Weekly Global News Wrap: Krispy Kreme planning another IPO; KFC seeks 20,000 U.S. workers; Loyalty, delivery fuel Papa John’s NA growth

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

KFC is looking to hire 20,000 workers as the U.S. restaurant industry struggles to find enough labor to meet returning demand. CNBC reports that the chain and its franchisees are seeking to fill part-time and full-time positions nationwide, which include cooks, restaurant management, customer service, shift supervisors and assistant managers. Read more here.

Krispy Kreme has confidentially filed with U.S. regulators for an initial public offering, a move that would see the chain's return to the stock market five years after it was taken private. As noted by Reuters, the company first went public in 2000, but had to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy following financial restatements, investigations into its accounting practices and a plunge in sales at some of its franchisees. Read more here.

Papa John’s said its same-store sales rose 26% in North America in the first quarter —and more than 31% on a two-year basis—as the chain’s Epic Stuffed Crust pizza, growing loyalty program and use of third-party aggregators fueled strong results. Restaurant Business reports the chain now expects to match its record sales from the second quarter of 2020. Read more here.

Burger King is piloting a green packaging program in the U.S. for items customers use most, including fries containers, Whopper wrappers, lids, and napkins. As reported by Fast Company, test runs will be conducted at 51 company-owned restaurants in Miami, where the chain is based. Read more here.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, Tim Hortons is offering donut boxes disguised as books for a limited time. As reported by Nation’s Restaurant News, the Donut Disguise Boxes come in two titles: “Glazed Expectations” and “Twenty Thousand Timbits Under the Sea.” Read more here.