Dining
Explore our collection of blogs covering the restaurant space, from QSR to fast casual to full-service concepts. Find data-driven insights and industry updates for a range of leading and emerging brands.
Will Upscale Dining Lead the Holiday Season Again?
Holiday dining patterns highlight upscale and fine-dining restaurants as the strongest seasonal performers, with coffee, casual dining, and eatertainment showing targeted lifts. Emerging YoY trends point to premium full-service concepts leading demand again this December.
Darden Heads Into Holiday Season With Strong Visit Trends
Darden is heading into the holiday season with accelerating visit growth across its portfolio. Olive Garden, LongHorn, and Cheddar’s continue to deliver strong same-restaurant gains, while upscale banners like Seasons 52 and Ruth’s Chris are positioned for another robust holiday surge based on early 2025 trends.
Red Cup Day 2025 Outperforms Last Year With Bigger Crowds Than Bearista
Starbucks’ 2025 Red Cup Day drew higher visits than both the Bearista launch and previous years. Placer.ai data shows visits jumped 44.5% above average as customers lined up for limited-edition cups and holiday drinks – proving that buzz, exclusivity, and timing continue to drive Starbucks’ seasonal success.
Denny’s Goes Private: What’s Next for America’s Diner
Following its acquisition by TriArtisan Capital Advisors, Denny’s is entering a new chapter. With Keke’s Breakfast Café gaining momentum and loyalty at Denny’s holding steady, the iconic diner brand is well-positioned to rebuild and modernize for long-term growth.
Serving Those Who Served: How Restaurants Honor Veterans Day
Summary: Full-service restaurants across the U.S. see major traffic spikes on Veterans Day as they honor service members with free meals and special offers. Data from last year shows how these gestures strengthen community connection and business performance.
Wendy’s Bets on Fewer, Bigger Deals in Q3 2025
Wendy’s same-store visits dropped 6.3% YoY in Q3 2025 amid high costs and discounting pressure. But a simplified promotion strategy – led by the $1 breakfast biscuit deal – fueled double-digit breakfast growth in August. The brand’s new “fewer, bigger deals” approach could help reignite momentum heading into year-end.
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Yum! & RBI: QSR in Q3 2025
In Q3 2025, Yum! Brands outperformed the broader QSR category, led by Taco Bell’s continued strength and recoveries at KFC and Pizza Hut. Meanwhile, Restaurant Brands International (RBI) saw overall declines, though Firehouse Subs’ steady visit growth stood out as a bright spot.
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Shake Shack & Wingstop: Navigating Q3 Waters
Shake Shack and Wingstop’s Q3 2025 data reveals diverging trends in the fast-casual sector. Shake Shack’s growth stems from rapid expansion despite flat same-store traffic, while Wingstop faces tougher comps and digital shifts. Promotions remain key traffic drivers.
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Sips Of Success: Coffee in Q3 2025
The coffee segment grew 1.4% YoY in Q3 2025, outperforming broader QSR declines. Starbucks and Dunkin’ saw modest visit drops, Dutch Bros continued to expand, and rising chains like 7 Brew, Better Buzz, Foxtail Coffee, and Black Rock Coffee Bar fueled much of the category’s momentum.
