FI Fast Break audio news: Jan. 10, 2024

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on forecasts for a big year for fast-food drive-thrus, particularly in the morning.

How Small Coffee Chains Can Compete

“We focus on listening to our customers as well as being the best version of ourselves. Being intentional every day with how you approach your customers is key.”

FI Fast Break audio news: Oct. 11, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the promising outlook for alternative seafood through 2030.

FI Fast Break audio news: Oct. 4, 2023

This week’s Food Institute news podcast touches on the latest innovations featured at fast-food drive-thrus.

Top 5 Highest-Grossing U.S. Fast-Food Chains

Average unit volume (AUV) speaks to a chain’s operational efficiency and overall success, indicating the average annual sales that a brand earns per restaurant—a reflection of how consumers feel about the brand itself. These are the top five highest-grossing fast-food chains in the U.S. by AUV.

Americans Avoid Businesses Without a Drive-Thru

No drive-thru? For nearly half of Americans, that’s a deal-breaker. New research shows that 47% of U.S. consumers would simply avoid going to a store that doesn’t have a drive-thru. And twice as many people …

FI Fast Break audio news: June 28, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the rebirth of America’s buffet restaurants and much more.

Are Drive-Thru Grocery Stores the Future of Food Retail?

Addie’s, a new drive-up grocery store, just opened its first location in Norwood, Massachusetts, where shoppers will never need to step foot inside.

FI Fast Break audio news: Jan. 11, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the latest in drive-thru technology, for both QSRs and grocers.

Smart-Voice Technology: Coming Soon, to a Drive-Thru Near You

In a world of fast-changing consumer demands, the classic fast-food drive-thru window is evolving. From doubling lanes to fully digital menu boards, restaurants have made all kinds of improvements to the drive-thru service. With technology …

QSRs Lamenting ‘Line Balk’ Trend

Much like remote working and zoom conferencing, long waits at the drive-thru line are a pandemic vestige that just won’t go away. And that’s causing line balk among consumers. As COVID-19 took hold in the …

Robotic Pizza Deal Boosts Speedy Eats’ Automated Drive-Thru Concept

A new food technology partnership is bringing 24/7 made-to-order pizza to automated drive-thru restaurant units around the country.

Has Chick-fil-A Unveiled the Drive-Thru of the Future?

Chick-fil-A is testing an express drive-thru lane to speed up mobile order pick-up. The company calls its Express Drive-Thru model a “game changer” that will streamline the experience for its nearly 50 million mobile app …

FI Fast Break audio news: June 22, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the prospects of a looming recession, rising gas prices, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – June 22, …

Drive-Thru or Dining Rooms? QSRs, Casual Dining Going Different Routes

Hot dog stands and early hamburger joints had one thing in common besides the fries and colas: They were walk up counters where customers would place their orders and stroll off with food to be …

FI Fast Break audio news: June 15, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the growth of the specialty food market, and Coca-Cola’s unique new cocktail in a can. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break …

Vietnamese Restaurants See Opportunity at the Drive-Thru Window

Vietnamese restaurants see potential in the fast-food category. Many American cities, such as Philadelphia, Washington and San Jose, California, are experiencing a surge of new Vietnamese restaurants, reported The New York Times (April 26). And Vietnamese restaurateurs are hoping to …

Drive-Thrus Could Give Full-Service Chains New Opportunities for Growth

The drive-thru lane is no longer exclusive to fast-food chains. Applebee’s recently revealed it would be “aggressively” leaning into drive-thrus as it gets back to new unit growth, reported Forbes (March 3). The chain will …

What Will the Key Restaurant Tech Investments Be in 2022?

From robots to scheduling software, restaurants are implementing all types of new technology into their operations of late. With so many new developments this year, The Food Institute decided to take a closer look at …

Booming Online Chipotle Sales Open the Door for New Growth Areas

Chipotle’s online business soared during 2020, making up more than half of sales. With that, the digital boom is likely leading the company to consider more drive thrus and introduce breakfast options. DRIVE THRUS COULD …

Starbucks has Most Advanced Digital Capabilities Among Limited Service Chains

With about 25% of restaurant locations expected to shut in the U.S., there has been huge growth in digital sales during the pandemic, according to the Limited Service Restaurant Digital Maturity Benchmark, 2020 report from …

Restaurants Reopening, But With New Formats

Restaurant openings are returning to normal levels, but many are doing so with new formats, according to data from Yelp. Pandemic-friendly restaurants are opening, debuting eateries with features such as large patios, spaced out tables, …

Foodservice Struggles with Time Efficiency Amid Restrictions

Some restaurants are enforcing time limits to keep the numbers of visitors up during COVID-19 restrictions, reported The Wall Street Journal (Oct. 5). Two hours or 90 minutes are the preferred time limits. The idea …

Convenience to Push Fast Food Ahead of Casual Dining this Winter

Fast food may weather winter better than casual dining as the pandemic continues and flu-season arrives, reported MarketWatch (Sept. 21). Analysts are boosting their ratings and targets for fast food companies, in large part, due …

Fast Food Business Model Pays Off

Food Institute Focus – Fast Food Business Model Pays Off

Drive-Thrus Emerge as Sustainable Approach During Pandemic

During the coronavirus pandemic, drive-thrus have become a crucial element for restaurants. In March, drive-thrus generated $8.3 billion across the fast food industry, an increase from $8 billion in sales over the same period in …

Starbucks to Transform Store Formats

Food Institute Focus – Starbucks to Transform Store Formats