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For fast casual chains, competition includes usual suspects like casual dining and QSRs as well as c-stores and grocery chains who are ramping up foodservice offerings to capitalize on the trading down trend. Sitting in a pricing sweet spot, FCRs have an opportunity to win share from both QSRs and casual restaurants.
From salted egg yolks and chili crunch fusions to mushroom-infused teas and freeze-dried fruit powder garnishes, Kimpton’s in-house experts share the standout ingredients, menu items and techniques that will come to the table in 2025.
This trend of using unique glassware to showcase specialty drinks and cocktails is growing in both fine dining and casual establishments across the country. Cut and hand-blown glass for old-school charm, a trend that continues to be popular among fine and casual establishments alike.
Fast-casual Condado Tacos—which prefers calling itself “next-gen casual”—has long had a bar program with a selection of conventional margaritas and beers to go with its Mexican-style menu and vibe. But those same margaritas had been on the menu since 2014 when the bar, so to speak, was set a bit lower.
Cheese debuts a new arcade concept for adults who want to be kids Emerging Brands Big Way brings a fast-casual take on hot pot This 13-unit chain from Canada recently opened its first U.S. Only this one is fast casual. stores, and the menu will evolve as they see what works. location in the Los Angeles area, with more to come.
Egg-cellent news…as of June 2, the egg surcharge is officially off the menu,” Georgia-based Waffle House wrote on X. The surcharges came atop years of menu price hikes that have frustrated consumers and hurt restaurant traffic. Thanks for understanding!” But supply has bounced back in recent months, bringing prices back down to earth.
This represents a larger increase than those increasing visits to fast-casual (14 percent) or full-service (11 percent) restaurants and is on par with those visiting QSRs more frequently (24 percent) ( RMS Q1 2025 Dining report ). The 2,000 U.S. Grocery and c-store competitors recognized the opportunity.
The casual, no-frills atmosphere makes it a comfortable place to grab a filling meal, especially for folks who like honest, straightforward barbecue without the extras. The menu keeps things simple with pulled pork, burgers, and smoked turkey sandwiches served in a casual, diner-like setting.
Not quite yet Food Spinoffs of the TikTok-famous Dubai Chocolate Bar surge on chain restaurant menus The classic flavor combination of chocolate, pistachio and crisp phyllo is showing up in everything from shakes to doughnuts, matcha and desserts. By Patricia Cobe on Jun. Photo courtesy of The MilkShake Factory.
Additionally, he launched Big Chicken, a fast-casual concept that combines his love for comfort food with high-quality ingredients. Shaqs hands-on involvement in branding and expansion has made Big Chicken a rising player in the competitive fast-casual market.
It's not just the merch on the menu that is driving traffic to the brand with a misison to create spaces that blend sports and leisure and offer innovative cocktails, next-level architecture and high-end designer decor with elevated bar bites, retro games, and exclusive event nights. BUT most importantly I put it on all staff!
Photos courtesy of Lime Fresh Mexican Grill With nine locations in Florida, fast-casual Lime Fresh Mexican Grill is David to Taco Bell’s Goliath. Photos courtesy of Lime Fresh Mexican Grill With nine locations in Florida, fast-casual Lime Fresh Mexican Grill is David to Taco Bell’s Goliath. By Patricia Cobe on Jul.
based architecture and design firm / /3877, newly-available real estate offers prime locations and cheaper rent for fast casual restaurants such as taco shops and upscale burger joints. This has led to a growing appeal for unique dining experiences and fast-casual concepts. According to the hospitality experts at Washington D.C.-based
The menu includes pulled pork with Carolina-style sauce, dry-rubbed brisket, turkey, pulled chicken, ribs, and house-made sausage. The setup is casual, with indoor seating and a bar that serves local craft beer. The setup is casual, with indoor seating and a bar that serves local craft beer.
27 – Eli’s Bar-B-Que Source: Eli’s Bar-B-Que Eli’s Bar-B-Que in Dunedin is a small, family-owned BBQ stand that has earned loyal fans through its simple setup and focus on flavor. It’s also pet-friendly, which makes it a popular stop for people out for a casual day.
Located off Interstate 65, it serves from a walk-up window in a gas station parking lot, offering a menu packed with barbecue staples and Southern favorites. While the focus is on barbecue, the menu also includes items like fried shrimp and rib-eye steak, giving customers more to choose from.
The restaurant uses a Southern Pride smoker with real wood, allowing for a consistent smoke profile across the menu. The menu is straightforward, focused mainly on pork, ribs, and a few Southern sides. The service is friendly, and the atmosphere is casual and relaxed.
The portions are generous, and the menu includes sandwiches and plates served with sides like coleslaw, baked beans, and fried okra. The restaurant keeps a casual and relaxed atmosphere, offering a straightforward barbecue experience that focuses on quality and consistency.
Have you ever walked into a restaurant, excited for a great meal, but the server can’t answer your questions about the menu? Without the right training, even the best menu or ambiance can fall short due to poor service, leading to dissatisfied customers and lost revenue. Let’s say you run a fast-casual restaurant.
The right restaurant newsletter doesnt just share updates; it keeps customers invested in your brand, your menu, and your next move. Its your chance to turn casual diners into consistent regulars, promote new menu items before they even hit the table, and build a real sense of community around your restaurant.
More recently, as chefs have been working up seasonal menus to highlight local specialties and homegrown bars have been remixing native spirits, Sri Lanka drew millions of tourists in 2024 , announcing the islands comeback on the global stage after a few years of economic uncertainty. Uncles Colombo gets to sleep early, but not Uncles.
