This week’s Best Bites from the RestaurantNews.com Feed spotlight Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes’ new Kansas City steakhouse, Pope Leo XIV’s approval of a former papal estate restaurant, and McDonald’s cutting ties with the National Restaurant Association over wage disputes. Other highlights include Taco Bell’s Gen Z-focused strategies, restaurants revamping loyalty programs with exclusive perks, drones reshaping the future of food delivery, and more. These are some of the restaurant news bites that caught our eye this week:
Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes’ New Kansas City Restaurant Menu Revealed
NFL stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes are opening a steakhouse in Kansas City called 1587 Prime, named after their jersey numbers, which features a menu loaded with upscale dishes like a gold leaf Wagyu katsu sandwich, black truffle fettuccine, nine steak cuts, hot honey wasabi fried chicken, and the playful “Mahomes ketchup flight.” The cocktail lineup also nods to their personal lives, with cocktails dedicated to Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes.
Pope Leo XIV Gives His Blessing for Chicago Food Icons to Open a Vatican Estate Restaurant
Two Chicago hospitality veterans – celebrity chef Art Smith and restaurateur Phil Stefani – have been chosen by Pope Leo XIV to open a new farm-to-table inspired restaurant at the Vatican’s Borgo Laudato Si’, a redeveloped papal estate near Rome, set to debut in spring 2026. The restaurant, the estate’s sole dining venue serving breakfast and lunch, will blend Italian and global flavors, sourcing ingredients from its on-site greenhouse and supporting agricultural education initiatives.
Which US State Has The Most Fast Food Chains?
Depending on the measurement method, either Maryland or West Virginia claims the highest concentration of fast food chains – West Virginia leads in chains per capita, while nearly 47% of Maryland’s restaurants are fast food, the highest proportion in the country. Subway remains the most ubiquitous chain in both states, despite widespread closures elsewhere.
14 Touristy US Restaurants That Are Actually Worth The Crowds
Chowhound highlights 14 tourist-driven U.S. restaurants that reward visitors willing to brave the crowds – spanning historic sites like Boston’s Union Oyster House and New Orleans’ Café du Monde to iconic roadside stops like Chicago’s Superdawg and Mystic Pizza from the movie. These eateries stand out for their memorable atmosphere, cultural significance, and signature menu items that create genuinely rewarding dining experiences.
The Oldest Restaurant In Every State
Each U.S. state is home to a standout eatery that’s stood the test of time, offering more than a meal but a connection to local history and enduring traditions. From 19th-century inns to centenarian diners, these long-standing restaurants provide both nostalgia and cultural legacy for diners across the country.
McDonald’s Leaves NRA Over Policy Differences
McDonald’s has ended its membership with the National Restaurant Association after CEO Chris Kempczinski publicly criticized the industry’s tipped-wage system as creating an “uneven playing field.” The move highlights a major policy rift, underscoring McDonald’s call for uniform minimum wage standards across all restaurant types.
How Taco Bell’s CEO Is Keeping Gen Z Obsessed
Taco Bell CEO Sean Tresvant is focusing on appealing to Gen Z by emphasizing value-driven offerings, culturally relevant branding, and experiential products like customizable chicken and “dirty sodas,” strategically crafted to resonate with a younger, trend-savvy audience. Through storytelling, influencer partnerships, and innovative menu and marketing tactics, he’s working to reinforce Taco Bell’s relevance and drive growth in a challenging fast-food landscape.
From Burnout to Balance: Rewriting Hospitality’s Blueprint
Hospitality isn’t struggling with mental health – it’s grappling with a systemic culture that rewards burnout by calling missed breaks “dedication” and late-night drinks “connection.” True reform, highlighted in a recent industry blueprint, involves redefining reliability, embedding support systems, stabilizing schedules, and fostering leadership centered on wellbeing so that resilience means thriving – not just surviving the job.
Chefs Stunned After Using AI System To Analyze Restaurant Patrons’ Habits: ‘It’s Brought About a Lot More Awareness’
Winnow, a company offering AI-powered food waste management solutions, uses motion-sensor cameras and scales to automatically identify and record discarded food items in commercial kitchens, allowing real-time analysis to help reduce waste. In just its first decade, the system has helped businesses prevent $174 million worth of food from being wasted and cut carbon emissions by 217,000 tonnes, offering a hands-free way to improve both sustainability and profitability.
Micro Restaurant Pioneer Zoe Birch on Why Small Is the New Big
Zoe Birch’s Greasy Zoe’s, an eight-seat micro-restaurant near Melbourne, focuses on hyper-local ingredients, sustainable practices, and artisanal bread, creating an intimate dining experience that highlights the stories behind each product. By keeping the restaurant small and personally engaging with guests and nearby farmers, Birch and her partner Lachlan Gardner demonstrate how a tiny eatery can thrive while supporting community, sustainability, and quality over scale.
How Restaurants Are Transforming Loyalty Programs To Drive Frequency
Restaurants are increasingly transforming loyalty programs to drive repeat visits, offering exclusive menu items, secret drops, and interactive experiences that deepen engagement with frequent customers. By integrating gamification, custom orders, and limited-time rewards, chains like Taco Bell, Portillo’s, and Chipotle are creating personalized, memorable experiences that keep loyalty members coming back and help brands maintain a competitive edge.
Reshaping the Guest Experience
MX8 Labs’ report highlights that successful quick-service restaurant (QSR) operators must balance modernization with human interaction, as 66% of U.S. consumers still prefer human connections while 81% are open to AI-driven personalized menu experiences. The findings also reveal generational and regional differences in brand awareness and comfort with AI, emphasizing the need for QSRs to leverage technology thoughtfully while maintaining high-quality service to meet evolving consumer expectations.
How Drones Are Reshaping Restaurant Delivery
Drones are reshaping restaurant delivery by offering a fast and cost-effective alternative to traditional services, using companies like Flytrex and Wing to deliver food directly to customers’ backyards. These drone services simplify logistics for restaurants and eliminate the need for tipping, providing an efficient way to transport orders, including beverages.
15 Old-School Cafeterias In The US You Need To Visit
A selection of historic cafeteria-style restaurants across the United States are highlighted. The piece provides details on each location, including places like Swett’s in Nashville and Philippe the Original in Los Angeles, known for their unique history and comfort food.
Famous Restaurant Chains That Are Almost Extinct in the US
Some once-popular U.S. restaurant chains have nearly vanished, with many now operating fewer than five locations – making them veritable relics of culinary history. Find out if one of your old favorites is highlighted among these fading brands.
You Can Still Dine At These 13 Chain Restaurants’ Original Locations
You can still visit the original locations of 13 popular chain restaurants, including Dunkin’, Chipotle, and Shake Shack. These founding establishments serve as “time capsules,” offering a glimpse into each brand’s history, original concept, and evolution over time.
Here’s What These 9 Restaurants Looked Like Before Their Bland Modern Redesign
A contrast is drawn between the modern, minimalist redesigns of nine popular restaurant chains and their more unique and nostalgic designs from the past. The article highlights how these redesigns, while often aimed at efficiency, have stripped the chains of their distinct identities and personality.
Texas Roadhouse Rules Every Diner Should Know
Texas Roadhouse offers a lively dining experience with hand-cut steaks, scratch-made meals, and unique traditions like birthday celebrations and meat-cutting competitions, all designed to engage guests beyond just their food. Diners should be aware of key tips, including selecting their own steak, limiting rolls before their entrée, arriving before 5 p.m. for Early Dine specials, using the restaurant’s app to streamline their visit, and more.
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