Jersey Mike's Unseats Chick-fil-A as America's Top-Rated QSR, ACSI Finds

Jersey Mike's has claimed the top spot in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Restaurant and Food Delivery Study 2026, ending Chick-fil-A's 11-year run as the highest-rated quick-service restaurant brand.

The chain earned an industry-leading customer satisfaction score of 84 as overall restaurant satisfaction remained steady. Quick-service restaurants held an ACSI score of 79 for the third consecutive year, while full-service restaurants maintained a score of 82, continuing to rank among the...

Private Brands Gain Momentum as Quality, Health Drive Shopper Loyalty, FMI Reports

Private brands/labels continue to build market share and consumer loyalty, with new research from FMI showing shoppers are increasingly choosing store brands for quality, taste and health benefits and not just value.

According to FMI’s Power of Private Brands 2026: Consumer Trends – From Stores to Homes report, 92% of US grocery shoppers currently have store brand products in their homes, up from 89% last year. Private brand dollar sales also increased 2.8% year-over-year (YOY), outpacing national brand...

OpenTable Data Shows Mothers Day Dining Is Driving Larger Parties and Earlier Dinners

OpenTable has revealed new data indicating what moms really want on Mother’s Day. Skip breakfast in bed: the research shows moms would rather celebrate with a multigenerational lunch or early dinner than be in charge of the cleanup afterward. That preference is helping drive larger gatherings, with reservations for parties of six or more on Mother’s Day up 13% year over year in 2025.

While brunch at noon remains the most popular option, an early dinner trend is emerging, with 5 p...

Survey Finds Cooking Oil Influences Where Americans Choose to Eat

Coast Packing Company, the leading supplier of animal fat shortenings in the Western U.S., has released new findings from a national consumer survey showing that the type of cooking oil a restaurant uses is no longer just a back-of-house decision. A survey of 1,005 U.S. consumers finds that 43% of Americans say a restaurant's cooking oil influences where they choose to eat. What's more, the data reveals a sharp generational split: younger diners are nearly twice as likely as older Americans to let...

Americans Plan to Dine Out More in 2026 as OpenTable Reports Strong Industry Growth

OpenTable’s newly released 2026 Dining Trends Report shows that despite mixed views on the economy, Americans continue to prioritize eating out, driving steady growth across the foodservice industry.

According to the analysis, dining out increased 8% year-over-year in 2025, and consumers expect for that to increase in 2026.

"As we head into 2026, there's good news for the restaurant industry: our new research shows that people continue to make room in their lives and budgets for dining out...

New Report From FMI Reveals a Significant Shift in Consumer Dining Habits

A new report from The Food Industry Association (FMI) uncovers a significant shift in dining habits.

The study shows that consumers are increasingly choosing deli-prepared foods in place of restaurant meals.

The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2025 examines the factors influencing consumer motivation for choosing deli-prepared options, offering insights from the consumer's perspective on foodservice at retail.

Data from the report revealed that 53% of Americans now take a hybrid approach to creating meals; combining deli-prepared options with other items...

2025 Industry Insights on Consumer Resilience and Holiday Shopping Trends From ICSC

In 2025, the world continues to navigate challenges like the fluctuating job market, food inflation, politics and tariffs.

Amid these uncertainties, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) is dedicated to supporting and enhancing marketplaces where people shop, dine, work, play, and gather, viewing them as vital to both communities and economies.

The company has released its 2025 Holiday Shopping Intentions survey, highlighting consumer resilience in seeking value and experiences despite individual financial obstacles.

The survey indicates an anticipated 3.5-4% growth in retail...

71% of Consumers Shop for Groceries Online, But Grocers Must Eliminate Friction to Grow Loyalty

As online grocery shopping continues to gain traction, U.S. consumers are sending a clear message to grocers: make it easier, smarter, and more connected. A new national survey from VTEX (NYSE: VTEX), composable commerce platform provider, finds that 71% of consumers have shopped online for groceries, with 50% purchasing groceries online at least once a month, but many shoppers are holding back from deeper digital engagement due to persistent friction in the experience.

The findings reveal powerful insights for grocers...

OpenTable and KAYAK Unveil Top 100 Hotel Restaurants Amid Growing Trend of Culinary-Driven Travel

According to new insights from OpenTable and KAYAK, travelers are increasingly choosing their destinations based on where they want to eat.

An OpenTable survey reveals that 47% of Americans have planned a trip specifically to visit a restaurant. Similarly, KAYAK reported a 51% year-over-year increase in travelers using the “restaurant” filter when searching for hotels.

In response to this trend, the two companies have partnered to release their first-ever list of the "Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America...