This week on Nation's Restaurant News the top story was TGI Fridays closing 36 U.S. locations, sells 8 restaurants to former CEO. Dallas-based Fridays said it would close the 36 underperforming locations in select markets across the U.S. as part of its ongoing strategy. It did not identify the locations to be shuttered. A company spokesperson said Fridays has 233 domestic restaurants, including 104 corporate stores and 129 franchised units.
In other news, undeniably one of the biggest trends of 2023 was restaurant brands leveraging influencers on social media to sell their products. These influencers resonate with the coveted Gen Z demographic and help position brands top of mind, even if just for a fleeting moment. And apparently they’re very effective at convincing others to try a menu item. Consider Chipotle’s fajita quesadilla campaign with TikTok influencers Alexis Frost and Keith Lee, for example. The 2023 promotion helped generate two of the company’s top digital sales days of all time.
Also, Taco Bell is ringing in the new year with new value offerings that give fans more ways to save. With a long history of providing delicious and affordable food to its fans, Taco Bell continues to innovate and create new ways to make fans happy and full.
Taco Bell unveiled a revitalized Cravings Value Menu featuring a total of 10 craveable menu items and the new, permanent Veggie Build-Your-Own-Cravings-Box taking value and customization to new heights. With this two-in-one value rollout, Taco Bell is putting more on the menu with new customization options to satisfy the masses.
See what else was trending on NRN.com this week.
