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| KFC’s Saucy Nuggets Dispensary in Los Angeles is offering free Saucy Nuggets and limited-edition merch to celebrate the new menu addition. The event on 4/20 allows guests to taste five flavors: Honey Sriracha, Korean BBQ, Sticky Chicky Sweet ‘n Sour, Nashville Hot and Georgia Gold. Attendees can explore different flavor profiles with KFC’s “sauce-perts” and enjoy the unique experience. This initiative aligns with the trend of expanding sauce options in the fast-food industry, catering to consumer preferences. |
| KFC Australia has reintroduced Hot Rods, a crowd favorite, after a three-year absence due to high demand. The spicy chicken skewers return nationwide, except in South Australia, from April 16 to May 13. Customers expressed excitement on social media, prompting their comeback. Hot Rods are available as a two-piece snack with aioli sauce for $4.95 or as part of a combo meal for $8.95. |
| KFC Thailand has introduced the Songkran Bucket 2024, celebrating Thailand’s Songkran Festival and KFC’s 40th Anniversary. The limited-edition bucket features cultural designs and contains a variety of KFC favorites for 399 Baht. It evokes the warmth of homecoming and encourages sharing memories with loved ones during Songkran. Available from March 28 to April 24, it aims to bring the joy of home to customers, highlighting the hashtag #KFCTasteBetterAtHome. |
Pizza Hut U.S. is partnering with food critic and the NAACP Outstanding Social Media Personality winner Keith Lee for a new benefit pie to support both Lee’s charities as well as promote its “$12 Any” campaign. The FamiLEE Community Pizza features his family’s favorite toppings, pepperoni and bacon, on a hand-tossed crust. As part of this partnership, Pizza Hut and Lee will donate $50,000 to Southfield ANT and OakHills High School, where he and his wife, Ronni, attended high school.
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Taco Bell CMO Taylor Montgomery recently sat down with Adweek's CXO Jenny Rooney at Social Media Week in New York. Montgomery credited Taco Bell’s “flat” structure, which gives social and brand teams “a seat at the table,” for driving the creativity and collaborations with which the brand has become synonymous. Montgomery also said that having a leader like Taco Bell’s CEO Sean Tresvant has been “a blessing.” “The great thing about having a boss who’s a marketer is that they can speak shorthand [with the CMO],” he said. “This gives [us] marketers more top cover to take risks.”
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| 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." |
| Domino’s Pizza is rolling out New York Style Pizza nationwide, featuring a stretched dough resulting in larger, foldable slices reminiscent of New York City’s iconic pies. Domino’s CEO emphasized the crust’s balance with toppings and offers promotional deals like a large three-topping pizza for $10.99 and rewards members can redeem 60 points for a free medium two-topping New York Style Pizza. |
| Popeyes U.K. appoints Peter Gibson as director of acquisitions and estates to spearhead its property acquisition strategy. With plans to double its U.K. locations by the year’s end, opening over 30 stores, Gibson’s expertise from his previous roles at Chicken Shop, Flat Iron and Nando’s makes him well-suited for the position. Tom Byng, Popeyes’ chief development officer, expressed enthusiasm for Gibson’s appointment, highlighting his contributions to the company’s growth strategy. |
| Charlotte-based Bojangles is set to debut in Los Angeles, aiming to open 30 locations over six years, spearheaded by entrepreneur Lorenzo Boucetta and Poulet Brothers, LLC. The move marks a significant expansion for the homegrown brand, known for its loyal following in the Carolinas. Bojangles, under new ownership since 2019, is ramping up growth plans, with recent expansions into markets like Dallas and Orlando. |
| Burger King has introduced its new Frozen Cotton Candy Cloud, a limited-time frozen slush ice drink topped with creamy cold foam, marking the fast-food chain’s first drink with this topping. The beverage features a blue raspberry cotton candy flavor and is available with or without the cold foam, with prices starting at $1.49 for a medium through the Burger King mobile app or website. In Los Angeles, the medium Frozen Cotton Candy Cloud typically costs $2.89, while the version without the cold foam is priced at $2.39. |
| Casual-dining restaurants are facing a value perception problem despite efforts to provide value to customers. While the average cost of dining out at these establishments aligns with consumer expectations, value perception dropped by 2.4% last year. Rising menu prices and added service fees contribute to this challenge. Chains like Applebee’s and IHOP are responding with menu bundles and marketing emphasizing affordability. Others, like Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and Union Square Hospitality Group, focus on overall experience and hospitality. |
| The full-service restaurant segment is grappling with significant challenges, including a loss of industry share, tipping model changes and the impact of service fees. Executives from Dine Brands, Union Square Hospitality Group, Ascent Hospitality Management and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux discussed these issues and emphasized the importance of addressing consumer anxiety over tipping and fees while maintaining value perception. Strategies include leveraging technology for better guest experiences, using data analytics for insights and investing in employee-centric tech like mobile scheduling to enhance labor efficiency. |
| Applebee’s has joined forces with Team Whistle on an episode of the “Undercover Athlete” series featuring San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to promote its new Whole Lotta Bacon Burger. Aiyuk goes incognito as a new Applebee’s team member, interacting with unsuspecting guests. This move aligns with Applebee’s strategy to boost engagement amid challenging sales and a shrinking footprint. |
| Smashburger has expanded its partnership with franchisee Sachi Foods LLC, adding two Salt Lake City, Utah-area restaurants to its portfolio. This agreement brings Sachi’s total Smashburger restaurants to 15 across the United States and Costa Rica. Formed in 2021 by Farhana Ali, Sachi now operates 45 restaurants, including Smashburger locations in Missouri, Minnesota, Costa Rica and the new ones in Salt Lake City. Denise Nelsen, recently appointed as Smashburger CEO, praised Ali’s passion and understanding of the restaurant industry, anticipating success in the new locations. |
| Frisch’s Big Boy is facing modern challenges while preserving tradition under CEO James Walker. Despite being a 76-year-old brand, Walker emphasized evolution over revolution, balancing nostalgia with innovation. Facing industry-wide issues like rising costs and changing consumer habits, Frisch’s adapts with value and menu updates, while maintaining core offerings. Recent unit closures signal a real estate adjustment, but new openings, like one at Cincinnati airport, show promise fueled by nostalgia. |
| The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has updated workplace regulations requiring companies with at least 15 employees to provide more accommodations for pregnant workers. Employers must make reasonable concessions like allowing sitting while working, time off for doctor visits, frequent bathroom breaks and adjustments for pregnancy-related ailments. If a requested accommodation is deemed unreasonable, employers must explain why. The rules will take effect around June 19, following publication in the Federal Register. |
| Red Lobster has leveraged artificial intelligence to craft two playlists dedicated to its Cheddar Bay Biscuits, featuring genres like barbershop quartet and ‘90s hip-hop. Available on Red Lobster’s YouTube channel, the tracks were inspired by fan declarations of love for the biscuits and generated by an AI system. The playlists, named “Cheddar Bay Serenade” and “Chedda Bay Bouncin’ II,” each consist of 15 tracks. The restaurant plans a special musical unveiling on National Biscuit Day, May 14. Red Lobster’s Chief Experience Officer Sara Bittorf expressed excitement, calling it a fun and cheesy celebration of their iconic dish. |
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