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| Pizza Hut U.S. and Yeastie Boys are teaming up to launch the limited-edition Big New Yorker Pizza Bagel, combining bagels and pizzas for a bold culinary twist. This collaboration celebrates Pizza Hut’s cult classic Big New Yorker Pizza, now reinvented on a signature Yeastie Boys bagel with marinara sauce, double pepperoni and cheese. Available for free at Yeastie Boys food trucks in LA and NYC from March 15 to 24, customers can also win Pizza Hut gift cards or custom swag items with select Pizza Bagel purchases. |
| Pizza Hut Japan has introduced the Teritama Hut Melts, perfect for hanami picnics. The individual-sized pizzas feature a crisp crust on both top and bottom, resembling a quesadilla, and are stuffed with teriyaki chicken, egg and cheese. Accompanied by honey mustard and mentaiko dipping sauces, the pink-colored mentaiko adds a spring touch. Priced at 880 yen for carry-out or 1,180 yen for delivery, they come with French fries and a free drink if ordered during weekday lunch hours. |
| The Habit Burger Grill has sponsored a study about dining habits in the U.S. during inflation, revealing that 75% of Americans are in favor of adults ordering from kids’ menus to save money, while 20% report that they actually have done so in order to save money. In response, the chain has introduced the $6 Grown-Up Meal, including a full-sized Charburger, fries, drink and mini gummy burger. Available at select locations from March 13, it aims to offer budget-friendly options without compromising on portion size. |
| 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. |
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| Lower-income Americans are increasingly opting to cook at home rather than dine out at restaurants like McDonald’s, according to the fast-food chain’s CFO, Ian Borden. Rising inflation, interest rates and dwindling savings are driving this shift, making dining out a luxury. To attract these customers, McDonald’s is offering value-oriented bundles priced at $4 and below at most U.S. locations. Internationally, the chain is also facing challenges, with sales in regions like the Middle East impacted by turmoil. McDonald’s stock fell around 3% in response to these challenges. |
| Starbucks has surpassed Subway as the world’s second-largest restaurant chain, with 38,587 locations globally, fueled by aggressive expansion. McDonald’s remains the largest chain with 41,822 locations. Starbucks’ growth contrasts with Subway’s decline, which has faced U.S. closures since 2015 and struggles internationally. Starbucks’ success is attributed to its diverse strategies, including traditional and specialized stores, delivery-only units and licensing deals. While Starbucks lost its top spot in China to Luckin Coffee, it eyes growth in India and the U.S., anticipating 4% unit growth domestically. |
| Chick-fil-A is set to open its first mobile pickup restaurant in New York City on March 21, focusing on digital orders and delivery. The concept, devoid of seating areas, prioritizes efficiency with real-time order status boards and streamlined operations. Geofencing technology expedites orders and a smaller staff caters to a compact layout. Owner/operator Jared Caldwell aims to meet NYC’s demand for convenience, targeting a market with high digital sales. Chick-fil-A views this prototype as part of a broader strategy to adapt to evolving customer needs while maintaining signature hospitality, with plans for potential expansion into other markets. |
| Little Caesars is marking the grand opening of its new restaurant in Corona, NY, with a special event on March 21st. The first 50 guests in line will receive free Hot-N-Ready Pizza for a year. The community can enjoy giveaways from the prize wheel and delicious pizza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The franchisee, Rod Valencia, is donating $1,000 to Forestdale Foster Services, showcasing Little Caesars’ commitment to community support. Little Caesars President Paula Vissing emphasized the brand’s expansion in New York and across the Northeast, offering quality pizza at unbeatable prices and convenience. |
| Wendy’s has introduced a nostalgic twist to its Frosty lineup with the launch of the orange dreamsicle flavor, available from March 19. This seasonal item combines the classic vanilla Frosty with the taste of orange cream. Additionally, Wendy’s has introduced the Cinnabon Pull-Aparts for breakfast, featuring Danish dough with cinnamon and cream cheese frosting. |
| According to a menu price analysis by Technomic, restaurant prices increased by 4% overall compared to the previous year, with mixed protein dishes seeing a 9.7% increase while white wine prices decreased by 4%. Beverages showed a wide range, with adult beverage prices up 1% and non-alcoholic beverage prices up 6.6%. Cold coffee beverages saw significant price hikes, with iced espresso up 22%, cold brew coffee up 17.4%, and iced specialty beverages up 14.1%. Rich Shank from Technomic warns that raising prices on beverages, especially non-alcoholic ones, could lead to customer dissatisfaction and affect attachment rates. |
| Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund is investing $60 million to enhance the taste and affordability of alternative meats, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Lauren Sánchez, vice chair of the fund, announced the allocation as part of a $1 billion initiative to transform the food industry. The investment will fund research centers to improve quality, nutrition and manufacturing costs. Andy Jarvis, director of Future of Food at the fund, emphasized the importance of alternative meats in feeding a growing population within planetary boundaries. |
| Pollo Campero, known for its Central American roots, expanded its American presence in 2023 with 11 new restaurants across various states. With a 19% increase in revenue and positive feedback from guests, the franchise plans further growth in 2024. It introduced breakfast menus in select locations, receiving a favorable response and intends to expand nationwide. With plans to cross 100 units in the U.S. and open 25 new restaurants, Pollo Campero aims to maintain momentum and award new franchises, focusing on several states for development. |
| Carrabba’s Italian Grill has expanded its lunch menu with bistro sandwich combo meals, previously only available through its catering brand. The six sandwich combos, starting at $13.99, are offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Additionally, guests can purchase endless soup, salad and bread for $9.99 during lunchtime. The chain’s 2023 results, surpassing industry sales by 90 basis points and traffic growth by 300 basis points, were credited to strong off-premise performance and catering growth, according to Bloomin’ Brands CEO David Deno during the Q4 earnings call. |
| Tech supplier LoopAI has secured $6 million in funding led by Base10 to advance its software, which automates the intricate task of managing third-party delivery accounting. Founded in 2022 by Anand Tumuluru, who has experience in tech and restaurants, the company addresses the complex financial model of third-party delivery, which differs significantly from traditional restaurant operations. LoopAI’s platform streamlines the reconciliation process of delivery charges and consolidates data into a real-time dashboard, empowering operators to monitor their delivery business effectively. |
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