Weekly Global News Wrap: McDonald's to expand Beyond Meat trial in Canada; Yum! Brands' buys The Habit Restaurants for US$375m; Domino's testing out vegan beef
Here is a summary of the most interesting QSR news stories of the week from around the world.
McDonald’s is set to expand its trial of Beyond Meat burgers in 24 more locations across Canada, Reuters has reported. Recently, the fast food giant has ended its partnership with Impossible Foods as it can no longer supply the chain with plant-based meat. Read more here.
At least four US grocery companies, including Walmart, are eyeing to acquire Grubhub, The New York Post reports. In separate reports from CNBC and Bloomberg, the food delivery firm says it is not for sale. Read more here.
Taco Bell announced that it will introduce recyclable, compostable or reusable consumer-facing packaging, as well as recycling and composting bins in all of its restaurants worldwide by 2025. Also, the taco chain has started offering its company-owned US restaurant employees paid sick leave. Read more here.
Burger King in the US is slated to trial its new plant-based croissant sandwich in five participating restaurants for a limited time. The Impossible Croissan’wich is made with toasted croissant, egg, cheese and a plant-based sausage from Impossible Foods’ plant-based sausage. Read more here.
Yum! Brands, owner of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, is entering the fast casual scene with a $375m deal to acquire The Habit Restaurants, Bloomberg reports. The California-based burger brand has around 300 stores in the US and China. Read more here.
Starbucks in the US and Canada has offered their employees with a Headspace subscription in part of the chain’s mental health support campaign. “We’re on a mission to take a stand, help break the stigma, and get even more partners and their family the support they need,” Starbucks chief partner officer Lucy Helm said in a statement. Read more here.
Domino’s in the US is testing vegan items internally, CEO Richard Allison told Yahoo Finance in an interview. “I have personally tried many of the plant-based proteins, and I think the industry is doing a pretty good job today particularly around things that come in the form of crumbles,” Allison said. Read more here.