Quick service restaurants (QSR) are experimenting with next-gen concepts as consumers increasingly prioritize convenience, value, and experience and as business demands new models to address rising labor and food costs. This week, we showcase three concepts by Raising Cane’s, Whataburger, and McDonald’s. Each location differs…
The McMillanDoolittle team recently attended the annual National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago to explore the latest developments in the food industry. Read on to discover our top five food and technology trends dominating this year’s show. Vegan seafood is emerging as the latest trend…
McMillanDoolittle recently visited Aldi’s first-of-its-kind automated checkout store in the Chicago suburb of Aurora, IL. Located about 8 miles away from company’s U.S. headquarters in Batavia, IL, the store is adorned with signage inside and outside promoting the trial of its new automated checkout technology,…
McMillanDoolittle recently released our 19th edition of Retail Innovations, an annual examination of the year’s most compelling themes driving change in global retail through cutting-edge concepts. For our second #ThemeThursday, we are featuring four retailers that have launched circular business models – falling under one…
Gangnam Market, Chicago’s highly anticipated “American-Asian hybrid” grocery store, fully opened its doors in early December – bringing with it a full supermarket, food court, and bar to the city’s River West neighborhood. Named after the same South Korean district that garnered worldwide recognition from…
The landscape of Asian manufacturing, historically known as the global factory floor, is undergoing a profound transformation. As the younger generation increasingly veers away from traditional factory work, Southeast Asian manufacturers are grappling with labor shortages and escalating costs. The implications of this generational shift,…
This year, generative AI platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard have gained popularity for their ability to create new content using algorithms that analyze and mirror existing data structures. However, other industries are beginning to leverage gen AI capabilities to reduce operational costs, optimize…
The McMillanDoolittle team recently explored the newest shopping centers and retailers in Warsaw, Poland as part of our biannual conference with our international consortium, Ebeltoft Group. Read on for our views on the Polish retail industry and take a look at two standout Polish retail…
On November 1st, the locally beloved Chicago grocer Dom’s Kitchen & Market opened its second location in the Old Town neighborhood. The specialty grocery concept provides customers with globally inspired food and beverage options, prioritizing partnerships with local providers to ensure the highest quality products….
Earlier this month, ALDI opened its first checkout-free store in the Netherlands in the city of Utrecht. Frank Quix, Managing Director from our Dutch partner Q&A Insights & Consultancy, visited this innovative store, and talks to Jan Oostvogels, CEO of ALDI The Netherlands, about this…
