| Yum! Brands News | |
| | Yum!Now News | |
| | Competitor Intelligence | |
| | Industry Trends | |
| | Policy & Regulatory News | |
| | Restaurant Technology | |
| | | |
| KFC U.S. has announced that its classic nuggets are getting an upgrade, with new sauce flavors like Honey Sriracha and Korean BBQ. Launching April 1, customers can choose from a variety of sauces to coat their nuggets, including returning favorites like Nashville Hot and Georgia Gold. KFC’s CMO Nick Chavez emphasized the finger-licking goodness of the nuggets paired with the new sauces. “We’ve entered the sauce chat. Our KFC Nuggets -- made from 100% white meat chicken and hand-breaded with KFC’s secret recipe of 11 herbs & spices -- dripping with these sauces create an unmatched flavor experience, with something for every palate,” Chavez said. KFC is offering a free 10-piece Saucy Nuggets with a $10 or more purchase through their website or app. |
| The Habit Burger Grill has announced the grand opening of its ninth Nevada location in Las Vegas, offering its renowned Charburgers and more. A VIP event precedes the opening, with CharClub members receiving free Charburgers on April 2. The 2,500 sq. ft. restaurant will feature drive-thru, dine-in, takeout and delivery options. Director of Culinary Innovation, Jason Triail, expressed excitement about expanding in Las Vegas, known for its energy and fun. |
| 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) |
|
| Wendy’s latest promotion offers a free breakfast sandwich per week for a year at select locations in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. The offer, available to the first 100 customers starting at 2:00 p.m. ET on April 1, excludes delivery orders and requires customers to be 16 or older. The chain recently clarified misconceptions about dynamic pricing plans and announced initiatives including drone food deliveries and A.I. chatbot drive-thru orders. |
| Domino’s Pizza China, operated by DPC Dash Ltd, is expanding rapidly in China’s lower-tier cities, driven by rising demand for western fast food among consumers outside major urban centers. With 180 new outlets opened last year and plans for 240 more in 2024, Domino’s aims to exceed 1,000 mainland China stores by year-end. Targeting budget-conscious consumers, Domino’s offers discounts and emphasizes speedy delivery in major cities while positioning its food as upscale in smaller towns. |
| Panera Bread has unveiled a revamped menu focused on sandwiches, salads and soups, reflecting customer preferences and streamlining options. The change, termed the most significant in Panera’s history, marks a departure from past menu expansions like pizza and flatbreads. Additionally, Panera plans a revamp of its breakfast offerings but rules out adding alcoholic beverages. |
| Burger King has introduced a new sandwich, the “Philly Cheese,” in Argentina, featuring shredded beef, cheddar cheese sauce and sautéed onions on a toasted sesame seed bun. Unlike its U.S. counterparts, the Philly Cheese lacks chopped steak but compensates with ample shredded beef. While similar to the U.S. offerings with caramelized onions and cheese sauce, the Argentine version adopts a distinct twist with its shredded beef filling, catering to local tastes while echoing the essence of a classic Philly cheesesteak. |
| This spring, White Castle is rolling out several deals and offers, including discounts on gift cards and special promotions for Tax Day, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day Weekend. Notably, on April 20, Craver Nation members can receive a BOGO deal on the Impossible Slider. The chain also introduced Night Castle, catering to late-night cravings with Sliders and sides. White Castle’s Vice President, Jamie Richardson, assured that these offerings “make any time the perfect time to savor their iconic fare.” |
| Dine Brands has pledged $100,000 to the International Franchise Association’s Franchise Ascension Initiative, aiming to foster diversity in franchising. CEO John Peyton highlighted the commitment to inclusive opportunities in the restaurant industry. The initiative aims to address racial wealth inequality by promoting franchising as a wealth-generation strategy for historically disadvantaged communities. However, critics noted the broader context of the racial wealth gap, citing labor market disparities. |
| Several April Fools’ Day promotions from BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Cheesecake Factory and Del Taco have been confirmed as real. BJ’s is offering a twist on their Pizookie dessert by topping it with dill pickle slices, available for free with a minimum purchase. Cheesecake Factory’s loyalty program is offering surprise gifts for sign-ups, including discounts and free cheesecake slices. Del Taco introduces Del Tic Tac-o packs, spicy mints inspired by their hot sauce flavors, available for a limited time at a suggested price. |
| In a study of 5,000 New York City restaurants, ambiance and service were found to influence patrons more than food quality. Incorporating large-scale, impactful art in both public-facing and corporate spaces can strengthen brand awareness, alleviate stress, increase productivity, create connections, reinforce values and instill a sense of authenticity. Art has also been found to reduce stress, boost productivity and foster creativity among employees. Additionally, it helps restaurants become pillars within their communities by authentically representing local culture through murals created by local artists. |
| Big Chicken, the fast-casual chicken concept founded by Shaquille O’Neal, has inked a six-unit deal with Jason Ratlif, an experienced restaurant operator, for expansion across Tyler and Upper East Texas to Monroe, Louisiana. Ratlif was drawn to Big Chicken after encountering it on a Carnival Cruise. With his expertise in managing winning teams, Ratlif noted he aims to make Big Chicken a community focal point in their territory. CEO Josh Halpern praised Ratlif’s operational instincts and timing, considering the brand’s growth. The deal adds to Big Chicken’s 350-plus locations in development nationwide. |
| Denise Nelsen, the new CEO of Smashburger, highlighted how she aims to revitalize the fast- casual chain’s growth trajectory, drawing from her extensive experience at Starbucks. Despite Smashburger’s recent contraction under Jollibee Foods Corp., Nelsen noted she sees opportunities for expansion both domestically and internationally, particularly in Asia. Plans include exploring new formats like drive-thrus, menu enhancements focusing on core categories and technological advancements. Nelsen emphasized returning to Smashburger’s roots of quality burgers and innovative sides, leveraging feedback from customers and franchisees. |
| California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing criticism as the state’s fast-food minimum wage is set to rise to $20 on April 1, with companies warning of layoffs and price increases. Despite Newsom’s assertion that the hike aims to address income inequality, some executives argue it will lead to job cuts and higher costs. The increase, impacting around 557,000 workers, particularly affects people of color and women. |
| DoorDash is ramping up its AI capabilities by hiring leaders from tech firm Standard AI to develop its AI voice ordering system. Standard AI CEO Jordan Fisher and co-founders are joining DoorDash, along with their engineering team. DoorDash aims to leverage Standard’s expertise in AI-powered computer vision to grow a white-label AI bot for phone orders, particularly for chain restaurants like pizza chains. CEO Tony Xiu has expressed confidence in the potential of AI to reduce friction in the customer journey. |
| ChowNow, an online ordering provider for independent restaurants, is acquiring Cuboh, a company specializing in streamlining incoming orders from third-party delivery apps. This acquisition aims to enhance ChowNow’s offerings, providing comprehensive solutions for restaurants and simplifying their tech stacks. ChowNow’s integration with Cuboh’s technology will expand its compatibility with point-of-sale (POS) systems to 14, up from two previously. |
|
|
