| Yum! Brands News | |
| | Yum!Now News | |
| | Competitor Intelligence | |
| | Industry Trends | |
| | Restaurant Technology | |
| | Investing in People | |
| | | |
KFC South Africa has released a new commercial that features two scientists who are desperate for a taste of KFC that they go AWOL from their Marion Island research base, grab a boat and head to the nearest KFC store, located in Cape Town, 2,300km away. Bizcommunity's Brendan Seery writes that "despite the inexorable advancements of technology, the old recipe for a successful ad still works today: tell an interesting story that entertains and weave it around your brand."
|
In May, two KFC restaurants in Staffordshire, England, are letting fans go behind the counter and into the kitchen to "bread, fry and eat their own finger lickin’ good fried chicken." Ticket holders will be rewarded with the chance to eat their own burger creation, along with a piece of original recipe chicken, fries, drink and a side.
|
| In Richboro, Pennsylvania, a Taco Bell manager, Becky Arbaugh, was hailed as a hero for saving 11-month-old Myles' life. Natasha Long, Myles' mother, found him struggling to breathe in the drive-thru. Arbaugh rushed to help, performing chest compressions until Myles started breathing again. Despite the intense situation, Arbaugh remained calm, drawing from her own experience as a mother. |
| 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." |
 |
| Starbucks is implementing technological upgrades to reduce noise in its stores and enhance accessibility. This includes adding acoustic dampening baffles or foams in ceilings for new and renovated U.S. locations, aiming to improve order accuracy and the overall customer experience. The changes also benefit guests with hearing aids by minimizing noise and reverberations. Additionally, Starbucks plans to introduce adjustable lighting, overhanging shelves for wheelchair accessibility and a point-of-sale system for transcribing orders. |
| Tim Hortons is launching flatbread pizzas nationally to attract customers beyond breakfast. The move follows a successful two-year pilot and aims to tap into the afternoon and evening markets. The chain’s entry into pizza aligns with industry trends, with pizza being one of Canada’s top orders. Tim Hortons sees the expansion as part of a larger strategy to explore new menu opportunities and attract customers throughout the day. |
| As marijuana legalization becomes more common, 420 Day promotions at restaurants continue to flourish. Jimmy John’s offers a $10 meal called the Deliciously Dope Dime Bag, including a sandwich, brownie, chips and surprise merchandise for online orders. Popeyes has introduced a Munchies Menu, including a $4.20 Chicken Sandwich deal, available through their app or website for pickup and delivery. |
| McDonald’s has entered the chicken sandwich wars with two new Cajun Chicken Sandwiches: the Bacon Cajun Ranch McCrispy and the Bacon Cajun Ranch Deluxe McCrispy. Both feature a southern-style fried chicken fillet, bacon and a creamy Cajun ranch sauce on a potato roll. The Deluxe version adds lettuce and tomatoes. These limited-time offerings join the classic McCrispy and Spicy McCrispy sandwiches. McDonald’s aims to solidify its chicken sandwich presence, with plans to expand the McCrispy line further. |
| California’s new minimum wage law, raising salaries for fast-food workers to $20 an hour, is creating ripple effects throughout the state’s labor market. Managers at El Pollo Loco locations saw their pay increase to over $83,000 annually, triggering adjustments in various industries. Bloomberg Economics estimates that up to 5 million low-wage workers in California could see raises, potentially impacting labor costs nationwide. While workers benefit, layoffs and reduced hours are reported, and businesses are adopting strategies like AI integration and price increases to offset costs. |
| The 2024 Technomic Top 500 ranking revealed that chain restaurants experienced robust growth in 2023, with total sales increasing by 7.8% to $424 billion. This growth was driven primarily by higher prices and an expansion in the number of locations, with over 4,000 net-new units added, marking the fastest growth rate in seven years. Despite the overall growth, sales were somewhat concentrated among the top 10 chains, which grew at a rate of 9.1%. McDonald’s remains the largest chain by sales, followed by Starbucks and Chick-fil-A. |
| TGI Fridays and its U.K. franchisee, Hostmore, have announced plans to merge in a deal valued at $220 million. The merger would create a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker “TGIF,” while the headquarters for U.S. and global operations will remain in Dallas, Texas. The combined entity would own 189 restaurants in the U.S. and the U.K., with franchisees operating approximately 400 locations globally. Pending regulatory approval, the merger is expected to close in the third quarter. |
| FAT Brands has opened its first Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express in Greater New Orleans, located in the I-59 Pilot Travel Center. Offering all-American fare like custom burgers, wings and milkshakes, the Pearl River location aims to provide a fun, vibrant experience. Customizable burgers feature toppings like bacon and chili, alongside fries, chicken sandwiches and milkshakes. |
| Struggling seafood chain Red Lobster is reportedly considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to restructure its debt. Jonathan Tibus, its new CEO, aims to prepare the brand for sale by owner Thai Union Group. Talks with law firm King & Spalding are underway to divest from contracts and renegotiate leases. Red Lobster, plagued by leadership changes and financial woes, lost $33 million in 2022 and closed 16 restaurants. |
| Steak ‘n Shake is implementing biometric facial recognition technology in its 300 U.S. locations through a partnership with PopID. The technology allows customers to pay with their face, aiming to make kiosk ordering faster and more personalized. Originally tested in one location, it expanded to 25 kiosks in five locations in October. Installation, done in partnership with Acrelec, aims to lower costs and speed up deployment. The technology will be available for ordering and payment inside the restaurants and later at the drive-thru. |
| Restaurant industry executives emphasized the importance of investing in people strategies to improve employee happiness, leading to better guest experiences. Amid labor shortages and changing employee demands, companies like Cava, Freddy’s and Red Lobster are prioritizing soft skills, employee engagement and effective communication at all levels. They caution against overwhelming employees and stress the need for continuous evolution and listening to employee needs. Investments in employee initiatives have shown clear returns measured through surveys and retention. |
|
|
