Quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains are increasingly competing with their own versions of fruit-forward refreshers, a trend popularized by Starbucks in 2012 and now mainstream across brands like Dunkin’, McDonald’s, and Panera. These colorful, often caffeinated beverages appeal to younger consumers, offering menu diversity and social media appeal, while the trend is evolving toward healthier, more functional ingredients and innovative flavors beyond traditional sweet and sour profiles.
https://foodinstitute.com/focus/the-qsr-refresher-war-is-intensifying-heres-why/