Patricia Cobe

U.S. pizza restaurant sales are expected to reach $44 billion by 2017, according to Mintel’s latest research. Traditional pizza options remain popular, but consumers’ pizza tastes are broadening when it comes to topping off their pies.

The Columbus, Ohio-based Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern has 15 locations, but only the Indianapolis store serves up a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich. The reason? Consumer demand for this regional Hoosier specialty could not be ignored.

Del Taco has always been known for delivering value in the Mexican QSR space. But as a perennial bridesmaid to Taco Bell, the brand wanted to better communicate what it sees as its points of differentiation: made-to-order freshness and top quality ingredients.

Steak performs well for Cousins Subs, because core customers see it as a point of differentiation for a sandwich QSR, says Justin McCoy, VP of marketing at the 122-unit chain based in Menamonee Falls, Wis. So in the last quarter of 2014, R&D developed a cheesesteak that layers a more generous portion of steak with premium ingredients.

Flighty may best describe the 2014 restaurant customer. End-of-year trend predictions revealed that he or she may be seeking adventurous flavors on one visit, value on another.

Certain trends grab the culinary spotlight and refuse to die—even when diners and chefs can no longer stand to hear about them. One view at why some of these trends may merit continuing attention in 2014, while others should be tossed aside with the last of the New Year’s confetti.