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| Nation’s Restaurant News reported that restaurants, including Taco Bell, are increasingly optimistic about breakfast sales. During a recent interview, Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s chief food innovation officer, said breakfast is coming back and “you’ll see some things over the next year on what we’ll be testing there.” This enthusiasm is shared across the industry, with other chains like Jack in the Box and McDonald’s focusing on breakfast offerings. Operators remain bullish on breakfast, anticipating a resurgence as remote work decreases and offices reopen, driving morning commuter traffic. |
| Taco 'bout a tasty career for this executive! |
| Ready to embark on a delicious journey? You'll find one in the latest edition of "How I Got Here," featuring Taco Bell President of North America & International Scott Mezvinsky. From flipping burgers at McDonald's as a teen to now leading Taco Bell's global growth strategy, Scott is a foodservice veteran who knows a thing or two about the power of embracing challenges and fostering continuous growth. Don't miss out on the chance to learn from one of the industry's finest! |
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| Domino’s Pizza stock surged as fourth-quarter U.S. comparable sales outperformed expectations, rising 2.8% compared to analysts’ projected 2.2% increase. The company attributed this success to promotions like “emergency pizza” deals and enhanced marketing efforts. Meanwhile, international sales growth was tepid, primarily due to challenges in Europe and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Despite this, Domino’s remains optimistic, focusing on initiatives to bolster operations and recently completing a nationwide rollout of a third-party ordering service with Uber. |
| Wendy’s has appointed Matt Spessard as Chief Information Officer (CIO), succeeding Kevin Vasconi. Spessard, previously Senior Vice President and Global Chief Technology Officer, will report to CEO Kirk Tanner and oversee all global technology efforts. With a background in technology leadership at Wendy’s, Inspire Brands and Yum! Brands, Spessard aims to drive digital business growth and enhance customer experiences. |
| Wendy’s reported plans to introduce digital menu boards by the end of 2025, enabling dynamic pricing and daypart offers, aiming to enhance customer experience and boost profits. CEO Kirk Tanner disclosed a $20 million investment for digital menu boards in U.S. restaurants and an additional $10 million for global enhancements. Dynamic pricing, akin to surge pricing, will adjust prices based on demand and time, while AI-enabled features will enhance menu changes and upselling. |
| Popeyes reported that it is eyeing expansion into Australia. Restaurant Brands International (RBI), Popeyes’ parent company, is seeking financial backing from Australian food services firms to secure master franchise and development rights. Already establishing a presence in New Zealand, Popeyes is set to open its first store in Auckland, with further expansion anticipated. |
| Dairy Queen has introduced its latest dessert innovation: the Confetti Cake Dipped Cone, featuring creamy soft serve dipped in a rainbow confetti cake-flavored coating filled with confetti pieces. Available for a limited time, this treat has been hailed as a favorite by TikTok creator @DairyQueenShelbyTwp. |
| Papa Murphy’s is bringing back the Triple Pepp Pizza nationwide from today until April 7. This pizza features three types of pepperonis: Giant Pepperoni, Classic Pepperoni and Mini Cup Pepperoni. Tracey Ayres, VP of Brand and Innovation for Papa Murphy’s, expressed excitement about the return of this pizza, noting that it is perfect for basketball viewing parties or any gathering with friends and family. |
| Technomic’s State of the Menu 2024 report identified three key trends: stable menu size with a surge in limited-time offerings, a trend towards more generous portions and bold flavors and challenges posed by rising menu prices impacting consumer behavior. To address these, chain restaurants are advised to extend menus creatively, offer detailed item descriptions for enhanced appeal, leverage limited-time offers for excitement, experiment with innovative flavors and presentations and focus on premium offerings despite potential traffic declines. |
| Recent industry reports highlighted the enduring importance of off-premise dining, with a significant portion of restaurants experiencing increased off-premise business compared to pre-pandemic levels. Operators are responding by expanding off-premise ordering options, particularly through direct channels, to mitigate third-party commission fees. Despite concerns over costs, online ordering platforms remain integral to restaurant strategies, with Uber Eats leading among delivery aggregators. |
| Contrary to previous reports, Flynn Group, the world’s largest franchisee company, is not for sale, as confirmed by founder Greg Flynn at the International Franchise Association Convention. Earlier rumors suggested a potential sale with a valuation exceeding $5 billion. The company, previously known as Flynn Restaurant Group, rebranded after acquiring 37 Planet Fitness clubs in 2023. |
| Dine Brands, the parent company of Applebee’s, IHOP and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, has appointed Matt Ryan, CEO of Soli Organic, to its board of directors. His background includes leadership roles at Starbucks and The Walt Disney Company, as well as experience in retail, CPG and entertainment. Ryan’s appointment follows Susan M. Collyns’ resignation from the board, as she takes on a new role as CFO of Fabletics, effective March 31. |
| Metro has secured an agreement with Potbelly Sandwich Shop to lease 2,300 square feet of retail space at its L’Enfant Plaza headquarters, enhancing the area’s vibrancy. The sandwich shop will offer fresh, fast and friendly service, catering to both Metro employees and the local community. This move aligns with Metro’s commitment to neighborhood vitality and generating additional revenue. |
| McDonald’s franchise owners in California are pushing back against lawmakers who supported the state’s minimum wage increase for fast food workers. The California Alliance of Family Owned Businesses PAC has spent over $500,000 on ad campaigns targeting Democratic Assembly members, including Chris Holden and Kevin McCarty, who are running for county and municipal positions. Holden, the lead author of the minimum wage hike bill, and McCarty are among those being targeted. The wage for fast food workers will reach $20 an hour in April. |
| Dutch Bros is testing mobile ordering in Arizona, aiming to enhance personalization in its app and loyalty system. With loyalty members driving 65% of transactions, the brand plans to expand the mobile order test pending initial results, aiming for widespread implementation by year-end. While mobile ordering presents a significant opportunity, Barone doesn’t anticipate immediate sales impact in 2024. |
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