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| (Page 13 -14) Yum! Brands Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer James Fripp was featured in D CEO Magazine and spoke about the pivotal experiences that led him to his current role, as well as the responsibilities of being a leader. "I don't necessarily show up for me," said Fripp. "I show up for them. And I find when I show up for them, I'm actually a better version of me." |
| Members of Security's Editorial Advisory Board members gave their thoughts to the publication on the evolving nature of security in the enterprise. Yum! Brands Chief Security Officer Steven Antoine, who sits on the Advisory Board, said, "Overall, it’s a process of reshaping and re-framing how we contribute to the bottom line of the organization." |
| Noel Hallacy, Director of Operations for Pizza Hut franchisee American West Restaurant Group, spoke to The Franchise Woman about her 22 years of working with Pizza Hut and the approach she takes to leadership. “I understand completely what it is to be in their shoes. I have held every single one of their positions," Hallacy said. “People are my number one priority. This past year, more so than ever before, it’s about making sure my team can relate to me, and I can relate to them.” |
| Hear a word from our leadership as we reflect on 2020! |
As we enter a new year, hear a word from our global leadership as they reflect on 2020 and thank YOU for the heart, smart and courage demonstrated throughout. We're grateful for your dedication to our brands, restaurant teams and each other. Cheers to a bright 2021! |  | (For Yum! Eyes Only) |
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| McDonald’s has claimed that the latest discrimination lawsuit filed against it is “without merit” and “vague and conclusory.” The suit was filed by James and Darrell Byrd, operators of four locations in Nashville, Tennessee, who alleged that Black franchisees are not afforded the same opportunities as others. “As a business, McDonald’s is only as successful as its franchisees,” the company responded in its filing. |
| Little Caesars has launched new campaign featuring actor Rainn Wilson, which the company hopes will help build awareness of its delivery service. The chain also announced that it will not be running an ad during this year's Super Bowl, like it did in 2020. “I think you’ve got to have something really important to say,” said Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Klein. “We’re not a brand that has a problem with unaided awareness.” |
| Burger King UK will begin selling a 100% vegan burger starting next week. Last year, the chain was criticized for its Rebel Whopper, made from soy, which was cooked on the same grill as its meat patties. Burger King has joined dozens of other U.K. chains who have launched new products for Veganaury this year. |
| Inspire Brands appointed Pret A Manger and Starbucks veteran Michael Haley as the new president and managing director of international operations. Haley will be responsible for the company's brand expansion outside the United States. Paul Brown, Inspire Brands CEO, said that Haley “deeply understands the needs of businesses that operate internationally and how to best support global franchisees. We see great growth potential for our brands internationally, and Michael will play a key role in delivering on that objective.” |
| Chick-fil-A is planning to open its second location in Montana. “While we are excited to be moving closer toward a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Billings, we do not have any updates to share on timing,” said a representative from the restaurant. |
| White Castle’s customer loyalty program Craver Nation is now offering new and existing members a limited-time 20% discount on all orders placed through the chain's app, which can be used as many times as they like. New members in the program will receive an offer for a free combo meal. |
| To offset the limits on what they are allowed to charge restaurants, DoorDash has increased the fees for diners in about a dozen cities and counties, angering consumers and officials. The additional charges will range from $1 to $2 per order and have been added to cities and counties that had imposed caps on what third-party delivery companies could charge to restaurants. DoorDash said that its intention is for the additional fees to end when the imposed limits are lifted by local legislators. |
| Focus Brands, the parent company of Jamba, McAlister’s Deli and more, has added a 35-cent “digital transaction fee” to all online, digital and app-based orders throughout its network of restaurants. The company said that the surcharge will contribute to building tech infrastructure at its locations. "As consumer behavior in our restaurants shifts toward a digital experience, our brands must make sure we have the right infrastructure in place to ensure our guests/customers receive a seamless brand experience,” said Dawn Ray, Senior Vice President of Corporate and Brand Communications for Focus. |
| Tyson Foods is introducing two new sandwiches made with soy-protein patties that will be included as part of its Jimmy Dean product line. The company announced that it is selling an egg and cheese croissant sandwich with a plant-based patty and a frittata sandwich with a patty made from soy, black beans, brown rice, quinoa and egg whites. “Plant-based foods are revolutionizing the way people eat,” said Scott Glenn, senior director of marketing for Tyson’s Jimmy Dean brand. “Expanding our portfolio to provide people with alternative choices was critical.” |
| Impossible Foods has cut the wholesale price for its plant-based meat by 15%, marking its second price cut in the last 12 months. “Our stated goal since Impossible Foods’ founding has always been to drive down prices through economies of scale, reach price parity and then undercut the price of conventional ground beef from cows,” said Impossible Foods CEO and Founder Dr. Patrick O. Brown. “Less than a year ago, we cut foodservice prices by 15%. Today’s price cut is just the latest -- not the last -- step toward making the food system sustainable.” |
| Sales of General Mills’ Old El Paso Mexican meal ingredients have soared in the U.K., increasing as much as 50% since the pandemic began. “Whenever people have been unable to eat out, we have seen a big spike in sales of Old El Paso as people looked for something different to cook,” said Jose Alves, Senior Brand Manager at the company. General Mills estimated that more than 21 million Mexican meals with Old El Paso have been cooked at home in the U.K. in the past year. |
| With the election in Georgia of two Democratic senators and a Senate now controlled by Democrats, the likelihood of a $15 federal minimum wage came a step closer, according to a CNBC article. “It’s absolutely a priority,” Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate, said of Democrats passing legislation to increase the minimum wage. Both senators from Georgia, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, are advocates for the increase and President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to raise the federal minimum wage. |
| According to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, 8% of companies are now offering student loan repayment assistance to their employees. More are expected to do the same as a provision in the latest coronavirus stimulus package allows businesses to contribute to their employees' student loans tax-free up to $5,520. |
| Swiss insurance firm Zurich has offered parents and carers in its offices in the U.K. two weeks of fully paid “lockdown leave” due to the closures of primary and secondary schools across the country. The ten days extra leave can be used individually or consecutively. “With schools closed, working parents will be frantically trying to juggle their jobs and childcare responsibilities," said Zurich’s head of HR Steve Collinson. |
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