2025

The Impact of QSR Promotions in Q1 2025

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Q1 2025 QSR Promotions Impact Summary
QSRs faced a 1.6% traffic decline in Q1 2025. Yum! Brands saw a 2.9% increase, driven by Taco Bell, while RBI's traffic dropped by 3.4%. Wingstop experienced a 4.3% rise, boosted by T-Mobile promotions and Super Bowl demand, with visits up 55.9% and 56.8% on respective promotional days. Taco Bell's frequent visitors grew significantly, aided by an 11.7% increase in January 2025, likely due to the new Luxe Cravings Box. Strategic promotions contributed to significant traffic increases amid overall challenges in the sector.

https://www.placer.ai/anchor/articles/the-impact-of-qsr-promotions-in-q1-2025

6 Best Restaurant POS Systems: Ranked and Reviewed (2025)

6 Best Restaurant POS Systems for 2025: Overview

  1. SpotOn: Best for growing restaurants seeking flexibility and a free startup plan ($99/month).
  2. Square Point of Sale: Ideal for small teams needing a budget-friendly, user-friendly POS (Free/$29+/month).
  3. Petpooja: Tailored for Indian restaurants needing customization ($117.50/year).
  4. Clover: Great for businesses wanting sleek hardware and all-in-one setups ($59.95/month).
  5. Restroworks: Suitable for larger Indian brands requiring enterprise control (Pricing on request).
  6. Toast: Designed for full-service restaurants that need powerful tools ($69/month).

Research indicates the best POS systems enhance daily operations by being easy to use, integrating with delivery platforms, and providing real-time data. Each system varies in usability, features, and pricing, catering to different restaurant types and sizes.

https://learn.g2.com/best-restaurant-pos-systems

How Restaurants Are Using Technology to Advance Sustainability (and Why It’s Not Enough)

Restaurants are increasingly using technology, like AI and smart systems, to enhance sustainability through waste reduction, energy efficiency, and water conservation. Notable examples include Chipotle's waste management system and Wendy's automated dishwashing technology. Despite progress, challenges remain such as high costs and lack of standardized metrics for measuring sustainability across the industry. Collaboration among various stakeholders is essential for broader implementation and scaling of sustainable practices, with the goal of making eco-friendly operations a standard rather than an aspiration.

https://restauranttechnologynews.com/2025/04/how-restaurants-are-using-technology-to-advance-sustainability-and-why-its-not-enough/

How C-stores Can Pull Loyalty From QSRs

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C-stores can attract loyalty from quick service restaurants (QSRs) by offering strong value through meal deals and quality food. A recent report indicates a significant shift in consumer preferences toward c-stores and grocery eateries, driven primarily by food quality rather than cost. Despite c-stores gaining traction, many consumers still perceive better value in QSRs. C-stores are focusing on improving food offerings and introducing meal deals to enhance their appeal and compete effectively with fast food chains.

https://www.cstoredive.com/news/c-stores-loyalty-qsrs-tillster/745569/

Qu Develops Smarter Kitchen as Restaurants Prioritize Tech Stacks

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Qu's Smart Kitchen enhances restaurant efficiency by optimizing equipment performance, energy use, and maintenance alerts. As restaurants prioritize technology, 64% aim to consolidate tech stacks and focus on first-party ordering. Qu introduces new front-of-house tech, including guest-facing boards, as companies adapt to stabilized digital growth post-pandemic.

https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_news/qu-develops-smarter-kitchen-as-restaurants-prioritize-tech-stacks/article_0bdfda9d-4fee-4674-9ec5-086f110d69b9.html

Olo, Thanx Delivering ‘hyper-personalized Guest Engagement’

Olo and Thanx partner to enhance guest engagement for restaurants. The integration combines loyalty data with guest engagement tools, enabling personalized outreach, recovery of missed loyalty enrollments, and deeper insights into guest behavior. Sonny's BBQ is an early adopter, benefiting from seamless digital ordering and marketing capabilities. The integration offers a comprehensive view of guests, targeted marketing, personalized experiences, and smarter marketing decisions while speeding up implementation.

https://www.qsrweb.com/news/olo-thanx-delivering-hyper-personalized-guest-engagement/

The Women Driving Flavor, Function, and the Future of Fast Food

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Women leaders in fast food innovate and shape the industry, overcoming barriers and redefining culinary boundaries. Chef Venecia Willis of Velvet Taco emphasizes creativity and global flavors, while KFC's Diane Miller focuses on modernizing classics to attract youth. Kaitlyn Venable of Shipley Do-Nuts drives product innovation, introducing new menu items while maintaining brand heritage. These women highlight the evolving role of females in the culinary world and their impact on the future of fast food.

https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/the-women-driving-flavor-function-and-the-future-of-fast-food/

A Tale of Three Fuel Retailers

Three fuel retailers highlighted the importance of operational reliability and automation in loyalty programs. The author’s favorite, Cumberland Farms, faltered after app updates disrupted service, leading to frustration. RaceTrac's loyalty program failed due to pump issues, while Marathon impressed with seamless enrollment and rewards during a purchase. Key takeaway: convenience and reliability are crucial for customer retention in loyalty programs, outweighing feature richness.

https://thewisemarketer.com/a-tale-of-three-fuel-retailers/

QSR Brands Adopt AI to Cut Refund Losses

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QSR brands are utilizing AI to enhance profitability and reduce losses from false delivery claims, shifting focus from expansion to financial sustainability. AI can automate processes and verify food packing for deliveries, helping to mitigate refund losses. Despite global uncertainties, the food sector remains resilient, presenting expansion opportunities for some brands.

https://qsrmedia.asia/videos/qsr-brands-adopt-ai-cut-refund-losses

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