CONTENTS JANUARY 2026
MENU CONVENIENCE STORES BORROW FROM THE RESTAURANT PLAYBOOK, TURNING SIGNATURE MENU ITEMS INTO TRAFFIC DRIVERS...........26 CALIFORNIA FISH GRILL PACKS PROTEIN AND SUSTAINABILITY INTO 5 NEW BOWLS..........28 EMERGING BRANDS THE WORLD CUP IS COMING. SO IS THE MILANESA.......................................................30 THIS U.K.-BASED COFFE BRAND HOPES TO FIND A NICHE IN AMERICA’S OVERCAFFEINATED BEVERAGE LANDSCAPE..................................32
COVER STORY SHIFTS IN DRINKING HABITS BRING BIG CHANGES AT THE BAR...................................16 SPECIAL REPORT DUTCH BROS LEADS WITH MENU INNOVATION AND HOSPITALITY...................18
FINANCE WITH ITS NEW VALUE STANDARD, MCDONALD’S MAKES ANOTHER BIG CHANGE TO ITS FRANCHISE RELATIONSHIP....................................................4 PRIVATE-EQUITY GROUPS’ POOR REPUTATION COULD HURT THE BRANDS THEY BUY.............6 OPERATIONS DUCKS, BOATS AND STEAKS: INSIDE THE BOATHOUSE’S $51M RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE........................................................8
HOW SWIG AND HTEAO ARE POWERING THE BEVERAGE BOOM...........................................20
FOODSERVICE LEADS IN BEVERAGE SHARE, GAINING GROUND OVER RETAIL...................22
FEDERAL HEMP-THC BAN SIGNED INTO LAW AS PART OF THE SPENDING BILL........................24
HOW SHAKE SHACK PLANS TO WIN MARKET SHARE IN 2026..................................................12
THE BOTTOM LINE: IN THE FAST-FOOD WORLD, GROWTH IS COMING FROM DRINKS AND DESERTS ..............36 TECH CHECK: RESTAURANT LOYALTY PROGRAMS ARE FACING A BIG TEST...........................................................38 BEHIND THE MENU: COOPER’S HAWK ELEVATES ITS LIFE BALANCE MENU BY AMPING UP FLAVOR AND CRAVEABILITY...............................................................................................................................................................40 FROM OUR COLUMNISTS
Photo: Monin Cover Photo: Monin
JANUARY 2026 RESTAURANT BUSINESS
3
Powered by FlippingBook