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| Yum China has received the Top Employer China award for the sixth consecutive year, ranking fourth overall and first in the restaurant industry. The recognition underscores Yum China’s commitment to People Strategy, Digital HR, Working Environment and Career Development. CEO Joey Wat emphasizes the “Fair, Care and Pride” principle, fostering an inclusive culture. The company prioritizes diversity, with over 50% female employees by 2023, fair compensation and benefits, including equity incentives. |
| Trade Me has listed unique job opportunities in New Zealand, branding them as some of the “best jobs ever.” “Wicked Wing Taste-Tester” for KFC was included on the list. Trade Me Jobs sales director, Matt Tolich, emphasized that these are genuine jobs with an application process and compensation. |
| KFC Singapore is introducing its first-ever halal bak kwa (barbecued meat) slices for the upcoming Chinese New Year. Priced at S$2.95 per slice, the chicken-based bak kwa is suitable for guests of all backgrounds. Additionally, KFC is offering limited-time specials, including a chicken bak kwa burger with Zinger filet, sesame buns, mayonnaise and lettuce, and a chicken bak kwa Crunch, featuring the brand’s signature fried chicken topped with halal bak kwa bits. |
| Pizza Hut Japan is introducing the “Kotteri-fuu Ramen Pizza,” a limited-time collaboration with Tenka Ippin, a top ramen chain. “Kotteri-fuu” refers to the thick style of ramen broth served at Tenka Ippin, known for its rich flavor. The pizza features Tenka Ippin’s creamy chicken bone and vegetable-based broth as a topping. Available from January 22 to February 12, the Ramen Pizza is priced at 1,980 yen for pickup or 2,230 yen for delivery. |
| 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. |
| McDonald’s in the United States is bringing back its Strawberry & Crème Pie for a limited time, replacing the seasonal Holiday Pie. The dessert, featuring strawberries and vanilla-flavored crème in a sugar-coated flaky crust, is available in select markets, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City. Introduced in 2012 and available nationally until 2014, the Strawberry & Crème Pie has made occasional comebacks, with its latest return celebrated on social media. |
| Restaurant Business highlighted how Starbucks has transformed from a traditional coffee shop to a convenience-focused beverage concept. The shift is driven by the pandemic, changing consumer demands, and Starbucks’ desire to expand its menu. Once known for providing a “third place” experience, Starbucks now primarily engages customers through mobile apps and drive-thrus. The brand’s menu has evolved, with customized cold beverages taking precedence over traditional hot drinks. |
| Jack in the Box is testing Birria Grilled Cheese and Double Birria Grilled Cheese sandwiches in select restaurants in Texas. The Birria Grilled Cheese features seasoned, shredded beef birria and American cheese between two toasted sourdough bread slices, with a side of birria dipping sauce. The Double Birria Grilled Cheese offers a double portion of birria and melted American cheese on three toasted sourdough bread rounds, also accompanied by birria dipping sauce. |
| Some Dairy Queen branches offer Blizzard bar catering services for weddings, as revealed by a wedding planner on TikTok. The service includes Dairy Queen staff bringing a Blizzard machine, selected toppings, spoons, napkins and cups to the wedding venue. The pricing typically includes a delivery fee, staffing fee and individual Blizzard costs ranging from $4.50 to $6.50. |
| Cicis Pizza has introduced the Nashville Hot ‘N’ Spicy Chicken Pizza and Wings, available at its buffets nationwide and online until March 3. The limited-time pizza features crispy spicy chicken and dill pickles, offering a unique flavor experience. To-go pricing includes $9.99 for a medium, $12.99 for a large, and $17.99 for a giant pizza. The wings are available for off-premise ordering, priced at standard wing counts. |
| The restaurant industry in 2024 is undergoing transformative changes driven by technological integration, sustainability imperatives and shifting consumer expectations. Key trends include increased reliance on technology for streamlined operations, virtual kitchens and ghost restaurants. Sustainability has become a necessity, with organic and plant-based options growing, and a focus on eco-friendly practices. Dining experiences are projected to extend beyond food, emphasizing themes, interactive elements and storytelling. |
| Slim Chickens recently opened a new location at 2897 Richmond Rd. in Lexington, Kentucky, on January 29. This addition is part of the Houchens Food Group family of brands, a subsidiary of Houchens Industries. The Houchens Food Group, which operates over 50 restaurants with seven different brands, expanded its portfolio with the first Slim Chickens location in Bowling Green, KY, in 2021, and has continued to grow with openings in Tennessee and additional locations in 2023. |
| Smalls Sliders is set to open its latest location in Metairie on February 1. Owned by Drew Brees, Jason Loezel and Ben Smith, this marks Brees’ first Smalls Sliders location, and he is an early investor in the QSR brand. The Metairie Can, located at 4580 Veterans Blvd, will offer convenient drive-thru and walk-up ordering options. The grand opening will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce at 10 a.m on February 1. |
Bruxie, a “culinary casual” restaurant chain based in Orange, California, was founded in 2010, serving fried chicken and waffle sandwiches, and was once voted the number two restaurant in the country by Yelp users. "We have what I would consider a cult-like following in California, a very passionate following,” said CEO Scott Grinstead. It has since expanded to include additional locations in the state as well as one location in Georgia with more on the way.
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| Arizona legislators have introduced bills that would ban restaurants in the state from serving lab-grown meat and impose restrictions on the labeling of plant-based meat analogs. The bills are designed to protect residents from potential health threats and safeguard the state’s cattle industry from new competition. One bill, HB 2021, proposes a ban on lab-grown meat production throughout the state, with penalties including a $25,000 fine and potential lawsuits from affected parties. |
| A lawsuit has been filed against Sweetgreen in a New York federal court, alleging that the fast-casual chain’s website does not meet standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The plaintiff, who is blind, claims that Sweetgreen’s website is not fully accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired, violating the ADA. The lawsuit alleges that the website contains barriers to screen-reading software and is missing alt-text, hidden elements, incorrectly formatted lists and unannounced pop-ups. |
| Twin Peaks, known for its casual dining and “Twin Peaks Girl” servers, is highlighted for its focus on empowering women in leadership positions within the company. The restaurant chain has a pipeline that includes many former “Twin Peaks Girls” who have moved up to become executives. The company’s vice president of marketing, Destinee Rollins, started as a “Twin Peaks Girl” and worked her way up over 13 years with the company. Twin Peaks aims to be a female-dominated organization and emphasizes the importance of having women in leadership roles in areas like HR, training and marketing. |
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