social media

Viral food trends are increasingly landing on restaurant menus, Yelp data reveals

By Patricia Cobe on Jun. 05, 2024

The 2024 State of the Industry Report also shows growth in dessert concepts and popups. And croissants continue to morph.

Marketing

For fast-casual chains, TikTok creates both love and headaches

By Lisa Jennings on May 30, 2024

The social media platform demonstrated its power in more ways than one this week, giving unexpected publicity to Cava's "love button" while putting Chipotle on the defensive.

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Marketing

The Keith Lee Effect extends way beyond one TikTok restaurant critic

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 13, 2024

Once the domain of newspapers and magazines, restaurant criticism has spread to social media, where both reviewers and reviewees have the potential to become viral superstars.

Food

5 TikTok trends poised to pop in restaurants

By Patricia Cobe on Feb. 07, 2024

Chefs admit they often look to TikTok for inspiration, and a number of viral ideas have already shown up on their menus. Others may be coming through the pipeline.

Consumer Trends

Why Reddit couldn't stop talking about Taco Bell last year

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 05, 2024

The chain made headlines with a slew of new menu items, but it was something else that drove discussion online.

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Technology

A pair of new apps wants to eliminate bad restaurant reviews

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 12, 2023

Atmosfy and Recs encourage personalized recommendations rather than anonymous star ratings in a direct challenge to review sites like Yelp.

Food

Viral TikTok video inspires Panera Bread to curate new menu

By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 26, 2023

The chain’s Roman Empire menu gathers items from the existing lineup that fans “can’t stop thinking about.”

Workforce

Chicagoland chain Dollop Coffee Co. defends customer-only restroom policy

By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 05, 2023

The local chain prompted a social media firestorm after two police officers were declined restroom access because they were not customers. It wasn't meant to be political, the CEO said, but it soon became political.

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Marketing