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| Wendy Novak, wife of co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands David Novak, talks in an interview with TODAY about how her diabetes diagnosis changed her life forever. After defying the expectations around the disease, she’s imagining a world without diabetes through the Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, which supports the care of more than 100,000 patients. |
| Taco Bell's 2022 announcement of the Taco Lover’s Pass tripled visitations of customers who purchased the pass. With the new Nacho Fries Lover's Pass, Taco Bell aims to further cultivate a “culture of experimentation”, according to Taco Bell digital officer Dane Mathews, driving impressive sales growth. The brand's success formula includes value-driven offers, innovative menus and digital initiatives. |
| KFC U.K. launched a festive menu with the Stuffing Stacker and Stuffing Tower Burgers, introducing the 'Sleigh Thru.' The first 50 customers dressed as Santa receive a free burger. KFC U.K. teamed up with football player Chris Kamara to promote the initiative. The festive-themed drive-thrus feature Christmas decorations, and the burgers are available in-store and online. Additionally, KFC U.K. offers special Gravy Double and Triple Buckets alongside the new menu items, with prices starting from £6.49. |
| How Yum! Brands is making its supply chain more sustainable |
| As global leaders and companies come together at COP28 to keep climate action front-and-center, Yum! and our brands are doing our part. But we know we can’t do it alone and is why we’re working alongside our suppliers to make the planet greener. |
| Pizza Hut motivates entrepreneurs to believe in the possibilities |
Around the world, Pizza Hut is fueling entrepreneurship programs through its Equal Slice for Everyone social purpose framework. In partnership with Yum!’s Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, they’re changing the future for young adults in Canada, underrepresented communities in the United Kingdom and farmers in Indonesia. Watch to learn more about how the brand is making a difference in the places it calls home. |  | (For Yum! Eyes Only) |
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| Wendy’s is expanding AI chatbot drive-thru ordering tests, set for franchisee trials in 2024. Powered by Google Cloud's AI, the tool is currently active in four Ohio locations, aiming for increased efficiency. It autonomously handles 86% of orders, utilizing generative AI for real-time customer adaptation. Service times in one spot improved by 22 seconds compared to the Columbus average, addressing labor costs and drive-thru demand in the fast-food industry. |
| After 20 years, Shake Shack's CEO Randy Garutti will retire next year, staying on as an advisor. Under his leadership, the chain expanded to over 500 locations in 18 countries. The company aims to open 40 more restaurants in 2023 after launching 30 this year, expecting to surpass $1 billion in revenue for the first time. Analysts foresee increased profit margins and improved traffic. With Garutti's departure, the board has initiated an external search for the next CEO, prompting a nearly 10% rise in shares. |
| McDonald’s successfully debuted its first CosMc’s location, drawing long queues at its Bolingbrook, Ill. location for its Starbucks-inspired beverages. Customers lined up for up to three hours for drinks, which included the s’mores cold brew, turmeric spiced latte and churro frappe. McDonald’s also announced the return of the Snack Wrap, now named the McCrispy Wrap, part of a broader focus on chicken offerings amid rising demand. The chain intends to expand CosMc’s after successful Texas trials. |
| During Investor Day, McDonald’s announced expanding its Ready on Arrival (ROA) program, using geofencing to alert staff as mobile order customers approach. This tech, piloted since 2017 and integrated into the app in March, aims to reduce wait times. CEO Chris Kempczinski highlighted a 62-second decrease for curbside or in-store pickups using ROA geofencing. This aligns with plans to grow the loyalty user base to 250 million 90-day active users, targeting $45 billion in loyalty sales by 2027, doubling current figures. |
| At McDonald's recent Investor Day, pricing strategies took a quiet but crucial spotlight amid ambitious developments. CEO Chris Kempczinski highlighted scale's importance, enhancing pricing precision through digital tools and technology updates under the One McDonald's Way initiative. The focus on value, facilitated by the robust loyalty program with 150 million active users, tailors pricing based on customer habits. |
