Get it before it’s gone: The psychology behind limited-time offers

Limited-time menu items have increasingly become the stars of the restaurant world: here for a short time, gone in a flash, and at times, making a surprise comeback months (or even years) later. While it may seem like these returns are just riding trends or capturing seasonal flavors, research shows that customer cravings, seasonal traditions, and the comfort of familiar favorites all play a big role in deciding which "limited-time" hits get an encore.

Get it before it's gone: The psychology behind limited-time offers

Wendy'sexplores why limited-time menu items frequently return and what those patterns reveal about how consumers make food choices.

FOMO: Why limited-time offers work

The concept ofFOMO("fear of missing out") is a genuine worry about missing out on an enjoyable event or activity that others are experiencing.

According to a2026 reporton FOMO from market research firm Gitnux:

• 56% of people report experiencing FOMO regularly

• Women are 15% more likely to experience FOMO

• 73% of young adults feel FOMO from social media

• FOMO increases spending by 20%

In the food world, limited-time offers (LTOs) for rare menu items capitalize on the notion of FOMO to encourage customers to purchase rarely available items before they're gone.

According to Technomic Ignite Menu data, LTO launches areup 19%year over year, with nearly 4,000 rolling out in November of 2025 alone. In fact,91% of consumersreport they are more likely to visit a chain if it provides limited-time offers.

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The power of nostalgia

Part of the psychological appeal of LTOs is nostalgia: bringing back old favorites that customers knew and loved from years past.

In the Season 1 finale of AMC's hit show "Mad Men," main character Don Draper pitches an ad campaign to Kodak for their new slide projector. He sums up thepower of nostalgiain this way: "Nostalgia — it's delicate but potent. … It's a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone. This device isn't a spaceship; it's a time machine. It goes backward and forward. … It takes us to a place where we ache to go again."

According to CivicScience data, nearly half(48%) of U.S. adultssay they're at least somewhat likely to buy something that reminds them of the past. Menu items that bring customers back to their own childhood experiences or make them recall a happy memory shared with friends and loved ones give them an extra incentive to capture that feeling again before it's gone.

Seasonal LTOs

One of the most common and popular LTOs is those tied to seasons or holidays. These are limited-time products that consumers have come to expect and look forward to because they embody the classic flavors of a specific time of year. Examples include:

• The warm scent of pumpkin-spiced donuts and coffee in the fall

• Refreshing citrus lemonade or fresh fruit pies in summer

• Mint-flavored treats in winter

When a favorite limited-time menu item makes a comeback, it's usually not by accident. Consumers are drawn to what feels familiar, especially when tied to a certain season or a good memory. So when restaurants bring back a past favorite, it's not because they've run out of ideas; it is often because customers loved it the first time around, and the data proves it.

As restaurants try to strike the perfect balance between exciting new flavors and reliable classics, returning limited-time items is a delicious tradition that is likely to stay.

This story was produced byWendy'sand reviewed and distributed byStacker.

byMichael Cox

in

March 05, 2026

Get it before it’s gone: The psychology behind limited-time offers

Limited-time menu items have increasingly become the stars of the restaurant world: here for a short time, gone in a fla...

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Zayn Malik Shares Rare Photo of His Daughter Khai, 5, Enjoying K-Pop Group TWICE in Concert

Zayn Malik shared a rare photo of his daughter Khai, 5, enjoying a TWICE concert on Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

• During his appearance on Call Her Daddy in February, Malik revealed Khai's dreams of becoming a K-Pop star

• The former One Direction singer welcomed his daughter with ex-girlfriend Gigi Hadid

Zayn Malikenjoyed a fun evening with his daughter.

TheKONNAKOLartist, 33, shared a rare snap of his daughter Khai, 5, on his Instagram Stories. In the photo, Khai, whom he shares with ex-girlfriendGigi Hadid, can be seen enjoying K-pop group TWICE in concert.

"@twicetagram … massive thanks for giving the girls the best night ever 🩷🩷🩷," he wrote in text above the photo.

The former One Direction star and the model welcomed their daughter in September 2020 beforesplittingin October 2021. Since welcoming his daughter, Malik has cherished every moment with his little girl.

Back in July, the doting dad shared a rare snap of himself with his daughterKhaivia his Instagram Stories, as the father-daughter pair enjoyed K-Pop group BLACKPINK in concert. The picture showed Khai and Malik facing the crowd with their hands in the air.

"@Blackpinkofficial thank you :) Me & Khai loved it ❤️," he wrote in text over the photo.

During the Wednesday, Feb. 11 episode ofCall Her Daddy, the "Die For Me" singer opened up to hostAlex Cooperabout the career path his daughter Khai may want to pursue. Malik shared that his little girl is really into K-Pop and currently hopes to become a K-Pop star in the future.

"She definitely wants to be a K-Pop star," he told Cooper. "She's big into K-Pop."

