tastemakers.

    By Peter Adams • Sept. 30, 2022
  • An image of various pumpkins in green, white, orange and various sizes.
    Image attribution tooltip
    IvanMikhaylov via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Report: Pumpkin-flavored menu items flood restaurants

    In the last 30 days, SpotOn’s restaurant clients have added nearly 2,000 pumpkin-flavored menu items, 40% of which are pumpkin-flavored beers.

    By • Sept. 26, 2022
  • An image of a beige building with Pie Five logo on the outside.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Rave Restaurant Group
    Image attribution tooltip

    Pie Five rolls out biggest menu transformation in its history

    After six months of testing, the company will add individual pizzas to its menu and eliminate large pizzas. 

    By • Sept. 23, 2022
  • A selection of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's food with new branding
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s refresh brand identity with flavor as inspiration

    The changes will debut in an ad campaign and come months after parent company CKE announced plans for a $500 million brand transformation.

    By Chris Kelly • Sept. 23, 2022
  • Livestock cows in New Zealand
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Silver Fern Farms
    Image attribution tooltip

    Report: Beef prices to rise 15% in 2023, poultry costs will fall

    Poultry prices are expected to ease substantially next year, benefiting chicken-heavy brands like Wingstop and Chipotle, according to a BTIG report.

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 22, 2022
  • Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Report: Starbucks, Dunkin’ score traffic bump from pumpkin spice lattes

    Placer.ai finds visits at Starbucks and Dunkin’ rose nearly 26% and nearly 10%, respectively, in the week following their fall menu launches.

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 20, 2022
  • Chipotle Garlic Guajillo Steak metaverse
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle launches its Garlic Guajillo Steak in the metaverse

    The chain says the menu item, which will debut in the Chipotle Grill Simulator on Roblox, is the first from a restaurant brand to launch in the metaverse.

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 13, 2022
  • An image of several plant-based meat items from Baja Fresh
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Baja Fresh
    Image attribution tooltip

    Baja Fresh makes plant-based items permanent

    The Impossible Meat taco, burrito and bowl received positive customer feedback during the yearlong test at the fast casual chain.

    By • Sept. 1, 2022
  • A picture of three sandwiches
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Del Taco
    Image attribution tooltip

    Del Taco adds tortas to its menu

    The addition of Epic Tortas comes nine months after the debut of Del Taco’s 20 for $2 value menu, which helped drive sales during the most recent quarter. 

    By • Aug. 30, 2022
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of CKE
    Image attribution tooltip

    Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s ask Twitch community to help build new menu item

    After polling followers about their favorite ingredients, the brands are sponsoring creator livestreams where people can vote on their preferred meals.

    By Peter Adams • Aug. 26, 2022
  • Brinker International launched its second virtual brand, Maggiano's Italian Classics, in 2021.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Maggiano's Italian Classics on August 18, 2021
    Image attribution tooltip

    Brinker to trim virtual brand menu, hike prices

    The company is rightsizing menus, pricing and kitchen operations for It’s Just Wings and Maggiano’s Italian Classics, which drove 6% of sales in fiscal 2022. 

    By • Aug. 25, 2022
  • Burger King Impossible Chicken Sandwich
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Burger King
    Image attribution tooltip

    Burger King’s original chicken sandwich goes plant based

    The brand’s Impossible Original Chick’n Sandwich pilot follows two Impossible Whopper launches and last year’s Impossible Nuggets test.

    By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 22, 2022
  • An image of a table and several plates with a burger and breakfast items
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by IHOP
    Image attribution tooltip

    IHOP’s new menu serves up customization

    The Choice menu, which includes made-to-order griddle combos, steakburgers and chicken sandwiches, will be available any time of day.

    By • Aug. 22, 2022
  • Image attribution tooltip
    yaoinlove via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s will test a Chicken Big Mac in Miami

    The Chicken Big Mac received positive diner reviews when it launched for a limited time in the U.K. earlier this year, according to McDonald’s. 

    By • Aug. 18, 2022
  • A marketing image featuring several Taco Bell products with the company's new plant-based protein blend.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip

    Taco Bell pilots its own plant-based protein option

    Customers will be able to try the proprietary soy and pea protein blend in menu items at participating stores in the Birmingham, Alabama, area. 

    By • Aug. 18, 2022
  • Applebee's launched a virtual brand Cosmic Wings February 2021 with Uber Eats.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Cosmic Wings
    Image attribution tooltip

    Applebee’s to add items from virtual brand Cosmic Wings to core menu

    The strategy will help the wing brand expand its reach from 13% of customers to 100%, Applebee’s President John Cywinski said. 

    By • Aug. 10, 2022
  • An image of three bowls that contain various food items like pepperoni, meats and vegetables
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Papa Johns
    Image attribution tooltip

    Papa Johns’ latest menu item removes the dough

    Papa Bowls is the third product launch at the pizza chain this year, and franchisees are excited about this item because of how easy it is to cook. 

    By • Aug. 9, 2022
  • A person holds a smartphone showing the Starbucks app
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Despite menu price increases, Starbucks Rewards members keep coming back

    Guest counts reached an all-time high during the quarter, with loyalty customer growth outpacing non-members. 

    By • Aug. 3, 2022
  • Outback Steakhouse exterior
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bloomin’ plans to keep menu price hikes below inflation

    The company said during its second quarter earnings call it expects to keep price increases around 6.5% in the latter half of the year.

    By • Aug. 1, 2022
  • An image of various chicken wings products and French fries inside green containers.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wingstop
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wingstop expects its food costs to shrink this year

    The chain is experiencing a 19% drop in chicken wing costs, allowing it to lean more heavily on value offerings as other restaurants hike menu prices. 

    By • July 29, 2022
  • McDonald's McPlant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of McDonald's
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s US plant-based burger test is over

    The company said the test “concluded as planned,” but the news comes amid analyst speculation of low product sales.

    By • July 28, 2022
  • A woman and man at a cash register
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle plans 4% menu increase in August

    The price hike will help offset rising operating costs due to increased wages and inflation, especially around dairy, tortillas and packaging.  

    By • July 27, 2022
  • A Piestro branded pizza box.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Piestro/Matt Lucido
    Image attribution tooltip

    Piestro and Capriotti’s pilot automated pizzeria in Las Vegas

    The sandwich chain plans to buy up to 100 Piestro Pods in the five years following the pilot, and to incorporate the pods in future store layouts. 

    By • July 21, 2022