December 30th QSR Roundup: Tasty Innovations in Plant-Based Dining, QSR Expansion, and Sweet New Year Deals

Interviewy Team

Interviewy Team

— 6 min read
December 30th QSR Roundup: Tasty Innovations in Plant-Based Dining, QSR Expansion, and Sweet New Year Deals
QSR news for Dec 30th, 2024. We reviewed 21 QSR publications, 6 subreddits, and over 36 articles to bring you the latest. Estimated reading time saved (at 200wpm): 155 minutes. It'll take you only 8 minutes to catch up.

Plant-Based Dining: A Trillion-Dollar Opportunity

The plant-based dining sector is poised for tremendous growth, presenting a trillion-dollar opportunity for marketers targeting conflicted meat eaters—those who love meat but are health and ethically conscious.

  • Consumer Insights:
    • 83% are conflicted about factory farming.
    • 54% care about animal welfare.
    • Nearly 50% are concerned about health risks.

Younger generations, particularly Gen Z and millennials, increasingly prioritize plant-based options, with 81% of millennials trying meat replacements.

However, taste remains a barrier:

  • 44% of consumers are dissatisfied with the taste of plant-based options.
  • 39% worry about protein intake.

Innovative companies are addressing these concerns by creating plant-based products that match the taste and protein content of traditional meat. Examples include:

  • SWAP Foods: Offers chicken filets with familiar flavors and clean-label ingredients.
  • Prime Roots: Produces koji-based bacon, focusing on taste and simplicity.

These next-gen plant-based options appeal to conflicted carnivores and can boost sales for QSR and fast-casual restaurants.

Sources: QSR Magazine

QSR Winter Promotions and Expansions

Long John Silver's Winter Deals

  • Introducing the $6 Chicken Plank Basket with hand-battered, 100% white meat chicken tenders.
  • Crispy Lobster Bites made from wild-caught Norway lobster tails.
  • Red Velvet Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory Bakery, blending rich cheesecake with red velvet cake.
  • Promises great value and flavor without breaking the bank.

Krispy Kreme's New Year Offers

  • New Year’s Double Dozen for $20.25.
  • $0 delivery with a $5 minimum purchase.
  • From January 3 to 5, Original Glazed or Classic Assorted dozens for $12.
  • A thank you to loyal customers and the return of fully operational online ordering.

Dunkin' Launches New Espresso Drink

  • Introducing 'Sabrina's Brown Sugar Shakin' Espresso' on December 31.
  • Features bold espresso, brown sugar, and oatmilk, all freshly shaken.
  • Promoted with the ad campaign 'Shake That Ess' starring Sabrina Carpenter.
  • New $5 Meal Deal: Two Wake-Up Wrap sandwiches with coffee.
  • Rich chocolate-themed treats like Lava Cake Signature Latte and Chocolate Whoopie Pie Specialty Donut.
  • Exclusive offers and bonus points for Dunkin' Rewards members in January.

Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza's Milestone

  • Celebrates 10 years with 21 locations nationwide.
  • Opened new locations in Boynton Beach and Doral in December 2024.
  • Named the #1 Most Popular Independent Pizzeria in America by PMQ Pizza Magazine.
  • Known for 72-hour dough and signature pizzas like Star Luca and Coffee Paolo.
  • Plans to expand in Florida, Texas, and enter Georgia in 2025.

Sources: QSR Magazine, FSR Magazine

AI and Innovations Transforming QSR in 2025

The quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry is at a pivotal point, adapting to rising inflation and changing consumer behaviors. To stay competitive, QSRs are embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other innovations.

Key Trends for 2025:

  • AI Adoption: Moving from a luxury to a necessity. AI aids in smarter inventory management and offers personalized promotions to enhance customer experience.
  • Phygital Experiences: Combining physical and digital interactions seamlessly. Ensuring consistent menu availability across platforms builds customer trust.
  • Redefining Value: Consumers seek value beyond prices, prioritizing dining experiences. QSRs are innovating menus with trendy options and improving ambiance for a memorable visit.

Future Outlook:

  • AI and automation will transform operations, enhancing efficiency through predictive analytics.
  • Customizable platforms help improve franchisee performance by centralizing management.
  • Employee engagement through effective rewards and incentives is crucial for operational success.
  • The focus is on refining established strategies and thoughtful innovations to foster customer loyalty.

Sources: Modern Restaurant Management

Challenges in the Restaurant Industry: Work Hours and Personal Sacrifices

Grueling Work Hours for Chefs and Managers

  • Chefs often endure 60 to 80-hour weeks, especially during peak times like holidays.
  • Low pay despite high demands leads to frustration and physical strain.
  • Many express the need to 'know your worth' and advocate for fair compensation.
  • Burnout is common, prompting some to leave the industry for better work-life balance.

