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| In an interview, Taco Bell’s CMO, Taylor Montgomery, discussed fostering creativity within the organization by promoting fearlessness. He emphasized the importance of not dwelling on potential pitfalls but focusing on making ideas work on a grand scale. Montgomery exemplified this approach by integrating Taco Bell into popular culture, such as collaborating with LeBron James to challenge a trademark and partnering with Paris Hilton for a nostalgic menu promotion. “The biggest opportunity that we have as a brand is actually getting more people to fall in love with us,” Montgomery noted. |
| Throughout January, KFC U.K. and Ireland is offering weekly 50% discounts on popular menu items exclusively through the KFC App. The current deal, featuring the Zinger Supercharger Tower Meal at half price, is available until January 7. Starting January 8, a new 50% off deal will replace it each week. |
| Monzo, an online bank, disclosed spending patterns, revealing that residents of Doncaster frequented KFC more than any other location in the UK. Monzo remarked, “Doncaster: Twinned with Kentucky? You went to KFC more than anywhere else in the U.K.” The data provides insights into consumer behavior, showcasing the popularity of the fast-food chain in the Doncaster area. |
| Mountain Dew’s Baja Blast, a Taco Bell exclusive for 20 years, is making its debut on grocery store shelves nationwide throughout the entire year. The iconic soda, previously available only seasonally, will now be accessible at retailers starting this month, providing fans with a consistent supply. To celebrate the 20th anniversary, Mountain Dew has introduced a rewards program, allowing customers to earn coins with Baja Blast purchases for redeemable items like gear, accessories, electronics and Taco Bell deals. |
| According to Technomic’s Ignite Menu database, 63% of menus employ the term crispy, while crunch/crunchy turns up on 20% of bills of fare. RB menu trends columnist Nancy Kruse highlighted Taco Bell, noting that it is the “home of the madly successful Doritos Locos Tacos, and remains the unofficial champion of chomp, with LTOs like Beefy Crunch Burrito with Flamin’ Hot Fritos and menu standards like Crunchwrap and Crunchy Taco Supreme.” |
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| Chipotle is teaming up with fitness app Strava to introduce customized route segments and a challenge. The Chipotle segments on Strava, located in major cities like New York and Los Angeles, end at Chipotle locations. Participants completing these segments the most in each city will win free Chipotle Lifestyle Bowls for a year. This partnership aims to tap into the New Year’s resolution season, with Chipotle offering promotions and challenges throughout January to attract health-conscious consumers. |
| Forbes interviewed Chipotle’s CFO, Jack Hartung, highlighting his career, which has spanned four decades. At Chipotle, he credits his success to understanding the business from the ground up and appreciating its purpose-driven mission. Despite facing challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Chipotle’s financial resilience and commitment to sustainability showcase Hartung’s dedication and focus on the long game. “Chipotle is purpose driven, and our purpose is to cultivate a better world. We do that through sourcing our ingredients, the way we treat our animals, the way we treat our farmers, and the way we invest in our people.” |
| QSR Magazine highlighted Subway’s turnaround, which saw eight consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth, 9.2% global comps growth in 2022 and a surge in digital sales. Seeking a buyer after the successful transformation, Subway attracted bids from various firms, with Roark Capital eventually acquiring the brand for around $10 billion. Subway now focuses on domestic and international expansion, inviting well-capitalized multi-brand franchisees into its system. |
| Sonic Drive-In is introducing its first limited-time offering (LTO) of 2024, featuring the Peanut Butter Bacon SuperSonic Double Cheeseburger and Peanut Butter Bacon Shake, available until Feb. 4. Priced at $6.39, the burger combines two beef patties with peanut butter, bacon, grilled onions and melted cheese on a toasted bakery bun. The $3.99 shake offers a sweet-savory blend of peanut butter and bacon with vanilla soft serve, topped with whipped cream and a cherry. |
| In 2024, experts expect diverse global flavors with the rise of third-culture cuisine, blending chefs’ unique cultural backgrounds, such as wafu Italian and Filipino-British. Asian ingredients like black sesame, ube and milk tea will gain popularity, entering new food items like milk tea-filled donuts and black sesame cookies. Innovative use of lesser-known marine ingredients like urchins and fish roe will emerge. The year will also witness a mushroom boom, with fungi becoming a meat replacement and a celebration of vegetable-forward restaurants. |
| Slim Chickens achieved a historic year in 2023 with the highest number of restaurant openings and plans to open over 70 stores in 2024. Known for hand-breaded, cooked-to-order chicken tenders, Slim Chickens emphasizes high-quality food, Southern Hospitality, and a welcoming atmosphere. With 70% restaurant growth in the last three years, the brand opened 53 restaurants in 2023, marking a robust performance. It has signed over 400 development deals in the past two years and achieved a 13.6% YoY increase in AUV. |
| For “Veganuary,” Just Salad has collaborated with chef Amanda Cohen of Dirt Candy, creating the Dirt Candy Salad, inspired by Cohen’s Michelin-starred NYC restaurant. The vegan salad features romaine, arugula, organic sesame tofu, sliced cucumber, shaved broccoli, tajin-spiced pumpkin seeds, sliced pepperoncini and Castelvetrano olives. The salad will be available until January 31. |
| Brazilian açaí concept Oakberry has secured $67 million in a Series C funding round led by BTG Pactual, the largest investment bank in Latin America. The funds will be used to support Oakberry’s expansion plans, with a target of more than 200 locations in the US by 2026. The franchise opened over 150 new locations in 2023 and plans to triple its European footprint by 2026. |
| In the New Year, minimum wages have increased in 22 U.S. states and around 70 local jurisdictions, further fragmenting the national wage landscape. While $15 an hour was once a target for minimum wages, it has been surpassed in several areas, including Washington and California on the West Coast. Washington D.C. and the state of Washington have the highest minimum wages in the country, at $17 and $16.28 per hour, respectively. However, California is set to raise its minimum wage for fast-food restaurant employees to $20 an hour on April 1, 2024, in establishments with at least 60 branches nationwide. |
| The National Restaurant Association’s “Restaurant Industry 2030 Actionable Insights for the Future Report” predicts that restaurant sales will reach $1.2 trillion by 2030, mainly driven by off-premise orders. To improve delivery operations, experts suggest centralizing orders in one platform, optimizing the online menu, directing delivery drivers to designated areas, owning the guest experience online and offline and saving time with integrated reporting. |
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