The 1 Massive Mistake Fast-Food Chains Are Making Right Now, According to a Restaurant Executive

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Tim Hackbardt, chief marketing officer at Playa Bowls, highlights that fast-food chains are failing to adapt to the rising use of GLP-1 medications, which significantly alter American eating habits and food spending. With about 23 percent of U.S. households already using GLP-1s and projections that users will account for 35 percent of food and beverage sales by 2030, Hackbardt stresses that the fast-food industry must respond to this lasting shift toward a health-focused consumer mindset.

https://www.inc.com/amaya-nichole/the-one-massive-mistake-fast-food-chains-are-making-right-now/91352753

The QSR Value Wars Are Buying Traffic, Not Loyalty

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The article analyzes the impact of aggressive value-promotion campaigns launched by major quick-service restaurants (QSRs) starting in mid-2024, revealing that while these “value wars” boosted traffic and transactions for many brands, they largely failed to increase customer retention and loyalty. Data from 18 major QSRs show that 15 experienced declines in customer retention despite higher sales, indicating customers were attracted by discounts but did not become more loyal, highlighting the need for separate strategies and metrics for promotions and loyalty.

https://www.restaurantdive.com/spons/the-qsr-value-wars-are-buying-traffic-not-loyalty/821059/

McDonald’s Unveils New Growth Strategy Focused on Restaurants and Menu Innovation

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McDonald's unveiled its new growth strategy, McDonald's > NEXT, focusing on menu innovation, enhancing restaurant efficiency, and improving the customer experience amid rising fast-food competition. The plan shifts attention from traditional burgers to expanding high-growth categories like chicken, beef, and beverages, aiming to create a more modern and enjoyable dining environment while driving growth and improving restaurant economics.

https://www.axios.com/2026/06/01/mcdonalds-restaurants-menu-innovation-growth-plan

McDonald’s Unveils McDonald’s Next Global Growth Strategy 2026

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McDonald's unveiled its new global growth strategy, McDonald's > NEXT, focused on menu innovation, new restaurant designs, enhanced operational efficiency, and integrating automation to improve customer service. The plan aims to boost offerings in chicken, beef, and beverages to compete with emerging specialists while streamlining operations and rethinking hospitality, in response to changing consumer preferences and competitive pressures.

https://qz.com/mcdonalds-next-growth-strategy-franchisees-menu-060126

McDonald’s Launches New Global Strategy to Stay Ahead of Competition

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McDonald's has unveiled McDonald’s > NEXT, a new global strategy focusing on menu innovation, fan engagement, restaurant productivity, and hospitality to maintain its market leadership amid fierce competition. The initiative includes testing new menu items like bone-in wings, adopting AI for ordering, enhancing customer co-creation through partnerships and loyalty programs, and redesigning restaurants to improve operational efficiency and service quality.

https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/mcdonalds-launches-new-global-strategy-to-stay-ahead-of-competition/

Drive-thru Usage Up, Speed of Service Down

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In 2011, drive-thru usage at quick-service restaurants increased by 2 percent to 12.4 billion visits, with chains like McDonald's and Popeyes investing in technology and multiple lanes to improve speed of service despite overall slower service times. Drive-thrus remain the preferred ordering method at hamburger, Mexican, and chicken restaurants, prompting operators to focus on order accuracy, fast delivery, and portable menu items to enhance customer satisfaction and profitability.

https://www.qsrweb.com/articles/drive-thru-usage-up-speed-of-service-down/

The State of Mobile Ordering in QSR: Which Brands Are Winning, and Where Opportunity Still Lies

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The 2026 mystery shopper report by Intouch Insight, featured in QSR Magazine, evaluates mobile ordering in quick-service restaurants across nine major brands, focusing on order accuracy, speed, service, and overall experience. Findings show mobile ordering apps generally perform well with high accuracy and customer satisfaction, but issues like technical glitches, unclear pickup instructions, and late orders still create friction, reducing satisfaction. Friendly staff interactions can mitigate some negative impacts, and dedicated pickup lanes improve speed and service at certain locations, highlighting ongoing opportunities for operational improvements in mobile ordering.

https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/the-state-of-mobile-ordering-in-qsr-which-brands-are-winning-and-where-opportunity-still-lies/

How Technology Can Help QSRs Overcome Cost and Experience Challenges

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Technology has become a crucial driver for quick-service restaurants (QSRs), helping them address cost challenges related to food and labor while enhancing customer experience through faster, accurate, and friendly service. Integrating purpose-built technology such as connected POS systems, AI-enabled devices, and back-office software enables QSRs to streamline operations and make data-driven decisions, with managed services further supporting ongoing maintenance and maximizing return on investment.

https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/how-technology-can-help-qsrs-overcome-cost-and-experience-challenges/

Why The National Restaurant Association Show Has Become a Reality Check for Restaurant Technology

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The 2026 National Restaurant Association Show marks a shift in restaurant technology from futuristic innovation toward practical solutions aimed at stabilizing margins, simplifying operations, and managing labor shortages amid economic pressures. Operators are increasingly prioritizing integrated, interoperable systems that can deliver measurable financial improvements and operational resilience, such as handheld POS devices and self-service kiosks, while AI is becoming embedded in back-end operational tools rather than consumer-facing features. This evolution reflects a more disciplined, financially grounded approach to technology investment as restaurants seek simplification and operational effectiveness in a challenging business environment.

https://restauranttechnologynews.com/2026/05/why-the-national-restaurant-association-show-has-become-a-reality-check-for-restaurant-technology/

Report: Loyalty Is QSR’s Primary Growth Engine

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Par Technology's 2026 QSR Operational Index Report reveals that customer loyalty is now the primary growth driver for quick-service restaurants (QSR), with loyalty transactions growing 28.5% year-over-year and loyalty members spending more per visit than anonymous guests. The report highlights that digital channels, especially drive-thru and delivery, are reshaping sales patterns, while dinner and late-night periods generate the highest revenues, emphasizing the importance of integrating loyalty programs with operational efficiency and channel strategies to boost revenue amid rising costs.

https://www.franchising.com/articles/20260511_report_loyalty_is_qsrs_primary_growth_engine.html

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