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| KFC U.K. and Ireland has introduced the G.O.A.T deal: 3 pieces of Original Recipe Chicken, Signature fries and a regular side, with an option to add a drink for £4.49. The deal is available from March 18th to April 28th at KFC restaurants, drive-thrus or via the KFC app. |
| KFC Dominica has reaffirmed its five-year partnership with KFC Summit Sports Club, emphasizing shared commitment to youth development. Since 2019, KFC has served as the Platinum Partner, aiding the club’s success with essentials like uniforms and transportation. Manager Nester Phillip highlighted the impact, including the club’s championship win in the Dominica Cricket Association’s Intermediate League. |
| Taco Bell U.S. is offering exclusive Tuesday Drops, featuring special offers like $1 Crunchwraps. Each Tuesday offers a new deal or experience, enticing members with limited opportunities. Members can expect a discount code at 2 pm PST, with limited redemption available. |
| Yum! Brands recognized for climate action and transparency |
Yum! is best known for its RED (relevant, easy and distinctive) brands – KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill – but recent accolades in the sustainability space might make consumers see it as green. This month, CDP, released its rankings, and Yum!’s Climate Change score improved to an A- and all assessments achieved scores of a B or higher.
Read more about our latest recognition and climate action progress. |
| El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. highlighted its plans to use technology, including kiosks and kitchen equipment, to mitigate rising labor costs in anticipation of California’s $20 minimum wage on April 1. Simplifying salsa offerings and adding salsa processors will streamline food preparation. Interim CEO Maria Hollandsworth noted the efficiency of kiosks in order processing. The company aims to offset labor expenses through operational efficiencies and pricing adjustments. Remodeled units have seen a sales lift, prompting plans for more remodels in 2024. |
| Buffalo Wild Wings is gearing up for March Madness with deals and a new promotion. Dubbed “Beat the Buffalo,” customers can submit brackets to compete against a real buffalo named Jack’s picks. Those with better brackets than Jack’s have a chance to win prizes including free wings for a year and tickets to the Final Four. Additionally, on March 21, Buffalo Wild Wings offers a buy one, get one free deal on boneless wings, and Blazin’ Rewards members receive free boneless wings if any March Madness game goes into overtime. |
| Shake Shack is celebrating the 2024 Oscars with a promotion offering free burgers based on the award show’s duration. Predicting a runtime of 3 hours and 31 minutes, Shake Shack anticipated giving away Chicken Shack sandwiches to patrons. If the Oscars ran under 211 minutes, SmokeShacks would be offered instead. Ultimately, SmokeShacks prevailed, requiring a $10 minimum purchase and the use of the code “BIGWINS” through Shake Shack kiosks, mobile app or website. |
| Jack in the Box Inc. has announced the retirement of Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer Dean Gordon after 15 years of service. Gordon played a crucial role in driving growth and success, spearheading cost-saving initiatives and fostering relationships with franchise owners, suppliers and vendors. He will aid in the search for his successor, ensuring a seamless transition. CEO Darin Harris expressed gratitude for Gordon’s contributions and acknowledges his impact on the Supply Chain team. |
| As 2023 transitions into 2024, recent reports have unveiled emerging trends in the food and beverage industry. There has been a resurgence of retro dining experiences, with tableside preparation and classic dishes like beef bourguignon making a comeback. Local cuisines, particularly Italian American, are predicted to gain popularity. The line between restaurant and retail blurs further, as consumers seek restaurant-quality experiences at home and chefs venture into curating grocery selections. |
| Tyson Foods has announced the permanent closure of its pork facility in Perry, Iowa, part of its ongoing efforts to optimize operations following a decline in profits. The closure follows a series of shutdowns, including six chicken facilities, resulting in the elimination of thousands of jobs. Tyson has been recovering from setbacks, including oversupply in the chicken and pork markets, which led to an 85% profit decline in the latest fiscal year. While pork operations returned to profit in the last quarter, the closure affects approximately 1,200 workers. |
| Potbelly is celebrating National Meatball Day with slam dunk deals, starting March 9. Perks Members receive a BOGO offer on all five meatball sandwiches, followed by Meatball Madness from March 10 to March 31. During this period, buy any two original or big-size meatball sandwiches to get a free Original sandwich on the next purchase within 14 days, with unlimited earning potential. Chief Marketing Officer David Daniels invited fans to explore the “range of meatball sensations,” including classics like Mama’s Meatball and innovative options like the Fireball. |
| Boston Market’s decline appears to be reaching its final stages as the once-national chain now operates only around 27 locations, down from about 300 at the beginning of 2023. Landlord evictions and state-ordered closures over unpaid bills and taxes have contributed to the rapid closures. Former owner Jay Pandya’s personal bankruptcy filings have faced legal issues, leading to a federal judge’s decision to terminate his second filing and bar him from declaring bankruptcy for six months. |
| Krispy Kreme is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by giving away free O’riginal Glazed donuts to customers wearing green from March 15 to March 17, with no purchase necessary. Additionally, the chain is launching four new festive donuts, including the Luck of the Rainbow and Shoot Shamrock. Other offerings include the Shamrock Cookies ‘N Kreme and the Plaid Party, available starting March 11. |
| A federal judge has blocked the NLRB’s broadened criteria for joint employer status, siding with business groups including the International Franchise Association. The ruling preserves the Trump-era definition, requiring direct influence by franchisors over franchisee employees. Critics argued the NLRB’s new rules lacked public input and could stifle franchising. While the NLRB may appeal, opponents aim to nullify the changes through Congress. The decision is seen as a win for franchising and small businesses, with advocates urging bipartisan support to uphold the previous definition. |
| President Biden’s crackdown on “junk fees” targets hidden surcharges in various industries, including restaurants. A proposed FTC rule aims to disclose all fees upfront, eliminating surprises at checkout. A new strike force, co-chaired by the DOJ and FTC, seeks to save consumers $20 billion. While some restaurants add service charges, the Independent Restaurant Coalition urges the FTC to revise the rule, fearing it could harm workers. |
| PAR, a restaurant technology provider, is set to acquire Australia’s TASK Group for $206 million and ordering/loyalty supplier Stuzo for $190 million. These acquisitions aim to expand PAR’s global presence and bolster its convenience store business. TASK Group offers a unified commerce platform for restaurants, while Stuzo provides similar features tailored for c-stores. These additions are projected to significantly increase PAR’s revenue and earnings. |
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