Year In Review: Which Restaurants Crushed It In 2024

It’s been another extremely exciting year for restaurants. We saw technology change how operations are running. We learned more about AI and how it can transform the industry. We heard about value over and over again. 

And some restaurants straight up killed it this year, so we wanted to take a look at some of our partners who crushed it and dive into how they did it.

Texas Roadhouse

If you’ve been to a Texas Roadhouse on a Saturday night, you’ve seen just how successful they are. Lines are usually out the door with people looking to have fun, get a great meal at a great value and load up on those addictive rolls with cinnamon butter.

And this shows in their bottom line. They’re growing like crazy – up 13.5% year on year, consistently increasing each quarter thanks to their loyal following.

But their strategy isn’t a pricing play – they lead with service and operations. You probably know what we’re talking about: peanuts at the table, line dancing in the aisles and did we mention the cinnamon butter rolls?

They’ve also fully embraced going digital. Ziosk Minis are on each table, showcasing featured menu items, entertainment and letting guests pay when they’re ready. They also use it collect valuable feedback the brand uses to make operational adjustments to improve the experience. Adjustments like these are why they regularly top the charts for customer satisfaction.

Their app is another place where they excel in the technology realm. To combat the lines we mentioned above, guests can put their name on the waitlist through the app and get an estimated time when their table will be available. This gives guests the convenience of knowing when to head to the restaurant instead of having a long wait at the door. 

Beyond that, they’ve completed over 200 digital kitchen conversions with the goal of hitting all 770 restaurants by 2025. 

By focusing on operations excellence and a stellar guest experience, Texas Roadhouse continues to win big with guests. Don't forget about those rolls with cinnamon butter.

Chili’s (Brinker International)

If you missed Chili’s success this year, we recommend opening TikTok more often. The viral darling was everywhere this summer when guests just couldn’t get enough of their Triple Dipper. This was huge for the brand, triple-dipping its way to about 40% of their sales growth

And it wasn’t an accident. This comeback of the year was years in the making. To pull this off, the brand focused on the key areas: bold strategies, innovative menu items and viral social marketing. This led to a huge year for the chain, where revenues increased 12.5% year on year, outperforming expectations by 3.4%.

Part of this was the introduction of their $10.99 Big Smasher Burger, which took aim at fast food rivals. Offering an unprecedented value to consumers, coupled with a big advertising push, this smash hit led to the other 60% of sales growth.

Another area of strength for the brand is their unique limited-time-only items. It features drinks such as their rotating monthly margaritas – which are always something new and fun! Menu innovation is big as well, with the debut of their Nashville Hot Mozz and items on their “secret menu.” This creates a fun and festive atmosphere where there’s always something new to explore and try.

They’re also not afraid to invest in technology. Ziosk Mini’s are at every table to help guests play and pay as well as promote those exciting featured items throughout guest’s visit.

With effective marketing, a focus on menu creativity and a little help from the Internet, Chili’s well-laid plans helped them have a Big Smasher of a year.

Applebee’s (Flynn Group)

Another leader in the marketplace is Applebee’s. The neighborhood staple has continued to capture the taste buds of patrons nationwide, leading to a healthy 14.8% market share.

Their approach leans heavily on limited time promotions, which were out in abundance this year. They included events like All You Can Eat Wings, Riblets and Shrimp, Pick 6 during the NFL season, America’s Favorite Boneless Wings and Dollaritas (which are delicious, we must say). They complement this with a healthy TV budget to keep guests coming in for a great time.

The brand also continued their mission of innovation this year. This came to life in a number of different ways. Meeting consumers ever-changing preferences through menu innovation remained a focus, with new items such as the Whole Lotta Bacon Burger and the Loaded Chicken Fries. They also launched a new website and app, leading to increased guest engagement and higher check averages.

One of their buzziest efforts is their new dual-branded restaurant concept. Bringing together both Applebee’s and IHOP, parent company Flynn Group is developing these new cost-effective, freestanding prototypes to incorporate technology for a more efficient kitchen design.

They’re also deploying technology to make their restaurants smarter and more efficient. DigiSite Smart Table uses spatial location technology to allow their Ziosk Mini tablets to move between tables, automatically syncing to the corresponding guest check. This gives them the flexibility to optimize tablet distribution based on each location’s unique traffic patterns and volume.

They’ve embraced AI to hone their personalized marketing efforts. By analyzing data, their AI can predict customer behavior, adjust offers and create tailored experiences for their guests.

By making smart moves around technology and keeping guests coming back with fun promotions and a neighborhood feel, Applebee’s is claiming their spot as a leader in the industry.

Olive Garden (Darden)

And lastly, the home of unlimited breadsticks, soup and salad rounds out our list. They had another impressive year: grabbing a market share of 18.5% and hitting their numbers despite tough market conditions such as rising costs and price point competition.

If you didn’t hear, the Never-Ending Pasta Bowl is back! This beloved promotion actually ran longer than it was initially slated due to its popularity, with consumers seeing this limited time offer as a great value at one of their favorite restaurants.

The Never-Ending Pasta Bowl isn’t the only favorite the brand brought back. Menu innovations also included a steak gorgonzola alfredo and stuffed chicken marsala that were discontinued during the pandemic as well as introducing a new garlic herb sauce for the all-you-can-eat promotion.

Technology is a focus for the Italian eatery. They announced a partnership with Uber to offer their guests home delivery of their craveable pastas, launching a pilot program this year. Ziosks are also present on every table across their locations so their guests can re-order drinks, play games and pay their bill right at the table.

Looking forward, the brand wants to focus on enhancing operational speed by streamlining operations through technology to meet the evolving needs of guests and improve the dining experience.

While 2024 was filled with daunting challenges and big wins, these brands are continually pushing the industry forward and redefining what’s possible. By embracing technology, building a loyal customer base and staying in front of trends, they’re innovating their way to a bright future. We can’t wait to see how our partner brands push the industry forward in 2025.