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Wendy's is getting a makeover of sorts by taking an addition by subtraction approach. The fast food chain is closing an additional 140 outdated stores in addition to the 100 it announced earlier in the year and plans to open more high-tech locations that streamline ordering and improve the customer experience. Wendy's has been in the midst of a giant redesign of its restaurants that began two years ago featuring new tech and drive-thru improvements. The fast food category has face a year of upheaval as customers bolted because of inflation and rising prices at chains. That's forced McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's to into a value meal price war, scaling back prices and offering more deals. It's been a less than financially healthy year for Wendy's. While the chain ranks second behind top burger McDonald's and ahead of 'what's the crown for' Burger King, sales growth in 2024 has been like a bag of soggy fries with growth at just 2.3% globally compared to the 7.2% growth it saw in 2023. Same-restaurant sales growth is like a broken soft serve machine, which is just 0.7% globally compared to 5.2% in 2023. Krabby Patty to the rescue! Streamlining the ordering process and drive-thru experience are good places to start in terms of luring customers back. More signficantly, however, is refocusing the menu to offer more incentives and discounts. Wendy's recently launched its limited-time Krabby Patty Meal and Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty in addition to its current $1 promotion beverage deal. All in all, Wendy's makeover seems to be going according to plan https://lnkd.in/gpimTDCR #wendys #fastfood #restaurant #customers #technology #drivethru #realestate

On this episode of The Drive in Five, see how the Beef Checkoff gets beef on menus and in shopping carts by working with retail stores, distributors, manufacturers and restaurants. Also, explore where it all begins for the Beef Checkoff – collections and how they work. #BeefCheckoff

Another blazing, industry-defying quarter from Chipotle: Q2 results, just announced: Total revenue up 18.2 percent, year-over-year, to $3 billion. Same-store sales growth of 11.1 percent. That owed to higher transactions of 8.7 percent (nearly unheard of these days) and a 2.4 percent increase in average check. Digital sales represented 35.3 percent of total F&B revenue. Chipotle in Q2 opened 52 new company-operated restaurants, of which 46 included a Chipotlane, and one international licensed restaurant. The company expects to debut 285 to 315 new store openings this year, with over 80 percent including the order-ahead pickup Chipotlane. Operating margin was 19.7 percent, a jump from 17.2 percent. Restaurant-level operating margin was 28.9 percent compared to 27.5 percent in the year-ago quarter.

Interesting takeaways from Darden's earnings report today: - Same-store sales down 1.1% YOY system-wide. - Eddie V's Prime Seafood & The Capital Grille had same-store sales down 6.6% YOY. - Olive Garden had same-store sales down 2.9% YOY. - LongHorn Steakhouse helped soften declines with a 3.7% increase YOY. I read this as: Low income consumers are dining out significantly less or not at all. Middle & upper income consumers are dining out, but opting for mid-priced options such as LongHorn Steakhouse rather than more full service options such as Eddie V's Prime Seafood or The Capital Grille. In short - consumers are watching their spending carefully. Darden noted significant softness in July, but reaffirmed full year guidance and said sales trend is improving. Placer.ai’s recent data supported this, reporting a 4.4% foot traffic decline in July and a 6.9% rebound in August at Olive Garden. Darden stock was up over 8% after the news, primarily related to a first-party delivery agreement with Uber Eats and a positive forward outlook. Article on Darden's earnings from Bloomberg below: https://lnkd.in/gvJxGeee #darden #restuarants #retailers #earnings #consumerspending #retailrealestate #cbre

Texas Roadhouse is sizzling with success, bucking industry trends and achieving a standout 9.3% increase in same-store sales, thanks to savvy operational upgrades and a keen focus on everyday value. Texas Roadhouse posted a notable 9.3% increase in same-store sales for Q2 2024, driven by a 4.5% rise in traffic and a 4.8% increase in average check size. This growth continues into Q3 with an 8% rise. The chain's success is attributed to enhanced back-of-house technology, including digital order management and mobile access for employees, which improves efficiency and staff satisfaction. Lower commodity costs and a well-staffed workforce further bolster its strong position in a challenging market. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/egg_mkjc Restaurant Dive Julie Littman Branded Hospitality Ventures Hospitality Hangout Podcast #hospitality #food #restaurants #marketing Sammy Vela Wayne Jones Raymond Day Michael Crawford Gina Tobin Brad Scheiner Hernan Mujica Shane Broadway Kathleen (Kathy) Widmer

In this weeks edit of the retail headlines we have everything from drone deliveries by Amazon to WHSmiths & Fortnums selling takeaway coffee!   Here's what caught my eye:    wilko former owner does not expect to plug £70m pension black hole Pret A Manger arms staff with body cameras as retail attacks surge Sainsbury's boss warns 17,000 stores are at risk without business rates overhaul Tesco launches digital passports for clothes ahead of EU sustainability crackdown SHEIN eyes UK warehouse ahead of IPO Waitrose & Partners to unveil new store concept at North London supermarket Card Factory teams up with Just Eat for speedy delivery Fortnum & Mason launches takeaway coffee counter Pandora UK sales nudge up despite 'sluggish' consumer spending Amazon teams up with Barclays to launch new credit card John Lewis & Partners restructures shop floor teams in customer service push Aldi scraps click-and-collect service after four years Avon owner files for bankruptcy following talcum powder cancer allegations Morrisons extends Deliveroo tie up to Daily stores Amazon opens £500m robotic fulfilment centre in Leeds Amazon to trial 'Prime Air' drone delivery service Marks and Spencer launch baby club for Sparks members Hamleys opens children's dress up boutique at London flagship WHSmith opens first own-brand café in food-to-go push Victorian Plumbing Group pulls plug on rival firm three months after acquisition Pets at Home unveils 'customer-centric' Brentford store in new concept rollout Wilko owner eyes 300 stores in next five years ASOS.com introduces AI chatbot for shoppers to haggle prices   My story of the week: WHSmith opening its first Café stuck out to me. This is a retailer that had lost its relevance on the high street a few years ago IMO. Through some good strategic decisions it’s not only survived, but is thriving. Great to see a much loved British brand doing well. #brand #marketing #cmo #ceo #customerexperience #retail #shoppingcentres Revo - Retail. Property. Community.