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| KFC Canada has reintroduced the “$4.95 Fill Up” offer in Ontario, featuring an Original Recipe Slider made with Canadian chicken, fries and a side, with a spicy option available. Marketing Manager Laura Mallozzi highlighted the offer’s affordability and iconic flavors. Exclusively available in Ontario until May 12, the deal targets consumers seeking quality meals at a low price. |
| KFC South Africa has pioneered a partnership with Litterlotto, aiming to combat litter through behavioral science and nudge technology. The “All Taste, No Waste” campaign incentivizes consumers to bin litter with on-the-spot prizes and weekly jackpots via a free mobile app. Grant Macpherson, CMO of KFC Africa, underscored the brand’s commitment to sustainability and community welfare. The successful 3-month trial showcased significant litter disposal and improved responsible behavior among participants. |
| To celebrate National Burrito Day, Taco Bell Australia introduced the limited-edition Shapes Ultimate Cheese Burrito in collaboration with Arnott’s Shapes. This special menu item features Taco Bell’s Beefy Cheesy Burrito infused with Arnott’s Fully Loaded Ultimate Cheese Shapes. Served with Lava Sauce and extra crushed Ultimate Cheese Shapes, it offers a unique double-dipping experience. Andrew Howie, CMO of Taco Bell Australia, emphasized their commitment to bold flavors. Arnott’s Shapes marketing manager Krishma Sood praised the partnership for elevating taste experiences. |
| 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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| Chris Kempczinski, CEO and now chairman of McDonald’s, received a $19.2 million pay package last year, marking an 8% increase from 2022 but slightly lower than 2021. His compensation included stock and option awards totaling $13 million, a base salary of $1.4 million, and about $4 million in incentive compensation. Additionally, he received approximately $700,000 in “other” compensation. McDonald’s CEO is among the highest-paid executives globally. |
| Burger King has introduced a new Frozen Cotton Candy beverage to its menu nationwide from April 11, offering a blend of blue raspberry and cotton candy flavors. Pat O’Toole, Burger King North America’s Chief Marketing Officer, highlighted the company’s aim to provide refreshing options for the season and the customizable nature of their offerings. Additionally, Royal Perks members can enjoy the new Cloud Float digital game in the BK app, allowing them to collect points for rewards like Crowns, food & drink perks and exclusive merchandise. |
| Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti has confirmed a significant expansion of self-checkout kiosks in their restaurants, citing a 10% increase in customer spending compared to traditional cashier purchases. This trend, observed in almost all of Shake Shack’s 300 U.S. locations, is echoed by other fast-food chains. Self-checkout kiosks reduce labor costs, enhance order accuracy and encourage upselling. Analysts note that customers are more receptive to kiosks now, potentially influenced by pandemic-era changes in consumer behavior. |
| Blake Devillier has been appointed president of Carl’s Jr. USA by CKE Restaurants, aiming to differentiate the brand from its sister concept, Hardee’s. Devillier’s background includes senior roles at Taco Bell and over 25 years at Gap Inc. This initiative seeks to establish Carl’s Jr. as a quirky brand with offbeat humor, while Hardee’s focuses on freshness and scratch cooking. The move reflects efforts to delineate the brands’ identities after their acquisition by Carl’s Jr. in 1997. |
| White Castle has introduced the $5 Bacon Bundle, available at most locations except in Florida, offering two Bacon Sliders paired with small fries. Customers can choose from options like the Bacon Cheese Slider, 1921 Bacon Cheese Slider or the new Chicken Bacon Ranch Slider. The 1921 Bacon Cheese Slider features hickory-smoked bacon, smoked cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and caramelized grilled onions. The Chicken Bacon Ranch Slider combines chicken, crispy bacon and Hidden Valley Ranch sauce. |
| During Jersey Mike’s Subs’ 14th Annual Month of Giving in March, customers and locations nationwide raised over $25 million for more than 200 local charities. On March 27, the company’s Day of Giving, over 2,700 restaurants donated 100% of sales to charities including hospitals, youth organizations and food banks. Senior Vice President Caroline Jones expressed gratitude to customers, franchise owners, team members and charity partners for their support. This year’s fundraising total surpasses last year’s $21 million, bringing Jersey Mike’s total raised to $113 million since the initiative began in 2011. |
| In 2003, Red Lobster’s all-you-can-eat snow crab promotion led to unexpected losses, CEO Edna Morris’s departure, and a stock selloff. Despite this, in 2021, the chain repeated a similar promotion, offering all-you-can-eat shrimp for $20, aiming to boost traffic. However, the deal resulted in more losses than anticipated, leading to a $20 million annual loss in 2023. Thai Union Group, Red Lobster’s owner, decided to exit its investment, recording a $530 million impairment charge. With new CEO Jonathan Tibus, known for guiding companies through bankruptcy, Red Lobster faces significant challenges ahead. |
| FAT Brands has announced a new partnership with franchisee Briwin Restaurants Inc. to open 25 Fazoli’s locations in Canada over the next decade, starting in Alberta in 2025. Fazoli’s, known for its quality Italian food served fast and affordably, currently operates over 200 locations across 26 states in the U.S. This move marks Fazoli’s international debut and reflects FAT Brands’ confidence in expanding its presence globally. |
| Bill Rice has been appointed as the Executive Vice President, Head of Sales, Operations & Supply Chain at Chester’s Chicken. Rice, who previously served as the Senior Vice President at Krispy Krunchy Foods, joined Chester’s in January. With Chester’s aggressive growth goals in mind, Rice will focus on supporting existing franchise partners while driving expansion. Last year, Chester’s revamped its chicken sandwich and introduced several limited-time offerings, highlighting the brand’s commitment to innovation amidst evolving consumer preferences. |
| WaBa Grill, renowned for its healthy rice bowl offerings, has introduced a new Kids Eat Free deal across its nearly 200 locations. Customers can receive a complimentary Chicken or Tofu Mini Bowl with the purchase of any full-price entrée. Available on weekdays after 4 p.m. and all day on weekends, the deal aims to provide a convenient and cost-effective dining option for families amidst rising expenses. President & CEO Andrew Kim emphasized WaBa Grill’s commitment to offering fresh, high-quality ingredients and addressing dining uncertainties. |
| California’s new $20-per-hour minimum wage for fast-food workers could have unintended consequences for public schools, particularly in their cafeteria departments. While the law guarantees higher wages for fast food workers, it doesn’t apply to school food service workers, who are traditionally among the lowest-paid employees in public education. With demand for school meals at an all-time high due to California’s policy of providing free meals to all students regardless of income, schools are facing a significant challenge in recruiting and retaining cafeteria workers. |
| The restaurant delivery company formerly known as Waitr, now rebranded as ASAP, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and ceased operations. Struggling amid fierce competition from larger delivery companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats, ASAP faced significant declines in revenue and corporate headcount, with over $80 million in liabilities. Despite once operating in 725 U.S. markets with approximately 1 million active customers, by February 2024, it accounted for less than 1% of all food delivery sales in the country. |
| Uber has expanded its partnership with Waymo to offer autonomous deliveries in Phoenix, Arizona, extending from autonomous rides to now include Uber Eats delivery in nearby areas like Tempe, Mesa and Chandler. Collaborating with various companies such as Nuro, Motional, Cartken and Serve Robotics, Uber Eats has been experimenting with autonomous delivery in different markets. In Phoenix, customers can order from select merchants like Princess Pita, Filiberto’s and BoSa Donuts, with the option to receive delivery via autonomous vehicles. |
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