Chipotle’s hourly turnover metrics rode to a COVID-fueled peak in 2021 as they spiked at 194 percent. That after holding steady. Overall, the rate rose from 130.1 percent in 2016 to 194 percent, before beginning to slope positively in 2022 (164 percent). This was, naturally, a somewhat difficult line to measure given the external labor […]
The post Chipotle’s Hourly Turnover Climbed to 155 Percent in 2025 appeared first on QSR Magazine.
Prediction markets do not allow for hedged bets. On Kalshi or Polymarket, you cannot say “AI will transform the restaurant industry” and call it a prediction. Predictions should be direct, measurable, and a bit spicy. That kind of accountability has been on my mind, and it changed how I approached this piece, including when I […]
The post PAR Technology CEO Savneet Singh Makes 5 Bold, Measurable Predictions for Restaurant Tech appeared first on QSR Magazine.
Being healthy and fit is having a moment, and the fast-food industry has noticed. Nobody is letting this cultural trend pass them by, least of all the brand that has long positioned itself as the healthier option. CARMA has been monitoring Chipotle’s media strategy, and over the past several months, one theme has dominated: protein. […]
The post How Chipotle Turned Protein Into a PR Strategy appeared first on QSR Magazine.
Smoothie King is entering a new chapter, building on more than five decades in the category it helped create. The evolution touches menu, store experience, and growth strategy at the same time. The company introduced smoothies in 1973 and has since built an identity around taste and nutrition. Now the goal is to translate that […]
The post Smoothie King Builds on 53-Year Legacy with New Brand Evolution Plan appeared first on QSR Magazine.
The 14th edition of William Blair’s restaurant tracker, released Monday, showed engagement among consumers taper off in March, with 81 percent of respondents noting they eat at restaurants at least a few times a month. That was 92 percent in December and 91 percent a year ago. The percentage dining out a least a few […]
The post Are Restaurant Customers Starting to Feel Digital Fatigue? appeared first on QSR Magazine.
Firehouse Subs’ growth is being shaped as much by cost realities as it is by opportunity. The brand’s latest development incentive programs, which offer upfront cash to franchisees, come out of several years of adjustment following increases in construction costs and a push to expand its footprint across North America. The incentives have continued to […]
The post Firehouse Subs Adjusts Development Playbook Amid Cost Pressures appeared first on QSR Magazine.
For decades, Bojangles was the restaurant industry’s best-kept secret, but that’s changing as the brand expands beyond the Southeast. As a nearly 50-year-old restaurant brand with more than 870 locations, we’ve continually evolved over the years to thoughtfully balance corporate strategy with competitive franchise development goals, while staying closely attuned to consumer demand. Consumer expectations […]
The post How to Balance Corporate Growth and Guest Demand, from Bojangles’ VP of Franchise Sales appeared first on QSR Magazine.
This year, QSR magazine introduced Fast Casual FutureMakers, a new annual report showcasing brands and founders pushing the category forward in real time. The 2026 class features three emerging concepts, each representing a different path to growth and innovation. First up was Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, recognized as the “Rising FutureMaker” for its purpose-driven expansion and disciplined approach […]
The post Introducing the Fast Casual FutureMakers: La La Land Kind Cafe appeared first on QSR Magazine.
Atlanta knows how to eat. From Buford Highway to Buckhead, this city has built a food culture that rivals any in the country. We celebrate our chefs, export our cuisine, and take genuine pride in what comes out of our kitchens. But there is something we are not talking about honestly. The food most Atlantans […]
The post Why Food Should Give You Life: A Call to Action from gusto! CEO Nate Hybl appeared first on QSR Magazine.
Little Caesars is adding ChatGPT to its list of ordering channels. The announcement comes a couple of days after Starbucks announced a similar feature. Through ChatGPT, the pizza giant allows customers to plan, customize, and place pizza orders using natural language before completing the transaction in its mobile app. The feature is rolling out nationwide […]
The post Little Caesars Adds ChatGPT to Ordering Mix as AI Race Heats Up appeared first on QSR Magazine.
