MRM Research Roundup: QSR Reputations, Menu Price Rises, and Alcohol Out, Cannabis In

This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features across-the-board price increases, QSR reputation rankings, holiday season outlook, and chef salaries.Foodservice ResilienceThe U.S. foodservice industry continues to show resilience despite economic challenges and evolving consumer preferences. According to the latest Foodservice Market Sizing report from Circana LLC, foodservice operator spend reached $357.3 billion for the 12 months ending in June 2025, marking a 3.7 percent increase over the prior year. This growth was primarily driven by shifting consumer habits, with commercial foodservice playing a significant role in the industry’s expansion. Circana projects this figure will climb to $385 billion by June 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5 percent.

The analysis reveals a 0.9 percent increase in foodservice cases over the past year, with a projected CAGR of 0.8 percent through 2028. Non-commercial foodservice…