The monthly briefing for restaurant leaders
Competitive Edge
One considered read on the consumer, the economy, and the moves shaping restaurants — published once a month by Quantiiv.
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The latest edition
Consumers Get Temporary Relief, and Pizza Hut Uses Nostalgia to Deliver on Value
Inflation eased and sentiment improved, but restaurant traffic remained soft as Pizza Hut used nostalgia and throwback pricing to build a value play.
Competitive
Edge
August 2026
From the editorial desk
The signals worth carrying into the month
The consumer
The economic and behavioral signals changing how guests choose, spend, and return.
The industry
Earnings, traffic, mix, and pricing moves translated into an operator-ready point of view.
What caught our eye
One idea beyond the headlines, with a clear read on why it matters for restaurants now.
Every edition
The archive
Monthly context becomes more useful over time. Browse the full Competitive Edge record here.
Consumers Get Temporary Relief, and Pizza Hut Uses Nostalgia to Deliver on Value
Inflation eased and sentiment improved, but restaurant traffic remained soft as Pizza Hut used nostalgia and throwback pricing to build a value play.
Earning Traffic in an Era of Selective Spending
Consumers are becoming more selective as inflation outpaces wages, raising the value of pricing discipline, customer analytics, and stronger occasions.
Will a Wobbled Consumer Still DoorDash?
Economic pressure is widening the gap between consumers, while DoorDash's growth shows that convenience can still earn a premium.
Price Cuts Make Headlines. The Data Tells a Different Story.
Restaurant traffic showed early signs of stabilization, while PepsiCo's results challenged the headline case for broad price cuts.
Competitive Edge: August 2025
August 2025 restaurant brief: traffic gained momentum as inflation and wellness trends reshaped consumer behavior, earnings, and operators’ pricing outlook.
Competitive Edge: July 2025
July 2025 restaurant brief: resilient spending met softer traffic and inflation uncertainty, sharpening the case for proactive, customer-aware pricing.
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