November 15th QSR Roundup: Dining Trends, Exciting Restaurant Expansions, and Flavorful New Menus Across the Industry

Interviewy Team

Interviewy Team

— 6 min read
November 15th QSR Roundup: Dining Trends, Exciting Restaurant Expansions, and Flavorful New Menus Across the Industry
QSR news for Nov 15th, 2024. We reviewed 21 QSR publications, 6 subreddits, and over 82 articles to bring you the latest. Estimated reading time saved (at 200wpm): 250 minutes. It'll take you only 8 minutes to catch up.

A recent study highlights significant shifts in American dining habits:

  • 38% of Americans are dining out less in 2024 compared to last year due to rising costs.
  • Despite spending more, 59% of regular fast-food customers are being selective with their orders.
  • There's a growing demand for healthier options, with 74% of consumers wanting clearer nutritional information on menus.
  • Loyalty programs are now vital for quick-service restaurants (QSRs), with one-third of consumers using multiple fast-food apps for deals.

Looking ahead, the focus for QSRs will be on nutritional transparency, convenience, and enhanced service quality to meet evolving consumer expectations.

Source: QSR Magazine

Exciting Restaurant Expansions Across the Nation

Dave's Hot Chicken Expands to Tulsa

  • Dave’s Hot Chicken is opening five new locations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, partnering with CW Strong Restaurant Group.
  • CEO Brian Cassidy brings 30 years of franchise experience to the table.
  • The brand, launched in 2017, plans to reach 275 locations by the end of 2024, currently boasting over 218 units across North America and the Middle East.

Source: QSR Magazine

Smoothie King's Rapid Growth

  • Smoothie King celebrates opening its 1,200th store in Roanoke, Texas.
  • The grand opening features free smoothies and prizes.
  • The brand is aggressively expanding in the Chicago market with 10 new locations underway.
  • Committed to healthy options, Smoothie King's Clean Blends initiative emphasizes whole foods and avoids over 70 artificial ingredients.

Source: QSR Magazine

Huddle House's Major Expansion in Texas

  • Huddle House secures a 20-unit franchise agreement with WE Food Enterprises Hospitality Group.
  • Set to begin opening in June 2025 in Spring, Texas.
  • Aims to attract families and students while creating job opportunities.

Source: Restaurant Dive

Flavorful New Menus and Seasonal Offerings

Cini Minis Return to Burger King

After a 12-year hiatus, the beloved Cini Minis are back at Burger King in Miami and Fort Lauderdale! Priced at $2.49 for a 4-pack, these bite-sized cinnamon rolls are made with cinnamon sugar and served with sweet icing. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a sweet addition to meals, available all day while supplies last.

Source: QSR Magazine

Marlow's Tavern Seasonal Menu

Marlow's Tavern introduces new fall and winter comfort dishes and cocktails, showcasing seasonal ingredients to enhance dining experiences. Highlights include:

  • Duck and Sweet Potato Stack: A hearty twist on the traditional Chicken Stack.
  • Grilled Atlantic Salmon with leeks and asparagus sunchoke chips.
  • New dishes like Beet Tartare and Brisket Grilled Cheese.
  • Fall cocktails featuring the Pomegranate Spice Mojito and Ancho Pineapple Margarita.

Source: FSR Magazine

Limited-Edition Holiday Treats

  • Flipz introduces Peppermint Hot Cocoa and Snickerdoodle pretzels, available at major retailers.
  • Bimbo Bakeries launches Little Bites Hot Cocoa with Marshmallow Muffins, promoting special moments through delicious snacks.
  • Barilla unveils winter-themed Snowfall pasta featuring snowflakes, poinsettias, and hearts, celebrating shared meals during the holiday season.

Source: Food Business News

Cracker Barrel's Q1 Success Amid Proxy Battle

  • Cracker Barrel reports a positive Q1, outperforming the casual-dining segment with same-store sales growth.
  • Projected net income of $4.8 million and adjusted EBITDA of $45.8 million, reflecting a 4.3% year-over-year increase.
  • CEO Julie Felss Masino emphasizes strategic initiatives driving growth and shareholder value.
  • Facing a proxy fight with activist investor Sardar Biglari, who nominated himself and others for board seats.
  • Advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis recommend shareholders vote against Biglari’s nominations.

Source: FSR Magazine

Chipotle Faces Portion Size Lawsuit

  • A shareholder lawsuit claims Chipotle misled investors about portion sizes.
  • Allegations suggest the company denied changes despite consumer complaints of smaller meals.
  • CEO Brian Niccol acknowledged customer concerns but denied any directive to reduce portions.
  • The lawsuit follows significant stock declines after earnings calls.

Source: Restaurant Dive

Ben & Jerry's Sues Unilever

  • Ben & Jerry’s sues parent company Unilever, alleging threats to dismantle its board for speaking out on Palestine.
  • Claims include Unilever breaching a 2022 settlement by silencing the brand’s efforts to promote human rights.
  • Unilever rejects the claims and regards the situation in the Middle East with seriousness.

