2026

Will McDonald’s Digital Sales Mix Drive Its Next Phase of Growth?

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McDonald’s is advancing its digital ecosystem—including its mobile app, delivery, kiosks, and loyalty program—as a key growth driver, with digital channels now representing a significant portion of its global sales and customer engagement. The company’s loyalty program has expanded rapidly, generating about $40 billion across 70 markets in 2025 with 210 million active users, while McDonald’s is also integrating AI and automation to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.

https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2896625/will-mcdonalds-digital-sales-mix-drive-its-next-phase-of-growth

How the Ozempic Era Will Reshape QSR

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The rise of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, widely used for weight loss and health, is reshaping the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry by creating a customer base that desires smaller portions without sacrificing convenience, flavor, or social dining experiences. QSR brands are adapting by offering clear, benefit-focused menu options with smaller, nutrient-dense meals and redesigning spaces to enhance emotional and ritualistic elements of dining, thus redefining value beyond volume to meet the needs of more mindful consumers.

https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/how-the-ozempic-era-will-reshape-qsr/

An Intouch Insight Study on the In-Person QSR Guest Experience

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The 2026 QSR On-Premises Study by Intouch Insight evaluates ten leading quick-service restaurant brands, revealing gaps in human connection such as inconsistent greetings and parting remarks, with 27.9% of guests not greeted and 27.4% receiving no closing remark. The study highlights suggestive selling as the largest missed revenue opportunity, averaging just 60.6% execution, and identifies dinner as the slowest daypart, with service times averaging over four minutes, impacting overall customer satisfaction.

https://www.intouchinsight.com/resources/studies/on-premises-qsr-study/

QSRs Moving Beyond the Tech Vs. Human Debate

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QSR operators are shifting from viewing technology and human labor as competing forces to a “marriage of convenience,” focusing on integrating technology with staff support and training to enhance both the guest and employee experience. Successful brands design tech systems that work together seamlessly, balancing automation with human interaction to improve speed, accuracy, and customer loyalty while optimizing operations.

https://modernrestaurantmanagement.com/qsrs-moving-beyond-the-tech-vs-human-debate/

Robots Are Waiting Tables at an Italian Restaurant in Howard County

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ViVa Ristorante in Elkridge, Howard County, employs autonomous robot waiters to deliver food and drinks, providing a futuristic dining experience that aims to address restaurant labor shortages and changing customer habits. Customers order via QR codes and robots handle deliveries while human staff assist with drinks, bussing, and other needs; despite some initial skepticism and minor service hiccups, the robots offer both efficiency and entertainment at the eatery.

https://www.thebanner.com/culture/food-drink/robot-waiters-dining-viva-ristorante-2GANMDEFT5D5DEBLTEYGAPYY7U/

QSR Market Size, Trends, Analysis & Growth Report 2031

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The Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) market is projected to grow from USD 1.16 trillion in 2026 to USD 1.74 trillion by 2031, at a CAGR of 8.41%, driven by digital ordering, off-premise formats, and rapid urbanization. North America remains the largest market, while Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, with innovations like AI-powered drive-thrus and subscription loyalty programs enhancing convenience and profitability. Key players like McDonald’s and Yum! Brands lead a fragmented market adapting to rising labor costs, health regulations, and competition from fast-casual and delivery services.

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/quick-service-restaurants-market?utm_source=marketersmedia

The Hidden Cost of QSR Technology Failures

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Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) invest heavily in technology like drive-thru systems, kiosks, and mobile apps to deliver fast, consistent customer experiences; however, frequent tech failures—such as payment terminal malfunctions and offline POS systems—cause delays, revenue loss, and increased employee workload. Surveys show that technology issues are common and negatively impact customer loyalty, prompting leading QSRs to adopt integrated remote monitoring and management software to reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency.

https://www.qsrmagazine.com/operations/outside-insights/the-hidden-cost-of-qsr-technology-failures/

Convenience Stores Are Stealing Share From Quick-Service Restaurants

A Technomic report reveals that convenience stores are increasingly capturing market share from quick-service restaurants (QSRs), particularly during afternoon and impulse visits. Data from 2025 shows 15% of c-store visits were occasions where consumers considered QSRs but chose convenience stores instead, with notable shares lost from major QSR chains like McDonald’s and Burger King. The report also indicates that convenience stores are closing the gap in consumer perceptions of food quality and brand loyalty compared to QSRs.

https://www.cspdailynews.com/foodservice/convenience-stores-are-stealing-share-quick-service-restaurants

Alone but Not Lonely: Why Americans Choose To Eat in Restaurants by Themselves

A significant portion of Americans—about 62%—dine alone at restaurants at least occasionally, with 21% doing so weekly or more, often as a form of self-care. Solo diners typically choose casual dining options and prioritize diverse menus, atmosphere, and speed, with midday being the prime time for solo meals; this trend, notably driven by Millennials, reflects a shift in how people relate to eating out and themselves.

https://civicscience.com/alone-but-not-lonely-why-americans-choose-to-eat-in-restaurants-by-themselves/

Travis Kalanick Returns With a Plan to Rewire the Restaurant Tech Stack

Travis Kalanick has rebranded his portfolio of restaurant, logistics, and automation ventures under the umbrella of Atoms, aiming to transform food production, fulfillment, and delivery through integrated technology and infrastructure. Building on his earlier CloudKitchens concept, Atoms combines real estate, software like the Otter platform for managing off-premise dining, and automation initiatives such as Lab37, which develops modular robotic kitchen tools to improve efficiency and control costs in delivery-focused kitchens. This unified ecosystem reflects Kalanick’s vision to reshape the restaurant tech stack amid industry challenges like labor costs and fragmented operations.

https://restauranttechnologynews.com/2026/03/travis-kalanick-returns-with-a-plan-to-rewire-the-restaurant-tech-stack/

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