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| In an interview, general manager of KFC Africa, Akhona Qengqe, spoke about the company’s focus on fast-casual and how sustainability will play a role in its future success. Qenge noted that by the end of the year, the chain will have 1,300 stores across 23 markets in sub-Saharan Africa. She also highlighted the various menu localizations that have been done across the continent. |
| Laing Le Wong, a 32-year-old woman from Singapore, recently celebrated her “dream” wedding with a KFC theme. Despite its uniqueness, the $2,300 wedding fulfilled Wong’s desire for a finger-lickin’ good celebration. The ceremony featured a deep-fried chicken bouquet and an exclusive KFC buffet. Wong, who has a disability affecting her ability to walk, reached out to KFC before the wedding, hoping for a gift. KFC covered half of the wedding food expenses and provided KFC-themed decorations, including a Zinger spicy chicken sandwich beanbag chair. |
| KFC China and Nissin Foods have teamed up to introduce an exclusive line of spicy seafood-flavored fried chicken, featuring Nissin’s popular instant noodle flavor coating. Priced at $23.5 each, customers can indulge in the spicy seafood fried chicken or opt for the spicy seafood hot wings at $19 for two pieces. For a refreshing accompaniment, a kyoho grape 7-Up with coconut jelly is available for $26. Set meals start from $49. |
| Pizza Hut and Spark Foundry earned the Best Brand Experience of the Year at The Drum Awards for Metaverse, thanks to their innovative Metaverse & Web3 Activation with End of the World Pizza (EOWP). The objective was to establish Pizza Hut’s presence in the Metaverse and Web3 by collaborating with EOWP for a limited-edition NFT collection. The results exceeded benchmarks, with over 24k unique interactions, 4.4k sweepstakes submissions, 13.7M impressions and 315k interactions. |
| The Habit Burger is set to open its fourth restaurant in South Carolina, located in Greer. The grand opening is scheduled for December 6, at 1122 West Wade Hampton Blvd. To celebrate, the restaurant will host exclusive pre-opening VIP events for CharClub and mobile app members. Free Charburger Day is on December 2, and Free Habit Days are on December 4 and 5, offering the first 200 CharClub members a complimentary meal. |
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McDonald’s is reviving the McNugget Buddies with a limited-time collab called the Kerwin Frost Box. Launching on December 11, the meal allows customers to choose between a 10-piece McNuggets or a Big Mac, paired with fries and a soda. The highlight is the return of the McNugget Buddies, anthropomorphic McNuggets that were last seen in 1996. New York-based artist Kerwin Frost has given them a modern update, drawing inspiration from his upbringing.
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| Chipotle is launching holiday merchandise, including a “fan-inspired” Car Napkin Holder designed for car mukbang enthusiasts. Priced at $30, the holder attaches to a car sun visor, conveniently offering easy access to napkins. Despite being more expensive than similar tissue holders, Chipotle includes a gift card for a free entrée by December 31. The brand encourages users to fill the holder with stolen napkins. |
| Burger King has announced the return of BK Melts and Cheesy Tots, available at participating restaurants for a limited time starting December 7. Additionally, throughout December, Royal Perks members using the BK App can enjoy exclusive daily deals, including free food with select purchases, $3 Whopper sandwiches every Wednesday and Burger King merchandise with proceeds supporting the Burger King Foundation. |
| Subway is making its footlong cookie a permanent menu item following the overwhelming response to its debut on National Cookie Day in 2022. To celebrate, on December 4, Subway will give away free chocolate chip footlong cookies with the purchase of a footlong sandwich at select locations in Chicago, Dallas, Miami and New York. The footlong cookie, available in four sandwich inspired flavors, has undergone improvements, including increased chocolate chip density. |
| Data from food service research and consulting firm Technomic has shown that Nashville hot chicken has seen a boost of over 65% over the past five years, with fast-food companies increasingly featuring it on their menu. Its rise highlights a trend toward bold flavors and restaurant innovation. Dating back to Thornton Prince’s kitchen in the 1930s, the dish is rooted in Black culture. While the dish remains trendy, its cultural significance endures, sparking discussions about culinary appropriation and the importance of respecting traditions. |
Red Lobster said that more customers took advantage of its “Ultimate Endless Shrimp” than expected, a key reason for the chain’s roughly $11 million loss in the third quarter of 2023. For $20, customers could eat as much shrimp as they wanted. It’s become one of the most iconic promotions at Red Lobster, said Ludovic Garnier, CFO of Thai Union, the chain's parent company, but to keep it on the menu there has to be some changes. Red Lobster has been increasing its prices incrementally on the deal, first from $20 to $22, and now settling at $25.
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| Modern Market Eatery, part of Modern Restaurant Concepts (MRC), launched its first drive-thru unit in Denver, also offering dine-in and a Mini Market featuring local products. The unit is the chain’s third to feature a double-sided makeline, which is designed to speed service and throughput. In a statement, co-founder and President Rob McColgan said, “This will be the first of many drive-thru locations we anticipate developing over the coming years to provide an even more efficient service model to handle the increasing volume of take-out orders.” |
| The Culinary Edge announced the opening of Greenlane, a new salad-centric fast-food concept in Tampa, Florida. Greenlane aims to offer high-quality, affordable salads designed for on-the-go consumption, and challenge industry norms by balancing health, value and convenience. Greenlane's menu features salad options in either a bowl or a wrap. Erica Spector Wishnow, co-CEO of Greenlane, noted that Greenlane’s mission is “to redefine wellness and prove that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring.” |
| Cafe Rio Mexican Grill is opening its 52nd location in its home-state Utah on Redwood Road in Salt Lake City, set to open on December 8. CEO Steve Vaughan noted, “We have a very loyal and enthusiastic fanbase here and the opening on Redwood Road creates more opportunities for Utahans to experience our fresh, award-winning and flavor-packed recipes -- both the ones they know and love and some exciting new products we have planned for the coming months.” |
| Senator Elizabeth Warren noted her support of the reported FTC probe into the Subway-Roark Capital Group deal, expressing concern over potential consumer price hikes. The $10 billion acquisition is under scrutiny for potentially creating a sandwich shop monopoly, combining Subway with Roark-owned brands like Arby’s and Jimmy John’s. The FTC is also investigating the Kroger-Albertsons merger over monopoly concerns. Despite Kroger-Albertsons' divestiture of 400 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers, former FTC policy director David Balto suggests it may not suffice. |
| A YouGov study commissioned by DailyPay revealed that 66% of quick-service and fast-casual restaurant workers face stress over finances, impacting their well-being, job satisfaction and performance. Separate research by payroll and benefits company Gusto suggested offering retirement benefits makes food industry employees 54% less likely to leave their employer in their first year. Gusto estimated its employer-sponsored 401K plans could result in $100,000 of savings on employee turnover costs, providing a 2X return on investment. |
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