Weekly Global News Wrap: Chipotle adds quesadillas as digital-only option; Taco Bell brings back popular Quesalupa; Panda Express investigating “cult-like” seminar allegations
Here is a summary of the most interesting news stories of the week from around the world.
After years of testing and tweaking, Chipotle Mexican Grill said it will add quesadillas to its menu nationwide for online orders. According to CNBC, digital sales accounted for nearly half of Chipotle’s revenue in its fourth quarter. Read more here.
Atfer a five-year hiatus, Taco Bell is bringing back the popular Quesalupa across its U.S. stores. The chain is also offering fans early access to the Quesalupa through its fledgling loyalty program, per CNN. Read more here.
A former Panda Express worker in California claimed in a lawsuit that the Chinese fast-food joint pressured her and her co-workers to attend a seminar where they were made to strip down to their underwear in a “cult initiation ritual”. The Washington Post reports Panda Restaurant Group, the chain’s parent company, said it takes the allegations “very seriously” and is investigating the matter. Read more here.
After Burger King’s International Women’s Day tweet got flak being sexist, the company’s global chief marketing officer says it was “obviously not our intent” to offend. As Forbes reported, the chain clarified that the tweet, which read "Women belong in the kitchen.", was part of a larger message about them investing in scholarships to develop women’s culinary skills in the U.S., U.K., Mexico and elsewhere. Read more here.
Subway is moving several of its business units to Miami in a move seen to lead to layoffs, The New York Post reported. The chain will be moving all of its “consumer facing” businesses to Miami, including culinary, marketing and “global transformation.” Read more here.
U.S. President Joe Biden signed the US$1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan into law, which includes US$28.6 billion in debt-free relief for small and mid-sized restaurants, Nation’s Restaurant News has reported. Read more here.
Photo credit: Chipotle
