Foodservice Industry

Industry Roundup

Baked Goods

Krispy Kreme announces limited-time US offering of new Chocolate Glazed mini doughnuts, available in four flavors: Cake Batter, Cookiese & Kreme, Peanut Butter and Glazed
Business Wire (01/06)

Little Caesars announces limited-time offering of new US$9.99 Hot-N-Ready Large Classic Pepperoni Meal Deal, featuring a large pepperoni pizza, Crazy Bread and a 2-liter Pepsi product for US$9.99
Chew Boom (01/05)

Breakfast Foods

Krystal Restaurants announces limited-time offerings of the following new and returning items: Country Fried Krystal slider and biscuit, Country Loaded Tots, and Sausage & Gravy Bites
QSR Magazine (01/06)

Dunkin' launches new seasonal winter menu, with items including Winter Blend Coffee, Brown Sugar Oat Iced Latte, Omelet Bites, Chive & Onion Stuffed Bagel Minis, and a Stroopwafel Donut
Business Wire (01/05)

Coffee

Starbucks Korea consumers expressing concern that coffee chain will increase caffeinated beverage prices for the first time in eight years as the price of coffee beans reaches its highest level since 2012
Korea Times (01/06)

Peet's Coffee announces launch of new winter menu; items include Churro Latte, Churro Caramel Macchiato and the plant-based Cold Brew with Sweet Cinnamon Oat Foam
PR Newswire (01/04)

Fried & Cooked Chicken

McDonald's announces limited-time return of its 2 For US$6 Mix & Match Deal, featuring any two of the following menu items for US$6: Big Mac, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, 10-piece Chicken Nuggets or Filet-O-Fish sandwich
Chew Boom (01/06)

KFC to launch its plant-based Beyond Fried Chicken across the US on Jan. 10 after limited-run test in Atlanta in August 2019 followed by an expanded test in Nashville, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2020
QSR Web (01/05)

Fries & Hot Sides

White Castle announces offerings of new Spicy Joe Slider and Sloppy Fries, as well as the return of the Sloppy Joe Slider and Smoky Joe Slider; menu items being offered in collaboration with hip-hop star Fat Joe
PR Newswire (01/05)

Zaxby's announces limited-time offering of new Buffalo Garlic Blaze Boneless Wings Meal, featuring five boneless wings tossed in new Buffalo Garlic Blaze Sauce, Texas Toast, Crinkle fries and a small drink for US$6.99
Chew Boom (01/04)

Hot Sandwiches, Wraps & Burgers

McDonald's vegan McPlant burger now available at all of its branches across the UK and Ireland following a successful trial in 250 locations last year; menu item features a patty developed by Beyond Meat and a vegan cheese slice based on pea protein
The Independent (01/05)

KFC announces UK return of its vegan chicken burger as a permanent menu item; the sandwich features a Quron fillet topped with iceberg lettuce and vegan mayo
The Independent (01/04)

Pizzas

Pizza Hut announces offering of new Book It! Bundle, will donate US$1 to its literacy partner First Book for every bundle sold; meal deal includes two large one-topping pizzas and breadsticks
PR Newswire (01/05)

Coffee Shops & Juice Bars

Starbucks announces its entry into six new markets in India--Siliguri, Nashik, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, Goa and Bhubaneshwar--marking the company's largest store expansion in a year
Mint (01/06)

Quit rates for US foodservice and accommodation industry up from 4.8% to 6.9% over the past year, a larger jump than any other sector listed, according to November data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Restaurant Hospitality (01/05)

Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)

Commentary: Chipotle's decision to ignore Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods' fake meat in favor of creating its own vegan chorizo is brilliant; move differentiates Chipotle from standard fare, as fast food/fast casual chains are becoming increasingly alike
Business Insider (01/06)

Greggs announces promotion of Roisin Currie to CEO, effective in May; Currie to succeed Roger Whiteside, who is retiring later this year
Reuters (01/06)

Fast-Casual Restaurants

Shake Shack announces licensing agreement with SPC Group to open 10 locations in Malaysia from 2023-2031
Fast Casual (01/06)

More US restaurants could start adding dark meat to menus this year as high chicken prices continue into 2022, industry officials say
Business Insider (01/04)

Casual Dining Restaurants

FAT Brands announces opening of three new Johnny Rockets locations in Brazil and Chile, expanding its presence in South America
Globe Newswire (01/05)

Seventy-one percent of US restaurant operators say they currently rely on delivery for 11% or more of sales, while 33% rely on delivery for more than 20% of sales, according to TD Bank survey; 65% rely on mobile ordering for 11% or more of sales
PR Newswire (01/04)

Foodservice Channel

Commentary: Former McDonald's CEO warns surge in retiring baby boomers amid hiring struggles will lead to 'catastrophe'; as retirement numbers rise, these workers' absence will 'leave a shortage at the bottom end,' and will be felt at restaurants, daycare
Business Insider (01/05)

Foodservice Packaging

Smithers invites packaging industry professionals to take part in a survey on what sustainability in food packaging might look like in 2040; respondents will receive free executive summary from ‘The Future of Paper vs Plastic Packaging to 2026’ report
Smithers Group Inc. (01/04)

On-Demand Local Delivery

Commentary: Growth in restaurant industry will be driven by off-premise consumption, and tech trends to watch in 2022 include online ordering systems and delivery apps, contactless payment, digital kitchen boards, QR codes, air purification technology
Express Hospitality (01/05)

Restaurants

Pizza Hut announces appointment of Chequan Lewis as COO; Lewis was previously the pizza chain's chief equity officer
Executive Appointments Monitor Worldwide (01/06)

Taco Bell announces nationwide launch of its Taco Lover's Pass, a digital subscription service that will allow customers to get a daily taco for 30 consecutive days for US$10; the service was first tested in Arizona last year
Nation's Restaurant News (01/06)

Wienerschnitzel announces limited-time offering of three plant-based hot dogs: Backyard Veggie Dog, Chicago Veggie Dog and Barbeque Veggie Dog; the hot dog is made with pea protein
Orange County Register (01/05)

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