Explore Inspire Brands’ rapid expansion and what their upcoming IPO could mean for restaurant owners. We break down the latest performance of Arby’s, Sonic, Jimmy John’s, Baskin-Robbins, and Dunkin’ to help you benchmark and plan.
Jun 30, 2026
Local Favorite Restaurants’ acquisition of Cotton Patch Cafe highlights value-driven growth and new expansion opportunities for Texas-based brands.
Jun 30, 2026
Another Broken Egg Cafe bolsters its franchise growth strategy by promoting Chris Eby to VP of Development and adding new leadership - what this means for restaurant operators.
Jun 30, 2026
Church’s Texas Chicken launches nationwide catering, presenting a fresh growth avenue for restaurants as group dining demand surges. Explore what operators can learn from this move.
Jun 30, 2026
Restaurants can prepare for FIFA Quarter Finals by planning menus, staffing, promotions, inventory, and guest retention to increase match-day sales.
Jun 30, 2026
Ranking for "restaurants near me" searches requires local SEO, strong reviews, mobile ordering, accurate profiles, and ongoing performance tracking improvements.
Jun 30, 2026
Learn how Mooyah Burger drives growth through operational excellence, technology, franchise leadership, and a customer-first approach.
Jun 30, 2026
Taco Bell’s Cantina model has opened at Denver International Airport, serving specialty eats and alcoholic beverages to travelers and signaling new growth opportunities for on-the-go dining.
Jun 30, 2026
Dog Haus has signed an exclusive beverage partnership with Keurig Dr Pepper, bringing flexible and innovative drink options to the chain and setting a new standard for franchise beverage programs.
Jun 30, 2026
Discover how Chicken Salad Chick has surged as a franchise force, achieving record-breaking growth and dominating its segment. Insights for restaurant operators seeking scalable expansion.
Jun 30, 2026
Explore how the narrowing price gap between groceries and restaurants affects consumer trends and the restaurant industry.
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data has revealed a significant development in the pricing dynamics between groceries and restaurants. In December, prices for food-at-home, which includes groceries and supermarkets, experienced a 1.8% increase from the previous month. Concurrently, prices for food-away-from-home (restaurants) rose by 3.6% year-over-year. This marks a consistent trend over the past 21 months where restaurant pricing has been outpacing grocery/supermarket pricing.
Analyst Mark Kalinowski highlighted the noteworthy observation that the gap between grocery pricing and restaurant pricing in December 2024 was the smallest since April 2023. This trend implies a convergence in pricing strategies between the two sectors, potentially impacting consumer preferences and spending habits. Additionally, the Core CPI, which excludes volatile energy and food costs, rose by 3.2% on an annual basis, indicating a broader trend in inflationary pressures.
The narrowing price gap between groceries and restaurants could have significant implications for the restaurant industry. Kalinowski noted that the historically large gap between the two pricing structures may have contributed to the worst non-pandemic same-store sales in 2024, compared to the past decade. As businesses navigate these changing dynamics, there is a need to reassess pricing strategies and consumer engagement to adapt to the evolving market landscape.
