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| KFC Global has appointed Alex Barsk as new CFO, effective June 1. Barsk, formerly CFO at Pizza Hut Global, will report to CEO Sabir Sami, overseeing global finance, growth strategies and financial planning. Her appointment follows KFC’s milestone of 30,000 restaurants globally, with an average opening rate of one every 3.5 hours. In 2023, KFC added nearly 2,700 restaurants across 96 countries, achieving a 10% growth rate. Barsk brings extensive leadership experience from Pizza Hut and previous roles in strategy and finance. |
| KFC U.S. is trialing the comeback of the KFC Twister with the new KFC Twister Wrap, available in Classic and Spicy variations at select Nashville, TN locations. Priced at $5.99 each, the Classic version contains two Original Recipe Tenders, lettuce, diced tomatoes and pepper mayo in a toasted flour tortilla. The Spicy option features the same ingredients with a zesty sauce. This limited-time test aims to gauge customer interest in bringing back the beloved Twister. |
| Yelp included The Habit Burger Grill in its list of the top 10 fastest-growing retail brands in the U.S. for the past year. The report highlighted chains owned by publicly traded restaurant companies, which comprised half of the top 10. The list, compiled using metrics like net-new openings and consumer engagement on Yelp’s platform, featured 35 restaurant brands among the 50 fastest-growing chains. The analysis underscores the dynamic growth within the restaurant industry, with recognizable brands driving significant expansion. |
| Collaboration across continents is key |
| Yum!'s scale is unmatched, and when we harness it, our brands win. KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill have a history of maximizing their impact across the globe thanks to some of our most innovative menu items. Did you know KFC's most recent LTO, the Chizza, originated in the Philippines in 2015 and traveled to countries like South Korea, Mexico and Germany before landing in the U.S.? Learn about its journey as well as that of Taco Bell's Nacho Fries, Pizza Hut's Melts and more in this new episode of "Quick Bite." |
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| Chipotle has unveiled green-foil-wrapped burritos at its Augusta, Ga. location to coincide with the Masters Tournament, where pro golfer Max Homa, a Chipotle enthusiast, will sport the brand logo on his bag. Homa’s partnership is part of Chipotle’s Real Food for Real Athletes initiative, supporting athletes with nutritious options. Chipotle’s chief brand officer, Chris Brandt, noted the brand’s popularity among golfers, anticipating Homa’s success. Brandt emphasized Chipotle’s appeal to its core demographic of 20-somethings, who influence cultural trends, including sports. |
| Starbucks has introduced quieter environments in new and renovated stores, employing baffles to reduce background noise, aiding communication and order accuracy. Sara Trilling, Starbucks North America president, emphasized improved acoustics for a better customer experience. The initiative aligns with Starbucks’ global expansion plans, aiming for 20,000 stores long-term, with 650 additions in the U.S. this fiscal year. The focus includes purpose-defined stores catering to trends like iced beverages and drive-thru convenience, with 80% of new U.S. locations featuring drive-thrus. |
| Buffalo Wild Wings quietly celebrated the 100th opening of its BWW GO offshoot in New York City, marking a strategic milestone. The brand aims for 150 stores by year-end, with commitments exceeding 600 locations. BWW GO leverages the existing Buffalo Wild Wings footprint, equipping over 1,300 sports bars for takeout and delivery. The concept focuses on digitally native operations, catering to evolving consumer behaviors. Initial growth reflects strong franchisee interest, particularly from existing Inspire Brands operators. |
| Panera Bread, amidst a brand transformation ahead of a potential IPO, has seen a notable 5.2% year-over-year traffic increase, its largest in nearly a year. The company aims to refocus on its roots, streamlining its menu by removing about 19% of items and reevaluating ethical sourcing practices. Despite recent controversies, including lawsuits related to caffeinated lemonade energy drinks, positive traffic trends suggest potential growth. Panera targets a public market return in 2024, seeking to compete with fast-casual rivals like Chipotle and Sweetgreen. |
| Bojangles recently hosted its annual biscuit-making competition, featuring the top 12 Certified Biscuit Makers from over 800 restaurants. Contestants showcased their skills in a timed, head-to-head bake-off judged on speed, efficiency, and biscuit quality. Panthers’ quarterback Bryce Young joined as a guest judge, presenting the inaugural “Bryce Young Spirit Award” to Mary Thompson for her passion. The top three winners from both franchise and company-owned teams were awarded $1,000 each, with other finalists receiving $500. |
| According to a whitepaper from Placer.ai, QSR and fast casual restaurants maintained higher visit numbers compared to full-service dining establishments throughout 2023. The trend persisted due to the faster service offered by QSR and fast casual chains. Major QSR brands saw improvements in speed of service, with a rise in visits lasting 10 minutes or less. As labor productivity in the restaurant industry increases, full-service chains are anticipated to experiment with faster service methods. |
| In March, menu price inflation showed a slight slowdown, with the Consumer Price Index rising by 0.4%, matching February’s increase. Food-at-home prices rose by 1.2%, while food-away-from-home (restaurant) prices increased by 4.2%, a slight deceleration from February’s 4.5%. This marks the 13th consecutive month of restaurant pricing outpacing grocery/supermarket pricing. However, the gap between grocery and restaurant inflation narrowed to -300 basis points, the lowest since June 2023. Limited-service meals rose by 5% over the past year, while full-service meals rose by 3.2%. |
| In 2024, Unilever Food Solutions’ Future Menus report identified evolving culinary trends. Flavor Shock emphasizes intense flavors and unexpected ingredient combinations, catering to Gen Z’s demand for unique experiences. Local Abundance celebrates robust local supply chains, while Plant-Powered Protein reflects the growing popularity of flexitarian and vegan diets. Other trends include New Sharing, Low Waste Menus, Irresistible Vegetables, Modernized Comfort Food and Feel Good Food. |
| Marco’s Pizza has bolstered its marketing team with three new appointments to drive product innovation and enhance customer experience. Denise Lauer, the Chief Marketing Officer, aims to push the brand forward through innovative products and digital marketing. Ben Halliwell joins as Senior Vice President of Digital Marketing, bringing expertise in customer growth across various industries. Tanisha Chea, appointed as Vice President of Brand Marketing, and Kathleen Kennedy, as Director of Culinary Innovation, both bring years of experience in consumer marketing and culinary development, respectively. |
| Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, known for its innovative all-digital ordering model, has appointed Jeff Galletly as its new CEO. With extensive experience at Restaurant Brands International and private equity firms, Galletly aims to drive the brand’s growth. Backed by investors including Kevin O’Leary and Matt Higgins, the concept is expanding rapidly, with plans for an RTO in Canada and over 200 units in development. Offering unique dumpling options and evolving to emphasize human hospitality, Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is poised for success both domestically and internationally, targeting brand awareness and expansion into new markets. |
| Wow Bao, a fast-casual Asian bao bun concept, has entered the metaverse with a virtual dance club and lounge on Roblox. Customers can accessorize their avatars with “bao heads” and participate in a scavenger hunt for a chance to win free food. The move builds on Wow Bao’s previous ventures into Web3-based digital content, including a tiered NFT membership program and the launch of vending machines in the metaverse. CEO Geoff Alexander sees this as an opportunity to engage tech-savvy generations and bridge the virtual and real worlds, offering real-life rewards alongside virtual experiences. |
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