Introduction
Fast-food restaurants have been a staple of the American diet for decades, but in recent years, some of the most beloved fast-food chains have been disappearing from the landscape. However, there may be a major comeback in the works, as some of these beloved restaurants are making a return. Eat This Not That is here to provide you with all the details on this disappearing trend among fast-food restaurants and what it could mean for your next meal.
This Disappearing Trend Among Fast-Food Restaurants May Be Making a Major Comeback
Fast-food restaurants have been around for decades, and while some of the most popular chains have remained the same, others have come and gone. One trend that has been slowly disappearing from the fast-food landscape is the drive-thru window. But now, it looks like this trend may be making a major comeback.
According to Eat This Not That, drive-thru windows are becoming increasingly popular among fast-food restaurants. This is due to the convenience they offer customers, as well as the fact that they can help restaurants save money on labor costs. In addition, drive-thru windows can help restaurants increase their sales, as customers are more likely to order more items when they don’t have to leave their cars.
Some of the most popular fast-food chains are already taking advantage of this trend. McDonald’s, for example, has been expanding its drive-thru presence in recent years. The chain now has more than 14,000 drive-thru locations around the world. Other chains, such as Burger King and Wendy’s, are also investing in drive-thru windows.
It’s clear that the drive-thru window is making a major comeback in the fast-food industry. This trend is likely to continue, as more and more restaurants look to capitalize on the convenience and cost savings that drive-thru windows offer.
In the early 2000s, it was easy to find co-branded restaurants all over America. They stood out on suburban street corners, anchored food courts in malls, and greeted airline passengers across American airports. The most common examples of co-branded fast-food restaurants included Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon, Carl’s Jr. and Green Burrito, Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’, and of course, maybe the most iconic pairing of Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. In fact, on occasion, you could even find a Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC all housed under one roof, as all three chains belong to parent company Yum! Brands.
Just two decades later, the co-branded fast-food phenomenon is much harder to come by. Many co-branded locations began closing and fewer opened, with customer preference for stand-alone locations clear and with many chains pruning unprofitable restaurants from their portfolios. Pizza Hut closed hundreds of locations in the past few years, for example.
RELATED: After Closing 600 Locations, America’s Largest Coffee Chain Is Expanding Again
But co-branded fast-food restaurants could be making a coming back, according to QSR Magazine. One example illustrating that co-branding can still boost sales for both brands involved is the recent pairing of Saladworks and Frutta Bowls. The two chains are owned by the same company and have been operating under a single roof in a few locations—one of which saw its sales increase by 50% thanks to the new setup. The pairing has led to so much success that Kelly Roddy, the CEO of parent company WOWorks, said all future locations of Saladworks may be co-branded on a permanent basis.
Other recent examples of successful co-branded restaurants include Fatburger and Buffalo’s Café Express, which allowed the burger chain to begin enjoying increased sales of its chicken products, and the emergence of drive-thru co-branded Auntie Anne’s and Jamba Juice locations. This resurgence of co-branded brick-and-mortar locations is taking place alongside another new but similar model that has risen during the pandemic: the ghost kitchen. The fast-food locations without dining rooms are shared by multiple brands, with customers able to order food from a slew of menus. The food is prepared and picked up or delivered from the same physical location.
For more, check out:
And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to get the latest restaurant news delivered straight to your inbox.