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| Taco Bell U.S. is partnering with Portland hot sauce producer, Secret Aardvark, for a limited-time menu addition: Secret Aardvark Nacho Fries. The collaboration was revealed during Taco Bell’s Live Más Live event. Though no specific launch date is given, Secret Aardvark hints at a late spring release on Instagram. |
| Nation’s Restaurant News highlighted Taco Bell’s recent collaborations, noting that these partnerships signify a trend of working with lesser-known brands. According to Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s chief food innovation officer, it takes mutual respect and trust. “We’re not just going to work with anybody. The partnerships we’ve done, we knew the team as people and loved what they did, and they loved what we did,” she said during a recent interview. “That’s when you get really beautiful collaborations. It’s not a process, but more like starting a friendship to see if you like each other and then growing that relationship over months.” |
| Yum! Brands helps restaurant team members weather storms |
From Mozambique to Mexico, Yum! responded to 11 natural disasters last year, including Cyclone Freddy, Hurricane Otis, wildfires in Hawaii and the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria. When these events occur, Yum! and its franchisees direct their team members to apply for emergency relief online, leading to immediate response grants if approved.
Learn more about the Yum! Foundation’s global Disaster Relief Fund on Yum!Now. |
| Restaurant Brands International has projected a substantial expansion, aiming for 40,000 restaurants and $60 billion in sales by 2028. CEO Josh Kobza noted he envisions five percent net restaurant growth and eight percent system-wide sales growth over the next five years. Tim Hortons plans to diversify its offerings with afternoon and evening items, focusing on cold beverages for growth in the U.S. Burger King aims to modernize and refranchise most of its portfolio within seven years. |
| Wendy’s new CEO, Kirk Tanner, announced $100 million investments in breakfast and digital upgrades, aiming to drive sales growth. Investments include $55 million for breakfast marketing, $15 million for app upgrades and $30 million for digital menu boards. Despite weaker fourth-quarter sales and profitability, Tanner emphasized leveraging Wendy’s quality food and strong foundation. The focus on breakfast aims to increase sales by 50% in two years without additional labor costs. |
| Popeyes has rapidly asserted itself in the chicken wing market, becoming the nation’s third-largest quick-service wing provider. CEO Josh Kobza noted that he credits the chain’s recent success to the introduction of flavored chicken wings, adding to its menu evolution beyond traditional offerings like bone-in chicken. The chain’s expansion plans include adding 800 more locations by 2028, facilitated by operational improvements like streamlined kitchen designs. The focus on digital and delivery sales has increased revenue, with wings becoming a key product alongside their famous chicken sandwiches. |
| Bank of America and Starbucks announced a partnership offering benefits to cardholders and Rewards members. Participants can earn 2% cash back and 1 Star per $2 spent at Starbucks by linking an eligible card with their Rewards account. The program is accessible to existing and new members or cardholders. Starbucks’ VP of loyalty, Ryan Butz, emphasized the added value of Cash Back and Stars for Rewards members. Starbucks Rewards continues to see growth, boasting a record number of active members and increased engagement in Q1 FY24. |
| Shake Shack has promoted Michael Kark, with over 11 years within the company, to President of Global Licensing. Under his leadership, Shake Shack’s licensed division expanded from four to 225 units. CEO Randy Garutti praised Kark’s impact on international growth and partnerships. In his new role, Kark will focus on expanding the licensed model globally, overseeing strategic partnerships and operational aspects. |
| Roark Capital is reportedly exploring the possibility of taking Inspire Brands public later this year or in 2025, dependent on market conditions. Inspire Brands, comprising Dunkin’, Arby’s, Jimmy John’s, Sonic Drive-In and Buffalo Wild Wings, has over 32,000 restaurants and $31 billion in global sales. If listed, Inspire could be valued at $20 billion, marking one of the largest restaurant IPOs in two decades. The move reflects Roark’s active expansion strategy, including the proposed $9.6 billion acquisition of Subway in 2023. |
| Texas Roadhouse CEO Jerry Morgan concluded the Q4/full-year earnings call with an enthusiastic “Yeehaw,” reflecting the company’s results. Q4 saw comp sales up 9.9% at company-owned restaurants and 8.9% at domestic franchise restaurants, driven by both increased traffic and higher average check. Restaurant margin dollars surged by 21.4%, reaching $176.7 million, primarily due to robust sales. To-go sales have become a significant focus, now constituting a $1 million business per restaurant, with plans for further growth. |
| Slim Chickens has announced a deal for seven new Maryland locations, led by DDR Holdings and the Atlas Brothers. The brothers, Darrin and Dennis, emphasized community engagement and quality food. They praised Slim Chickens’ unique brand, adaptable to various markets. COO Sam Rothschild highlighted the partnership’s success and anticipates further growth in Maryland and beyond. |
| Craveworthy Brands has launched an equity crowdfunding campaign to raise capital for expansion and tech innovation. Investors can participate with investments starting at $500, with the aim to raise $5 million by June 2024. The company, led by CEO Gregg Majewski, seeks to simplify operations and scale emerging and legacy brands into household names. With a focus on disrupting the industry and fostering inclusivity, Craveworthy Brands aims to empower community members to become stakeholders in its growing portfolio while fueling franchising initiatives and building corporate locations. |
| A jury awarded former Sun Holdings employee Jerry Stockton nearly $31 million, citing owed profits from his tenure managing 150 Popeyes locations. Stockton initially received $15.6 million in compensatory damages and an additional $15.1 million in punitive damages. Stockton alleged being denied his share of profits upon retirement, claiming entitlement as a “key operator.” Sun Holdings owner Guillermo Perales plans to appeal, arguing Stockton wasn’t promised a profit share. Perales highlighted a complex franchise agreement clause and contended the damages calculation overlooked costs. |
| Two McDonald’s employees, one in Kansas and one in New York, filed a class-action lawsuit alleging the chain fails to provide suitable lactation spaces for nursing mothers, violating the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Pump Act. The suit claims inadequate accommodations force them to pump breast milk in unsanitary areas, causing emotional distress. Similar cases against Wendy’s, Amazon and the U.S. Postal Service highlight ongoing issues. |
| Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Burger King and Popeyes, is prioritizing customer experience with technological updates to both brands. Burger King is expanding kiosk ordering to over 100 franchised stores after a successful pilot, while Popeyes is enhancing technology and kitchen layouts for faster service. Burger King’s new Sizzle format emphasizes team member and guest experiences with in-store mobile ordering. |
| Entrepreneur Danny Meyer highlighted how restaurants can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize dining experiences by understanding guests’ preferences. Speaking at an IBM event, Meyer emphasizes AI’s potential to enhance hospitality by streamlining order-taking, allowing staff to focus on guest satisfaction. AI-powered tools, like those used by McDonald’s and IHOP, offer recommendations and streamline drive-thru operations, improving efficiency and boosting revenue. |
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