Fast food chains say they're locked in a "value war" to win increasingly choosy US customers. As a flurry of summer deals come to an end, quick-serve chains say they're now locked in a "value war" to win increasingly choosy US customers. Between higher ingredient usage and other costs on the one hand, and a more competitive consumer economy, interim CEO Scott Boatwright said Chipotle was well-positioned to win the "value war" in fast-casual dining. "We absolutely believe that value in an environment of value-seeking consumers is not about only executing price-pointed promotions and value deals and value bundles — there's more to that." Plosch added that beyond the burger chain's creative promotions, the core menu remains essential to getting customers to come back.

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Persons: —, Michael Zuccaro, Chipotle, Scott Boatwright, Brian Niccol, who's, we've, Alex Kaleida, Chris Kempczinski, Kempczinski, Ian Borden, Shack, Robert Lynch, Gunther Plosch Organizations: Service, Starbucks