What’s Up with Red Robin? How Legacy Brands Lose Relevance—and How Some Win It Back

 

Once upon a time, Red Robin was the place for family dinners, high school hangouts, and weekend burgers. Founded in 1969 in Seattle, the brand became iconic in the 1990s and early 2000s for its fun, full-service dining model and the unforgettable jingle: “Red Robin… YUM!”

At its peak in 2015, Red Robin had over 530 locations. Fast forward to 2024, and it has closed nearly 130 restaurants, and foot traffic is down over 25% compared to 2019. In an era where fast casuals like Shake Shack and grocerants like Wegmans' Market Café are thriving, Red Robin’s struggles signal a bigger issue: customer relevance lost to internal drift according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Instead of doubling down on consumer needs—speed, digital access, flavor innovation—Red Robin focused on cutting costs, closing locations, and trying to fix its kitchen throughput. It prioritized operations over experience and efficiency over evolution.

But this isn’t a new story. Let’s look at some historical context.

 

Other Brands That Lost Relevance—and Vanished

🔻 Howard Johnson’s

Once the largest restaurant chain in America with over 1,000 locations, Howard Johnson’s was the roadside brand of mid-century America. It failed to evolve with consumer tastes in the 1980s and 90s, falling victim to faster, fresher fast-food competition. By 2017, the last restaurant had closed.

🔻 Chi-Chi’s

A Mexican-American chain that peaked in the 1980s with over 200 locations, Chi-Chi’s failed to keep up with authentic, modern Mexican food trends. A hepatitis outbreak and brand stagnation sealed its fate. By 2004, it was gone in the U.S., living on only as a grocery-store salsa label.

 

Brands That Lost Relevance… Then Came Back

Domino’s Pizza

In the early 2000s, Domino’s had a terrible reputation for quality. But by 2010, it radically overhauled its recipe, leaned into self-deprecating honesty, and launched a digital ordering transformation. It became a tech-forward pizza chain with over 75% of orders coming digitally by 2022, and saw stock gains of over 3,000% over a decade.

Panera Bread

After years of flat growth, Panera embraced the grocerant ethos—adding delivery, curbside, loyalty integration, and menu customization. By 2019, it launched Panera 2.0, reemphasizing wellness, convenience, and mobile-first ordering. Today it’s one of the most successful fast-casual players in the U.S.

 

Red Robin's Turning Point—and a Path Forward

Red Robin didn’t fall because Americans stopped loving burgers. It fell because the context in which we eat burgers changed, and Red Robin didn’t.

People now want:

·       Meals in 12 minutes, not 45

·       Food that travels well, tastes clean, and feels modern

·       Digital ordering, delivery options, loyalty rewards

·       Less meat, more global flavor, and customizable portions

Red Robin stuck with a 1998 playbook in a 2025 marketplace.

 

Five Strategies to Regain Relevance (Grocerant Guru's Playbook)

1.       Recenter the Brand Around the Customer Journey
Look at every touchpoint—app, curbside, dine-in—and ask: Is this built around how the customer lives, eats, and thinks in 2025? If not, rebuild it.

2.       Embed Grocerant Innovation
Red Robin could easily introduce gourmet burger meal kits, heat-and-eat sides, or cold case “Fries & Shake” packs in local groceries. Extend the brand beyond four walls.

3.       Refresh the Menu with Function and Flavor
Add plant-forward options, regional flair, and wellness-conscious items. But don’t lose your core—reboot it. Bring back a reimagined Banzai Burger or Whiskey River BBQ Bowl with premium flair.

4.       Make Experience as Scalable as the Meal
Guests want emotion with their transaction. Whether it’s through branded packaging, birthday specials, or mobile check-in games, build in memorable, low-friction touchpoints.

5.       Let Technology Serve, Not Distract
Don’t digitize for the sake of it. Use tech to streamline ordering, re-engage lapsed users, and personalize deals—not to replace hospitality.

 

Think About This: Relevance is a Moving Target

Legacy brands like Red Robin have all the raw ingredients: brand equity, nostalgia, real estate. But those ingredients don’t cook themselves. Without constant reinvention around the customer, even the most iconic names can disappear.

The good news? Comebacks are possible. But they require bold action, clear focus, and the willingness to stop looking inward—and start listening to the people on the other side of the plate.

Gain a Competitive Edge with a Grocerant ScoreCard

Unlock new opportunities with a Grocerant ScoreCard, designed to optimize product positioning, placement, and consumer engagement.

Since 1991, Foodservice Solutions® has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche—helping brands identify high-growth strategies that resonate with modern consumers.

📞 Call 253-759-7869 or 📩 Email Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us

Can Beverages Invigorate Fast Food Sales?

 

In today’s fast-paced foodservice landscape, beverages are no longer just sidekicks, they’re strategic power players. From driving incremental revenue to shaping brand identity, drink innovation is emerging as a high-margin lever for fast-food chains seeking relevance, differentiation, and consumer loyalty. Especially as convenience stores, armed with fast, easy access and next-gen beverage lines—are drawing traffic away from traditional drive‑thru setups.