Source: Salon

Embracing Technology: Enhancing Efficiency and Customer Experience

Bojangles Introduces Self-Ordering Kiosks

  • Bojangles partners with Grubbrr to install self-ordering kiosks in 800+ restaurants.
  • Pilot tests achieved over 50% customer adoption.
  • Kiosks aim to streamline operations, reduce wait times, and improve order accuracy.
  • Joins other tech advancements like the AI drive-thru voice system.

Source: Restaurant Dive

AI Hosts Transform Restaurant Communication

With 59% of customers hanging up after waiting just a minute, restaurants lose 15-30% of incoming calls, especially during busy hours. AI phone agents are revolutionizing this experience, handling reservations seamlessly 24/7, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring consistent customer interactions.

Source: Modern Restaurant Management

Key Leadership Appointments and Strategic Partnerships

Moe's Southwest Grill Names Mike Smith as Chief Brand Officer

  • Mike Smith promoted to Chief Brand Officer from VP of Operations.
  • Brings over 20 years of restaurant industry experience.
  • Previously expanded Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe from 40 to over 100 locations in six years.
  • Aims to enhance operational excellence and pursue growth opportunities at Moe’s, which boasts nearly 600 locations.

Source: Nation's Restaurant News

Krispy Krunchy Chicken Appoints New COO

  • Matt Testa joins Krispy Krunchy Chicken as COO.
  • Brings 20 years of experience from Pilot Flying J, a major travel center network.
  • Focused on enhancing operations across 3,000+ locations.

Source: Foodservice Equipment & Supplies

Advancing Sustainability in the Restaurant Industry

Pizza Box Recycling Initiative

  • Pizza Hut partners with Smurfit Westrock to promote pizza box recycling in Louisville, Kentucky.
  • Demonstrates that greasy pizza boxes can be recycled.
  • Nearly 75% of U.S. residents have local recycling access for pizza boxes.
  • Aims to improve the circularity of packaging with local municipalities.

Source: QSR Web

2025 Culinary Trends: Focus on Sustainability

  • Sustainability tops the National Restaurant Association’s 2025 menu trends.
  • Consumers will prioritize eco-friendly practices and locally sourced ingredients.
  • Trending ingredients include functional mushrooms and global flavors like pineapple and tamarind.
  • Restaurants are innovating to balance efficiency with exciting flavors, embracing both novelty and nostalgia.

Source: Food Business News

Festive Offerings to Celebrate the Season

Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub's Holiday Promotions

  • Gift Card Deals: Purchase a $25 Plastic Gift Card by Dec 29 and get a $5 Bonus Card.
  • eGift Card Specials: From Nov 18-24, buy a $50 eGift card for $40 or $100 for $75.
  • Reunion Night: Celebrate on Nov 27 with specials from $4.99 wings to trivia and prize contests.
  • Kids Eat Free: From Nov 29-Dec 1, enjoy a free kids meal with every adult meal purchased.

Source: FSR Magazine

McDonald's Festive Collaboration and Holiday Cups

  • McDonald’s partners with Doodles for the “GM Spread Joy” holiday campaign.
  • Limited-edition McCafé cups feature custom artwork unlocking unique digital experiences via the app.
  • Merchandise collection combines McDonald's characters with Doodles art.
  • 10% of e-commerce proceeds to support Free Arts NYC.

Source: Restaurant Dive

Restaurants Show Resilience Amid Challenges

Despite inflation, labor shortages, and evolving consumer preferences, the restaurant industry showcases remarkable adaptability based on Toast's survey revealing five major trends for 2024:

  • Inflation remains a top concern: 63% of financial overseers report increased profits, yet inflation pressures force creative adjustments.
  • Growth optimism: Only 4% of operators noted profit declines; 28% plan to open new locations soon.
  • Staffing challenges easing: Only 12% face significant hiring difficulties; training becomes crucial.
  • Tech for efficiency: A significant 26% will implement new technologies to enhance profitability.
  • Dynamic pricing interest: About 70% of operators show keen interest, though only 7% currently utilize it.

Source: FSR Magazine

Hershey's Response to GLP-1 Drugs

  • CEO Michele Buck notes a mild impact from GLP-1 weight-loss drugs on their sales.
  • Despite a gradual effect, data shows that consumers on GLP-1 drugs are not eating significantly less candy.
  • Hershey's net income fell 13.9% to $446.3 million amid rising consumer price sensitivity.

Source: Food Business News

Insights from the Restaurant Community

Exclusivity with Third-Party Delivery Services

Restaurant owners discuss the pros and cons of signing exclusive deals with delivery platforms like UberEATS:

  • Concerns over high commission rates and loss of customer traffic from other services.
  • Some recommend negotiating commissions to a maximum of 15%.
  • Emphasis on encouraging customers to order directly from the restaurant to retain profits.
  • Experiences vary, with some finding exclusivity beneficial and others preferring to use multiple platforms.

Source: /r/restaurantowners

Bar Owners Facing Business Slowdown

Bar owners across various locations report significant downturns in business compared to previous years:

  • Declines ranging from 5% to 30%, attributed to cultural shifts and economic pressures.
  • Younger generations leaning towards alternative lifestyles, contributing to reduced bar traffic.
  • Rising operational costs complicate financial recovery, despite some seeing gross sales up due to price increases.
  • Optimism remains for eventual recovery with improved staffing and changing local dynamics.

Source: /r/BarOwners

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