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consumers

Operations

After a long winter, spring brings signs of life to Applebee's and Outback

 By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 26, 2024

Data from Placer.ai shows that full-service traffic perked up in March after a difficult end to the year.

Operations

Casual-dining restaurants have a value problem

 By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 15, 2024

Consumers say they’re getting less bang for their buck at sit-down places. Operators are working to change that while still protecting their margins.

Marketing

What makes a restaurant loyalty program stick?

By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 12, 2024

We tried a bunch of loyalty programs—and talked to a few experts—to find out what works and what doesn’t in the growing field of loyalty.

Technology

Restaurants say they're bearing the brunt of delivery chargebacks

By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 05, 2024

Operators complain of frequent fraud and a cumbersome process for getting their money back from delivery providers. “They make nothing simple for you.”

Technology

Here's where Gen Z wants restaurants to spend their tech dollars

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 29, 2024

Mobile ordering, paid reservations and, yes, dynamic pricing, are in demand among younger diners, according to a new report from the National Restaurant Association.

Financing

Lower-income consumers pull back at Olive Garden

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 21, 2024

Guests earning less than $75,000 are visiting the casual-dining chain much less than last year, parent Darden Restaurants said Thursday.

Operations

Early birds are perking up traffic at Olive Garden

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 19, 2024

More customers are visiting the Italian casual-dining chain in the late afternoon and early evening, which has helped lift transactions, according to data from Placer.ai.

Technology

7 tech takeaways from the National Restaurant Association's annual forecast

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 06, 2024

Restaurants will add more technology in 2024, even as some consumers say they’ve had enough, according to the State of the Restaurant Industry report.

Consumer Trends

Why Reddit couldn't stop talking about Taco Bell last year

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 05, 2024

The chain made headlines with a slew of new menu items, but it was something else that drove discussion online.

Food

The Trader Joe's effect: How the grocery chain is a gateway to global flavors for restaurant customers

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 12, 2024

With its accessible and affordable array of international products, Trader Joe’s opens consumers’ palates to unfamiliar cuisines. But it can work both ways, say operators—restaurants also provide taste experiences that benefit retail sales.

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