How to Franchise a Restaurant
Learn how to franchise a restaurant by building systems, protecting your brand, choosing franchisees, and supporting consistent long-term growth successfully.
May 29, 2026
Learn how to franchise a restaurant by building systems, protecting your brand, choosing franchisees, and supporting consistent long-term growth successfully.
May 29, 2026
Learn how Father's Day promotions, menus, reservations, marketing, and staff training increase restaurant sales while protecting margins and improving performance.
Jun 1, 2026
McDonald’s unveiled McDonald’s Next, a new strategy focused on menu improvements, technology investments, restaurant upgrades and hospitality.
Jun 2, 2026
Explore the operational secrets and business strategy behind Monty's Good Burgers, a trailblazing vegan restaurant in Los Angeles. Discover how culinary innovation, consistent quality, and strategic customer engagement redefine plant-based dining.
Jun 2, 2026
Dutch Bros delivered one of the strongest quarterly performances in its history during Q1 2026, with a 31% revenue increase, 8.3% same-store sales growth, and unaided brand awareness that has more than doubled in 18 months driven by mobile ordering, food menu expansion, loyalty upgrades, and aggressive market density building.
Jun 1, 2026
Fuel costs are emerging as one of the more unpredictable financial pressures facing quick-service restaurant operators running through supply chains, delivery economics, and consumer spending behavior in ways that are harder to anticipate and manage than traditional cost inputs like food and labor.
Jun 1, 2026
Chipotle is quietly testing a new Crispy Chicken protein option in select California restaurants, marking a potential shift in the chain's menu strategy as it looks to accelerate innovation and tap into one of the fastest-growing food categories in the restaurant industry.
Jun 1, 2026
Red Robin has sold 30 company-owned restaurants in Washington and Western Idaho to multi-unit operator Evergreen Dining for $23.5 million in cash, using the proceeds to pay down debt and fund its First Choice turnaround plan as the chain continues to reshape its ownership structure.
Jun 1, 2026
Operators share how to scale: trust the brand’s playbook, plan people, invest early, and navigate the Hell Zone as multi-unit growth accelerates into 2026.
May 31, 2026
Red Lobster will close its 5 Times Square flagship on June 14, 2026, citing construction and office-to-residential conversion; staff offered transfers and pay.
May 31, 2026
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Explore how Denny’s revamped its menu offerings with Slams to elevate its value perception and drive customer engagement.
Photo by Lee B. Vining
Photo by Lee B. Vining
Denny’s, a prominent player in the restaurant industry, made a strategic shift in its value marketing approach by introducing Slam promotions. Slams are individual menu items that serve as full meal options, catering to customers seeking both value and satisfying dining experiences. This move marked a departure from the traditional $2-$4-$6-$8 value promotion strategy that the chain previously relied on.
The decision to pivot towards Slam promotions stemmed from CEO Kelli Valade's observation that customers were leveraging the $2-$4-$6-$8 promotion by combining low-cost items and add-ons, potentially diluting its impact. This prompted Denny’s to reevaluate its value proposition and respond to evolving customer preferences by introducing innovative and compelling Slam offerings.
Photo by Lee B. Vining
Valade emphasized the importance of being agile and responsive to customer needs while enhancing Denny’s value proposition. By iterating on existing promotions or devising new everyday value options, the chain aims to provide consistent value that customers can rely on, ensuring a balance between affordability and quality.
The introduction of Slams at Denny’s resonated well with customers, leading to a significant increase in the popularity of these value-packed menu items. Notably, the brand's Super Slam surged to a record-high 10% incidence rate, contributing to an overall value incidence surpassing 20%. This success underscores the effectiveness of Denny’s strategic shift towards Slam promotions in driving customer engagement.
Photo by Lee B. Vining
To further enhance its value proposition and cater to diverse customer preferences, Denny’s integrated its fall Limited Time Offers (LTOs) like Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes, Bourbon Bacon Sirloin Steak, and Chocolate Cinnamon Milkshake with its ongoing Slam promotions. This strategic alignment allows the chain to provide a variety of value-driven options to its customer base.