Global Weekly News Wrap: Americana stake goes for $2.4b; Mars mulls cutting off McDonald’s; Why India’s burgers are going cold

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

• Prominent Dubai businessman Mohammed Alabbar has bought a controlling stake in food conglomerate Kuwait Food Company, known as Americana, from Kuwait’s Khorafi family for $2.4bn, the biggest Middle Eastern mergers and acquisitions transaction this year, according to Financial Times. READ MORE HERE.
   
• Times reports that sugary fast food desserts are under scrutiny. You know the situation with added sugar is getting out of hand when even a candy company balks at the amount of sugar its treats contribute to already-sweet desserts. READ MORE HERE.
   
• Between August 2014 to August 2015, half-a-dozen top global food chains queued up to serve more burgers and pizzas in India’s $19-billion eating-out market, according to Quartz. READ MORE HERE.
   
• CNBC reveals how in a sea of electric-hued burgers, "O"-shaped chicken rings, and fried chicken patties masquerading as sandwich buns, Chick-fil-A's menu stands out. READ MORE HERE.
   
• Fiscal 1Q16 was a good quarter for fast-food and pizza companies. Compared to 1Q15, seven of our eight select companies for this review saw their margins improve in 1Q16, reports Market Realist. READ MORE HERE.
   
• Business Insider shares that soda consumption is falling in the US, with the accepted reason being that Americans are turning away from sugary beverages. READ MORE HERE.
   
• Launched this week on the Microsoft Office Store as well as within the web version of Outlook, a new feature integrates the ability to schedule a meeting at a nearby Starbucks, according to Yahoo. READ MORE HERE.