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Automatic

2359 posts

Maestro PMS President Warren Dehan Announces Transition to Advisory Role

🍴 TouchBistro's 2025 American Diner Trends Report surveyed 1,500 U.S. diners, finding that despite a 12.5% increase in dining costs, weekly dining habits rose from 39% to 42%. Takeout and delivery demand has slightly increased, with 28% ordering more than last year. Top delivery services include DoorDash (73%), Uber Eats (56%), and Grubhub (34%). Loyalty program engagement grew to 47% from 34% in 2023. Dining frequency differs significantly with income; 27% of households earning $200k. Gen Z, although less affluent, has a large impact, with 20% eating out daily and nearly half planning to dine out more. Solo dining is up among Gen Z at 49%. Average dining cost is now $54, with a 16% average tip; however, Gen Z tips less, averaging 13%. Delivery tipping habits remain unchanged for 64% of diners.
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  • 2 min

Designing for the Future: Jamba’s Scalable Store Concept

🍪 Jamba CBO Nathan Louer introduces the Hello Sunshine prototype to enhance takeout convenience with grab-and-go cold wells for product freshness. The design adapts to various store formats including inline stores, freestanding locations, drive-thrus, mall kiosks, and co-branded spaces with Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, and Cinnabon. Jamba’s loyalty program now integrates across GoTo family brands for seamless rewards use. Upcoming co-branded Jamba and Auntie Anne’s store to open in San Diego with further openings in Hawaii and Minnesota. Jamba, founded in 1990, is a leading lifestyle brand offering fresh smoothies, bowls, juices, and more.
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Lance Tucker Named Jack in the Box Chief Executive Officer

🍴 TouchBistro’s 2025 American Diner Trends Report surveyed 1,500 U.S. diners, finding a 12.5% increase in restaurant spending, despite higher living costs. Weekly dining frequency rose from 39% to 42%, with 28% ordering more takeout/delivery than last year. DoorDash leads delivery apps at 73%, followed by Uber Eats (56%) and Grubhub (34%). Loyalty program engagement jumped to 47% from 34% in 2023. Lower-income households dine out less, with only 27% of those making under $50k dining weekly, versus 64% of households earning $200k+. Gen Z, despite lower incomes, are influential diners, with 20% eating out daily and 50% planning to order more takeout/delivery. Tipping averages 16%, yet 27% tip between 20-24%, balanced by 15% tipping 5% or less. Gen Z tips the least at 13%. The report suggests restaurants minimize menu price hikes, expand delivery/takeout, leverage limited-time offers, boost digital presence, and experiment with tech.
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  • 3 min

Beyond Discounts: How Brands Can Win Customer Loyalty in 2025

💸 To build customer loyalty, brands should focus on convenience, recognition, and meaningful connections rather than solely on discounts. Integrating digital convenience with in-person hospitality and rewarding various forms of engagement can foster long-term relationships. Successful loyalty programs acknowledge customer actions beyond spending, such as trying new menu items or providing feedback, and offer smart recommendations based on individual preferences and dietary restrictions. The approach aims to create a seamless, personalized experience across all ordering channels.
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Chipotle Brings Back Its Biggest Digital Promo

🍴 TouchBistro's 2025 American Diner Trends Report surveyed 1,500 U.S. diners, finding a 12.5% increase in dining costs hasn't deterred the average consumer, with weekly dining out up slightly from 39% to 42%. Takeout and delivery demand outpaces dining in, with 28% ordering more frequently. DoorDash leads delivery apps with 73% usage, followed by Uber Eats (56%) and Grubhub (34%). Loyalty program engagement has risen to 47% weekly, from 34% in 2023. Households earning less than $50k dine out and order takeout less often compared to higher-income groups. Gen Z's dining habits include 20% eating out daily and 50% planning to order more takeout. They engage with restaurants through social media (67%) and favor limited time offers (81%). Despite cost increases, average tipping remains at 16%, with Boomers tipping around 18% and Gen Z 13%. The report suggests strategies for restaurant operators, including minimizing price hikes and leveraging technology and limited time offers. Download the full report for free.
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REPORT: Resilience in Consumer Habits, Signaling Optimism for Restaurants

🍴 TouchBistro's 2025 American Diner Trends Report surveyed 1,500 U.S. diners, revealing a 12.5% increase in dining and takeout costs. Weekly dining out rose slightly from 39% to 42%, with 28% ordering more takeout and delivery. DoorDash leads delivery apps at 73%, Uber Eats follows at 56%, and Grubhub is at 34%. Loyalty program engagement weekly increased from 34% in 2023 to 47%. Lower income households making less than $50k dine out 27% weekly, compared to 64% for $200k+ incomes. Gen Z, despite being frugal tippers at 13%, are dining out daily (20%) and 50% plan to increase takeout/delivery. Average restaurant spending is $54, up from $48, with average tips at 16%. Five suggestions for restaurants include minimizing price increases, expanding off-premise options, leveraging LTOs, enhancing digital presence, and implementing tech efficiently.
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  • 3 min

Four Strategies to Build a Reliable Hiring Pipeline

💼 Plan hiring for seasonal needs, clearly communicate job duration and potential for extended employment. Utilize open hiring events and employee referrals with incentives to bolster the hiring pipeline. Maintain connections with former employees for potential rehiring. Emphasize unique workplace benefits in job postings, address online negative reviews, and use social media to showcase company culture. Track recruitment metrics like time to hire, quality of hire, and referral success rate to refine hiring processes. In 2025, honesty in hiring is key to building a reliable workforce.
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QSR Adds Custom AI Chatbot

🍴 TouchBistro's 2025 American Diner Trends Report surveyed 1,500 U.S. diners, revealing a 12.5% increase in consumer spending on dining and takeout. Weekly dining habits slightly rose from 39% to 42%, with takeout and delivery demand marginally higher; 28% are ordering more than last year. DoorDash dominates delivery apps at 73%, followed by Uber Eats (56%) and Grubhub (34%). Loyalty program engagement has jumped to 47% weekly from 34% in 2023. Inflation affects lower-income households (
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