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Asked how he feels about the possibility of his daughter following in his footsteps, the doting dad said that he'd rather "keep her away" from the industry, but will "support her" if it makes her happy.

"I'm just gonna have to support her," he said. "But me personally, yeah, I would like to keep her away from some of the headache that this job entails, you know?"

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Elsewhere in the podcast, the singer revealed that he gave his daughter a large sum of money when she lost her first tooth.

"It's everything. Even to the degree that like, you know, I'm raising her in an environment that isn't the same as everybody's," he told Cooper. "Her dad is a pop star. Her mom is a model, and certain things that she does in life might not always reflect what other people's understanding of reality is."

"So I think I gave her a bit too much money from the Tooth Fairy," he added with a smile. When Cooper asked how much he gave, Malik responded, "$500."

Explaining his reasoning, the singer shared that Hadid already gave him flak for the large amount of money he gave their daughter.

He said, "It's her first tooth, and her mom gave me s--- about it, and I was like, at the end of the day, I worked my ass off, and I should be able to give my kid what I wanna give her, you know?"

Read the original article onPeople

byMichael Cox

in

March 05, 2026

Zayn Malik Shares Rare Photo of His Daughter Khai, 5, Enjoying K-Pop Group TWICE in Concert

Zayn Malik shared a rare photo of his daughter Khai, 5, enjoying a TWICE concert on Instagram NEED TO KNOW D...

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Olandria Carthen’s Sheer Khaled & Marwan Gown Is a Minidress in Disguise

Olandria Carthen, the Love Island star, made a striking appearance at Le Grand Dîner du Louvre in Paris. She stepped out in a dramatic couture creation byKhaled & Marwan. The look instantly commanded attention, combining dramatic design elements with perfect craftsmanship. The event, held at the iconic museum, celebrates art, culture, and fashion, making it the perfect setting for a statement-making design like this one.

Olandria Carthen brings the drama in sheer Khaled & Marwan gown with a minidress twist

At first glance, the look appeared to be a full-length sheer gown, but the real focal point was the structured corset at the centre. The corset itself served as a minidress, fitting closely to Carthen's body and serving as the main structure of the outfit. Made from black lace and detailed with gold embellishments, the corset stood out immediately.

Adding further drama were the voluminous sheer sleeves, which expanded outward from the wrists. Their exaggerated shape balanced the structured corset and introduced movement to the sculpted upper half of the gown. The combination of delicate transparency and bold volume created a powerful visual contrast, elevating the couture piece.

Below the corset minidress, the design transitioned into a long sheer skirt that fell to the floor. The transparent fabric created the illusion of a full gown while allowing the corset minidress above to remain visible. The skirt then flared out toward the hem, forming a soft train behind her and adding movement to the look. She finished the outfit with sleek black heels and minimal gold jewellery.

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According toRCFA, Olandria Carthen's choice of Khaled & Marwan also stood out for another reason. Rather than opting for a widely recognized fashion house, she once again used the spotlight to spotlight a designer many fashion audiences may not yet be familiar with. For an evening dedicated to art, culture, and fashion inside the iconic Louvre, the choice felt thoughtful and intentional.

The result was a look that blended couture drama with storytelling, making Carthen's appearance one of the most memorable fashion moments of the night.

Originally reported by Viha Shah forTheFashionSpot.

The postOlandria Carthen's Sheer Khaled & Marwan Gown Is a Minidress in Disguiseappeared first onReality Tea.

byMichael Cox

in

March 05, 2026

Olandria Carthen’s Sheer Khaled & Marwan Gown Is a Minidress in Disguise

Olandria Carthen, the Love Island star, made a striking appearance at Le Grand Dîner du Louvre in Paris. She stepped out in a dramatic cou...

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Khloe Kardashian Clarifies Her Role in Good American Amid Feud Rumors

Khloe Kardashianis clearing up the chatter about her place at Good American. During a recent "Ask Me Anything" segment on her podcast Khloe in Wonder Land, the reality star addressed questions from fans about her business ventures, including whether she had stepped away from the clothing brand she helped build.

Khloe Kardashian confirms she's 'still co-founder and owner' of Good American on podcast

The rumors had circulated online for weeks, with some fans wondering if Kardashian had quietly stepped back from the company she helped launch. "I'm still the co-founder and owner," Kardashian told listeners. The question surfaced during an "Ask Me Anything" segment on the podcast, where Kardashian answered listener questions about her businesses and projects. When asked about her involvement with Good American today, Kardashian explained that the brand has reached a point where it can thrive without requiring her constant day-to-day attention.

"At first, I think you really want to help build the brand as much as you can, and we've definitely done that," she said. "But Good American is doing so well now. Good American is strong enough and stable enough to sustain on its own." Still, Kardashian emphasized that her connection to the company hasn't changed. "I am still very much co-founder and owner of the brand," she reiterated.

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The clarification comes after fans on Reddit began theorising that Kardashian had shifted her focus to other ventures, including her popcorn label, Khloud. Those conversations fueled speculation that she had stepped away from the denim company she built nearly a decade ago.

