Chipotle Rewards on Repeat Relaunch
Chipotle reshapes loyalty with Rewards on Repeat, blending in-store promotions, staff incentives, and simpler redemption to boost traffic.
Apr 16, 2026
Chipotle reshapes loyalty with Rewards on Repeat, blending in-store promotions, staff incentives, and simpler redemption to boost traffic.
Apr 16, 2026
Photo by Salah Ait Mokhtar on Unsplash
A refined look at Papa Murphy’s strategy as MTY guides a cautious turnaround amid a crowded pizza landscape—digital play, local marketing, and a new Detroit-style offering.
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Photo by Sergio Mena Ferreira on Unsplash
Mo’ Bettahs leaves Kansas City as it pivots to a PE-backed national expansion to Phoenix, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis.
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Photo by Kate Trysh on Unsplash
Applebee’s O-M-Cheese Burger fuses spectacle with value, driving social buzz and foot traffic—a signal for the skillet-cheese moment in casual dining.
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Photo by Diego Mattevi on Unsplash
GoTo Foods taps Misra and Lambert to harmonize digital momentum with disciplined development across seven brands, aiming for stronger guest experiences and franchisee economics.
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Bojangles launches Bo’s Chicken Rippers in an eight-week pilot, turning bites into a hands-on, sauce-forward experience with interactive, tear-apart slabs.
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Photo by Jim Sosengphet on Unsplash
Popeyes teams with One Piece for a limited menu and merch drop, blending bold flavors with anime fandom to boost traffic and loyalty.
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Photo by dedy kurniawan on Unsplash
A close look at Jersey Mike’s rapid expansion, leadership shift, and international push under Blackstone’s ownership.
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Photo by Roberto Catarinicchia on Unsplash
CAVA launches Glazed Salmon with pomegranate glaze from Just Date, pairing seafood with chef-curated bowls and a new loyalty push to broaden Mediterranean flavors.
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Photo by Carol Highsmith's America on Unsplash
Chains fuse Korean, Mexican, and botanical flavors into familiar favorites. Discover the artistry, risks, and strategy behind this culinary renaissance.
Apr 15, 2026
The recent trends in the Consumer Price Index are affecting food and restaurant prices, and what the future holds for grocery and dining expenses.
Photo by Mitchell Hollander on Unsplash
The recent data on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) indicates a 0.3% rise in November, contributing to a 2.7% increase compared to November 2023. This figure falls in line with market expectations but represents a slight uptick from the 0.2% growth in the previous four months. The CPI serves as a key indicator of inflation, reflecting the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services.
Photo by Mitchell Hollander on Unsplash
The food-away-from-home index, a component of the CPI that tracks restaurant prices, saw a 0.3% increase in November following a 0.2% uptick in October. Both full-service and limited-service meal prices rose by 0.3% during the month, contributing to a 3.6% increase in menu prices compared to the previous year. Limited-service meals experienced a slightly higher rise at 3.7% over the last 12 months, while full-service meals increased by 3.6% over the same period.
Photo by Mitchell Hollander on Unsplash
Despite the rise in restaurant prices, grocery and supermarket inflation lagged behind, showing a year-over-year increase of 1.6%. This disparity reflects a continuing trend where menu prices consistently outpace grocery prices for the 20th consecutive month. The gap between grocery and restaurant pricing in November was at its smallest since April 2023, indicating a potential shift in this pricing dynamic.
Industry experts, such as Mark Kalinowski, point out challenges for the U.S. restaurant sector in achieving strong same-store sales due to the widening gap between restaurant and grocery prices. The anticipated poor sales performance is attributed to historical data, with 2025 projected to have one of the lowest non-pandemic sales years, excluding 2020. However, the recent narrowing of the price gap in November offers a glimmer of hope for the industry's outlook.
The overall food index rose by 0.4% in November, following a 0.2% increase in October. Federal data reveals a significant 9.9% increase in food prices since 2022, marking the fastest escalation since 1979. The United States Department of Agriculture anticipates continued high food costs in 2025, with a forecasted 1.6% increase in grocery prices and a 3.4% rise in restaurant prices.