There are very few winds in the sails of restaurant chain sales this year. Let’s face it, the business is flat with maybe 1% overall growth thanks to the travel and recreation segments.

While there are indications that the economy is rebounding, consumers are still uneasy about their pocketbooks and are spending less and frequenting restaurants less often. So how are restaurants coping with the doldrums?

According to the National Restaurant Association, restaurant sales compared to last year are disappointing.

Nearly 80% are turning to limited time offers (LTOs)* to lure customers back to their tables or drive-thrus. No other tactic offers a near immediate remedy. According to a recent Kenetic-12 operator survey, they are turning to easy to implement options for creating interest in their LTOs. 

One of the trends involves hot sauce or spices for a jestier menus. It’s an easy grab and low in cost compared to proteins or produce. With some imagination, operators can also leverage a global flare with their signature LTO to attract more Gen Z and Millennial customers who love heat and ethnic flavors. Spices also offer a healthy halo that reduces the guilt factor of indulgence.

Speaking of indulgence, protein-centric LTOs involving burgers or sandwiches are frequently front and center, with a spicy signature sauce in the middle. Another go-to are wings and anything chicken because they are lower in cost than beef. 

The Cotton Candy Shake LTO by Creative Energy drove sales and traffic for its chain client.

Another easy reach for LTOs involves flavored beverages or frozen treats, such as watermelon, raspberry, or strawberry teas or uniquely flavored milkshakes. One of our client’s summertime Orange Delight (tastes like a Dreamcicle^®) and Cotton Candy milkshakes are great examples. Both leverage nostalgia as part of the draw.

Lastly, $5 seems to be the value-driven magic number for driving traffic for meal combinations with 50% of restaurant operators planning a value meal LTO this year**.

We’ve been helping restaurant chains plan their LTOs and successfully promoting them for more than 30 years. We likewise support food manufacturers bringing LTO ideas to chains using their products. If you need some help in driving traffic to your restaurant or selling more products to chains quickly, we are ready to listen to your challenge.

*Kenetic-12 Operator Survey, June 2025
**Restaurant Dive, 2025