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| Analyst Jon Tower highlighted Yum! Brands for its unique global presence and digital initiatives, predicting increased profitability for franchisees. Brands with strong momentum, such as Yum! Brands, were noted to likely fare well despite regional wage hikes. Specifically, Tower highlighted Yum! Brands’ expansions, global reach and adoption of digitization across franchisees. “We like brands that have momentum. You know, Yum! Brands is a little bit unique in that they’re a global quick service operator.” |
| A tweet about turning broccoli into KFC sparked the viral #MakeItKFC movement. KFC embraced the idea, coating various foods in its iconic 11 herbs and spices. South Africa joined in, suggesting foods for the KFC treatment. 16 winning items were selected, from South African staples to savoury sweets. KFC meticulously tested and perfected each dish. “#MakeItKFC started as a bit of fun after a random tweet, but it quickly took on a life of its own,” said KFC South Africa’s Chief Marketing Officer Grant Macpherson. “It was a powerful reminder of the enduring magic of Colonel Sanders’ secret recipe, which he perfected 84 years ago. It really can make just about anything taste better.” |
| Pi Day, celebrated on March 14th, offered deals and discounts at various restaurants. The date aligns with the numerical value of pi (3.14) and coincides with Albert Einstein's birthday. Pizza Hut provided a free large one-topping pizza with the purchase of another large menu-priced pizza from March 12-14. Taco Bell offered its Mexican pizza for $3.14 to reward members through its app. |
| Taco Bell U.S. is introducing the Cantina Chicken Menu, featuring slow-roasted chicken seasoned with Mexican spices like garlic and chilies. The menu includes items like the Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco and Cantina Chicken Quesadilla, available to rewards members starting March 14. Other offerings, like the Cantina Chicken Soft Taco and Cantina Chicken Burrito, will roll out on March 18. To celebrate its new menu, Taco Bell is offering rewards members who signed up before Feb. 9 one free Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco, which will be added to their accounts on March 21. |
| 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. |
| On Friday, McDonald's announced it had recently encountered a widespread technology outage affecting operations across various countries, including Japan, the U.K. and Australia. Despite disruptions to in-person and mobile orders, the company assured customers that the incident was not due to a cybersecurity breach. While many outlets in Japan temporarily halted services, efforts were underway to restore operations swiftly. Although McDonald's outlets in the UK and Ireland have resumed full functionality, the extent of the global impact remains unclear. |
| The North American Association of Subway Franchisees (NAASF) has hired Robert Zarco as its general counsel, indicating a potential escalation in its approach towards Subway. Zarco noted that he aims to foster better relations between franchisees and the brand. Despite recent tensions, NAASF emphasized its value and aims to address concerns with Subway’s management. NAASF seeks collaboration with Subway to resolve issues and enhance profitability, recognizing the significance of unified franchisee efforts. |
| Chick-fil-A’s Little Blue Menu is introducing pizzas to its College Park, Maryland location starting March 18. The menu features five new pizzas and a Pepperoni Pizza ‘Round, resembling a calzone. Offerings include the Chick-fil-A Pizza with nuggets and sauce, along with unique options like Buff-lo-Ranch and Meats-n-Veg. Stuart Tracy, Chick-fil-A’s senior culinary lead, cited customer creativity as inspiration for the new additions. Little Blue Menu also offers Chick-fil-A classics, wings, burgers and more. |
| McDonald’s Japan has introduced its first-ever 3-layer pie, the Matcha Kuromitsu Warabimochi Pie. The limited-time offering features a crispy puff pastry filled with layers of warabimochi, matcha bean paste and Japanese black sugar syrup sauce. Priced at 200 yen (~$1.35 US), it’s available until mid-April 2024. |
| In 2019, Katie Fogertey, then Goldman Sachs’ lead analyst, wrote a bullish report on Shake Shack, highlighting its potential. Now CFO, she’s witnessed the brand’s growth, with 518 restaurants in 2023. Shake Shack’s next phase includes a new CEO search and a focus on drive-thrus, advertising and a potential loyalty program. Despite initial reluctance, Shake Shack’s drive-thru units have shown promise, with plans to expand and improve efficiency. |
| Bojangles has inked a deal with LVP Restaurant Group to open 20 new restaurants in Phoenix, expanding its presence in the West. This follows its partnership last year to bring Bojangles to Las Vegas and TravelCenters of America locations. Led by LV Petroleum executives with vast QSR experience, the expansion aims to capitalize on the high demand for chicken. Bojangles’ boneless platform has been well-received, driving success in new markets. |
| Restaurant Brands International (RBI) has made key leadership changes, appointing Sami Siddiqui as CFO, succeeding Matt Dunnigan. Jeff Klein has been promoted to President of Popeyes U.S. and Canada, while Thiago Santelmo has been promoted to President of International. These changes, effective immediately, align with RBI’s growth targets of 40,000 restaurants, $60 billion in systemwide sales and $3.2 billion in adjusted operating income by 2028. Additional appointments for EMEA President and Popeyes CMO are forthcoming. |
| New research from Otter, an AI software company, revealed Hawaii as the least-penetrated pizza market in the U.S., boasting an average order of $48.50 per pizzeria. California follows closely, with less than 2% of restaurants being pizza places and an average order tab of $40.10. Nationwide, pizzerias constitute 5.8% of all eating establishments, with prices varying across states. New Hampshire, Maine and Wisconsin residents rate their local pies highest, while the worst pizzas are found in Wyoming, South Carolina and Montana. Pepperoni remains the top pizza topping, preferred by 38.8% of consumers. |
| In a recent Franchisee Spotlight, Charlene Rose, Bill Stetler and their family shared their experiences as Donato’s Pizza franchisees in Ohio for 30 years. They were among the first franchisees of Donato’s, opening their first store shortly after the brand started franchising. Over the years, they expanded to four locations in Ohio. Now, as Charlene and Bill retire, their granddaughter Caitlin is stepping up to lead the business into the future. Looking ahead, Caitlin aims to focus on strengthening the existing stores and improving operations, with potential plans for a new location or remodel in the future. |
| Mike Burns is appointed as the new CEO of &pizza, succeeding co-founder Michael Lastoria. Burns has already revamped the chain’s tech systems and relaunched its web, app, loyalty program and POS across 55 locations. Burns aims to maintain &pizza’s rebellious identity while enhancing its tech capabilities through partnerships with Toast, Olo, and Thanx. Based in D.C., &pizza is known for its employee-centric approach and innovative strategies. |
| California’s new fast-food wage-setting system, orchestrated by SEIU, will see a 25% hike to $20/hr on April 1 via the Fast Food Council. The California Fast Food Workers Union aims for an additional 3.5% raise to $20.70 by 2025. The Council will also address workplace standards and investigate alleged issues like violence and harassment. SEIU execs Joseph Bryant and Maria Maldonado sit on the council, alongside industry reps like El Pollo Loco’s Michaela Mendelsohn and Diversified Restaurant Co.’s SG Ellison. Chair Nicholas Hardeman, a senate staff member, holds tie-breaking power. The Council convenes in Oakland on March 15. |
| Sam Nazarian has acquired Kitchen United’s assets to merge with his company, C3, and Nextbite remnants, forming “Everybody Eats.” Geoff Madding, former Nextbite executive, is COO. Kitchen United’s dissolution follows a failed expansion attempt despite raising $100 million in 2022. Everybody Eats aims to utilize technology, AI and retail spaces for growth, targeting millennial, Gen Z, and LatinX demographics with chef-driven and celebrity-powered concepts. Nazarian criticizes Nextbite and Kitchen United’s capital shortages, claiming Everybody Eats as the solution. |
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