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| In an interview, Taco Bell’s new CEO, Sean Tresvant, emphasized his low-key leadership style and commitment to team success. Having joined in 2022 as global chief brand officer, Tresvant noted he aims to maintain Taco Bell’s hot streak, securing its fourth consecutive No. 1 spot on the Franchise 500. Tresvant also highlighted the importance of being approachable, emphasizing humility in leadership. “My authentic self is: It doesn’t matter what level you are, whether it’s the top of the organization or the people who are just starting out, I like to have conversations. I like to meet people where they are,” Tresvant said. |
| KFC South Africa matched the funds raised for the Add Hope Festive campaign, which exceeded the initial goal of R15 million for Gift of the Givers. The campaign raised an impressive total of R19,032,116. The partnership with Gift of the Givers signifies a broader dedication to alleviating hunger's impact in South Africa. KFC expresses deep gratitude for the community’s support. |
| KFC South Africa is challenging coffee enthusiasts by offering a free tall cappuccino in exchange for their regular coffee cups to introduce its new and improved coffee recipe. Addressing rumors about recipe changes, Nic Duminy, KFC South Africa’s Marketing Director, confirmed a richer and bolder flavor. Free coffee refills will be available on January 19, 2024, at specific locations in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town between 7 am and 10 am. |
| Pizza Hut is set to open its first restaurants in Croatia, with locations in the Zagreb neighborhoods of Trešnjevka and Vrapče. Positioned as a competitor to Domino’s, Pizza Hut’s entry into the market is expected to intensify the rivalry in the pizza segment. |
| Taco Bell and Uber Eats have collaborated to introduce a new breakfast item -- Cinnamon Twists Cereal, inspired by Taco Bell’s popular cinnamon twists. Available for a limited time in select U.S. locations, Uber One members can receive the mini-cereal box with free delivery on Taco Bell breakfast orders in specific cities. Taco Bell Rewards Members have a chance to get a free box as part of Tuesday Drops. Customers can also redeem $5 off and free Cinnamon Twists with any Uber Eats Taco Bell breakfast order of $15 or more. |
| The Habit Burger is bringing back its popular Patty Melt due to overwhelming demand. Available for a limited time starting January 17, the Patty Melt features cascading caramelized onions, melty cheeses, tangy Thousand Island and two chargrilled beef patties between crispy toasted rye bread. Recognized as the most requested item across The Habit Burger Grill’s social media platforms, the Patty Melt’s comeback was announced at ALTer EGO in Anaheim, CA, during a gathering of Alternative Rock bands. |
| On January 16, the Habit Burger Grill on Cypress Avenue in Redding is hosting a fundraising event, with 20% of all sales going towards the Redding Veterans Home. The Redding Veterans Home provides care to veterans and their loved ones. The fundraiser will continue until 9 p.m., and customers can participate by bringing in a printed flyer or showing the Facebook post announcing the event when placing an order. |
| Yum! Brands leads in developing leaders |
| At Yum! Brands, our unrivaled talent is our greatest asset – one that we invest in heavily. That’s one of the reasons why TIME magazine included us on its first “Best Companies for Future Leaders” list. The accolade is evidence of a continued effort to develop our company leaders. Watch to learn how we do this in the latest episode of “Quick Bite,” the video series that profiles innovative work in about a minute. |
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| Restaurant Brands International is set to acquire Carrols Restaurant Group, the largest Burger King franchisee in the U.S., for approximately $1 billion in cash. Carrols operates over 1,000 Burger King restaurants and 60 Popeyes locations. The acquisition marks a shift in strategy for Burger King, which has been mostly franchised for the last decade. Restaurant Brands plans to remodel 600 of Carrols’ Burger King locations over the next five years and then sell them back to franchisees. The company will invest about $500 million for the renovations, funded by Carrols’ operating cash flow. |
