R.J. Hottovy

What Visitation Data Reveals About Consumer Behavior Ahead of Tariff Implementation

Tariffs have the potential to impact everything from product pricing to in-store foot traffic. We took a look at how retail visits and consumer behavior shifted as tariffs were announced.

The Rise of Smaller-Format Home Improvement Retailers: How Ace Hardware and Harbor Freight Are Outpacing Big-Box Chains

Smaller-format home improvement chains have been making a splash lately and outperforming their competitors in the past few years. We took a look at some of the analytics behind this trend.

Why Chipotle’s 2025 Outlook Looks Conservative

Chipotle's conservative 2025 sales forecast may be surpassed due to successful menu innovations, continued expansion into high-performing smaller markets, and the efficiency gains from expanding Chipotlane locations.

The $1B Question: Why Dave’s Hot Chicken Is a QSR Powerhouse

Dave's Hot Chicken is reportedly in talks to sell itself to Roark Capital for $1 billion. We took a look at the chicken chain's growth potential to highlight why Dave's is such a lucrative player in the QSR space.

Restaurant Success in 2025: Experience, Convenience, and Familiarity

Find out how restaurant operators can position their brands for long-term success in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Holiday 2024: A Season for Reinvention

We take a closer look at the discretionary retail categories that outperformed during 2024's holiday season - home furnishings, beauty, and apparel.

Black Friday’s Big Winner? Malls

What Does Walmart’s Results Mean for Other Discretionary Retailers?

RFDC Takeaways: Lessons from CAVA and Other Restaurant Visit Share Winners

Planet Fitness: Signs of a More Resilient Fitness Club Visitor?

McDonald’s Swift E. Coli Response Should Minimize Traffic Impact, and SpongeBob’s a Hit at Wendy’s

Starbucks: Silver Linings After a Difficult Quarter