December 26th QSR Roundup: Big Chicken's Global Expansion and Denise Tran's Culinary Journey

Interviewy Team

Interviewy Team

— 9 min read
December 26th QSR Roundup: Big Chicken's Global Expansion and Denise Tran's Culinary Journey
QSR news for Dec 26th, 2024. We reviewed 21 QSR publications, 6 subreddits, and over 35 articles to bring you the latest. Estimated reading time saved (at 200wpm): 125 minutes. It'll take you only 11 minutes to catch up.

Big Chicken's Global Ambitions

Shaquille O’Neal's Big Chicken, founded in 2018, is experiencing phenomenal growth:

  • Authentic Roots: Built on O’Neal's childhood recipes, aiming for a personal legacy.
  • Media Buzz: Garnered over 5 billion media impressions.
  • Rapid Expansion: Currently at 46 locations (24 traditional and 19 nontraditional), with plans for 272 restaurants by 2029.
  • Financial Highlights: Achieved an annual average unit volume (AUV) of $1.9 million.
  • Global Reach: Expanding into Canada, Honduras, and the UAE, leveraging O'Neal's global sports icon status.
  • Capital Infusion: Nearing completion of a $10 million capital raise for operations and marketing enhancements.
  • Record Sales: A location in Mississippi made $50,000 in just three days!

Sources: QSR Magazine

Denise Tran's Journey from Law to Bun Mee

Denise Tran transformed personal tragedy into culinary triumph with Bun Mee:

  • Background: Born in Vietnam, raised in New Orleans, and a former successful lawyer.
  • Catalyst for Change: Her father's passing led her to rediscover her passion for Vietnamese cuisine.
  • Bun Mee's Concept: Opened in 2011 in San Francisco, combining traditional Vietnamese street food with modern twists.
  • Expansion Vision: With five locations, she plans to franchise, aiming to become the "Shake Shack of Vietnamese sandwiches."
  • Employee Culture: Prioritizes a supportive environment with team events and recognition.
  • Work-Life Balance: Balances being a single mother and business owner.
  • Inspiration: Believes that passion can overcome lack of experience, encouraging others to trust their instincts.

Sources: QSR Magazine

Making Restaurants Accessible Boosts Loyalty

Accessibility in quick-service restaurants (QSRs) is not just a legal requirement but a business opportunity:

  • Customer Priorities: 84% of blind diners consider accessibility crucial when choosing where to eat.
  • Legal Obligations: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates accessible environments.
  • Technological Solutions: Accessible tools promote independence and enhance satisfaction.
  • Industry Leaders: Brands like McDonald's and Domino's are creating inclusive experiences.
  • Action Steps for QSRs:
    • Ensure websites meet WCAG 2.1 standards.
    • Enhance mobile apps with accessibility features.
    • Train staff to assist customers effectively.
  • Business Benefits: Unlocking a loyal customer base with significant purchasing power.

Sources: QSR Magazine

Echelon Kitchen & Bar: A Local Culinary Haven

Echelon Kitchen & Bar is set to open in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in early 2025:

  • Culinary Focus: Wood-fired, vegetable-centric menu highlighting local, sustainable ingredients.
  • Executive Chef: Joseph VanWagner leads a talented team.
  • Hyper-Seasonal Menu: Frequent updates based on ingredient availability.
  • Local Beverages: Emphasis on Michigan-made drinks.
  • Ambiance: Chic dining space with a chef’s counter.
  • Community Engagement: Supporting local culinary talent and initiatives.

Sources: FSR Magazine

Blanco Reserva Debuts in Phoenix

Blanco Reserva, the newest concept from Fox Restaurant Concepts, opens in Paradise Valley:

  • Elevated Experience: Combines sophistication with Spanish ranch hospitality.
  • Innovative Menu: Features new entrees like Lobster & Shrimp Fideo and Sangria Braised Short Rib.
  • Cocktail Expansion: Offers unique drinks like Pushing Daisies and Mango Stand.
  • Design Aesthetics: Reflects Mexican hacienda style with deep reds and rich textures.
  • Location & Hours: 12750 N. Tatum Blvd., open daily with Happy Hour specials.

Sources: FSR Magazine

Chef Julius Thompson's Southern Comfort at Sauce Boss

Chef Julius Thompson brings soulful flavors to Sauce Boss Southern Kitchen in Draper, Utah:

  • Culinary Inspiration: Recreates nostalgic childhood dishes with an African and American blend.
  • Signature Dishes: Herb-seasoned chicken thighs, crispy cornmeal catfish, and the indulgent 'Messy Boy' sandwich.
  • Featured on TV: Appearance on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives boosted traffic.
  • Social Media Savvy: Engages customers and ensures shareable dining experiences.
  • Literary Ventures: Authored an autobiography and a series of 12 children's books promoting resilience.
  • Advice to Restaurateurs: Have a solid business plan and focus on continuous improvement.

