Global News Wrap Up: Taco Bell expands executive roles; Dunkin' Donuts removes artificial doughnut dyes; Wendy's launches 4 for $4 deal
Here is a summary of the most interesting QSR news stories of the week from around the world.
Taco Bell has expanded its current executive roles with the addition of three new positions as the brand continues its journey to become a $15 billion company with 9,000 restaurants globally by 2022. According to a release, Taco Bell is bringing on Julie Felss Masino as Brand President. Taco Bell also announced that Chief Food Innovation Officer Liz Matthews' role will be elevated to include Research and Development, Quality Assurance and Engineering. Mike Grams is expanding his title to Chief Operations and Development Officer; Marisa Thalberg will now serve as Chief Brand Officer, and Elizabeth Baicy is appointed as Vice President, Digital and Future Works.
To ring in the new year, Dunkin' Donuts has removed the artificial dyes from its doughnuts in the US, declaring donuts now sold at Dunkin' Donuts restaurants nationwide are no longer being made using colors from artificial sources. As part of the company's ongoing efforts to offer guests high-quality products and cleaner menu labels, Dunkin' Brands Group, the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, previously pledged to eliminate artificial dyes from all of its food and beverages in the U.S. by the end of 2018.
Wendy's has changed the game again with the expansion of 4 for $4 deal menu. Customers can now choose from eight different quality entrées, including menu items served with premium chicken, oven-baked Applewood Smoked Bacon, and fresh beef. The deals include the Double Stack, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Go-Wrap, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Crispy Chicken BLT, Jr. Cheeseburger, Spicy Go-Wrap, or a Jr. Cheeseburger Deluxe, along with fries, chicken nuggets, and a drink – all for just $4.
KFC Japan has launched a low-odour fried chicken at a pop-up store in Tokyo. According to Daily Mail, the menu item has been named 'Fried Chicken Home Type', and has the same taste of regular KFC chicken despite being almost odourless.