Restaurant-hopping is out. Chain loyalty is in.

"The fast-casual sector - restaurants like Chipotle, Panera, and Shake Shack, which offer customizable meals in a comfortable dining atmosphere with limited table service - has seen a drop-off in foot traffic, as more customers turn to fast food for better deals. Shake Shack, far and away, had the most loyal fans in the second quarter, InMarket found. This rating was based on the chain's "fidelity index" of 327, a score determined by the ratio of guest visits to a location."

"Raising Cane's came second in the fast-casual sector with a fidelity score of 158. InMarket attributed Shake Shack's runaway Q2 success to its limited-time menu offerings during tax season and its first loyalty offering on its app in June. The chain offered $1 off soda and task-based offers to customers, in which they could earn discounts by visiting more often. For example, ordering two burgers on separate visits within 30 days granted $10 off the next visit."

"As diners tighten their belts and eat out less, they're doubling down on their favorite chains. Fast-casual dining is seeing a particular slowdown, as more customers turn to fast food. Among fast-food restaurants, McDonald's had among the most loyal diners, an InMarket report showed. New research from InMarket, a marketing firm that publishes regular reports on restaurant customer habits, shows that as spending slows, consumers are becoming increasingly loyal to their favorite brands."

Consumers are reducing dining-out spending while increasing repeat visits to preferred restaurant chains. Fast-casual restaurants such as Chipotle, Panera, and Shake Shack experienced declining foot traffic as diners seek better value. Shake Shack recorded a fidelity index of 327, indicating exceptionally high customer visits per location, while Raising Cane's scored 158. InMarket credited Shake Shack's Q2 gains to limited-time menu items during tax season and a June app-based loyalty program offering $1 off sodas and task-based discounts, including $10 off after two separate burger visits within 30 days. Value-seeking diners are shifting toward quick-service restaurants that prioritize speed and convenience.

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