Alicia Kelso

Sweetgreen is leveraging gamification and personalization with its new Rewards and Challenges program, and hopes to build on its digital sales mix, which is currently at 66%.

The automated Picnic Pizza Station yielded labor and food cost savings during its initial pilot with Texas A&M and the University of Chicago.

June’s 43% “economic pessimism,” as measured by the National Restaurant Association, is the highest level of pessimism since the Great Recession of 2008 and just the second time in 20 years that over 40% of operators said they expect economic conditions to worsen in six months.

McDonald’s is better able to target offers and promotions to its digital customers, which are growing in number and now make up about 25% of U.S. sales.

Chipotle is focused on several operational initiatives, including training and a new point-of-sale system, to optimize throughput as in-restaurant business starts to return to pre-pandemic numbers.

With its latest round of funding, Kitchen United plans to grow to 500 units and expand its technology capabilities, as well as its grocery initiative.

Taco Bell’s domestic same-store sales increased 8% during Q2, while KFC U.S. same-store sales declined by 7% and Pizza Hut declined by 4%.

Charlie Morrison led Wingstop for 10 years and left in March to take over the same role at Salad and Go, a 60-unit, drive-thru salad concept.

Several executives noted their optimism about the breakfast business returning to normal in the coming months. Breakfast is the most profitable part of the quick-service business.

Taco Bell’s new plant-based meat is available in the new Crispy Melt Taco, and can also be requested on most Taco Bell items. It is priced the same as the chain’s beef offerings.

According to IHOP’s internal market research, over 80% of orders that come through its system are customized. In response, IHOP is launching a new “Choice Menu,” available throughout all dayparts for both in-restaurant and off-premise orders.

Several non-pizza chains have added pizza to the menu recently, as the item remains popular, off-premise friendly and profitable.

Detroit-based Little Caesars became the official pizza sponsor of the NFL in June and signed former Detroit Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford as its spokesperson a few short months later. As the chain continues to expand into new U.S. markets, it is ramping up its investment in sports media.

MrBeast’s successful brick-and-mortar restaurant opening will likely inspire even more creators to jump into the industry and proves his presence in the space is not fleeting.

Starting Oct. 6, Panera is adding new choice-based rewards, allowing members to select their reward from multiple options versus a single, pre-selected reward.

Taco Bell and Beyond Meat today announced they will test a new Beyond Carne Asada Steak offering in the Dayton, Ohio, market beginning Oct. 13 for a limited time.

Chipotle is now testing an AI-based kitchen management system that provides “demand-based cooking and ingredient preparation forecasts,” and is also expanding its Chippy AI test to a restaurant in California.

Brinker’s new CEO Kevin Hochman, who came from KFC, is focused on trimming the menu and adding more efficient equipment, while also bringing back some of Chili’s signature promotions and events.

Piper Sandler’s Taking Stock With Teens survey highlights discretionary spending trends and brand preferences of those averaging 15.8 years old. It is an important benchmark as the demographic gains more spending power.

Arby’s Smoked Bourbon was created in partnership with Ohio-based craft distillery Brain Brew and inspired by the chain’s smoked brisket sandwich and limited-edition real country-style rib sandwich.