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Marketing

Nostalgia in marketing isn't just for older generations

Technomic's Take: Parents and older family members can induce feelings of second-hand nostalgia and FOMO. It's why catering to parents of young children is so important.

Technology

How a new generation of chatbots is changing voice ordering

Large language models like ChatGPT have flipped the script for companies like ConverseNow, which uses AI to take restaurants’ phone and drive-thru orders.

The two chains are duking it out for tech superiority as they attempt to prove that robotic makelines could transform the fast-casual space.

The Bottom Line: What are consumers like right now? Is Ozempic going to ruin the restaurant industry? Can Burger King maintain its momentum? Here’s what we want to know.

The Bottom Line: The owner of Papa Murphy’s says that consumers are getting “more demanding,” which is exactly what happens in a market when people are cutting back.

Tech Check: As delivery slows, some digitally focused restaurant companies are branching into meal kits, groceries and even airplane food.

The Bottom Line: With Chipotle developing yet another brand in Farmesa, it’s a good time to check on the track record of large brands creating new concepts. It’s not a good one.

Matt Baker of the full-service Gravitas in Washington, D.C. is stepping on the gas to grow his limited-service Baker's Daughter, an upscale bakery-cafe.

The Bottom Line: Parent company Fiesta Restaurant Group spent two years trying to find a buyer before ultimately agreeing to a deal with the owner of Primanti Bros. It illustrates the difficulties of the acquisition market over that period.

The Bottom Line: Casey’s has become a force in the pizza business with a selection of innovative items, delivery and a popular loyalty program. But we investigated its claim to be a top-five pizza concept. It has a good argument.

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