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| Mashed reporter Jenny Kellerhals was invited to KFC’s headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, to preview the launch of the chain’s new Saucy Nuggets. These nuggets, available nationwide starting April 1st, come in five flavors including two returning favorites and three new options. Kellerhals tasted each sauce directly from the source, providing insights into their flavors and textures. Options range from the sweet heat of Honey Sriracha to the tangy Sticky Chicky Sweet ‘n Sour, with the spiciest being the Nashville Hot. |
| Forbes included Pizza Hut in its list of brands offering deals in honor of the historic total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Dubbed “Total Eclipse of the Hut,” Pizza Hut is offering large pizzas for $12, aligning with the celestial event. The deal applies to create-your-own or recipe pizzas with up to 10 toppings, available for carryout, dine-in or delivery. |
| Pizza Hut Sri Lanka offers a slice of hope to marginalized youth |
Did you know that unemployment for Sri Lankan youth hit a staggering 26% last year? That's why Pizza Hut Sri Lanka and Yum!'s Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, our company's investment of $100 million to create more equality in the areas of equity & inclusion, education and entrepreneurship, have joined forces with the Sevalanka Foundation to introduce the Youth Enablement Program. This initiative is specifically tailored to empower them with the essential skills needed to thrive in a job in the quick-service restaurant industry. Read more about how opportunity for meaningful employment is being unlocking, paving a brighter future for Sri Lanka's youth. |  | (For Yum! Eyes Only) |
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| Chipotle’s CFO, Jack Hartung, explained the rationale behind the chain’s historic stock split in an interview with CNBC’s Jim Cramer. The decision aims to enhance accessibility for employees and boost liquidity for investors. Hartung mentioned that while cost wasn’t a significant issue, recent circumstances warranted the move. The proposed 50-for-1 stock split is set to be completed in June, allowing shareholders to gain additional shares without diminishing value. Hartung emphasized the importance of rewarding employees and addressing liquidity concerns raised by investors. |
| Wingstop is introducing its proprietary MyWingstop platform across its domestic system, marking a significant investment in digitization. CEO Michael Skipworth highlighted the platform’s potential to enhance personalization and drive digital guest engagement. With ambitions to digitize 100% of transactions, Wingstop’s MyWingstop platform aims to leverage data for hyper-personalization. Initial tests in 150 U.S. restaurants have shown promising results, bolstering confidence for the nationwide rollout. |
| Del Taco has introduced the Snickerdoodle Shake, its latest limited-time shake flavor. Combining a vanilla shake with Biscoff cookie crumbles and cinnamon sugar, the new offering provides a twist on the classic snickerdoodle flavor. Biscoff cookies were chosen for their ability to maintain texture within the shake. |
| Arby’s has initiated Free Sandwich Month for April 2024, offering new and existing Rewards members a complimentary sandwich weekly with any purchase. Sandwich options include the Classic Crispy Chicken, Classic Roast Beef and Greek Gyro. To redeem, orders must be made via the Arby’s app or website for in-store pickup. This promotion aims to incentivize app usage and reward loyal customers, providing a variety of sandwich choices throughout the month. |
| According to a TD Cowen report shared with Restaurant Dive, fast-casual chains outperformed quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains in Q4 2023, attributed to aggressive pricing strategies by QSRs. The report highlighted consumer sensitivity to fast-food pricing changes and reduced spending among low-income consumers. Despite QSRs emphasizing value options, fast-casual chains maintained sales without significant impact. |
| Dave’s Hot Chicken is preparing to face the challenges of California’s $20 minimum wage set by AB 1228. To counteract its financial impacts, the chain is implementing a 9% price increase across its California stores, aiming to maintain bottom-line dollars while sacrificing margin. Alongside price adjustments, Dave’s is testing in-store ordering kiosks and introducing larger drink options to enhance beverage margins. |
| Red Lobster is debuting Cheddar Bay Breadsticks, a twist on its Cheddar Bay Biscuits, for one day only at its Times Square location in New York City. While the change is described as a “biscuit surprise,” it may have lasting appeal due to its compatibility with popular menu items like scampi and Alfredo sauce. |
| BurgerFi International has defaulted on its credit agreement due to sales declines but expects turnaround efforts to yield positive results by the second half of 2024. Despite a challenging year with revenue dips, the net loss narrowed. CEO Carl Bachmann, implementing a five-priority plan, anticipates positive same-store sales and EBITDA by late 2024. The company is rolling out a new POS system and management tools while optimizing menus and introducing chicken offerings to boost sales. |
| IHOP and Pepsi are reintroducing Maple Syrup Cola, available nationwide with a float option. This blend taps into the “dirty soda” trend, pairing sparkling beverages with creamy additions. IHOP also unveiled the Cinnamon Apple Pecan Pancake of the Month and new menu items like the Classic Chicken Sandwich and Kids French Toast Sticks. Additionally, IHOP launched Silk Oatmeal Cookie Oat Creamer. |
| As of Monday, around 500,000 fast-food workers in California now earn a minimum of $20 per hour, exceeding the state’s overall minimum wage by $4. This increase follows years of advocacy for better wages and conditions in the fast-food industry. The new law establishes a fast-food council, a groundbreaking initiative with representatives from both workers and the restaurant industry. This council has the authority to annually adjust wages, set safety standards and investigate issues like wage theft. While workers welcome the change, some franchise owners anticipate challenges, including price hikes and reduced labor hours, to manage the added costs. |
| The recent IT outages at McDonald’s and Panera Bread highlight the critical reliance on technology in the restaurant industry and the imperative of mitigating system failures. Carissa De Santis, CTO of BRIX Holdings, stressed the importance of careful vendor selection, regular monitoring, redundancy measures and failover mechanisms to ensure operational continuity. Savneet Singh, CEO of PAR Technology, underscored ongoing cybersecurity training for all staff and rationalizing vendors to reduce vulnerabilities. |
| Canlis, a fine-dining restaurant in Seattle, plans to experiment with giving its 118 workers real weekends off during the summer, operating only Monday through Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This shift from the traditional weekend schedule is a rare perk in the industry and aims to allow team members to enjoy activities typically reserved for weekends, such as camping or boating. Despite the risk of losing revenue from Saturday nights, Canlis has a history of prioritizing worker well-being, including eliminating tips in 2016 to provide stable income. |
| First Watch introduced a benefit offering childcare and elder care at discounted rates for all employees, addressing a significant obstacle for upward mobility in the industry, particularly for women. Partnering with Bright Horizons, the program provides options for center-based care or vetted sitters, aiming to alleviate financial and logistical burdens faced by workers. Despite being in its early stages, the benefit has already seen positive feedback, reflecting the company’s commitment to accessible benefits and employee well-being. |
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