Weekly Global News Wrap: Pizza Hut expands beer delivery test; Nestlé acquires the right to distribute Starbucks products; McDonald's now serves fresh beef
Here is a summary of the most interesting QSR news stories of the week from around the world.
Starbucks Corporation has announced it will form a global coffee alliance with Nestlé S.A. to accelerate and grow the global reach of Starbucks brands in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and Foodservice. As part of the alliance, Nestlé will obtain the rights to market, sell, and distribute Starbucks, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Starbucks Reserve, Teavana, Starbucks VIA, and Torrefazione Italia packaged coffee and tea in all global at-home and away-from-home channels. Read more here.
One of the biggest changes to the McDonald’s menu is now being grilled in Columbus. According to Columbus Business First, the Fresh Beef Quarter-Pounders are now available across Ohio. The fresh beef offering will also be used on the chain’s Signature-Crafted Recipe sandwiches.
According to the latest report of Technomic, the industry can expect to see fast casuals featuring a larger focus on clean-eating initiatives and planet-friendly changes to align with growing concerns amongst consumers. Ethnic flavors and ingredients will also thrive in the coming year with the rise of Middle Eastern concepts, touting exotic yet healthful menu items. Chains looking for more exponential growth will look to unpenetrated global markets, including Australia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. Read more here.
Pizza Hut US announced that its category-first beer delivery pilot program is expanding to nearly 100 stores across Arizona and California in May. Free beer delivery will be available in participating Arizona markets, with the purchase of select MillerCoors six-packs of beer. Read more here.
In collaboration with Rosenthal – The Malibu Estate Wines, members of the Baskin-Robbins Culinary Team created wine and ice cream pairings featuring popular types of wine with Baskin-Robbins ice cream flavours. The Baskin-Robbins wine and ice cream pairings include eight different fusions. Read more here.