. | Courtesy of Sabine Caf Rich Fox of Sabine in Seattle says leaning more casual has helped his bottom line A version of this post originally appeared on May 28, 2025, in Eater and Punchs newsletter Pre Shift , a biweekly newsletter for the industry pro that sources first-person accounts from the bar and restaurant world.
percent menu-price inflation rate. With households increasingly treating dining out as a luxury, every menu item and service interaction becomes a potential make-or-break moment. Red Robin climbs 3 percent to 78 thanks in large part to its focus on menu and food. At the same time, U.S. chain sales grew just 3.1
Below are key strategies to help improve your happy hour menu and boost sales. Are you an established bar trying to boost traffic on a slow weeknight? With the right information, you can improve your happy hour drink specials to match your customers preferenceswhether they prefer craft cocktails, local beers, or classic bar drinks.
Knowing the reason helps guide every decision, from choosing the right space to redesigning the menu or layout. Remember, location influences customer flow, staff retention, and menu pricing. To avoid costly damage, your kitchen equipment, bar fixtures, storage units, and decor pieces require careful handling. Lower rent?
At Trinas Starlite Lounge, the hot dog tower comes with five hot dogs, fries, and sauce | Trinas Starlite Lounge In this economy, the pricey seafood tower has given way to way to the hot dog tower For Trinas Starlite Lounge , the longstanding bar in Somerville, Massachusetts, 2024 was financially pretty rough. And then the election happened.
Classic sides like green beans, corn salad, and unsweetened tea help round out the menu. Menu highlights often include brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and garlic pepper jack sausage. The atmosphere is casual with counter service and a dining room that keeps things simple and focused on the food.
So much data is generated at every point within a restaurant, whether fast casual or fine dining. Foot traffic or heat mapping, menu item engagement, or consumer demographics by time of day. For us, menu innovation is more than adding dishes—it’s about offering something guests can’t find anywhere else.
Serai has been the trendsetter at the top of the game for a few years, now joined by Askal in Melbourne earlier this year and have just opened a rooftop bar called Inuman. This trend is not just in fine dining, but though positioning levels – bars/pubs, clubs, smart casual, fast casual, cafés, QSR and right down to impulse.
Growing menu innovation and healthy fast food further drive the growth of the market. The demand for fast food is still strong because it is affordable, convenient, and offers a wide variety of menu items, which is why it is the go-to option for millions of Americans every day. billion in 2024 and is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 3.74
technology News Tech Check Joe Guszkowski is a senior editor with Restaurant Business covering technology and casual-dining chains. Trending Food Spinoffs of the TikTok-famous Dubai Chocolate Bar surge on chain restaurant menus Financing How is Roark Capitals track record?
"Gastropub" has become a popular restaurant industry term, alongside "fast casual" and "small plates." " The term gastropub combines "gastronomy" and "pub," promising high quality food and drinks and a down-to-earth, casual vibe. The scotch egg is a classic gastro pub menu item.
Panda Express (Fast Casual) Who is Panda Express? Lower Turnover : On average, Panda Express consistently maintains much lower turnover rates for non-management, management, and General Manager employees compared to their local Fast Casual competitors. LongHorn Steakhouse (Casual Dining) Who is LongHorn Steakhouse?
30 Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint Source: Instagram Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint has earned a solid following in South Carolina for its focus on traditional, low-and-slow cooking. Martin’s stands out because it sticks to tried-and-true methods while still providing a comfortable, casual experience.
There are numerous ways to improve your table turnover rate, such as implementing efficient reservation systems, optimizing menu design, and training staff to handle table management effectively. Turnover rate may be higher in fast-casual or quick-service restaurants compared to fine-dining establishments.
Located near the Kansas City International Airport, this eatery offers a diverse menu that includes brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, and ribs, all prepared with meticulous attention to flavor and quality. The casual dining atmosphere, along with options for takeout and delivery, makes it a convenient choice for both locals and visitors. .
Ever wonder why that craft cocktail at your local bar seems irresistible, or why you always end up ordering that premium coffee drink when you meant to get regular brew? It’s not just your cravings calling the shotsit’s menu psychology at work. A bar tested this theory. Sometimes it’s just the story you tell.
The primary response was menu price increases, with nearly 61 percent of respondents adjusting prices to cope with the new reality. However, the industry has renewed optimism, driven by the adoption of digital and mobile ordering, menu creativity and heightened expectations around AI. percent +7.23 percent Gastropubs 72.41 percent +41.02
Behind the Menu: Smart cross-utilization of products allowed the fast casual to expand its permanent menu without complicating sourcing and operations.
As a step further, offering a flexible menu catered to solo diners – with smaller portions to reduce food waste and allow the diner to taste more dishes – provides waiters with an additional opportunity to make personalized recommendations specific to these menu offerings. Cuisine type?
Servers have to explain to diners that certain foods are off the menu until the ingredients come in. These systems record exactly what is sold each night and can alert staff when certain menu items or ingredients are low. Diners are more likely to get frustrated and write negative reviews or never return.
. – Jackie Abril-Carlile, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Culinary Instructo r and Executive chef and general manager at North Mountain Brewing Everything Has Changed At the onset of COVID, most fast casual restaurants went from primarily dine-in business to mostly takeout and delivery models. Supporting your staff is crucial.
Running a successful restaurant isn’t measured solely by what’s on the menu anymore. Running a successful restaurant isn’t measured solely by what’s on the menu anymore. Today, this approach continues as we see content creators showcasing insta worthy dishes, creative restaurant menu hacks, and more.
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