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These are the big menu trends to watch in 2024

 By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 03, 2024

After scouring dozens of end-of-year industry reports, we gathered the predictions that rose to the top. Here’s what the forecasters say will most impact menus and operations in the year ahead.

Consumer Trends

The holiday season is looking particularly merry for restaurants this year

 By Peter Romeo on Dec. 06, 2023

Projections call for heavy purchases of both on-premise and to-go meals, while consumers are already spending more on gift cards.

Consumer Trends

Cost-conscious consumers trade down from restaurants to c-stores

By Chuck Ulie on Nov. 30, 2023

As menu prices rise at fast-food restaurants, customers are looking to convenience stores for meal deals.

Consumer Trends

Here’s why some Thanksgiving turkeys are getting tanked

By Peter Romeo on Nov. 21, 2023

Restaurant Rewind: Deep-frying a whole bird is no longer a novelty. But the alternative prep method was largely unknown until recent decades. Here's how the process evolved from crazy notion to viable option.

Consumer Trends

How consumers and restaurants are changing Thanksgiving this year

By Patricia Cobe on Nov. 17, 2023

Menu prices are up. Restaurant traffic is down. And grocery inflation is easing. How will Turkey Day 2023 shape up?

Consumer Trends

Consumers are getting burned out on tipping

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 14, 2023

More than half of people say they’re getting tired of tip requests as their own finances worsen, according to a new survey.

Consumer Trends

Consumers tighten their restaurant budgets, but mainly on the margins

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 08, 2023

Lower-income people are clearly pulling back, while higher earners and families show resilience, according to new data.

Consumer Trends

These restaurant brands are the easiest to use, consumers say

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 17, 2023

A ranking of the world’s simplest brands showed that QSRs are excelling as technology plays a bigger role.

Consumer Trends

Why early evening has become the hottest time to dine out

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 11, 2023

Remote work, inflation and even Netflix could be driving consumers to eat dinner earlier, particularly at higher-end restaurants.

Consumer Trends

Want to see how the other half lives? Go to Olive Garden.

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 09, 2023

Full-service restaurant chains are the most socioeconomically diverse places in the U.S., according to new research. It could help them weather a tough economy.

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