Sources: FSR Magazine

Eater's Most Read Stories of 2024

Eater highlights the year's most captivating food stories:

  • Surprising Favorites: Cadbury Creme Eggs and lasagna recipes gained unexpected popularity.
  • Top Restaurant: Disfrutar in Barcelona crowned World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024.
  • Home Cooking Trends: Tofu recipes became a hit among Eater staff and readers.
  • Travel Hotspots: Cairo, Osaka, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia featured for 2024 culinary adventures.
  • Consumer Phenomena: The Stanley Stampede showcased shopper fervor over tumblers.
  • Trendy Beverages: Dirty Sodas from Salt Lake City gained fame through reality TV.
  • Reflecting on Legacy: Discussions on the impact of Super Size Me after Morgan Spurlock's passing.
  • Recipe Showdowns: A lasagna taste test crowned the ultimate internet favorite.
  • Industry Buzz: James Beard Foundation nominations stirred excitement.
  • Restaurant Roundup: Eater's Best New Restaurants showcased America's vibrant dining scene.

Sources: Eater

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop Opens at Resorts World NYC

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop brings its innovative flavors to Resorts World New York City:

  • High Traffic Venue: The casino attracts 10 million visitors annually.
  • Culinary Offerings: Asian-inspired dumplings and unique creations.
  • Expansion: Founded in 2021, now with 12 locations.
  • Enhanced Experience: Aims to delight guests in the vibrant casino environment.

Sources: Fast Casual

Cafes Embrace Reusable Coffee Cups

Sustainability drives cafes to consider reusable coffee cups:

  • Environmental Impact: Reducing reliance on disposable cups.
  • Wholesale Options: Bulk purchasing can lead to cost savings and eco-friendliness.
  • Customer Engagement: Deposit and return systems encourage participation.
  • Branding Opportunities: Customized cups enhance marketing efforts.
  • Challenges:
    • Upfront Costs: Higher initial investment.
    • Customer Resistance: Incentives may be needed to ensure compliance.
  • Alternatives: Compostable and edible cups as emerging options.
  • Further Steps: Reducing food waste and partnering with eco-friendly suppliers.

Sources: BlueCart

Cybersecurity Risks Loom for Restaurants in 2025

Restaurants face increasing cybersecurity threats:

  • Point-of-Sale Attacks: Cashless systems attract skimming and phishing schemes.
  • Deepfake Dangers: Attackers use deepfakes to impersonate staff, enhancing social engineering.
  • AI-Enhanced Phishing: AI makes phishing attempts more convincing.
  • Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Third-party vendors pose risks of unauthorized access.
  • Preventative Measures: Sharing cyber intelligence and adopting robust security strategies is crucial.

Sources: Modern Restaurant Management

California's New Freelance Worker Protections

The Freelance Worker Protection Act (FWPA) introduces new requirements:

  • Effective Date: January 1, 2025.
  • Written Contracts: Mandatory for services over $250.
  • Payment Rights: Ensures timely payment and itemized service listings.
  • Legal Recourse: Freelancers can pursue unpaid contracts with potential damages.
  • Business Compliance: Companies must adopt compliant contracts to avoid penalties.

Sources: Modern Restaurant Management

Restaurants focus on risk management amid economic pressures:

  • Consumer Spending Tightens: Credit card debt reaches $1.14 trillion.
  • Labor Shortages Persist: 82% of operators actively recruiting.
  • Technological Advances: Self-ordering kiosks boost sales but increase cybersecurity risks.
  • Employee Satisfaction: Benefits and flexible scheduling help retain staff.
  • Strategic Planning: Investing in infrastructure and cybersecurity ensures resilience.

Sources: Modern Restaurant Management

Key issues shaping the industry:

  • Nuclear Verdicts: Excessive lawsuits threaten financial stability.
  • Gas Appliance Regulations: Potential bans push 75% of restaurants to adapt.
  • Storm Preparedness: Hurricanes prompt preventive measures and higher insurance costs.
  • Liquor Liability Insurance: Necessary amidst rising costs and regulations.
  • Industry Growth: Anticipated sales exceeding $1 trillion with 200,000 new jobs.

Sources: Modern Restaurant Management

Hispanic Shoppers Drive CPG Growth

Hispanic consumers are a vital market segment:

  • Population Surge: Expected to reach 98 million, a 50% increase.
  • Spending Power: Outpacing non-Hispanics with a 3.5% increase in food and beverage spending.
  • Market Share: Represent 14% of households but contribute 16% of CPG growth.
  • Shopping Habits: Prefer in-person shopping and club channels.
  • Cultural Preferences: Growth in ethnic foods, juices, and beverages.
  • Industry Opportunity: Retailers encouraged to innovate and cater to preferences.

Sources: Food Business News

Cargill Acquires Full Ownership of Corn Plant

Cargill to acquire Golden Growers Cooperative's stake in ProGold LLC:

  • Investment: Paying $81 million for the remaining 50% stake.
  • Effective Date: December 31, 2026.
  • Historical Context: Golden Growers helped establish the corn processing facility in 1994.
  • Production Focus: High-fructose corn syrup, corn gluten feed, and corn oil.
  • Operational Continuity: Cargill will continue operating the plant.

