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| Pizza Hut U.S. is tapping into nostalgia with its Pizza Hut Classic concept, reviving memories of red cups, crushed ice and the Book It! campaign for Millennials and older generations. A Facebook post showcasing a transformed Classic store garnered significant attention, with nearly 97,000 likes and over 5 million views. A spokesperson hinted at a new prototype expected in the Pittsburgh area in 2024. |
| Taco Bell and Mountain Dew are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Baja Blast with their first-ever Super Bowl commercial, costing $7 million for a 30-second spot during Super Bowl LVII. The ad, set to be 30 seconds long, is likely to highlight Baja Blast's year-round availability in stores. Coin promotions allow consumers to earn coins with Baja Blast purchases, redeemable for limited-edition items like Taco Bell Cravings Boxes and a rare Mtn Dew Baja Blast Surfer Hoodie. |
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| Starbucks is now the first nationwide coffee retailer to accept reusable cups for mobile and drive-thru orders, aiming to reduce waste and achieve a 50% waste reduction by 2030. Customers can use their own cups for all orders at company-operated and participating licensed stores, receiving a ten-cent discount on beverages. The program, successful in a 200-drive-thru test in Colorado, involves a contactless process for drive-thru and instructs mobile orders to select “Customization” and “Personal Cup.” |
| Starbucks is expanding its food offerings to boost afternoon business, introducing a permanent chicken, maple butter and egg sandwich, along with a potato, cheddar and chive bake. The chain aims to enhance growth by introducing new beverages and appealing products tailored to specific day parts, encouraging customers to add food to their orders. Sales for the all-day breakfast lineup grew 20% to $3 billion in the year through Oct. 1 at North American stores, accounting for 8% of Starbucks’ total revenue. |
| Burger King has introduced the $5 Duo deal, replacing the previous 2 for $5 Whopper Jr. Duo deal. The new offer allows customers to choose any two items from the following options for $5: Whopper Jr., Classic BK Royal Crispy Wrap, Spicy BK Royal Crispy Wrap or Honey Mustard BK Royal Crispy Wrap. The $10 Meal Duo deal includes the $5 Duo deal along with two small fries and two small drinks, providing a complete meal for two at an additional cost. |
| Tim Hortons is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its first restaurant in Canada, the 50th anniversary of establishing Tim Hortons Foundation Camps and 40 years of serving freshly brewed original blend coffee in the U.S. Currently, Tim Hortons operates over 630 restaurants in the U.S. and more than 5,700 globally across 20 countries. The brand plans to expand further in 2024, with recent U.S. openings and agreements for new restaurants in states like Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Delaware and New Jersey. |
| Jack in the Box is introducing the Smashed Jack, a 1/4 lb smashed-inspired burger featuring seasoned 100% beef, grilled onions, thick pickles and new Boss Sauce on a buttery brioche bun. In consumer taste tests, it was voted the best burger in fast food compared to competitors like Burger King, McDonald’s and Wendy’s. The Smashed Jack is available for under $10 at all Jack in the Box locations. |
| Cicis reported a successful 2023 marked by strategic initiatives, including a revamped website, inventive limited-time offerings and the launch of the 64-slice Piezilla. The brand reported a 7.8% increase in sales since the end of 2022, celebrating the opening of a store in Frisco, Texas, and successful reopenings in Hixson, Tennessee, and Houston, Texas. Cicis plans further growth with store reopenings in Gastonia, North Carolina, and Trussville, Alabama, by the end of 2024. |
| Recent data suggests that consumers followed through on their plans to dine out during the holidays. A National Restaurant Association survey from early December revealed that 63% of adults intended to eat out, and 48% planned to order takeout or delivery. MasterCard Spending Pulse data indicates a 7.8% increase in restaurant sales from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 compared to the same period last year, surpassing other sectors. Technomic Ignite’s Tindex indicates a nearly 10% increase in industry sales in November 2023 compared to November 2019. |
| Anticipating culinary shifts in 2024, industry experts highlight several trends. Happy Hour takes center stage, as cost-conscious consumers opt for discounted drinks and chef-driven bar bites over pricier dinners. Solo dining gains momentum, with restaurants catering to singles through bar-only menus and comfortable seating designs. Venezuela’s culinary influence emerges, introducing flavors like guasacaca sauce, while Central American influences, such as pupusas, gain attention. |
| TGI Friday’s has closed 36 underperforming restaurants in the U.S. and is set to sell eight more to former CEO Ray Blanchette as part of its ongoing transformation efforts. Following leadership changes in 2023, with Weldon Spangler becoming CEO in October, the chain is streamlining operations and strengthening its franchise model. The chain, which has around 650 restaurants globally, is working on revamping its offerings and exploring virtual concepts. |
| Savvy Sliders is making its mark in the industry with an innovative menu and strategic expansion plans. With a focus on unique prototypes and effective location strategies, Savvy Sliders aims to differentiate itself in the market. The franchise experienced success in 2018 and is set for approximately 50% growth in 2024, planning to open 25 new stores. Utilizing two prototype models, including a smaller carryout-focused option and a larger dine-in version, Savvy Sliders is working on adapting to diverse market needs. |
| Dallas-based pizza buffet chain Pizza Inn has signed a deal with Blessings Basket Company for Serving Food to open 50 locations in Saudi Arabia, marking the brand’s entry into the region. The expansion will commence with two new locations opening this month. Brandon Solano, CEO of Pizza Inn’s parent company, Rave Restaurant Group, expressed confidence in the franchise’s partner, Blessings Basket Company, to introduce Pizza Inn to more markets and enhance its presence in Saudi Arabia. |
| Vox AI has revealed plans to showcase its advanced AI and machine learning technology for efficient drive-thru orders at CES 2024. The AI system, capable of conversing in 35 languages, is designed to streamline restaurant drive-thru operations, relieve overworked employees and potentially boost revenues by up to 17%. The technology focuses on improving response times, order accuracy and overall customer satisfaction by providing a perceptive, multilingual and human-like voice interface. |
| As the quick-service restaurant industry approaches 2024, technology is evolving from an optional upgrade to a crucial element of business strategy. Notably, geofencing is gaining prominence, evident in its integration by industry leaders like McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A for operational efficiency. Contactless and automation, accelerated by the pandemic, have become entrenched in QSRs, featuring self-service kiosks, mobile ordering and robotics. Artificial Intelligence is shifting from data collection to intelligence, focusing on predictive analytics for inventory, customer engagement and staffing. |
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