Humor Is the Underrated Survival Tool in Chaos
Underappreciated life hack is keeping a sense of humor even as things crumble around you.
Crumbl's Sweet Surge Faces Economic Reality Check
I've been a fan of Crumbl; while snack concepts have generally been doing well as consumers look for affordable indulgences, at some point the economic realities catch up with them. Crumbl isn't going away but the cracks are starting to...
Pilot Confirms Frequent Travelers' Biggest Fear
As a frequent traveler this has always worried me too, but it sounds even more terrifying coming from a pilot.
Global QSRs Should Cross‑sell Hit Items Abroad
Hot take: big, global #QSR chains should do more cross-selling of their popular menu items in other countries. A couple of chains are starting to catch on, and I bet this limited time Butter Chicken Taco is going to be...
Hungry Howie's Pet‑themed Secret Menu Leverages National Pet Day
Appealing to the US consumers' love of their pets is always a smart promotion, as pizza chain Hungry Howie's partners with Happy Howie's for a "secret menu" to coincide with National Pet Day starting 4/11. https://t.co/WXrllxhuAi
Analyzing the Sysco‑Restaurant Depot Deal on Deeper Dive
I joined @jonathanmaze on his "Deeper Dive" podcast earlier this week to discuss the Sysco/Restaurant Depot deal. #restaurant #distribution #Sysco $SYY https://t.co/aJyWwsj04T
Independent Restaurants Urge FTC to Block Deal
Now, an association representing independent restaurants (the Independent Restaurant Coalition) has come out calling on the FTC to reject the deal. https://t.co/gHLxPAXYqC
Four Key Signals Reveal True State of Oil Markets
This is a great read about how to think about what's happening with oil and Hormuz - and ultimately with the world economy. The headlines are all over the place, but these 4 signals can tell you what's really happening.
Dos Toros Returns to Chicago After Closure
We had a Dos Toros (@DosToros) right across from our office that closed a couple of years ago. Glad to see they're coming back to the #Chicago market. https://t.co/r468kvvIBn
Swig Pioneered Dirty Soda Trend, Still Rapidly Expanding
Swig essentially created the "dirty soda" trend, now nearly every #restaurant is doing it (especially within #fastfood). And Swig is growing like crazy even as this new beverage category is becoming more ubiquitous. https://t.co/L4IjIvvaM3
Cash‑and‑Carry Saves Money When Items and Distance Align
Good perspective on using cash-and-carry from a #restaurant operator. But sometimes the savings can outweigh the hassle and wear & tear; depends what you're buying and how far you're driving.
Sysco's Pending Restaurant Depot Deal Sparks Industry Debate
Some additional thoughts on the Sysco acquisition of Restaurant Depot (which still needs to get regulatory approval.) Here's a short thread but I'm curious what people in the #restaurant industry think about this deal? 1/10
Beverage Category Becomes Restaurants' Innovation Battleground
I continue to believe that the beverage category is the innovation battleground in #restaurants today. This article from our sister publication @RB_magazine lays out how some smaller coffee shops are innovating (warning: pay wall for non-subscribers.) But here are trends:...
Sysco Moves Into Cash‑and‑carry with Restaurant Depot Acquisition
Big news as @Sysco announces the acquisition of Restaurant Depot. While broadline has done well, cash-n-carry distribution continues to do well & this gets Sysco into a segment that it has historically avoided. This is from last year but growth is...
World Record: Most Michelin-Starred Meals in One Day
Who knew there was a World Record about how many Michelin starred restaurants you could eat at in a day? Also, the amount spent seems pretty reasonable but it’s clear he was eating a lot of small plates.
Dietician‑Approved Chili’s Fajitas Prove Restaurants Can Be Healthy
Eating at #restaurants is often perceived to be unhealthy, but like anything, you can find good options if you just look a bit harder. In this case: the fajitas at @Chilis are the choice of dieticians looking for a healthy,...
Convenience Stores Emerge as QSR Competitors
We've been saying for many years that convenience stores are the sleeping giant that could, if they ever got their act together, create a strong competitor to quick service restaurants. Increasingly, c-stores are getting their act together. https://t.co/cFqwKkdF7a
OpenTable Demands Primary Status, Limiting Secondary Reservation Systems
The restaurant reservation system wars are heating up as OpenTable is now requiring any restaurant using the platform to be their primary "system of record." Operators can still use others, but only as secondary systems. https://t.co/8JreI1ovqF
Red Lobster's Turnaround Shows Early Positive Signs
How is the turnaround going at Red Lobster? @business takes a look at the current status, with some comments by yours truly in the article. https://t.co/eESerWrtou
Pizza Hut Hires $31K Crust Expert for Pi Day
I like this customer engagement idea: @pizzahut, as part of its rollout of a new crust and celebration of Pi Day, is hiring a "Hut Crust Connoisseur" who will be paid $31K and get free pizza for a year. #restaurant...
Restaurants Counter Ozempic Trend with Mini‑Cocktails
Restaurant operators are adapting to the "Ozempic effect" through various types of menu engineering and new product development. This one - mini-cocktails - is interesting as a lower cost, lower calorie (smaller portion) option. https://t.co/IiaEwuneAR
AI Ordering Soon, Delivery Costs Still Unchanged
Ordering thru ChatGPT, Gemini or other AI tools isn't reality yet, but it will be soon. These are increasingly replacing search engines as a means to discovery, and ordering will be linked soon enough. Can AI help bring down delivery costs?...
Restaurant Prices Rise Faster Than Overall Inflation
Restaurant menu price inflation continues to run hotter than overall inflation. Today's reading shows FAFH CPI up 3.9% (!), with limited service prices up 3.2% and full service up 4.6%. The affordability crisis continues. https://t.co/c9SLvliOyk
Live Events Should Become the New Menu Launch Standard
Hot take: more restaurant chains should introduce their new menu items in a live event complete with celebrities, choirs, and dancing, just like @tacobell. Here's everything Taco Bell revealed at Live Mas Live https://t.co/wRXDVDJ00I
Restaurants Use Barbell Pricing: Cheap Entrants, High‑Margin Winners
Great perspective; #restaurants typically have some type of "barbell" pricing/menu items; low cost to get people in the door, and higher value (hopefully higher margin) to pay the bills.