Personal Sacrifices and Family Tensions

  • Managers covering long shifts due to staff call-outs face personal sacrifices and family tensions.
  • Overwhelming workloads and lack of support can lead to emotional tolls.
  • Spousal understanding is important in balancing work and personal life.
  • Employee accountability and reliable staffing remain ongoing challenges.

Sources: /r/Restaurant_Managers, /r/restaurant

Managing Food Recalls and Pets in Restaurants

Handling Food Recalls Safely

  • Immediate action is crucial when a food recall occurs.
  • Steps include stopping service, assessing inventory, and destroying any remaining stock of the recalled product.
  • Notify distributors for credits and replacements.
  • Keep track of customer complaints and coordinate with local health authorities.
  • Transparency with staff and customers is key to managing the situation effectively.

Dogs in the Restaurant

  • In California, only certified service animals are allowed inside restaurants.
  • Patrons often bring dogs, complicating enforcement due to ADA regulations.
  • Owners can ask what tasks the service dog performs but cannot demand proof.
  • True service dogs should be well-behaved and under control.
  • There's a need for stricter identification and adherence to laws to manage non-service animals.

Sources: /r/restaurantowners

Beverage-Focused Fast Food Innovations

McDonald's CosMc and Taco Bell's Live Más Café are revolutionizing the fast-food scene with beverage-centric concepts.

  • McDonald's CosMc:
    • Opened in 2023, featuring innovative drinks like Island Pick-Me-Up Punch and S’mores Cold Brew.
    • First location in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
    • Experienced double the visits of a typical McDonald's and triple traffic per square foot.
  • Taco Bell's Live Más Café:
    • Launched on December 9.
    • Focuses on specialty drinks like Coffee and Churro Chillers.
    • Introduces unique foods, enhancing customer experience with bold flavors.

These concepts aim to elevate customer experiences by offering innovative beverages and inviting atmospheres.

Sources: Salon

New Product Launches for 2025

Oreo's Exciting Lineup

Oreo is set to delight fans in 2025 with six exciting new products:

  • Game Day Cookies: Limited-edition with football-themed designs, available from Dec. 26.
  • Oreo Loaded Cookies: Featuring mega crème and cookie bits.
  • Golden Oreo Cakesters: Soft-baked snack cakes joining the lineup.
  • Irish Creme Thins and Peanut Butter Oreo Minis: New flavor variations.
  • Frozen Treats: Including Oreo Bites and Mini Bars.
  • Fans can join the Dunk Club for exclusive access and updates.

Single-Serve Mug Cakes by Mugsy Bakes

Mugsy Bakes presents new dairy and gluten-free single-serve mug cake mixes:

  • Flavors include lemon vanilla, chocolate lava, and seasonal chocolate peppermint.
  • Prioritizes convenience: just add an egg, milk or oil, and microwave for under two minutes.

Sources: Salon, Food Business News

McDonald's Orange Juice Lawsuit

  • Facing a class-action lawsuit alleging hidden surcharges for substituting orange juice in breakfast combos.
  • Plaintiffs claim that advertising misleads customers about fixed pricing.
  • Seeking compensation and menu reforms for affected customers.
  • Emphasizes the importance of transparent pricing and consumer protection.

Royal Warrant Changes

  • King Charles III revoked the royal warrants for Unilever and Cadbury.
  • Companies like Cadbury lost their warrant after 170 years.
  • Decision follows criticism for continuing sales in Russia amid the Ukraine conflict.
  • Unilever and Mondelez respect the royal family's decision despite disappointment.

Sources: Salon

Restaurant Owners Discuss POS Fees and Cash Policies

POS Processing Fees Concern

  • Bar owners express concern over processing fees as high as 3.6%.
  • Many consider this rate excessive and suggest looking for alternatives.
  • Recommendations include providers like Square, Clover, and SmartTab with lower fees.
  • Emphasis on optimizing cost and speed, especially for high-volume traffic.

Cash vs Cashless Bar Debate

  • Bar owners weigh the pros and cons of going cashless.
  • Concerns over credit card fees and the speed of cash transactions.
  • Many customers prefer cash; ignoring cash could lead to losing 10-20% of business.
  • Operational risks like system downtimes are a consideration.
  • Consensus leans towards accepting both cash and cards to maximize accessibility.

Sources: /r/BarOwners

Global Trends and Post-Holiday Sales

Global Trends for Local Success

  • Staying informed about international market trends is crucial for local businesses.
  • Understanding global shifts provides lead time to adapt to consumer preferences.
  • Health trends, like moving away from sugary products, influence future local demand.
  • Learning from international failures helps design better local strategies.
  • Aligning team knowledge leads to cohesive decision-making.

Post-Christmas Cookware Deals

  • Amazon's after-Christmas sale offers up to 55% off on cookware.
  • Brands like All-Clad, Staub, Lodge, and Cuisinart are featured.
  • Discounts on sets, Dutch ovens, and individual pieces.
  • Prices start as low as $20—perfect time to snag kitchen essentials.

Sources: Food Industry Executive, Food & Wine

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