How QSRs Can Cope with Post-Pandemic Pressures
Restaurant owners are scrambling to improve their bottom lines amid pandemic hangover, inflation, and labor challenges—especially in the quick service sector.
Tag: QSR
FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 7, 2022
The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the impact inflation is having on quick-service restaurants.
FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 1, 2022
The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the increasing candy bar shortage ahead of the Halloween season.
Concerns About Discretionary Spending Jolt Coffee Chains
Consumer concerns about discretionary spending pushed Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks traffic lower in June, new data show.
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 …
Can Subway Reset as Competition Gains Steam?
Just months after revamping its menu and tapping new pitchmen, Subway is making more bold moves, as competing sandwich chains like Firehouse Subs, Jimmy John’s, and Jersey Mike’s gain market share. The world’s largest sandwich …
Crisp & Green CEO Sees ‘Amazing Runway’ for Salad Chain
WAYZATA, Minnesota – Crisp & Green isn’t the first fast-casual restaurant to focus on salads. Yet, founder Steele Smiley promises an unrivaled focus on freshness and healthiness. He feels competitors “have left this amazing runway …
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 is the Net Value of Restaurant Subscription Services?
More quick service restaurants (QSRs) are rolling out subscription services in the new year to leverage the pandemic pivot towards mobile ordering and remain top of mind with consumers. Throughout the month of January, Sweetgreen …
Lunchtime Rush Coming Back for Restaurants
Online and physical restaurant visits during lunch rose 4% in the year ending September 2021 compared to a year ago when visits were down 11%, based on The NPD Group’s U.S. foodservice industry tracking. “Consumers are …
FI Fast Break audio news: Nov. 17, 2021
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine rising food prices, the so-called “shroom boom,” and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – Nov. 17, 2021 The …
FI Fast Break audio news: Nov. 10, 2021
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine changing consumer purchasing habits, the lunch day-part’s recovery at restaurants, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – Nov. …
Has Arby’s Started a Pork Sandwich War?
On the heels of the fast-food industry’s chicken sandwich wars, has Arby’s fired the first shot in a new battle? The privately held chain recently launched its Country Style Pork Rib sandwich as a limited-time …
QSRs Look to Artificial Intelligence to Boost Customer Experience
Quick service restaurants have always adopted new technologies. With the latest innovations, however, the industry is likely to move away from tactics like cashiers asking whether you want fries with your order to complex algorithms …
FI Fast Break audio news: July 21, 2021
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down the major ingredient shortages multiple QSRs are dealing with, the growth of online grocery shopping, and the future of alternative seafood. The …
FI Fast Break audio news: July 14, 2021
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down a few innovative strategies for navigating the labor shortage, examine a major new company entering the cultured-meat market, and more. The Food …
FI Fast Break audio news: July 7, 2021
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down the latest customer satisfaction ratings for fast-food chains (featuring a surprising last-place finisher), the increasing global demand for poultry, and more. The …
FI Fast Break audio news: June 30, 2021
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down the historic heatwave impacting crops in the Pacific Northwest, Dunkin’ Donuts’ shift away from plant-based sausage, and the increasing interest surrounding grocery-anchored …
FI Fast Break news: June 23, 2021
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down one QSR’s solution to the hot wing shortage, food suppliers’ desperate search for truck drivers, and Amazon’s bold autonomous trucking plans. The …
FI Fast Break news: June 17, 2021
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down the wave of resignations currently taking place at U.S. businesses, restaurants’ recovery, and increasing drought concerns. The Food Institute Podcast · FI …
Restaurants Back from the Brink with Soaring Sales
U.S. restaurant sales reached $67.3 billion in May, representing the third month in a row that sales reached an all-time high, according to Census Bureau statistics. The growth is set to accelerate, according to OpenTable …
U.S. Employers’ Next Challenge: Handling the ‘Great Resignation’ Wave
A strange thing happened as the U.S. started emerging from the pandemic: Rather than workers debating whether they wanted to go back to the office a few days a week or full-time, many just decided …
It’s Subway or the Highway: Franchisees, Company Fight Over New Contract
Vegetables that don’t lend themselves to the “eat fresh” mantra. The inability to close more than once a year unless an “Act of God” occurs. No leniency in a labor market that can best be …
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FI Fast Break news: June 10, 2021
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down QSR menu price hikes, alt-meat’s ascent, and the so-called “meme-stock” trend that’s starting to impact restaurant chains. The Food Institute Podcast · …
Chipotle Hikes Menu Prices as Inflation Looms
Chipotle Mexican Grill isn’t just boosting wages for its workers; it’s also increasing menu prices by nearly 4% to cover those raises. That’s according to a CNBC report which noted the company will be bringing …
What’s In-Store for Walmart? New QSR Partners
Breaking up is hard to do, but Walmart and McDonald’s seem to have made the split on decent terms. McDonald’s recently announced plans to shutter hundreds of its locations positioned within Walmart stores. After the …
Tracking the Success of Wendy’s Breakfast Relaunch
Wendy’s relaunched its national breakfast menu just weeks before states began issuing stay-at home orders due to COVID-19. While breakfast sales at most fast-food chains stagnated during the pandemic, the Wendy’s breakfast menu performed surprisingly …
Shake Shack Taps Ethnic Foods Growth with New Chicken Items
Shake Shack is starting 2021 by spicing up fast food’s chicken sandwich war. The chain is rolling out the Korean-style Fried Chick’n Sandwich and Korean-style Gochujang Chick’n Bites, reported CNN (Jan. 5). Though the new …
Foodservice Pivots Towards Convenience
Several leading foodservice companies have revealed plans for more convenient store models that are designed with pickup and delivery in mind. Chipotle Chipotle is opening its first digital-only restaurant called the Chipotle Digital Kitchen. Located …
Fast Food Business Model Pays Off
Food Institute Focus – Fast Food Business Model Pays Off
Delivery and Takeout Provide Relief to QSR
Food Institute Focus – Delivery and Takeout Provide Relief to QSR