| Wendy’s is making a return to NASCAR, partnering with Trackhouse Racing for the 2024 season. Wendy’s will be an associate partner for all three Trackhouse Racing Cup Series drivers -- Daniel Suárez, Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen -- throughout the season. The brand will also serve as a primary sponsor for two Cup Series events, starting with Van Gisbergen at Talladega Superspeedway in April. Additionally, Wendy’s will be the primary sponsor for one Xfinity Series race during van Gisbergen’s rookie season. |
| Jourdan Daleo has been named the Chief Operating Officer for the U.S. and Canada at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. In this role, Daleo will focus on operational consistency and franchisee support across the brand’s 3,000-plus restaurants. He will oversee the field team, restaurant operations and company-owned restaurants. Daleo will report to and work closely with Sami Siddiqui, President of Popeyes U.S. and Canada. Daleo, who joined Restaurant Brands International in 2016, has held senior roles in franchising, business development, field operations, analytics and franchise performance across the portfolio of brands. |
| Jimmy John’s is introducing a new line of merchandise aimed at boosting customers’ spirits in the new year. The brightly colored items, inspired by the concept of “dopamine dressing,” include a “Self-Love Sandwich Club” hoodie, a “Club Delulu” insulated water bottle and an “After This We’re Getting Sandwiches” yoga tote. The move is also accompanied by a menu hack suggestion called BLAHS, which involves modifying a BLT sandwich with avocado spread, hot peppers and salami. |
| Full-service restaurants in Washington, D.C., have reportedly cut at least 1,300 jobs, constituting 4.4% of their workforce, since the phase-out of the tip credit began in May. The National Restaurant Association analyzed statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and found that sit-down restaurants in the suburbs surrounding the District added 2,000 positions, indicating a 3% rise in their collective workforce. |
| Dave’s Hot Chicken experienced significant growth and success in 2023, achieving notable milestones, including the opening of 79 new locations, totaling over 180 stores. In November 2023 alone, the brand set a record by opening seven new locations across the U.S. in a single week. The company expanded its footprint globally, entering markets in Canada and the Middle East. The brand’s commitment to growth and innovation is reflected in its strategic expansions, with over 170 franchise commitments in 2023, bringing the total commitments to over 860 by the end of the year. |
| California-based Black Bear Diner is planning to open about 14 new restaurants in 2024, signaling a return to its pre-pandemic growth cadence. The expansion includes new franchise partners, with CEO Anita Adams expressing interest in exploring new markets, including studying potential opportunities in Florida. Adams envisions Black Bear Diner becoming a “coast-to-coast” brand. The company cites factors like more palatable inflation levels and a robust off-premises business. |
| Arby’s is celebrating National Cheese Lovers Day on January 20 with its sales event, “Cheddarthon.” As part of the event, Arby’s is offering 2 for $7 deals on various cheesy menu items, including the Classic Beef ‘n Cheddar, Fish ‘n Cheddar and Fried Mac ‘n Cheese Bites. Additionally, Arby’s is releasing limited-edition “Keys to the Cheese” keychains that unlock unlimited Cheddar Sauce cups for $2 for the remainder of 2024. |
| In 2024, quick-service restaurant employers in the United States will face evolving legal challenges in employee background checks. Key trends include stricter regulations on marijuana screening, ongoing updates to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, varied state privacy laws limiting data use, court interpretations complicating regulations and the introduction of laws restricting decision-making artificial intelligence. Employers are advised to stay informed about these trends to navigate the evolving legal landscape successfully and adjust their background-check policies accordingly. |
| Flippy, the burger-flipping robotic arm developed by Miso Robotics, is set to debut an upgraded version called Flippy Next Gen. The new iteration is smaller, faster, cheaper to manufacture and claimed to be 100% reliable. Flippy 2, the previous version, has been employed in various fast-food chains, including White Castle, Chipotle, Jack in the Box and Wing Zone. The upgraded Flippy is designed to handle tasks efficiently, with a focus on reliability during peak hours. |
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