 

The Grocerant Guru’s Perspective

Steven Johnson, known as the Grocerant Guru®, shines a spotlight on how C‑stores are rewriting the playbook. He emphasizes that streamlined, photogenic beverage bundling and mix-and-match innovation not only drive margins, but also “soften price perceptions” via loyalty—challenging long-standing QSR combos.

Johnson specifically points out that “brand relevance is driven … by new food products in combination with new avenues of distribution”, such as Slurpee flavors and proprietary coffee blends that C‑stores are pushing hard. His belief? Fresh, innovative drinks, especially dispensed through quick-access formats, are blurring the lines between grocery, gas, and QSR.

 

C‑Store Advantage: Faster Than Your Drive‑Thru

Speed & convenience: Many consumers are abandoning fast‑food drive‑thrus due to slow service and long lines. C‑stores, however, are siphoning this traffic by offering swift grab-and-go options while filling the tank—no wait required. In fact, consumers view C‑stores on par with QSRs—59% would choose a meal there, and nearly 30% already do.

Massive foot growth: Since early 2021, foot traffic into C‑stores has surged nearly 59%, consistently outperforming quick-service restaurant traffic. In 2024 alone, C‑store foodservice grew 5%, projected to jump another 5.7% in 2025—outpacing QSR to QSR’s 4.1% growth.

Slurpee & Beverage Innovation

Portfolio hero: 7‑Eleven’s Slurpee isn’t just a slush—it’s a brand icon. With 14 million Slurpee’s consumed daily across 19 countries, it serves as proof of how a beverage can boost foot traffic, enhance brand equity, and ignite social media buzz.

Private-label momentum: The chain’s introduction of 7‑Select sparkling iced teas—like raspberry and peach—signals bold beverage innovation. These fruit-forward beverages grew 10.5% year‑over‑year in C‑store menu.

Photogenic & shareable: These photogenic liquid offerings are just the pull consumers crave—boosting in-store dwell time and generated organic buzz.

 

Global Strength & Cultural Impact

Worldwide reach: With over 85,000 stores in 20 countries, 7‑Eleven ensures Slurpee’s ubiquity—from North America to Asia—illustrating how beverages can transcend cultural markets.

Cultural rituals: Campaigns like "Bring Your Own Cup Day" and the annual Slurpee Day (July 11) reinforce consumer loyalty through participation and spectacle

 

Strategic Implications for Fast‑Food Chains

Rethink loyalty: As Johnson predicts, beverages—plus personalization, gamification, and exclusive flavors—will become the new currency of loyalty programs.

Adapt back‑of‑house setups: QSRs must reconfigure to include wellness and functional drink lines (e.g., adaptogen blends), or risk being outpaced by C‑stores.

Innovate sub‑brands: Expect beverage-first spinoffs, akin to fast-food chains planting their flags in the drive‑thru-only beverage world.

Optimize speed: Fast-food chains must dramatically improve drive‑thru efficiency to counteract the C‑store effect. Anything longer than two to three minutes can push customers into C‑store lanes.

 

Think about this

Beverages have transcended sidekick status—they’re becoming the linchpin of brand strategy, loyalty, and modern foodservice innovation. As Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru®, notes, C‑stores—acting as grocery, restaurant, and beverage hubs—are outpacing fast food in both speed and consumer experience. Chains that harness beverage power, rethink back‑end operations, and optimize speed will capture the next wave of growth.

Success Leaves Clues—Are You Ready to Find Yours?

One key insight that continues to drive success is this: "The consumer is dynamic, not static." This principle is the foundation of our work at Foodservice Solutions®, where Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru®, has been helping brands stay relevant in an ever-evolving market.

Want to strengthen your brand’s connection with today’s consumers? Let’s talk. Call 253-759-7869 for more information.

Stay Ahead of the Competition with Fresh Ideas

Is your food marketing keeping up with tomorrow’s trends—or stuck in yesterday’s playbook? If you're ready for fresh ideations that set your brand apart, we’re here to help.

At Foodservice Solutions®, we specialize in consumer-driven retail food strategies that enhance convenience, differentiation, and individualization—key factors in driving growth.

👉 Email us at Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us
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The Grocerant Guru® Report: Why Legacy Retailers May Be Fading While Value-Driven Innovators Thrive

 

Today’s grocery shopper isn’t just hunting for bargains, they’re navigating a maze of digital options, private-label innovations, and flavor-forward experiences. If you’re still playing the legacy game of weekly circulars and national brand mimicry, you're not just behind, you're invisible according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Welcome to the new consumer landscape. The grocerant evolution is in full swing, and if you’re not adapting, you’re preparing to vanish.

 

Consumers Don’t Just Want Value—They Demand It

The narrative around value has shifted. It’s no longer about being the cheapest—it’s about being smart, authentic, and frictionless.

