Weekly Global News Wrap: Yum! Brands' latest sustainability move; Wendy's joins the U.S. breakfast wars; Doordash readies IPO
Here is a summary of the most interesting QSR news stories of the week from around the world.
Wendy’s in the US has officially entered the breakfast wars as it introduced its Breakfast Baconator in some stores ahead of its initial launch on 3 March, CNN has reported. In Q4 last year, the chain saw an almost 20% drop in operating profit due to franchisee support in launching the new breakfast item. Read more here.
Dunkin’ in the US has unveiled its latest snack offering, the eight-half-pieces Snackin’ Bacon, seasoned with Sweet Black Pepper and served on a sleeve. It was launched alongside the doughnut chain’s other spring menu items, including the St. Patrick’s Day-inspired Lucky Shamrock Donut. Read more here.
McDonald’s launched an auction of its 18-karat gold cup on eBay , celebrating the 50th anniversary of its St. Patrick’s Day special, Shamrock Shakes, CNN has reported. The golden cup, adorned as well with diamonds and emeralds, might be valued at US$90,000. Read more here.
DoorDash has submitted a draft registration statement for its proposed IPO. The delivery firm has not disclosed the number of shares it will offer and its price ranges. Read more here.
Yum! Brands announced it is eliminating styrofoam and expanded polystyrene packaging across all Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC restaurants globally by 2020. The global restaurant company also said it is shifting to 100% renewable energy by the end of the year. Read more here.
Panera Bread in the US announced it is launching a $9 monthly coffee subscription service on 2 March, Fox Business has reported. The new subscription service is exclusively available to members of the fast casual chain’s loyalty program. Read more here.
MOD Pizza is well on its way to hit 500 stores in 2020 after it added 64 new net stores, including a debut store in Canada, in FY 2019. In the year, the pizza chain saw a 24% year-on-year jump in system-wide sales to US$493 million. Read more here.
Starbucks and PepsiCo in the US have brought the coffee chain’s Nitro Cold Brew to scale with launching a ready-to-drink version of the drink, available in Black, Vanilla Sweet Cream and Dark Caramel flavours. Since 1994, products launched under the partnership of the two companies include Bottled Cold Brew, Bottled Frappuccino chilled coffee drink and Tripleshot beverages. Read more here.