DoorDash’s 2026 Restaurant Industry Trends Report Shows AI’s Growing Importance to the Industry
DoorDash released its 2026 Restaurant Industry Trends Report, with insights gathered through a nationally representative survey of more than 3,000 U.S. consumers and 500+ restaurant operators. One of the key takeaways from the report is that guests are prioritizing convenience and consistency, with 64% of consumers saying they would prefer one app to manage delivery, pickup, and reservations, as QSR reports.
The report also found that AI is already having an impact on the restaurant industry, with 22% of consumers saying they have used an AI took like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to help them search for a restaurant. And restaurant listing sites like DoorDash are the source of 41% of the AI tools that consumers use, according to research from Yext.
Meanwhile, the DoorDash survey also found that there is a strong connection between delivery and dine-in, with 72% of consumers saying that dining in at a restaurant led them to later order deliver from the same restaurant, while 62% said a delivery order led them to later dine in at a restaurant. Meanwhile consumers become loyal to the restaurants they enjoy, with 80% of dine-in visits and 79% of delivery orders being made with establishments they’ve tried before.
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Peter Piper Opening Next-Gen Restaurant Concept in Mesquite, Texas
Peter Piper Pizza is betting that the future of family dining looks a lot more like an entertainment destination than a traditional pizza restaurant. The brand is reopening in Mesquite, Texas with what it describes as a next-generation concept — one that blends arcade gaming, active play areas, large-format sports viewing, and upgraded dining spaces into a single experience designed for modern families.
The new restaurant, opening May 28, signals a major evolution for the chain as competition in the family entertainment and casual dining space continues to intensify. The Mesquite location will feature more than 40 arcade games alongside a dedicated PlayPark area aimed at younger children, while a massive 230-inch screen adds a sports-bar-style atmosphere for parents and groups.
"This new location reflects the biggest evolution of the brand in our 50-year history and serves as a model for where we are looking to take the brand going forward," said Genaro Perez, chief marketing officer at Peter Piper Pizza. "From made-from-scratch pizzas baked in our double multi-level stone oven to immersive play experiences for families to connect and celebrate together, this new prototype was created to support future growth while preserving the neighborhood pizzeria experience guests have loved for more than five decades."
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Tijuana Flats Relaunches Franchise Program Following Acquisition by Latitude Food Group
Tijuana Flats is entering a new growth phase as parent company Latitude Food Group officially relaunches franchising for the longtime fast-casual brand. After spending more than three decades building a loyal following across the Southeast, Tijuana Flats is now positioning itself for expansion at a time when demand for Mexican-inspired fast casual dining remains strong, as QSR reports.
The franchising push comes after Latitude Food Group acquired the brand and began reshaping its identity around the edgy personality that originally helped it stand out in a crowded category. The restaurant has refreshed its menu and launched new marketing efforts, including a Cinco de Mayo promotion that led to a major jump in sales and delivering record-setting catering and loyalty program results.
“Following the acquisition last November, one of our first priorities was updating and filing Tijuana Flats’ FDD to quickly begin building for the brand’s next chapter,” said Brett Willis, Chief Development Officer of Latitude Food Group. “The level of interest from prospective franchisees has been energizing. They’re not only interested in acquiring existing corporate-owned locations but also want to help fuel expansion and introduce Tijuana Flats to new markets beyond the Southeast. With strong investment backing, a beloved brand and real momentum behind us, we see tremendous opportunity ahead, and we’re moving forward aggressively.”
Learn more here.