Rick Zambrano 
Market Force released early results from its “2022 Quick Serve Restaurant (QSR) / Fast Casual Study.” The findings demonstrate how 53 top restaurants brands score on Market Force’s Customer Loyalty Index (CLI). The score measures customer satisfaction and how likely these brands’ customers are to recommend a brand.
Levy, a restaurant company and contract foodservice provider to some of the largest US venues, took a minority stake in Boka Restaurant Group, a chef-driven restaurant group. Levy manages the foodservice at 250 venues, including United Center, Wrigley Field, Guaranteed Rate Field, Barclays Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Crypto.com Arena, Levi’s Stadium, and Dodger Stadium.
Restaurant chains continue to introduce limited-time menu items that bring out the flavors of the fall season. Following a winning formula to draw in customers with seasonal offerings, restaurant brands are using cinnamon, apples, pumpkin, and brown sugar in new and returning items.
Marco’s Pizza named Gerardo Flores chief development officer (CDO). The move comes on the heels of the opening of the 1100th store. The pizza chain also surpassed $1B in annual systemwide sales.
With all the challenges facing restaurants during and post pandemic, and myriad hot topics to be addressed, chefs and restaurant owners still must allocate time to focus on the hottest culinary trends. After all, style and preparation of food will always be the key to attracting customers. Spices, Caribbean flavors, Masa and plant based-chicken are highly-relevant trends that can boost creative opportunities on the menu.
Velvet Taco will open a new restaurant in the Memorial City district of Houston in October. The hip, taco-shop chain’s opening at 10102 Katy Freeway marks its 23rd location in Texas. The brand’s customary painting of Marie Antoinette eating red velvet cake, commissioned by artist Laura Shull, will be on display.
The Habit Burger Grill added Roasted Garlic Cauliflower to its menu. The side dish is a limited-time menu addition.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill rolled out a Buffalo Chicken Parmesan, Buffalo Chicken Parmesan Sandwich and Buffalo Chicken Parmesan Macaroni and Cheese. The three zesty Buffalo-inspired takes on classic Italian dishes will remain on the menu for a limited time.
Inflation-driven increases in food away-from-home have been nearly six percentage points below food-at-home purchases (7.6% versus 13.1%); however that has not swayed the typical consumer to increase restaurant visits. Food at home is still 3.4 times more than an in-home meal sourced from retail, note Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) and The NPD Group (NPD).
Wendy’s has created a new design for its stores known internally as Global Next Gen. The sleek Wendy’s prototype is built for the future with what it described as next-generation technology. With a much-improved layout, the Wendy’s Global Next Gen standard will focus on convenience, speed and accuracy.
