consumers

Survey: Expect a big holiday season for restaurant gift cards

By Heather Lalley on Oct. 15, 2021

Shipping delays, supply chain problems and other issues are potentially leading to a surge in gift card-buying this fall and winter, according to new research from Blackhawk Network.

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Operations

Upscale concepts reap benefits of dine-in rebound

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 07, 2021

Consumers gravitated toward higher-end, experience-driven restaurants as they celebrated this summer, but true white-tablecloth places are still feeling the pandemic pinch.

Food

Consumers rank their favorite tacos

By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 15, 2021

These 10 chains serve the most craveable tacos, according to Technomic consumer data.

Food

Kids' menus get an upgrade

By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 09, 2021

Mac and cheese down, broccolini up as restaurants offer kids healthier, more premium choices.

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Marketing

Chipotle looks to get even more business from its most-loyal customers

By Heather Lalley on Sep. 01, 2021

The fast-casual chain, which has done more than $2 billion in digital sales so far this year, launched an expansion of its rewards program Wednesday that offers ways to earn extra points and badges by completing personalized challenges.

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Technology

Robots rise in restaurants, but diners still prefer humans

By Joe Guszkowski on Aug. 27, 2021

As the industry takes another big step toward more automation, consumers are holding back.

Technology

Diners would rather order from your website than DoorDash, DoorDash says

By Joe Guszkowski on Jun. 30, 2021

A new report from the delivery giant found that many customers favor first-party channels such as websites and even the telephone over third-party ordering.

Consumer Trends