| Yum! Brands News | |
| | Yum!Now News | |
| | Competitor Intelligence | |
| | Industry Trends | |
| | Restaurant Technology | |
| | | |
| In an interview, A’ysha Callahan, a 24-year-old food scientist, explained how she channels her passion for cooking and upbringing in Southern cuisine to revamp KFC’s menu in the U.S. Joining KFC, she played a pivotal role in bringing the internationally acclaimed Chizza to the U.S. Callahan noted she aspires to innovate further, exploring trends like sweet-spicy blends and exotic flavors, aiming to diversify KFC’s offerings. As a young Black female scientist, she emphasized representation in the industry to inspire future generations and broaden perspectives on food innovation. |
| KFC Canada has unveiled innovative chicken sandwich experiences: the Crispy Onion Ring Sandwich and Twister. The sandwich boasts succulent chicken tenders enveloped in seasoned Onion Rings and KFC Sauce, while the Twister offers a wrap version of the same flavors. Both are available in spicy variations for heat enthusiasts. Accompanying these additions are KFC’s new seasoned Onion Rings, promising a perfect balance of flavor and crispiness. |
| Aaron Powell, global CEO of Pizza Hut, will temporarily oversee the U.S. business following the departure of David Graves, president of Pizza Hut U.S. Graves, who led the division since 2022, played a key role in modernizing the brand. Graves’ departure coincides with that of COO Chequan Lewis. Pizza Hut aims to find a successor for Graves while Powell oversees U.S. operations. The departure comes amidst leadership changes in major pizza chains, underscoring industry dynamics. |
| To mark the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, Pizza Hut U.S. has introduced the “Total Eclipse of the Hut” deal. On that day, customers can enjoy large pizzas for only $12. Whether you’re watching the eclipse or simply craving pizza, this offer is perfect for all occasions. Available for create-your-own or recipe pizzas with up to 10 toppings, including Thin ‘N Crispy, Hand Tossed and Original Pan Pizza. |
| Taco Bell U.S. has partnered with Spurs guard Malaki Branham and the team’s mascot for a special event offering a free crunchy taco combo. Taking place at 11238 Potranco Road on Thursday from 3-4 p.m., the first 150 fans can receive Branham’s autograph and a complimentary crunchy beef taco. Attendees can also enjoy samples from Taco Bell’s new Cantina Chicken menu. |
| How can young leaders gain respect from their older colleagues? |
In the latest episode of #3Questions, Joaquin Soto reveals a lesson that his father taught him that has helped him earn respect when he was promoted at a young age. The now senior director of Operations Systems & Technology at The Habit Burger Grill talks about that and more in the series that features conversations between Yum! CEO David Gibbs and our employees. Watch their inspiring conversation on Yum!Now. |  | (For Yum! Eyes Only) |
|
| Panera Bread is facing an unexplained outage affecting its digital channels since the weekend, with the website and app down. Stores are open but only for in-person orders, as kiosks are also offline. While the company works on resolving the issue, no official explanation has been provided. The outage disrupts services like loyalty programs and impacts catering and gift card operations. Workers expressed frustration over the lack of communication from corporate. Some speculate it could be a cyberattack. |
| McDonald’s recent innovations have focused more on marketing stunts and digital infrastructure rather than menu items. The introduction of the viral Grimace Shake in June 2023 garnered attention. McDonald’s has also utilized celebrity meals and promotions to engage customers. Now, McDonald’s is bringing back Spicy Chicken McNuggets nationwide, leveraging its app for customer engagement and convenience. |
| Heather Ostis has assumed the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer of Global Supply Chain at Starbucks, leveraging her extensive experience from Delta Air Lines, where she served as Vice President of Supply Chain Management. Ostis aims to enhance supplier relationships, improve performance and bolster network resilience at Starbucks. |
| Papa John’s has introduced the Crispy Cuppy ‘Roni menu platform, celebrating pepperoni enthusiasts with three new offerings. The NY Style Crispy Cuppy ‘Roni Pizza features cupping pepperoni and creamy tomato sauce on extra-large slices. The Crispy Cuppy ‘Roni Papadia offers a flatbread-style sandwich version, while Crispy Cuppy ‘Roni Papa Bites combine cupping and classic pepperoni with mozzarella and garlic parm drizzle. |
| Dairy Queen has unveiled its summer Blizzard menu lineup, launching April 1 with three new flavors. Customers can receive a buy-one-get-one free deal through April 14 via the DQ app. New offerings include the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Party, Picnic Peach Cobbler and Ultimate Cookie Blizzards. Returning favorites feature the Frosted Animal Cookie, Brownie Batter and Cotton Candy Blizzards. |
| Full-service restaurants in Washington, D.C., have cut 3,700 jobs, constituting about 12% of their workforce, following the jurisdiction’s rollback of the tip credit starting May 2023. Despite no direct correlation drawn between job losses and credit reduction, factors like a slow return of government workers, crime concerns and higher labor costs contribute to the decline. Advocates highlight the detrimental impact of eliminating the tip credit, citing increased menu prices and reduced income for servers. |
| In an interview, Drew Madsen, CEO of Noodles & Company, discussed the challenges facing the fast-casual chain and outlined his plans for its turnaround. Despite recent losses and declining same-store sales, Madsen emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach beyond just addressing pricing issues. He highlighted the importance of menu innovation, operational efficiency and enhancing the customer experience to attract and retain patrons. The company is undergoing menu revamps, focusing on introducing new flavors and improving dish balance, while also exploring opportunities for operational enhancements, particularly during dinner service. |
| Zunzi’s is transforming its locations into Zunzibar, a beach-themed full-service restaurant and bar, while partnering with franchise veteran Tom Horton to launch its first franchise locations. This approach aims to provide better support for franchisees. The transition preserves Zunzi’s branding for takeout and delivery, emphasizing efficiency and customer satisfaction. Zunzibar will offer live music and private event hosting, enhancing its appeal. |
| Slim Chickens has partnered with Mid-Atlantic Restaurant Group to open 25 locations in Virginia, citing Slim Chickens’ growth and appeal. Mid-Atlantic Restaurant Group, backed by experienced multi-unit operators, sees Slim Chickens as a promising addition to its portfolio due to its quality food and strong support system. Slim Chickens, with over 260 locations and a 70% growth in three years, aims to expand further nationally and internationally. |
| Firehouse Subs is offering a limited-time Sweet Meal Deal from March 26 to April 1, comprising two medium subs, two chips and two small drinks for $16, available exclusively through their app or website. This offer coincides with the tournament season, allowing customers to enjoy the games with a satisfying meal. Options include the classic Hook & Ladder and the Firehouse Meatball. The deal aims to cater to fans cheering on the final sixteen teams while providing a convenient and affordable dining option. |
| Baskin-Robbins has upgraded its mobile ordering system, allowing customers to order a variety of items for pickup in as little as 15 minutes, a significant improvement from the previous 24-48 hour wait time. The dessert chain, with over 7,600 global locations, now offers a $3 discount for app users on purchases exceeding $10 before tax, valid until May 17 with the promo code TASTY. This enhancement aims to enhance convenience and cater to customer preferences while incentivizing direct app usage over third-party delivery services, ultimately boosting sales and customer engagement. |
|
|
