December 31st QSR Roundup: From 110 Years of Milkshake Magic to AI Innovations Reshaping Restaurants

Interviewy Team

Interviewy Team

— 7 min read
December 31st QSR Roundup: From 110 Years of Milkshake Magic to AI Innovations Reshaping Restaurants
QSR news for Dec 31th, 2024. We reviewed 21 QSR publications, 6 subreddits, and over 56 articles to bring you the latest. Estimated reading time saved (at 200wpm): 245 minutes. It'll take you only 8 minutes to catch up.

Milkshake Factory's 110-Year Legacy and Expansion

Founder Dana Edwards Manatos is carrying on a 110-year family tradition in chocolate-making with The Milkshake Factory.

  • The original shop, Keystone Candies, was founded in 1914 in Pittsburgh by her great-grandparents.
  • Manatos emphasizes the importance of community connections and hospitality as central to their brand's future.
  • After launching 55 flavors in 2003, the brand became popular for its immersive dining experience.
  • Significant growth followed a Costco deal in 2015, leading to expansion across North America.
  • Despite Pittsburgh's winters, fans continue to enjoy their milkshakes, highlighting the brand's unique appeal.

Source: QSR Magazine

Plant-Based Dining: A Trillion-Dollar Opportunity

There's a trillion-dollar opportunity targeting conflicted meat eaters who love meat but are health and ethically conscious.

  • 83% of consumers are conflicted about factory farming; 54% care about animal welfare.
  • Younger generations, especially Gen Z and millennials, increasingly prioritize plant-based options.
  • Taste matters: 44% of consumers are dissatisfied with the taste of plant-based foods.
  • Innovative companies like SWAP Foods and Prime Roots are creating products that address taste concerns with clean-label ingredients.
  • Next-gen plant-based options aim to match traditional meat in protein and appeal to health-conscious consumers.

Source: QSR Magazine

Challenges Facing Restaurants in 2025

Restaurants are bracing for numerous challenges in 2025, including rising costs and new regulations.

  • Inflation has pushed menu prices up, impacting guest counts and industry margins.
  • 21 states will increase minimum wage starting January 1, 2025, with Washington leading at $16.66.
  • New mandates like cage-free egg requirements and security protocols may complicate operations.
  • Customers are growing weary of continuous price hikes, challenging restaurants to find balance.

Source: FSR Magazine

2024's Best Dishes and Culinary Highlights

Restaurants are adapting to evolving tastes amid economic uncertainty, offering diverse and innovative dishes.

Notable highlights include:

  • Coconut escolar ceviche at Lao’d Bar in Austin, served in a coconut shell with a creamy sauce and crispy fried onions.
  • Seafood tajin at Hamido Seafood: a bubbling pot of fresh seafood in spicy tomato sauce, paired with warm pita.
  • Battambong sliders at Battambong BBQ: Texas barbecue meets Cambodian flavors in a unique culinary experience.
  • Buka stew at ChòpnBlọk: Mixing Nigerian traditions with a contemporary twist, highlighting diasporic cuisine.

Overall, the ongoing evolution of dining experiences brings together innovative flavors, cultural contributions, and comforting meals.

Source: Eater

Restaurant Expansion Stories: Rusty Taco, Blaze Pizza, and Dickey's

Rusty Taco Expands in Georgia

  • Opened its second Georgia location in Decatur at 163 Clairemont Avenue.
  • Plans to open eight more locations in the Atlanta area in coming years.
  • Focuses on becoming a neighborhood staple with tacos and margaritas.

Source: Fast Casual

Blaze Pizza's California Growth

  • Blaze Pizza enters a 25-unit deal in Southern California.
  • Led by experienced franchisees, opening four new locations in 2025.
  • Known for artisanal fast-fire'd pizzas and strong franchisee support.

Source: Fast Casual

Dickey's Barbecue Pit's Expansion in Arizona

  • Franchisee Gaurav Chaudhary is opening three new locations in Scottsdale and Peoria.
  • Plans to convert a fourth restaurant into a Dickey's brand outlet.
  • Chaudhary praises the franchise's strong support and comprehensive training.

