98 stories · last 7 days by relevance
Taco Bell is expanding AI-powered voice ordering in its drive-thrus through a partnership with Omilia, which already operates in nearly 900 U.S. restaurants, signaling continued industry momentum towa
Domino's Pizza is expanding its presence in China.
Golden Chick is launching a new marketing campaign, loyalty program, and digital-first strategy to compete in the competitive chicken tender category.
Audivi AI has released a new pricing model designed to make drive-thru automation more accessible to quick-service restaurant operators.
Despite access to unprecedented guest data, restaurants struggle to retain customers, suggesting that loyalty programs alone may not drive repeat visits without translating data into personalized expe
Tiered menu pricing programs may be losing effectiveness as saturation sets in, signaling that restaurants could need to recalibrate their value positioning strategies.
Nearly half of U.S. diners switched their favorite restaurant last year, up from 33 percent the prior year—a shift that signals growing customer volatility and potential vulnerability in restaurant lo
Smashburger launched a summer menu featuring two new smash burgers and two limited-time Häagen-Dazs shakes, signaling the chain's continued focus on flavor innovation and premium indulgence to drive s
Dutch Bros reports 74% rewards penetration among customers, with the company attributing boosted transactions and digital engagement to its loyalty program; the metric signals rewards programs' growin
Fast food chains are leveraging collectible cups and limited-edition merchandise to drive loyalty while menu prices have climbed significantly since 2019, signaling an industry strategy to offset cost
Wendy's is investing in digital sales, AI-powered ordering, and menu innovation to address weak customer traffic.
Starbucks' loyalty program, personalization features, and faster service are cited as drivers of higher store traffic and customer engagement.
Despite increased promotional activity tied to events like the World Cup and America 250, restaurant traffic continues to decline, suggesting heavy discounting may not be reversing underlying traffic
Eric Knott, who scaled PDQ as COO before becoming CEO of Kansas City-based Tiki Taco, joined Restaurant Tech Trends to discuss growth discipline learned from both successes and failures.
Quick-service restaurants are receiving a higher share of citations in AI search results compared to fast-casual chains.
Sweetgreen launched a limited-time peach and goat cheese salad featuring Alice Waters' recipe, available nationwide from July 7 through August 10 as part of its summer campaign tied to peak peach seas
Ben Leventhal's Blackbird Labs tackles independent-restaurant invisibility and profitability through frequency-driven loyalty — a template applicable to multi-unit brands rethinking guest retention.
RestaurantNews.com's top 20 restaurant stories for the week ending July 5, 2026 featured Birdcall, Golden Corral, Blue Mint Thai, Red Lobster, and Chili's.
Labor scheduling is moving to AI — the trade headline signals cost pressure and tech adoption spreading across QSR.
Restaurant operators are adopting voice AI technology to capture phone call data as a way to recognize and engage customers across locations, suggesting the phone channel may become a key loyalty and
7-Eleven is launching chicken sandwiches as part of a broader shift toward hot meal offerings, signaling the chain's effort to compete in a crowded category and move beyond its traditional convenience
Fuzzy's Taco Shop is running a summer promotion through August 30 featuring limited-time menu items, rewards offers, and events designed to drive repeat visits and engagement during peak season.
Restaurant technology adoption remains a critical challenge; even sophisticated software fails to deliver value without consistent team engagement, according to a discussion with Decision Logic's CEO
GoTab has acquired Fishbowl, a guest marketing and loyalty platform, to expand its restaurant commerce ecosystem that includes POS, ordering, payments, and mobile solutions.
MarginEdge added real-time cost management, AI forecasting, and back-office automation capabilities to its platform.
Skyline Essentials launched SkAI, an AI forecasting platform designed to help independent and multi-unit restaurant operators predict revenue and labor costs—capabilities historically available mainly
Domino's is distributing $1 million in rewards to loyalty members following a penalty card issued to U.S. soccer player Folarin Balogun during a World Cup match, triggering a promotional commitment th
Outback Steakhouse is offering 60 wings for $60 through July 25 via curbside or delivery, a limited promotion timed to World Cup viewing occasions.
Restaurant brands are increasingly centering their apps around loyalty programs, personalization, and direct customer engagement rather than just order-ahead convenience, signaling a shift toward usin
Burger King introduced new chicken sandwiches, Jersey Mike's disclosed details ahead of a public filing, and industry observers are questioning whether tiered menu pricing remains an effective strateg
MashMore Potato introduced an AI operating system it says is reducing management workload at its Albany location; the company frames this as a step toward making its model more scalable and software-d
Commerce media platforms struggle with measuring ad impact due to probabilistic attribution and modeled incrementality, but in-store data offers a potential solution to verify whether digital ads tran
McDonald's is launching a limited-time Happy Meal promotion featuring 10 collectible BT21 character toys with ring clips, starting July 14 at participating locations.
Pizzerias are leveraging viral food moments and unofficial endorsements as marketing strategies, signaling a shift toward organic, social-media-driven promotion rather than traditional sponsorships.
Red Lobster's bankruptcy in 2024 followed its Endless Shrimp promotion, raising questions about whether the deal was a strategic misstep or the result of deeper operational or intentional issues.
Sbarro is introducing a limited-time pizza featuring spicy Calabrian pepperoni and sausage.
Just Salad named New York Knicks player Jalen Brunson as an equity partner in the brand's first athlete deal, marking an expansion of its investor base.
Limited-time co-branded product tie-in — routine promotional merchandise without broader operator or loyalty implications.
A report indicates quick-service restaurants are receiving higher citation shares than fast-casual chains in AI search results.
Burtons Grill & Bar is offering premium lobster rolls at $29 in Maine or Connecticut style throughout July and August at all locations.
Monthly promo roundup with individual brand deals — routine summer marketing activity without broader operator takeaway.
Golden Corral is launching a $2.50 value-deal promotion starting July 4 to coincide with the nation's 250th anniversary, signaling continued investment in price-driven offerings to attract budget-cons
A podcast episode explores how restaurants can use guest recognition and personalization technology to improve customer loyalty, addressing what the source frames as widespread guest retention challen
Executive transitions at $10B+ brands, earnings momentum at casual-dining leader, and labor strategy shifts signal shifts in how chains manage growth and workforce engagement.
Glory Days Grill is reintroducing its seasonal Lobster Roll across all 36 U.S. locations through July 31st, signaling continued reliance on limited-time offerings to drive traffic during summer months
Dessert LTO tied to a calendar event — promotional tactic, no broader strategic relevance.
Limited-time promotional event — typical chain-wide offer with no broader operator insight.
Loyalty program seasonal offer — vendor/brand content marketing without operator takeaway on program structure, ROI, or enrollment trend.
Chipotle is reporting early gains from its growth strategy, which emphasizes limited-time offers and viral marketing campaigns.
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Mike's Hot Honey launched a multichannel soccer-themed campaign as part of its "Drizzle The Mike's" platform, which aims to position the brand around culturally relevant moments.
