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The Louisville Courier Journal's Amanda Hancock reported on her tour of the KFC headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, where she heard from Nick Chavez, CMO of KFC U.S., about the chain’s new saucy nuggets, explored the Colonel Sanders Museum and spent time in the test kitchen with KFC’s food innovation team.
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| Shannon Garcia, global chief operating and digital & technology officer at Pizza Hut Global, and Kate Jaspon, CFO at Inspire Brands, discussed mentorship, leadership and restaurant improvement on the Extra Serving podcast. They shared insights on achieving success, navigating the industry as women and the importance of mentoring. Garcia joined Pizza Hut Global in 2022. The interviews, conducted during the Women’s Foodservice Forum Leadership Conference, shed light on their journeys and perspectives in C-suite roles. |
| Pizza Hut India has introduces Melts -- crispy crusts filled with vegetarian or meat options, catering to busy Gen Z lifestyles. With six flavors, priced from Rs 169 to Rs 269, Melts offer a convenient meal option. Pizza Hut spent over six months perfecting the product, focusing on texture and flavor. Marketing involves a 360-degree approach with influencers and partnerships with platforms like Amazon Prime Video’s Playground, targeting younger demographics. |
| Taco Bell is delighting fans by bringing back Nacho Fries, now featuring a collaboration with Secret Aardvark hot sauce. The upgraded fries come in two sizes and can be enjoyed alone, with sauce or fully loaded. Available from April 25, the dish includes nacho-seasoned fries, Serrabanero hot sauce, three types of cheese, pico de gallo and Cantina Chicken. Combo options include adding Cantina Chicken soft taco, Beef Chalupa, 5-layer burrito and a medium drink. |
| 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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| McDonald’s has responded to California’s mandated wage increase for fast-food workers by reintroducing bagel sandwiches and investing $15 million in local advertising. Concerned about potential customer pushback from increased menu prices, McDonald’s has implemented strategies to offset rising costs. Initiatives include a task force to pilot innovative solutions, such as reintroducing popular menu items and investing in digital channels. McDonald’s has also accelerated the rollout of a new scheduling system to optimize efficiency and customer satisfaction. |
| Papa John’s has released a marketing campaign featuring rapper Big Boi and director Dave Meyers, aiming to evoke the irresistible allure of pizza cravings. Departing from the typical focus on product features, the campaign emphasizes distinctiveness over differentiation, seeking to carve out a memorable space in consumers’ minds. By leveraging cultural relevance and emotional resonance, Papa John’s aims to transcend the saturated pizza market. This shift marks a departure from previous strategies, including the brand’s efforts to distance itself from its controversial founder and reshape its image. |
| Papa Murphy’s faced a significant decline in sales due to a cut in benefits for customers using SNAP, impacting its first-quarter performance. EBT, representing nearly 15% of sales last year, dropped to 8.75%, leading to weak same-store sales for MTY’s U.S. chains. CEO Eric Lefebvre highlighted weather challenges and consumer inflation concerns affecting other brands like Cold Stone Creamery and Wetzel’s Pretzels. Lefebvre hinted at forthcoming changes within the brand amid intensified competition and a cautious approach to discounting. |
| Jack in the Box has introduced Breakfast Skillet Bites in select Dallas, TX locations, offering a twist on tater tots. These breakfast items feature Jimmy Dean sausage crumbles, cheese and scrambled eggs enveloped in crispy hash browns. Available in 5- and 10-piece servings, they’re priced at $2 and $4, respectively. |
| Starbucks has embraced the “swicy” trend with its latest lineup featuring Spicy Lemonade Refreshers, unveiled at Coachella. Available in pineapple, dragonfruit and strawberry flavors, these beverages are infused with Starbucks’ proprietary chili powder blend. Joining the lineup of “swicy” drinks with hot honey announced last month, these offerings cater to the sweet and spicy palate popular among younger generations. The full lineup includes Starbucks Reserve Hot Honey Espresso Martini, Hot Honey Affogato and Spicy Cream Cold Foam, along with the new Spicy Lemonade Refreshers. |
| The fast-food industry faced challenges in the first quarter of the year, with traffic declining by 3.5% and sales barely positive at 0.8%, according to Revenue Management Solutions (RMS). Average prices rose by 4% year over year, contributing to customer concerns about rising prices compared to grocery stores. Tough weather, particularly in January, likely influenced the decline in traffic, with delivery sales also impacted. While takeout and dine-in sales saw increases, drive-thru sales suffered a decline of 10.7%. Rising food and labor costs have pressured margins, leading many restaurants to raise prices. |
| BurritoBar has announced its expansion into Virginia and Maryland through Master Franchise Agreements with Sandhu Restaurant Group. With plans to open 149 new locations in these states over 20 years, the brand aims to bring its Tex-Mex creations closer to patrons. This expansion aligns with the brand’s commitment to food quality and customer service, part of a broader North American growth plan alongside sister company barBURRITO. BurritoBar’s expansion trajectory includes operations in Michigan and Delaware and commitments for over 500 stores, supported by franchise agreements in various states. |
| Potbelly is offering a Tax Day special on April 15, where customers can get a free Original Sandwich with the purchase of any Original or Big sized Sandwich. This deal is available for online orders on potbelly.com or through the Potbelly app using the promo code ‘BOGO’. |
| Noodles & Company aims to reverse sales declines by innovating its menu, focusing on freshness, flavor variety and convenience. Partnering with The Culinary Edge, the chain plans to introduce trendy and diverse flavors, addressing gaps in its current offerings. With over half of orders placed digitally and a sizable loyalty program, Noodles & Company sees digital channels as vital for growth. The company plans to target like-minded customers through digital advertising and utilize digital menu boards to promote new items. |
| Peter Cancro, CEO of Jersey Mike’s Subs, has been named Restaurant Business’ 2024 Restaurant Leader of the Year. Under his guidance, the chain has experienced success, with a 25% increase in systemwide sales and expansion to several hundred stores annually. Cancro’s leadership has also made Jersey Mike’s a leader in community giving, raising $25 million for local charities annually. Known for his hands-on approach, Cancro remains actively involved in operations, “embodying the brand’s commitment to quality.” |
| Chipotle has agreed to pay $2.9 million to settle allegations of violating shift changes and sick time regulations for 1,853 employees across eight Seattle locations. Additionally, Chipotle will pay $7,308 to the City of Seattle and establish a written policy complying with the Secure Scheduling Ordinance. The settlement, the largest under the ordinance since its inception, addresses accusations of failing to provide premium pay for schedule changes and retaliating against employees who requested certain scheduling accommodations. Chipotle Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Laurie Schalow highlighted the chain’s comprehensive sick leave policy and ongoing compliance initiatives. |
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