Source: QSR Web

Surge in Wholesale Bakery Supply Sales

Baked goods are a staple worldwide, leading to growth in bakery supplies. Supplies include ingredients, decorations, packaging, and equipment.

  • Modern eCommerce allows even retail buyers to order bulk quantities.
  • Key categories:
    • Ingredients: Including specialty products like gluten-free options.
    • Equipment: Energy-efficient appliances to lower costs.
    • Decorations and Packaging: Crucial for marketing and presentation.

Source: BlueCart

Understanding Commercial Bakeries

  • Specialize in B2B sales of baked goods, partnering with businesses like restaurants and cafes.
  • Offer white-labeling and contract manufacturing for scaling companies.
  • Focus on products like breads, pastries, desserts, and custom items.
  • eCommerce is growing, but most sales remain in-person.

Source: BlueCart

AI and Technology Transformations in the Restaurant Industry

Harnessing AI for Restaurant Marketing

  • Adam Guild emphasizes using AI to elevate restaurant marketing.
  • AI can lead to increased sales and better customer engagement.
  • Restaurants are investing in technologies that resonate with the modern customer.
  • Video guidance is available from Owner.com for deeper strategies.

Source: Modern Restaurant Management

AI Revolutionizes Food Innovation

  • Adoption of AI in the food industry has doubled since 2017.
  • Used for optimizing formulations, enhancing production, and improving nutrition.
  • AI analyzes consumer data to predict emerging food trends.
  • Companies like NotCo and Kraft Heinz joint venture to create plant-based offerings.

Source: Food Business News

AI Transformations in Restaurants

  • AI and automation enhance customer experience and hiring processes.
  • A coffee chain reduced interview scheduling from days to under 10 minutes using AI bots.
  • Chipotle uses AI to unify customer data, aiming for $280 million in annual revenue growth.
  • Focus areas include adopting AI for internal efficiencies and customer data analysis.

Source: Modern Restaurant Management

Kimpton's Culinary + Cocktail Trend Forecast

  • Black tahini is expected to make waves, used in noodles and ice cream.
  • Chili crunch fusions will blend global flavors with local ingredients.
  • Black limes offer intense sweet-sour flavor profiles.
  • Salted egg yolk to be included in upscale dishes for an umami kick.
  • Korean culinary influences continue to blend with American comfort foods.

This forecast gives food enthusiasts a glimpse into future flavors and dining experiences.

Source: Modern Restaurant Management

Oreo's Exciting New Products for 2025

  • Launching six new products, including limited-edition Game Day cookies with football designs.
  • Oreo Loaded cookies with mega crème and cookie bits debuting in January.
  • Fans can join the Dunk Club for exclusive access and updates.

Source: Salon

Investment and Financial Updates in Food Companies

One Bio Raises $27 Million

  • One Bio, a biotechnology firm, secured $27 million in Series A funding.
  • Aims to reduce sugar intake, increase fiber consumption, and address metabolic disorders.
  • Extracts anti-inflammatory short-chain fibers from various plant sources.

Source: Food Business News

Investment in Tropical Cheese Industries

  • Tropical Cheese Industries received investment from AUA Private Equity and Avance Investment Management.
  • Funds will boost growth, enhance product penetration, and expand distribution.
  • Aims to preserve the brand's essence and family legacy.

Source: Food Business News

Darden Restaurants' Growth

  • Achieved a 6% sales increase to $2.9 billion in Q2 fiscal 2025.
  • Olive Garden's sales rose to $1.29 billion, aided by the never-ending pasta bowl promotion.
  • LongHorn Steakhouse saw total sales rise to $710 million.

Source: Food Business News

Food Policy and Regulations Updates

Top Food Policy Stories of 2024

  • Denver's ballot initiative aimed at closing the last commercial slaughterhouse.
  • Florida's immigration law affecting agricultural labor, turning farm towns into 'ghost towns'.
  • New school meal standards increasing inclusion of local foods in student lunches.
  • Republican agricultural policies could herald major shifts in farming areas.

