Please note that the Daily News Brief will not be sent out for the remainder of 2020. Distribution will resume on Monday, January 4th. |
Just so you know, we’re crushing it
Today in #Dear2020 news, we’re highlighting how teams have banded together to serve up good, starting with Yum! Asia’s cross-brand, 17-country HeartComm initiatives. Get in on the goodness with a donation to a cause YOU care about today – and the Yum! Brands Foundation will match it, up to $1,000 total per employee per year.
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| Yum China has utilized technology to enhance customer experience throughout 2020. This past year has seen the company pilot self-driving cars and smart meal lockers, as well as introduce interactive technologies like the newly upgraded "KFC Super Dessert Station" and immersive restaurants. "Against the unprecedented backdrop of COVID-19, the need for rapid innovation in our industry has never been greater. Customer preferences are constantly evolving, and new technologies are transforming the way we interact with our stakeholders," said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. |
| The first five episodes of Pizza Hut's "Friday Night Bites" series on Twitch has received over one million live viewers for a total of 5.4 million total views since it debuted. The show is hosted by Twitch streamer Jericho, who is joined by celebrities, influencers and gamers to play video games and participate in pizza-themed challenges. |
| Taco Bell has opened its first outlet in Indonesia and has introduced an exclusive menu item for Indonesian customers: Bell Rice. The new item combines Mexican seasoned nasi pulen, sambal korek, grilled chicken, pico de gallo salsa and fresh lettuce. |
| Following a successful test of the Crispy Chicken Sandwich and Crispy Chicken Bites in September, the Habit Burger Grill has added the items to menus nationwide. The new Crispy Chicken Sandwich is made with an all-natural chicken breast double breaded in the brand’s signature spices, with tomato, lettuce, mayo and pickles on a toasted plain bun, while the Crispy Chicken Bites feature all-natural chicken double-breaded in signature spices and served with a choice of BBQ or Ranch sauce. |
| Thank YOU for all that you’ve accomplished this year! |
Let’s end this year on an “awwww” note!
Hear from Yum! CEO David Gibbs, Chief Transformation & People Office Tracy Skeans, Chief Legal & Franchise Officer & Corporate Secretary Scott Catlett, Chief Financial Officer Chris Turner and brand leaders as they express their gratitude for all of your hard work in 2020. |  | (For Yum! Eyes Only) |
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| QSR Magazine interviewed Renee Hourigan, Senior Director of Off-Premises Innovation at Subway, about the company's nationwide rollout of curbside delivery and increased adoption of its third-party delivery platforms. "We want to make sure that guests understand that curbside is an option for them,” she said. “And again, from some of the guest feedback we’ve seen from our different channels, we’ve got their comments, people say that when they know Subway has curbside, they’re going to be coming back more often.” |
| During a recent segment on Fox Business' "Mornings with Maria," Restaurant Brands International CEO Jose Cil said that the pandemic has helped quicken the pace of innovation in the restaurant industry. He added that "all the changes that have taken place, the persistence and resilience of the team members and small business owners, I think has been pretty incredible to see and I think that's what's going to help the restaurant industry continue to thrive long-term heading into 2021." |
| In a year-end message to customers, Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol outlined the chain's accomplishments from the past year. Achievements mentioned by Niccol include the $40 million worth of bonuses and assistance given to its employees and the donation of $250,000 in local community grants. |
| Papa John's will launch a new stuffed crust pizza on Monday, which will be exclusively available to the chain's customer rewards program members until December 28 and then offered to non-members. "Stuffed crust lovers are passionate pizza fans, and it is something our fans continue to ask for," said Papa John's director of culinary innovation Tom Smith. |
| Jack in the Box has introduced the new Cluck and Cluck Deluxe Sandwiches. The Cluck Sandwich features a crispy chicken filet topped with a mystery sauce and pickles on a warm brioche bun. The Cluck Deluxe adds bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, Cheddar cheese, guacamole and mayonnaise to the sandwich. |
| Jack in the Box has appointed Tim Mullany to replace Lance Tucker as its new Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, effective January 18. Mullany has served as CFO of Rave Restaurant Group, where he helped to build up the Pie Five Pizza brand. |
| White Castle has released a new digital storybook titled 'Twas the Night Before Cravemas, featuring narration by actor Richard Dreyfuss. It is being released as a fundraiser for "Change is on the Menu," a program launched by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation that supports financially struggling restaurant industry workers. |
| Editors from Nation’s Restaurant News gave some of their predictions for the restaurant industry in 2021. Among some of the trends predicted are that third-part delivery fee caps will be here to stay and that restaurants will start selling plant-based items that are less processed and with simpler, fewer ingredients. |
| A survey by the International Food Information Council found that one in four Americans have reached for comfort foods more often during 2020 with the trend continuing into 2021. It also reported that a third of those surveyed have improved their diets in the year with 16% seeking out foods that provide health benefits and 11% opting for more alternative meat and dairy products. In addition, the survey reported that 23% look forward to going out to restaurants more often in the new year. |
| MOD Pizza has announced the addition of its 10th franchise partner, DBMC Restaurants, who will open 30 locations across the southern United States over the next seven years. The stores will be developed across central Alabama, southern Louisiana, southern and central Mississippi and in the greater Nashville, Tennessee, area. |
| The partnership between DoorDash and San Francisco restaurant Burma Superstar has proven very successful since its debut in October. DoorDash made a “significant investment” in Burma Bites, the restaurant's delivery only concept. Restaurant Business writes how Burma Bites is an interesting model for DoorDash as it can "hand-pick popular restaurants and help them superpower their business through its platform." |
| Wired highlighted some independent restaurants from across the United States that have adapted their business strategies to survive through the pandemic. For example, Planta, a Miami-based chain of plant-based cafes, is sending out hundreds of next-day boxes to customers every week, all featuring flash-frozen and vacuum-sealed dumplings. |
| A judge in San Diego, California, has ruled that “businesses with restaurant service” in San Diego can remain temporarily open, despite the state's stay at home order. The judge’s ruling stated that “the County has provided the Court with no evidence that San Diego County businesses with restaurant service […] present any risk — much less a greater risk than before Governor Newsom issued his December 3, 2020, Regional Stay at Home Order — to the spread of COVID." |
| Citigroup employees who have worked for the bank for at least five years will be allowed to take up to two 12-week sabbaticals during their tenure, while still receiving 25% of their regular pay. In addition, that group of employees will have two opportunities to volunteer at a charity full time for up to four weeks and will have their salaries covered by Citigroup. |
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