Kardashian launched Good American in 2016 alongside business partner Emma Grede. At the time, Kardashian toldHarper's Bazaarthat the pair set out to design jeans that felt inclusive rather than limiting. "We wanted jeans that can fit real women," she said in 2016. "We really felt like that was missing in the market."

The postKhloe Kardashian Clarifies Her Role in Good American Amid Feud Rumorsappeared first onReality Tea.

byMichael Cox

in

March 04, 2026

Khloe Kardashian Clarifies Her Role in Good American Amid Feud Rumors

Khloe Kardashianis clearing up the chatter about her place at Good American. During a recent "Ask Me Anything" segment on her po...

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War Child UK looks to 'Help' again with a new benefit album, 30 years after its first success

War Child UK's first benefit compilation album was a stunning success when it debuted in 1995. Reaching No. 1 on the British charts, "Help" raised more than 1.25 million pounds (about $1.938 million) for the nonprofit's support to children and their families in war-torn Bosnia.

Philanthropy War Child Album

Packed with unreleased songs from Britpop's elite artists — includingOasis, Blur and Radiohead — as well as a supergroup that includedPaul McCartneyand Paul Weller, it's no wonder that Rich Clarke, War Child UK's head of music, says the charity has been looking to recreate ever since.

For a variety of reasons, an all-star follow-up to "Help" never materialized — until now. On Friday, "Help(2)" will hit stores and streaming platforms, powered by unreleased songs from Arctic Monkeys,Olivia Rodrigo, Wet Leg and others, to raise funds and awareness forchildren suffering in numerous war zones, including Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan.

"I think it's a situation now where musicians feel not that they want to do something, but that they need to do something," Clarke said. "That's a powerful driver. And sometimes, things happen when they're meant to happen."

Jarvis Cocker found inspiration in kids

Jarvis Cocker's connection to War Child UK stretches back to 1996, when his band Pulp donated the financial windfall from winning the prestigious Mercury Prize to the charity.

So when James Ford — who producedPulp's first new album in 24 years,"More," last year — approached Cocker about contributing a song to a War Child UK compilation, he jumped at the chance.

"When the last one happened, it was something like 10% of the world's kids were living in poor areas, and now it's more like 20%," Cocker told The Associated Press. "And it's a strange thing, you know, childhood sets you up for the rest of your life or it doesn't."

Pulp's contribution ended up being "Begging for Change," a song Cocker said he started 14 years ago, but had trouble finishing. "Somehow, with it having the focus of trying to help some people and change their situation, I did manage to finish it," he said. "And I'm quite pleased with the result."

Part of that success on the energetic track came from the unusual recording process at Abbey Road Studios in London, Cocker said.

"I've never allowed people to film me singing in the studio because that's the time when I try and become unselfconscious," he said, adding he soon learned the session would be filmed by numerous children working on a documentary of the process with director Jonathan Glazer.

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"I thought it was a good idea," Cocker said. "I mean, if you're going to do a thing for a charity that is supposed to help children in war zones, then it makes sense to capture it from a child's point of view."

Cocker even had some of the children form a choir that appears on the song. Having the children as part of the process served as a good reminder of what Pulp and War Child UK were trying to accomplish.

"Charity shouldn't have to exist if governments did what they were supposed to, if they looked after people and looked after the world," Cocker said. "But they do need to exist. They need to exist even more now."

Benefit compilations attract new generations

Benefit compilations are part of a long tradition in indie music and a natural way for artists to get involved with charities and issues they want to support, said John Nolan, guitarist and singer in the rock bands Taking Back Sunday and Straylight Run.

"It's something that we can be a lot more hands-on with," said Nolan, who released the compilation "Music for Everyone, Vol. 2" in November as a fundraiser for the American Civil Liberties Union. "I think that's also why a lot of more underground bands take on compilations for causes too, because it's something you can be kind of DIY with."

The British band Black Country, New Road said it's important for artists to lend their creativity to causes and charities they believe in. Contributing their song "Strangers" to the War Child UK compilation is simply a continuation of their work, which includes fundraisers for Palestinian children.

"With what was going on in the world a couple of years ago, I think it became important to us that we became more aware and started questioning things and how we wanted to move as artists," said violinist Georgia Ellery of Black Country, New Road.

Graham Hastings of the Scottish band Young Fathers said it was a "no-brainer" to get involved with the "Help(2)" compilation.

"When you see children in these refugee camps, for me it's a sign of humanity failing for that to even occur," he said. "For us, the important thing is for people just to feel a general awareness about what's happening and why it's happening, and get active and get involved in the community."

Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visithttps://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.

byMichael Cox

in

March 04, 2026

War Child UK looks to 'Help' again with a new benefit album, 30 years after its first success

War Child UK's first benefit compilation album was a stunning success when it debuted in 1995. Reaching No. 1 on the...

Read More