As budget-conscious diners trade down, QSRs face a traffic slump while casual-dining chains surge with value bundles. The winners? Brands that nail the value equation in a fiercely discerning dining economy.
According to a new report, among sit-down restaurant chains, Outback leads in experience, Cheesecake Factory impresses with its menu, and Chili’s wins on value. Yet, few chains excel across the board. Olive Garden’s comeback proves that simplicity, smart promos, and operational focus drive success.
McDonald’s stock has fared well lately, though its value edge has fizzled. Consumers are hungry for more than just $5 deals. History suggests resilience, but can the golden arches glitter amid rising costs and shrinking sales?
Legacy chains like Chick-fil-A are seeing customer satisfaction scores hold even as growth slows, opening doors for challenger QSRs. Meanwhile, full-service dining has largely stumbled amid rising prices.
Brinker International’s unexpected turnaround has propelled Chili’s to stunning same-store sales growth of nearly 26% in fiscal 2025, defying industry trends and revitalizing a brand that seemed stagnant for decades. Chili’s transformation is rewriting the playbook for restaurant chains.
The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast touches on Chili’s eye-opening quarterly earnings report.
One of the biggest changes in the market over the past 10-15 years is that investors have succeeded solely by buying the best business, not necessarily the best stock. Focusing on fundamentals over quality has …
Olive Garden’s sales have bloomed even as the economy has wilted, topping the list of U.S. casual-dining chains in terms of systemwide sales.
The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on soaring cocoa prices and their impact on the global food industry.
The other day, I took my son to Five Guys and he got a cheeseburger, fries, and a milkshake. It was almost $20 … yet there was a line all the way to the door. …
Your weekend steak at casual-dining chains could soon reach your plate at lightning speed.
We may not have George Jetson’s flying car quite yet, but we could soon be getting a significant amount of our deliveries by drone if Amazon and Chili’s have their way. Amazon has been talking …
