Opinion: Here’s Why I Haven’t Given up on AI in Drive-Thrus

Restaurants can have a drive-up process even if they don’t have a traditional drive-thru setup.

Plant-based Consumers’ Favorite QSRs

U.S. consumers love fast food and those who follow a plant-forward diet are no exception. Which quick service restaurants (QSRs) are plant-based consumers seeking out this year?

Sweetgreen Positions New Steak Offering as Sustainable, Rooted in Regenerative Grazing Practices

Sweetgreen is leveraging regenerative agriculture to position its new grass-fed steak offering as climate-friendly. Can expanding these agricultural practices offset beef’s massive carbon footprint?

Restaurant Chains Dominate Top 10 Fastest-Growing Retail Brands

Yelp has released its first-ever list of the 50 fastest-growing brands in the U.S. Restaurant chains dominate the top ten, half of which are “challenger brands” – businesses that are not market leaders but aim to compete by disrupting their industries.

What Dishes are Winning at Plant-Based QSRs?

Plant-based restaurants are experiencing a shakeout as operators recalibrate their menus to address economic challenges. FI checked in with T.K. Pillan, CEO of Veggie Grill, to explore how the vegan QSR is streamlining its offerings to meet evolving consumer demands.

Rash of Restaurant Bankruptcies Festers

Fast-food businesses that focus on creating a positive workplace culture, improving the overall employee experience, and nurturing strong employer-employee relationships are better positioned to attract and retain top talent.

Late-Night Fast Food Making a Comeback

After-bar snackers rejoice! Late night is back. With the resurgence of late-night activities, such as concerts and sporting events as the Covid pandemic eases, people are out and about later and looking to snack – …

Report: Plant-Based Stuck in Neutral While Bowls are Accelerating

A new report by Brandwatch shows the plant-based category is largely idling while QSRs serving bowls are gaining traction.

C-Stores’ Transformative Era Is Upon Us

The C-store landscape has changed drastically over the last several years, but the transformation is far from over.

Boosting the Better-for-You Beverage Offer in Foodservice

Better-for-you beverages are booming, but major foodservice players have been slow to diversify their fountain offerings. Can consumer demand for healthier alternatives turn the tides?

Subway, Oasis Parks, and Electric Vehicles

As the estimated $8 billion brand is reportedly being courted by private equity firms for purchase, its recent partnership with GenZ EV Solutions begs the question, is this a good idea? Can Subway build enough of a critical mass of oases to make this endeavor worthwhile? Are there enough EV drivers to support such a project?

Blaze Pizza Favorite QSR Among Gen Z

Blaze Pizza, in the opinion of college kids, is “lit.” And sandwiches from Five Guys and Jersey Mike’s, apparently, “just hit different.”

Plant-Based QSRs Boosting Consumer Trial

A growing number of plant-based burger chains are cropping up across the country as more younger consumers flock to quick service restaurants

Study: Gen Z Flocking to Fast-Casual Restaurants

These days, members of Gen Z are flocking to quick-service restaurants. In the 12 months ending July 2022, Gen Z consumers made 5 billion total restaurant visits, and 4.3 billion of those visits were to …

Will AI Ordering Go Mainstream at Restaurants?

In response to labor shortages, some restaurants are turning to AI-powered bots that answer phones and communicate with customers.

Experts: Savvy Ghost Kitchen Operators Can Still Succeed

Wendy’s plans to cut back on its use of ghost kitchens, but experts told The Food Institute such operations likely are here to stay.

Middle-Tier Restaurants Threatened as Industry Bifurcates

Middle-tier restaurants would be wise to alter their business models amid raging inflation and predictions of a recession later this year.

Restaurants Grow More Concerned About Economy

Despite some positive indicators, an increasing number of restaurant operators are growing more concerned about inflation and the prospects for the economy. Employment in the restaurant industry and overall economy continued to rise at a …

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: May 18, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the struggles of many ghost kitchens and update the baby formula shortage. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – May …

Restaurant Brands Increasingly Court Marijuana Users

Image courtesy of Wingstop While 18 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. have legalized marijuana for recreational use, it remains illegal on the federal level. Yet, several national restaurant brands are incorporating marijuana into their marketing …

Plant-Based Alternatives Push Further into Fast-Food

Plant-based offerings continue to expand across restaurant menus, as major players like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat broaden their partnerships with fast-food chains. McDonald’s recently announced plans for a major U.S. expansion of its plant-based …

Restaurant Investors Optimistic for 2022 Despite Pandemic Challenges

While some might shy away from investing in restaurants right now, Dan Rowe is doubling down. The way he sees it, even during a lingering pandemic, people still wake up hungry every day, so certain …

Restaurant Acquisitions Remain Red Hot

The sandwich market’s potential appears to be underscored by recent quick-service restaurant acquisitions. In the span of two weeks, a pair of QSR parent companies expanded their culinary offerings via acquisitions of established brands. Restaurant …

Why Chipotle’s Nutrition Filters Hint at Menus of the Future

Jennifer Kaplan, a former instructor at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, California, thinks Chipotle just released a menu upgrade that’ll be well-received. The chain recently added nutrition filters to its app and …

Study: Compostable Packaging Matches Shelf Life of Plastic

As more food companies prioritize ESG initiatives, the use of compostable packaging continues to gain traction as an earth-friendly alternative to plastic. In the first half of 2021, major players like Chipotle, Taco Bell, and …

Wendy’s Unlocks `Power of Proximity’ in Delivery Kitchen Partnership

As pandemic challenges continue to damper the appeal of indoor dining, foodservice companies are leaning ever further into the delivery space. Last week, Wendy’s upped the ante with its ambitious four-year plan to launch 700 …

Wingstop “Brand Hack” Reflects Agility of Virtual Restaurant Concepts

Wingstop’s foray into chicken thighs is the industry’s newest testament to the growing power of the virtual restaurant. The company is launching Thighstop, a virtual concept “brand hack” that will serve up crispy chicken thighs for …

Technomic’s Freier Says Chicken Sandwich War Is Beneficial for All Parties Involved

Lizzy Freier, senior research manager of menu at Technomic, spoke with The Food Institute’s Susan Choi about the so-called chicken sandwich wars in the quick service restaurant segment, the impact of the pandemic on sales, …

Restaurant Loyalty Programs Growing in Popularity, Especially with Baby Boomers

Now, more than ever, food companies are leveraging loyalty programs to generate sales. At the same time, customers are demanding them.   Wade Hanson, Principal with Technomic Inc., said the Baby Boomer generation especially values loyalty programs like the Royal Perks initiative recently launched by Burger King.   “Boomers are …