Unlocking Local Consumer Behavior: Foot Traffic Data Reshaping Fast-Food Strategies
Understanding consumer movement patterns is key to staying ahead. Foot traffic — the measurement of consumer visits to physical locations—provides critical insights into customer behavior, revealing trends in brand popularity, regional loyalty, and competitive positioning.
dataplor, a leader in global location intelligence, has released a foot traffic analysis showcasing how these patterns shape fast-food preferences across the US. The report highlights the relationship between store presence and consumer loyalty, revealing that ubiquity does not always equal popularity. For example, McDonald’s and Subway have the most locations nationwide, yet Wendy’s and Raising Cane’s lead in foot traffic. This suggests that localized consumer sentiment can sometimes outweigh sheer brand presence.
Geoff Michener, CEO & Founder of dataplor, told Street Fight :“Our data highlights just how important it is to dig deep into consumer behavior—not just by region or state, but right down to each individual store and brand. Understanding these patterns on a detailed level can give marketers a huge edge. For example, a brand with fewer locations might still dominate in visits if it resonates with the local audience. We recognize the power of being able to cross reference consumer popularity trends with accurate, granular location data, which is why we’re excited to bring our new mobility product to the market.”
The locality factor remained strong in regional analyses. In the West, In-N-Out Burger ranked number one for foot traffic in five states, despite having far fewer locations than national competitors. In the Northeast, Five Guys and Jersey Mike’s, both founded in the region, ranked high in both presence and foot traffic, demonstrating how local roots can drive brand loyalty. Meanwhile, in the Midwest, Wisconsin-based Culver’s secured top spots for both store count and popularity, showing that regional familiarity can be a strong driver of consumer behavior.
These insights are more than just statistics—they have real implications for businesses looking to optimize their strategies. For media and marketing professionals, understanding foot traffic trends can refine ad targeting and messaging. For brands and agencies, the data informs competitive positioning and location-based promotions. And for SaaS providers, integrating mobility insights into platforms can enhance customer engagement tools, helping businesses make data-driven decisions at scale.
Empowering Brick-and-Mortar Businesses with Foot-Traffic Analytics for Effective OOH
“We look forward to seeing how businesses leverage our mobility product data to enhance their decision-making and tailor their offerings,” added Michener. The dataplor report is a glimpse into how location intelligence can uncover valuable consumer insights, shaping everything from market expansion to operational efficiencies.
As competition in the local business landscape intensifies, having access to real-world movement patterns can provide a strategic advantage. Whether it’s identifying where to open new locations, refining marketing strategies, or enhancing customer experiences, leveraging foot traffic data is becoming an essential component of business success.
To capitalize on the increasing foot traffic, brands are anticipated to offer more personalized in-store experiences. This approach reflects a broader shift towards providing added value beyond mere transactions, fostering deeper customer engagement.
