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.
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.
FSR Roundup: Casual and Upscale Dining Thrive
FSRs show resilience in 2025. Casual and upscale dining saw mostly positive YoY visits. Casual dining's per-location growth reflects rightsizing success. Steakhouses and American-style restaurants grew share, while Mexican declined. Strong per-location trends signal industry resilience moving forward.
Beyond the Discount: Can Protein and a "Back to Basics" Approach Re-energize Starbucks?
Starbucks faces stiff competition and flat visit frequency. Its "Back to Starbucks" plan focuses on innovation and experience to boost loyalty. Despite challenges, the brand's core customer base remains stable, positioning it for a potential turnaround through strategic in-store enhancements.
Bahama Breeze’s Bet
Darden is considering ceasing Bahama Breeze operations after 15 closures. Visit data shows consistent YoY declines, with 2025 being particularly challenging. The brand's foot traffic struggles suggest a strategic pivot or more drastic measures may be ahead for the remaining restaurants.
How Limited Service Is Succeeding in 2025
Limited-service dining thrives. Coffee's growth is led by small chains and affluent visitors. Short visits boost coffee and fast-casual. Chicken's share grew, impacting burger chains. The category evolves through diverse strategies, showcasing resilience.
