Weekly Global News Wrap: Burger King pulls Whopper from discount menus; Subway CEO on new franchise focus; Chipotle opens 3,000th store

Here is a summary of the most interesting news stories of the week from around the world.

One in every 100 corporate-owned U.S. Starbucks cafes have announced a public union drive, with Starbucks Workers United's campaign reaching 101 stores in 26 states. Read more from Restaurant Dive.

Taco Bell said it is on track to build 1,000 units outside of the U.S. as it aims for US$20 billion in annual revenue. At the end of 2020, about 8% of the fast food chain’s 7,427 restaurants were located outside the country. Read more from CNBC.

Restaurant Brands International is the latest major player to announce price hikes again this year to offset higher costs, even stripping its signature Whopper from Burger King’s discount menus. The company, also the parent of Tim Hortons and Popeyes, reported total revenue of US$1.55 billion, above estimates. Read more from Reuters.

Subway’s CEO said the sandwich chain is now opting for quality growth in the U.S., its largest market, also expecting the business to have 20,000 restaurants internationally within two or three years. Read more from Nation’s Restaurant News.

Chipotle celebrated its latest milestone of opening its 3,000th location, and now says it is increasing its ambitions. Over the long term, the chain believes it can operate at least 7,000 Chipotle restaurants in North America. Read more from CNN.