In this month’s Around the Industry, restaurant industry researchers select the brands they believe have taken the most impressive approach to enhancing their value menus thus far in 2026.
Noah Glass details Olo’s push to create a “second-party” Goldilocks zone for restaurant online ordering—a zero-commission, data-sharing alternative to traditional channels.
The deal brings GiftAMeal’s donation-driven engagement model into Swipe Savvy’s loyalty platform, expanding social impact tools that have already driven stronger guest frequency and spend.
Related posts: Delivery Providers Roll Out Restaurant Relief Big Delivery Providers Bristle at Minimum Wage for NYC Delivery Workers Restaurant Analysts React to COVID-19 Closures Chick-fil-A Settles $4.4M Lawsuit as Customers Demand Delivery Price Transparency
In 2026, the loyalty arms race is shifting from blanket discounts to tiered programs built around frequency, aspiration and smarter economics.
Widespread use of artificial intelligence in marketing promotions ramped up the sense of confusion this April Fools’ Day, a holiday already dedicated to deception and harmless mischief. Emerging trends like purposefully ironic genuine LTOs and complex consumer sentiment around AI-use for generating visuals add to existing levels of uncertainty around promotions at the onset of April.
In response to the rapid growth of gaming culture, McDonald’s Türkiye unveiled a literally game-changing device aimed at meeting their consumers where they already are—with a controller in their hands and a meal splayed out in front of them.
As delivery platforms consolidate globally, restaurants are investing in first-party ordering, loyalty and direct guest relationship.
Landry’s approaches off-prem as one consistent operating model across pickup, delivery and catering, tailored to the needs of each brand in its diverse portfolio.
Uber Eats changed its Market Place fees March 11, marking the first significant change to its tiered commission structure since its launch in 2021. The new commission rates more closely align with those of DoorDash, which have remained largely consistent since 2021