·       Private label ascension: Store brands now make up 22¢ of every food dollar spent. Even Gen Z and Millennials—once skeptical—are embracing them for quality and affordability. But this isn’t just about low-cost macaroni; think plant-forward meals, globally inspired sauces, and functional snacks. The best private labels offer discovery, delight, and digital integration.

·       Price anxiety persists: Despite moderated inflation (~1% food-at-home in 2024), 70% of consumers still worry about rising prices. 78% fear tariff impacts. Consumers aren’t spending less—they’re spending smarter.

·       Cherry-picking evolves: Boomers focus on unit pricing and bulk deals, while Gen Z favors health halos and personalized nutrition. Retailers chasing both with high-low promos and EDLP are splintering their strategy and confusing their base.

Grocerant Guru® Takeaway:
The winners? Aldi, Lidl, Trader Joe’s—lean operators mastering private label brand theater, tech-activated pricing, and clear value storytelling. Legacy players? Still clinging to old mix-models, hoping the weekly flyer still matters.

 

The Digital Grocery Shopper Has Outpaced the Retailer

Online ordering isn’t “optional” anymore—it’s expected. And it’s evolving beyond cart-filling into a full-blown digital food lifestyle.

·       Digital dominance: From just 9% pre-COVID to nearly half of U.S. shoppers ordering groceries online—it’s not a fad, it’s a demand signal.

·        Omnichannel isn’t just apps—it’s architecture: Retailers need integrated loyalty, frictionless payment, inventory visibility, and AI-powered suggestions that feel like a concierge service, not a checkout workaround.

Grocers who still operate in “aisle-first” mode—deploying coupons, flyers, and banner ads—are failing to meet this digital pace.

Grocerant Guru® Takeaway:
Consumers expect unified experiences: order from your couch, pick up curbside, get AI-generated meal solutions, and see ingredient traceability. Discounters and disruptors get it. Legacy retailers? Still patching together last decade’s solutions.

 

Brand Is the Experience—Not Just the Label

It’s not about price tiers anymore; it’s about emotional connection.

·       Niche brands boom: Look at Goodles—nostalgic comfort meets health-forward messaging. With market share leaping 0.6% to 4%, they’ve nailed adulting with flavor and flair.

·       Shopper-led discovery: In-store “moments” now drive sales—think seasonal treasure hunts, globally curated endcaps, and visually immersive shelfscapes.

·       Visual merchandising matters: Trader Joe’s wins by offering fewer SKUs—yet more surprises. Their stores feel like a trip to a local food bazaar, not a bulk warehouse.

Grocerant Guru® Takeaway:
The future is brand theater—limited edition drops, social buzz, and retail as entertainment. Legacy chains often skip this entirely, confusing loyalty with habit.

 

Tech Is Speed, Precision—and Personality

Agility defines success. Retailers stuck with bloated operations and sluggish innovation? They’re not just slow—they’re getting passed.

·       Lean grocers run laps: Aldi and Lidl deliver rapid innovation with tight SKU control, efficient labor, and simple formats.

·       AI leads the charge: From predictive stocking to hyper-personalized promotions, smart grocers are using data to anticipate—not just react.

·       Experiential tech rises: Augmented reality, mobile self-checkout, and real-time pricing updates transform store visits into interactive experiences.

Grocerant Guru® Takeaway:
Consumers see the difference. Legacy players don’t need gimmicks—they need actionable tech. Smart shelfing, in-cart marketing, AI-generated bundles… this is the new frontline.

 

History Repeats Itself: Will A&P's Fall Be Kroger’s Future?

The demise of A&P was a warning shot—overexpansion without modernization. Weekly ads, bloated inventories, and physical-first growth failed as consumers evolved.

Today, Kroger, Albertsons, Publix, and others risk the same fate if they:

·       Push stale private labels that imitate, not innovate

·       Overbuild formats without experience upgrades

·       Delay in creating unified digital ecosystems

The consumer doesn’t wait—and neither should retailers.

 

Final Takeaway: Reinvent or Retreat

Modern shoppers are:

·       Budget-conscious but experience-seeking

·       Digitally fluent and channel agnostic

·       Brand-aware and emotionally invested

Grocerant models deliver: streamlined assortments, rich brand engagement, and tech-driven customization. Aldi, Lidl, Trader Joe’s, and niche disrupters understand that food is flavor, feeling, and function.

Grocerant Guru® Closing Thought:
If you think private label is just a cheaper version of Heinz and omnichannel is a glorified website, you’ve already lost. Stop expanding square footage—start expanding brand moments.

The question isn’t “Can legacy grocers adapt?”
It’s “Will they?”

Gain a Competitive Edge with a Grocerant ScoreCard

Unlock new opportunities with a Grocerant ScoreCard, designed to optimize product positioning, placement, and consumer engagement.

Since 1991, Foodservice Solutions® has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche—helping brands identify high-growth strategies that resonate with modern consumers.

📞 Call 253-759-7869 or 📩 Email Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us