| Yum! Brands News | |
| | Yum!Now News | |
| | Competitor Intelligence | |
| | Industry Trends | |
| | Restaurant Technology | |
| | | |
| KFC U.S. is reintroducing its Cajun Deep Fried Turkey for Thanksgiving 2023, but it’s only available in select locations in four states: California, Colorado, Utah and Washington. These turkeys, pre-cooked but requiring reheating, weigh 14 to 16 pounds and serve 12 people. They’re exclusively for in-store ordering, priced at $69.99. Additionally, KFC offers a $99.99 Holiday Meal including turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, coleslaw and biscuits, and a $109.99 Holiday Feast with additional sides and dessert. |
| KFC Indonesia has introduced a dessert item, ”Pukis,” available in various flavors, including cheese, cookie crumbs, chocolate nuts, double chocolate and original. These Pukis, priced at 22,000 Indonesian Rupiah for a set of four, are traditional snack cakes made from a batter of wheat flour, yeast, eggs, coconut milk and sugar. |
| In October, KFC Thailand celebrated the “KFC Colonel’s 9.9 Birthday” with a “Billion Heirs” inheritance giveaway. Thais had the chance to claim a piece of Colonel Sanders’ 2.4 billion Baht inheritance. The campaign generated excitement through billboards, newspapers, TV and online media, offering 2.4 billion Baht in prizes, including a Toyota Yaris Car 1.2 sport and 8 million discount vouchers. The campaign garnered a record-breaking 413 million social media impressions, making it Thailand’s most valuable and inclusive marketing campaign. |
| The Taco Bell Foundation has launched its ninth annual Live Más Scholarship (LMS) application, offering up to $10 million in funding to support the aspirations of young leaders and change-makers. The scholarship is available to both Taco Bell customers and team members, providing up to $25,000 in funding for students aged 16 to 26. This unique scholarship is not based on academic achievements, allowing students to express their passion through a two-minute video application. |
| Yum! Brands employees know that collaboration is a key to innovation |
At Yum!, we know that our people are our biggest asset and that the power of collaboration across KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill creates a competitive advantage.
So, when 20-plus employees attended the three-day RED (Rapid Engineering Design) Innovation Experience in Plano, Texas, partnerships immediately brewed creative solutions. Attendees not only learned how to define problems, ideate on solutions and build prototypes, but also experienced Yum! Brands’ people-first culture of collaboration.
Check out what transpired. |
| Starbucks plans to raise hourly pay for its U.S. retail workers by at least 3% in 2024 as part of its expansion efforts, aiming to increase the number of stores worldwide to 55,000 by 2030. The company is also working to double baristas' hourly income over a four-year period, starting in 2020, through increased working hours and higher wages. |
| El Pollo Loco is actively pursuing a national presence and accelerated growth. Currently operating nearly 500 locations in seven states, the brand’s leadership, including Chairman Bill Floyd and interim CEO Maria Hollandsworth, expressed a strong desire to expand and become a national brand. The growth strategy involves franchise commitments, marketing efforts and technological advancements. The company is working on kiosk implementation and cash machine support, expecting an accelerated rollout in January 2024. |
| Shake Shack is making efforts to expand its reach and grow its brand further, with an increased focus on technology, such as kiosks, and improved labor management. The chain is planning to open around 80 new stores in 2024, aiming for 18% unit growth. The recent implementation of kiosks has already had a significant impact on in-store sales, with over 50% of in-store business coming from kiosk orders. Additionally, Shake Shack is actively working on refining labor strategies and scheduling to become more efficient as in-store traffic increases. |
| Shake Shack is offering free Chicken Shack sandwiches to fans if a football player celebrates a touchdown with a Chicken Dance in the end zone. This promotion is happening on Sunday, November 12th, and if any player performs the dance during any of the games, Shake Shack fans can enjoy free Chicken Shacks from that day through Sunday, November 19th. |
| Despite historic inflation in recent years, consumers have shown resilience, maintaining restaurant sales due to job stability and wage growth. However, Carlos Herrera, Chief Economist for Coca-Cola North America, has stated that 2024 will be “The Year of Management” for restaurants. Consumers are spending more on restaurant and grocery food, causing them to purchase less overall. Herrera emphasized that restaurants may need to consider other strategies to maintain profitability, as consumers are beginning to find dining out expensive. |
| Clover Food Lab, a Boston-based vegetarian fast food chain, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing low sales, high rent and a lack of funding. The company began as a food truck in 2008 and expanded to brick-and-mortar restaurants, known for its vegetable-focused menu with locally sourced ingredients. Despite pivoting to selling meal boxes and receiving government relief during the pandemic, restaurant traffic remained below pre-pandemic levels. |
| Salted, a virtual restaurant company and digital brand platform based in Los Angeles, has raised $14 million in a series B funding round and acquired Mediterranean concept Xenia. Salted aims to redefine and refine the virtual restaurant industry by becoming a delivery brand operator, concept incubator and technology company with a strong focus on hospitality. The company uses data-based digital technology and a strong hospitality mindset to maintain food quality and consistency in its offerings. |
| Majors Management, a convenience store operator, and Noble Roman’s, a pizzeria franchisor, have entered into an agreement to introduce Noble Roman’s food offerings in 100 of Majors Management’s locations in the contiguous United States, with a focus on Texas, Alabama and Georgia. Majors Management has been actively expanding its footprint through acquisitions, with more than 800 convenience stores in its portfolio. The partnership with Noble Roman’s aims to enhance the foodservice offering in these locations, with development beginning in the coming weeks. |
| In 2023, established restaurant technologies are proving more impactful than emerging AI. Server tablets, used for streamlined order processing, are being adopted by full-service chains like Outback Steakhouse and Applebee’s to boost productivity and enhance customer experiences. Self-service kiosks are gaining ground at Yum! Brands, where nearly 40% of KFCs outside of China have them, as well as all company-owned U.S. Taco Bells and 70% of Habit Burgers. Loyalty programs and CRM software are also vital as restaurants strive to gather customer data, create personalized marketing and engage diners. |
|
|