These developments reflect how legislation evolves to address food safety, health, and the agricultural landscape.

Source: Civil Eats

McDonald's Orange Juice Lawsuit

  • McDonald's faces a class-action lawsuit over hidden surcharges for substituting orange juice in breakfast combos.
  • Plaintiffs allege the company's advertising misleads customers about fixed pricing.
  • Seeking compensation and menu reforms.

Source: Salon

Recall of QVC Oven Gloves

  • Over one million pairs of QVC oven gloves recalled due to burn hazards.
  • 162 reports received, including 92 cases of minor burns.
  • Customers urged to stop using them and seek refunds.

Source: Salon

Discussions Among Restaurant Owners and Managers

Transitioning to the Food Industry from a High-Paying Job

An electrician earning $130k/year considers a career change due to a passion for cooking.

  • Reddit commenters advise caution, emphasizing the financial risks and challenging nature of the food industry.
  • Suggestions include starting small with a side gig, like catering or a food truck.
  • Many highlight that while passion is important, business acumen is crucial for success.

Source: /r/restaurantowners

Managing ADHD in Restaurant Operations

A manager seeks tips for handling ADHD in a busy restaurant environment.

  • Strategies include keeping a small notebook or journal to jot down tasks.
  • Using external systems like checklists and routine cards.
  • Some mention that medication like Vyvanse or Adderall can be beneficial.

Source: /r/Restaurant_Managers

Toxic Kitchen Environments

A new restaurant worker feels overwhelmed by a tough supervisor and considers quitting.

  • Commenters discuss the prevalence of unhealthy kitchen cultures.
  • Many advise prioritizing mental health and looking for a different job.
  • With experience, it's easier to find new opportunities in the industry.

Source: /r/restaurant

Best Fast Food Burger Debate Among Chefs

Chefs name Shake Shack and In-N-Out as top contenders for the best fast food burger.

  • Reddit commenters share mixed experiences with both chains.
  • Some praise In-N-Out for consistency, others criticize Shake Shack's quality and high prices.
  • The debate highlights regional variations and personal preferences.

Source: /r/fastfood

Onion Rings Showdown

A review of onion rings from six fast-food chains finds the best to be crispy and spicy.

  • Commenters favor Culver's and Whataburger as top choices.
  • Quality can vary by location, and freshness is key.

Source: /r/fastfood

Understanding Macronutrients and Nutritional Scoring

Understanding Macros

  • Macros include protein, carbohydrates, and fats, essential for nutrition and energy.
  • Protein is crucial for muscle building; recommended intake is at least 46g for women and 56g for men.
  • Balancing macros is vital for overall health.

Source: Salon

Nutritional Scoring Systems

  • Nutrient profiling systems like Nutri-Score and Health Star Rating rank foods by healthiness.
  • Nutrient Consume Score (NCS) rates foods on a 1-100 scale, factoring in microbiome health.
  • These systems aim to guide consumers toward healthier choices.

Source: Salon

Restaurant Innovations and Phygital Experiences

QSR Innovations for 2025

Quick-Service Restaurants are enhancing their value propositions amid rising inflation.

Key focuses include:

  • AI Adoption: From luxury to necessity, improving inventory management and personalized promotions.
  • Phygital Experiences: Seamless combination of physical and digital interactions is crucial for customer trust.
  • Redefined Value: Customers prioritize dining experiences over low prices, pushing QSRs to innovate menus with trendy options.

Source: Modern Restaurant Management

Future of Quick-Service Restaurants

  • The industry shows resilience with strong takeout and delivery sales.
  • AI and automation are transforming operations and decision-making.
  • Engaging employees with effective rewards and incentive programs is essential.
  • Adapting to demands for convenience and efficiency remains key to competitiveness.

Source: Modern Restaurant Management

Stay tuned for more concise news updates delivered right to your fingertips, saving you valuable time. As industry professionals and restaurant operators, your time is precious—spent on running your businesses, innovating menus, and enhancing customer experiences. Let us keep you informed with quick, comprehensive summaries so you can focus on what you do best. Subscribe now and join us again for the latest insights in the restaurant industry!

Read more