All’s well that ends in wellness seems to be the mantra of the moment for foodservice operators. In an increasingly wellness-oriented market, where the pandemic has heightened consumer awareness of the connection between food and function, the feeding frenzy of buzz for better-for-you foodservice trends makes perfect sense.
Yummy Yesteryear: Nostalgia Comforts Consumers, Nourishes Sales
Topics: Better-for-You, Health & Wellness, Sales & Profitability, Operations, Fast-Food Restaurants, Comfort
Full Speed Ahead: Fast-Casuals Fast-Track Drive-Thru Innovations
Drive-thrus continue to pick up speed as a revenue engine for fast-casual restaurant chains. In fact, as fast-casual and fast food brands blur, quick-service consumers across the board are accelerating demand for drive-thrus, according to survey data from the market research firm Technomic.1
Topics: Technology, Trends, Sales & Profitability, Operations, Drive-Thru, COVID-19, Coronavirus, Fast-Casual Restaurant, Fast-Food Restaurants, Digital/Online Ordering
Food Flight: Delivery and Safety Reach New Heights
Fast food chains have been accelerating their rate of digital transformation ever since the pandemic hit—and Wendy’s is one of the brands leading the charge. The burger giant has been beefing up its digital capabilities as one of three core pillars in its growth strategy (the others are boosting the breakfast daypart and expanding the chain’s footprint).1
Topics: Technology, Trends, Delivery, Sales & Profitability, Delivery App, Operations, Fast-Casual Restaurant, Fast-Food Restaurants
Menu Innovation Mania: Global Trends Reflect Hunger for Fearless Flavor Profiles
Consumers favor flavor when it comes to menu attributes—and that applies to both limited-service and full-service restaurants and across generations, according to survey data from the market research firm Technomic. Overall, consumers rank “appealing taste and flavor” the top traffic driver for LSRs (60%) and FSRs (64%).1
Topics: Menu, Flavors & Ingredients, Sales & Profitability, Operations, Flavor Profiles, Fast-Food Restaurants
Class Act: Restaurant Brands Step Up to the Plate to Thank and Support Educators
Consumers these days are hungry for more than food. They want foodservice operations to offer generous portions of goodwill along with good eats, and those that neglect to take action on behalf of shared values and high-profile causes are likely to leave a bad taste in the mouths of their customers.
Topics: Breakfast, Social Responsibility, Operations, Fast-Food Restaurants, Digital/Online Ordering, Mobile App