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| KFC U.K. and Ireland has launched a playful ad campaign featuring the Tower Burger. Set to Disturbed’s music, the ad was created by the agency Mother. The towering sandwich, complete with hash brown, cheese and chicken, is showcased in a video spot too tall for TV, requiring a vertical pan. Phoebe Syms, KFC U.K. and Ireland’s brand manager, emphasized the uniqueness of the Tower Burger and the campaign’s innovative approach. |
| Macauley Jones has revealed a refreshed look for his Pizza Hut Camaro in the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship. After racing five different liveries in 2023, Jones returns with a white design featuring red accents and a prominent Pizza Hut logo on the bonnet. Jones expressed excitement for the upcoming season and praised Pizza Hut’s engaging sponsorship. “Pizza Hut really hammered home the point last year that they’re here for a good time, the liveries we’ve had so far have been amazing and the fan reception was so cool to see. Having a sponsor so interactive and engaging is a major plus,” Jones said. |
| Spreading good fortune this Lunar New Year! |
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, which symbolizes strength, good luck and power! Check out how the KFC and Pizza Hut APAC markets are putting their best foot forward in 2024 and celebrating with creative ads showing their Lunar New Year spirit. |  | (For Yum! Eyes Only) |
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| McDonald’s has reported strong U.S. and global sales growth, with U.S. same-store sales up 4.3% and worldwide up 3.4% in Q4. Despite success, the company faced challenges meeting Wall Street targets due to the Middle East conflict impacting operations. Sales increased due to higher prices rather than traffic growth. The MyMcDonald’s Rewards program saw significant growth, with over 150 million active members. CEO Chris Kempczinski attributed a decline in lower-income customers to affordable home dining. McDonald’s anticipates a 3-4% rise in same-store sales this year but experienced a slow start due to tough comparisons and weather issues. |
| McDonald’s announced plans to continue rapid expansion in China with 1,000 new restaurants in 2024, focusing on lower-tier cities. This follows a record-setting pace in 2023. The goal is to surpass 10,000 restaurants in China by 2028. McDonald’s emphasized promotional campaigns to maintain competitiveness amidst price wars. The chain raised prices by 3% and increased its stake in its Chinese partnership. |
| Burger King has launched the “Million Dollar Whopper Contest,” inviting customers to reimagine the Whopper with new toppings for a chance to win $1 million. Entries will be accepted until March 17 via Burger King’s website or app. Three finalists will be selected, invited to Burger King headquarters to modify their creations, and the winning Whopper will earn a limited-time menu spot and $1 million. Participants also receive a free Whopper with any $1 purchase. |
| Chipotle is tapping into Valentine’s Day romance by leveraging its popularity among millennials. Partnering with dating app Hinge, Chipotle found that mentioning “Chipotle” in profiles increases conversation likelihood by 2.4 times. Profiles mentioning “queso” received up to 70% more likes. Chipotle has launched a campaign featuring unique store locations for Valentine’s Day, catering to both new relationships and established couples. Chief Brand Officer Chris Brandt emphasized Chipotle’s role in bringing people together over real food. |
| Wendy’s is offering a week-long promotion from Feb. 5 to Feb. 12, providing a free Dave’s Single cheeseburger with any purchase through the Wendy’s app. The deal can be redeemed once per order, with no minimum purchase required. Additionally, on Super Bowl Sunday, customers can receive a $0 delivery fee for orders placed via the app. The promotion commemorates Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef” commercial airing 40 years ago during the 1984 Super Bowl. |
| Little Caesars is offering a promotion for pizza and football enthusiasts. Customers can pre-register for the Slices-N-Stix Super Bowl Trigger Promotion to receive a free Slices-N-Stix if a pick 6 occurs during the game. Slices-N-Stix comprises four pepperoni pizza slices, eight Italian Cheese Stix and Crazy Sauce, available in bacon and jalapeno flavors. To participate, fans must sign in or create an account on the Little Caesars app, accept the Pick 6 Challenge, purchase a Slices-N-Stix between February 5 and 10 and await a potential pick 6 during Super Bowl LVIII. |
| Tyson Foods has surpassed analysts’ highest estimates with quarterly earnings, driven by improved results in chicken, pork and prepared foods, offsetting beef losses. Shares surged up to 8.6%, marking the largest daily gain in almost two years. Despite a 19% decrease in adjusted net income to 69 cents per share, Tyson showed promise in operational performance. Tyson slightly raised earnings outlook for chicken and pork divisions in 2024 but anticipated lower income in the second fiscal quarter due to seasonal weakness and consumer behavior shifts. |
Some companies in the plant-based meat industry are planning to blend animal fat into plant-based ingredients as they are now prioritizing taste over sustainability. Consumers’ perceptions about plant-based meat products’ “taste and value” also can hinder market expansion, which may be the reason why companies are now considering the inclusion of animal fat in plant-based meat to boost taste.
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| Quick-service restaurants across the U.S. are embracing Valentine’s Day with heart-shaped biscuits. Bojangles is offering Heart-Shaped Bo-Berry Biscuits with blueberries and vanilla icing, available until Feb. 8. Popeyes is reintroducing its Heart-Shaped Strawberry Biscuits until Feb. 25, donating $1 from each sale to the Popeyes Foundation’s “Serving With Love” initiative. Hardee’s is presenting heart-shaped buttermilk breakfast biscuits until Feb. 14. |
| Pieology has unveiled its latest menu addition: “Craft Your Own Calzone,” debuting on February 6 across all locations. This customizable calzone option allows customers to select up to five toppings and a side sauce. To commemorate the launch, Pieology offers a special promotion for Pie Life Members, granting Pies and Perks status until 2024 with the purchase of a Craft Your Own Calzone or Pizza from February 6 to March 19. |
| Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks has inked a five-unit franchise deal for South Carolina, marking its second signing in less than a month since launching its franchise program in November. Spearheaded by entrepreneurs Marc Brown, a seasoned personal injury attorney, and Frank Williams III, a renowned comedian and funeral homeowner, the venture aims to bring Big Dave’s famous cheesesteaks and eggrolls to Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg. President Jessie Bray expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, while founder Derrick Hayes anticipates rapid franchise growth, eyeing 100 locations by 2025. |
A McDonald’s franchisee in Pittsburgh, Rice Enterprises, must pay $4.4 million to settle a case involving a teenage employee who was sexually assaulted by a former manager in one of its restaurants’ bathrooms. The minor was assaulted by Walter Garner, a registered sex offender. Despite Rice Enterprises’ denial of the allegations, they terminated Garner’s employment upon learning of the incident. While McDonald’s corporate was sued, it was released from legal claims, as it was deemed not involved in Garner’s hiring.
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