On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the three biggest trends of 2025: chicken, beverages, and value deals. First up is chicken, as they talk about Taco Bell’s new Crispy Chicken Tacos and Burritos, Culver’s new chicken lineup, and Chick-fil-A’s two new sandwich tests. As major chains pile on the surge in chicken offerings, how can we expect the trend to evolve going forward? Then they discuss the beverage trend, and specifically soda, where chains are developing proprietary flavors and dirty soda variations. Sam and Alicia see this as a great way for restaurants big and small to stand out in an increasingly competitive field. Speaking of the competition, the two segue into a conversation on value meals and how brands are flooding the market with deals. Does the data suggest this is what consumers want? On this week’s extra serving portion of the podcast, senior F&B editor Bret Thorn joins to talk about Starbucks’ three-day Leadership Experience 2025, a gathering of 14,000 store managers in Las Vegas that revealed some of the coffee giant’s strategy for the future. Finally, we share a conversation between Bret and Another Broken Egg VP of culinary and beverage Joel Reynders.

For more on these stories:  

Taco Bell is launching a Crispy Chicken Taco and Burrito

Wendy’s adds Powerade drinks to Coca-Cola Freestyle lineup

More consumers than ever are searching for restaurants with lower price points

Starbucks to hire assistant managers for most restaurants