Data from Lumina Intelligence's Menu Tracker shows that burgers have made significant strides in becoming a staple main course dish on restaurant menus. With a 13% share of main course dishes, burgers now hold the third spot and have grown their share versus Q3 2022. This growth can be attributed to restaurant operators anticipating customers' desires for indulgence during the festive season. Despite this, pizza still dominates the main course scene, holding a 19% share on restaurant menus. Most operators offer a variety of pizza options, which has helped maintain its leading position. The data also reveals a focus on Italian cuisine, with Italian dishes seeing a 2% growth compared to Q3 2022. Pizza was the most common new main course introduction, with pasta, vegetable, and cheese dishes also proving popular. Restaurant operators are now combining these dishes to create new and innovative main course options, with vegan and vegetarian pizzas being a common addition. The festive season also served as a key opportunity for restaurant operators to focus on new drink development. Wine saw the largest growth, with a 3% increase compared to Q3 2022. Cocktails and spirits were also a major focus, with operators introducing new drinks that tie into a Christmas theme, such as Ask Italian's Bailey's Espresso Martini cocktail. New juices, squashes, and flavoured water were also more popular this quarter, encouraging non-drinkers and those on casual occasions to upgrade their drink choices. (source: https://www.lumina-intelligence.com/, image: pexels)