What Will 100% Digital Sales at Fast-Food Chains Look Like?

On a recent earnings call, Yum Brands announced its goal to make 100% of its global system sales digital transactions.

Restaurants Struggling to Secure Chicken Sandwich Supplies

Restaurants are finding it tougher and more expensive to secure supplies of smaller birds, which are typically sourced for chicken sandwiches.

Fast Food Tech Evolves

The biggest names in global fast food are adjusting to the new market realities by innovating with cutting-edge technology.

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 …

Will Plant-Based Chicken be the Next Big Menu Item?

Editor’s note: The Food Institute has a new Plant-Based Insider newsletter, coming in February! To sign up, click here.  Plant-based chicken is taking center stage in 2022. KFC is the latest chain to introduce a …

CASE STUDY: Celebrity-Backed Limited Time Offerings Boost McDonald’s Revenue

One of the most successful limited time offerings (LTOs) over the past year has been McDonald’s “Famous Orders” celebrity collaborations. McDonald’s has been utilizing LTOs to attract consumers for years with items such as the …

UPDATE: QSRs Rethinking Value Meals as Costs Rise

Fast-food chains, such as McDonald’s and KFC, appear to be cutting discounts and pushing more expensive meals post-pandemic. QSRs are cutting back on $5-and-under “value” menu items in favor of $10-$30 meal combinations in order …

FI Investigates: AUTOMATic Innovation in Foodservice

In its latest investigative video, The Food Institute visits a unique New York City restaurant with a “back-to-the-future” business model. The Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is revolutionizing a beloved relic of the past – the automat …

Plant-Based Meat Trend Continues to Grow Among Major Industry Players

Plant-based companies are finding a home in fast-food, as demand for meat-free options grows among consumers. About one-third of consumers said their consumption of various meat alternatives has increased over the past year, according to …

FI Investigates: A High Stakes Game of Chicken

You may have noticed nearly every QSR chain in existence is releasing new, premium chicken sandwiches lately. The Food Institute recently examined these ultra-competitive “chicken sandwich wars” in an in-depth investigative video, featuring interviews with …