McDonald’s is betting on nostalgia to reignite value leadership, reviving Snack Wraps and Extra Value Meals. But the real play is digital: boosting app usage to drive traffic and reshape consumer perception.
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.
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.
