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Weekly Global News Wrap Up: Chipotle sued for “wage theft”; Why Millennials are the driving force behind automation in fast food; McDonald's ditches small franchisees
Here is a summary of the most interesting QSR news stories of the week from around the world.
- CNN Money unveils in a report that Chipotle is being rocked by a class action lawsuit regarding "wage theft." Leah Turner, a former employee, claims she worked hundreds—maybe even thousands—of hours at Chipotle without getting paid. Her manager would tell her to "clock out" but continue working until all of her tasks were done, Turner says. So she would keep going, knowing that the extra hour—or two or even three—was free labor. READ MORE HERE.
- Salon reveals in a report that nearly 31 percent of millennials said that the reason they use the drivethru isn’t speed or convenience, but because doing so requires the least amount of actual human interaction. READ MORE HERE.
- McDonald’s has long been famous for its small-owner-focused franchise system, in which entrepreneurs with only a store or two would sweat the details of their restaurants, yielding better customer service, according to Bloomberg. Lately, however, the fast-food giant has begun shedding mom and pop owners in favor of bigger operators. READ MORE HERE.
- The amount Australians spend on food from cafes, restaurants and takeaway shops hit a new record in July — $3.5 billion. That has doubled since just 2003. In that same time, the amount spent at supermarkets has less than doubled. What it means is Australia is eating fewer home-cooked meals, and more meals everywhere else, according to News.com.au. READ MORE HERE.
- Fast food, along with shipping warehouses, has become a hotbed for robots and other automated technology, according to Business Insider. McDonald’s has been testing ordering kiosks, Domino’s has numerous ways to place an order that do not involve talking with a human being, and Starbucks has used technology to shift employees away from order taking to put them into production. READ MORE HERE.
- CNBC reveals that American rapper Kanye West's apparently random Twitter proclamation that his favorite brand is McDonald's could be a great marketing moment for the fast food chain, whether they knew about the artist's passion for their burgers and fries or not. READ MORE HERE.
- Quartz shares that one of the most closely guarded food secrets in the world may have accidentally slipped to the public. Executives at Kentucky Fried Chicken insist the company’s signature 11spice “Original Recipe” is still safely a secret, but there’s reason to believe that may not be the case. READ MORE HERE.
- It's the moment that all pumpkin spice fans have been waiting for: Starbucks has officially relaunched its famous Pumpkin Spice Latte. For the 13th year, the affectionately dubbed PSL has entered stores just ahead of the fall season, according to CNBC. READ MORE HERE.
- ChickfilA is testing a host of new menu items featuring ingredients like quinoa, farro, roasted butternut squash, and chia seeds in hopes of attracting more health-conscious eaters. The chain is testing two grain bowls starting Tuesday: the Harvest Kale & Grain Bowl and the Egg White Grill Grain Bowl. It's also rolling out some new breakfast bowls featuring chicken, eggs, hash browns, and cheese, according to Yahoo! Finance. READ MORE HERE.