| Between 2012 and 2015, Chipotle’s popularity soared, but recent sentiments tell a different story. TikTok and Reddit discussions highlight a perceived decline in food quality and portion sizes. Complaints range from increased saltiness to diminished freshness and higher prices, aggravated by multiple menu price hikes in recent years. These concerns coincide with Chipotle's food safety changes post-2015's E. coli outbreak. Despite customer dissatisfaction, Chipotle's earnings remain strong, with a notable increase in revenue and net income during the third quarter of 2023. |
| Starbucks is offering its customers free 8-ounce hot chocolates every weekend on grande drink orders until December 31, limited to in-store and drive-thru purchases. Additionally, Thursdays offer a 50% discount on all drinks from noon to 6 p.m. throughout December, accessible via the app for rewards members on select dates. The promotion includes four new holiday cold foams inspired by seasonal favorites and allows customization for a fee. Festive cup designs, available since November 2, feature party plaid, peppermint mocha, ribbon-spooled gifts and bauble wrap prints. |
| GiftAMeal, a cause-marketing initiative, has marked substantial growth in 2023, expanding its restaurant partnerships to nearly a thousand across 37 states, donating over 1.7 million meals through 112 food banks. Achieving a 640% growth rate, their impact soared with a record 53,449 meals in October. Recognized by Amazon Business with a $25,000 grant, GiftAMeal connects patrons and restaurants for a social cause, fostering a 39% higher return rate and increased spending. |
| Mt. Joy, a unique Seattle chicken sandwich shop, stands out by highlighting regenerative agriculture in its sustainable menu, securing a $1.5 million funding round to expand. Mt. Joy prioritizes a supply chain that's eco-conscious from sourcing to serving, partnering with local farmers for pasture-raised, slower-growing chickens. They plan a deliberate, gradual expansion in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing quality and sustainability. The concept, aiming for nationwide proliferation, aims to reshape the food supply chain with its transparent, cruelty-free approach that's already swayed even some vegetarians. |
| Swig, a Utah-based drive-thru concept, stands out in the caffeinated-beverage arena with its unique soda-based drinks using major brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Operating 59 locations across seven states, it mixes sodas with creams and purees, carving a distinct path in the industry. CEO Rian McCartan discusses Swig's expansion potential and how it collaborates with both soda giants, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, in a recent podcast, highlighting the brand's steady growth and promising prospects for nationwide franchise expansion. |
| Restaurant companies and labor unions are uniting against credit card processing fees through the Lower Credit Card Fees Coalition. The alliance targets federal bill passage, aiming to exclude sales taxes from fee calculations, typical percentages on credit card payments. Organized labor's involvement aids in this push, aligning with state-level lobbying to match international fee standards. The collaboration's details and the unions' stake in fee reduction are covered in the Working Lunch political affairs podcast. |
| DoorDash and Uber Eats are adapting to New York City's increased minimum wage law for delivery workers, relocating tip prompts after deliveries. Mandated hourly wages nearly triple, set to reach nearly $20 by 2025. Both platforms shift tipping prompts post-delivery exclusively in NYC, ensuring 100% of tips go to workers. DoorDash sets a minimum of $23.93 per hour, assessing weekly for adjustments. The move affects Uber Eats similarly, supplementing earnings to meet minimum wage. Both platforms align with NYC's increased worker wage structure. |
| Quick-service restaurants ruled 2023 with their competitive advantage and drive-through dining. Automation has helped drive down energy costs, focusing on energy savings via IoT and AI, crucial for managing high-energy equipment. AI also supports load management during peak electric demand. Connected tech aids food safety by revealing quality issues and ensures locker performance for takeout orders. Utilizing data for operational insights and maintenance cost-efficiency, these restaurants secure sustainability and revenue goals. Careful investment in long-term tech solutions aligns with their resilient post-pandemic resurgence. |
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