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.
Darden Restaurants’ Portfolio Powers Through Consumer Headwinds
Darden’s 2025 performance reveals a split: overall visits rose 1.4% YoY, outpacing the full-service dining sector, but same-store traffic was flat. Yard House and LongHorn powered growth, Olive Garden held steady, while Cheddar’s softened – underscoring the importance of portfolio balance.
Has Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte Retained Its Appeal in 2025?
Starbucks’ 2025 Pumpkin Spice Latte launch once again fueled a nationwide traffic surge, reaffirming its enduring cultural and financial impact. Competitors like Dunkin’ and Dutch Bros. lag behind, underscoring Starbucks’ unrivaled mastery in seasonal LTO strategy.
Din Tai Fung: Sky High Average-Unit-Volume is a Recipe for Success
Din Tai Fung achieves an incredible $27.4 million average unit volume, nearly double its next competitor. This success is a boon for malls, boosting foot traffic, increasing dwell time, and extending evening visits, proving a powerful destination brand can uplift an entire retail ecosystem.
Dutch Bros Visits Surge, Dunkin & Starbucks Traffic Trends Improve in Q2 2025
Coffee’s top chains show diverse paths in Q2 2025. Starbucks’ visits narrowed declines, Dunkin’ saw modest growth via value, and Dutch Bros continued rapid expansion. These distinct strategies shape the competitive market.
Decoding Shake Shack & Wingstop's Q2 2025 Visit Performance
Shake Shack Q2 visits up 13.7% (per-venue -1.7%). Wingstop visits up 3.6% (per-venue -6.3%). These divergent paths show brand resilience. Shake Shack appeals to higher HHI. Wingstop's lower HHI family base faces budget pressure, impacting loyalty. Both brands adapt for future success.
McDonald's Snack Wrap Return Drives Immediate Foot Traffic Surge
McDonald's Snack Wrap re-launch on July 10 drove a significant visit surge, up 15.0% from the 2025 YTD daily average. This initial success highlights the power of nostalgia-driven menu innovation to boost traffic, crucial for McDonald's ongoing efforts to reverse recent sales and traffic plateaus
Chipotle & McDonald’s Halfway Through 2025
McDonald's and Chipotle show diverse paths in Q2 2025. McDonald's visits rebounded, driven by innovation. Chipotle's overall visits grew, but its per-location traffic saw a dip. Both companies are expanding aggressively, shaping the dining landscape and demonstrating resilience amidst market challenges.