Sources: Food Business News

Café Bustelo's Ambitious Expansion Plans

Café Bustelo targets significant growth:

  • Sales Milestone: Projected to exceed $350 million this fiscal year.
  • Consistent Growth: 22 consecutive quarters of expansion.
  • Product Innovations: Introducing new roasts and flavors like dulce de leche.
  • Multi-Serve Success: Exceeded expectations with national flavor launches.
  • Marketing Strategy: A national campaign to double household penetration.
  • Future Focus: Leveraging the full portfolio for cold and specialty coffee innovations.

Sources: Food Business News

SNAP Shoppers: An Integral Market Segment

Key insights into SNAP households:

  • Widespread Use: 1 in 8 Americans rely on SNAP benefits.
  • Demographics: 79% of SNAP households include children, elderly, or disabled members.
  • Average Benefits: Monthly average of $297, higher for households with children.
  • Spending Patterns: SNAP households spend 18% more on food than non-SNAP shoppers.
  • Category Focus: Majority spend on general food, with produce showing sales growth.
  • Shift in Channels: Increased shopping at club, dollar, and mass stores.
  • Shopping Frequency: Made 22% more trips than non-SNAP households.

Sources: Food Business News

Goldfish Introduces Dessert-Inspired Sweets

Pepperidge Farm expands its Goldfish line:

  • New Products: Goldfish Sweets in strawberry shortcake, vanilla cupcake, and cinnamon roll flavors.
  • Target Audience: Aimed at engaging Gen Z and millennial consumers.
  • Market Strategy: Builds on successful collaborations and increased popularity.
  • Availability: Launching in January 2025 at $3.69 per pack.

Sources: Food Business News

Goldfish Crisps Add New Flavors

New additions to the Goldfish Crisps lineup:

  • Flavors Introduced: Spicy Dill Pickle and Barbecue.
  • Consumer Demand: Inspired by last year's pickle craze and love for barbecue.
  • Retail Availability: At major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Kroger.
  • Pricing: Available starting January 2025 at $4.79 per pack.

Sources: Food Business News

Amazon's After-Christmas Kitchen Deals

Amazon offers significant discounts on kitchen gear:

  • Brands on Sale: Breville, Lodge, KitchenAid, and Ninja.
  • Top Deals:
    • Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine: Save up to 55%.
    • Ninja Air Fryer Pro: Significant savings.
  • Opportunity: Ideal time to upgrade kitchen essentials.

Sources: Food & Wine

Post-Holiday Kitchen Sales Highlights

Great deals on kitchen gadgets and tools:

  • Nespresso VertuoPlus: Now $153 (was $219).
  • Cosori Air Fryer: Now $50 (was $60).
  • All-Clad Fry Pan: Now $130 (was $240).
  • Breville Espresso Machine: Now $686 (was $750).
  • Meater Block Thermometer: $190 (was $240).
  • Joyce Chen Wok: $28 (was $40).
  • Caraway Knife & Utensil Set: Recommended for kitchen upgrades.
  • ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE: 30% off.

Sources: Food & Wine

Food Trucks Thrive in Dearborn

Dearborn, Michigan embraces food trucks:

  • National Growth: Over 53,000 food trucks in the U.S., a 20% increase from last year.
  • Peace Parks Initiative: $29.2 million investment to create community spaces.
  • Cultural Celebration: Mayor Hammoud promotes food diversity and local entrepreneurship.
  • Community Impact: Parks serve as gathering spots showcasing local cuisine.

Sources: Food & Wine

Approaching Design Agencies for Restaurant Websites

A restaurant owner seeks a professional website, sparking online discussion:

  • Challenges with DIY Platforms: Issues with slow loading speeds and design limitations on Wix and Squarespace.
  • Value of Professional Help: Emphasis on hiring experts for SEO and branding consistency.
  • Recommendations:
    • Use restaurant-specific services like BentoBox or Pop Menu.
    • Focus on websites that convert traffic into reservations.
  • Community Insights: Importance of a simple, user-friendly website and the impact on business growth.

Sources: /r/restaurantowners

Handling Forgotten Credit Card Batches in Restaurants

Restaurant managers share experiences with missed credit card batching:

  • Common Occurrence: Forgetting to batch is a frequent issue, especially during busy times.
  • System Safeguards: Many POS systems have an auto-batch feature to mitigate errors.
  • Solutions:
    • Perform a manual batch in the morning.
    • Batch for two days if necessary.
  • Technology Upgrades: Switching to cloud-based systems like Clover reduces manual errors.
  • Consensus: While inconvenient, systems and strategies exist to handle missed batches effectively.

Sources: /r/Restaurant_Managers

Leaving the Door Unlocked: A Manager's Concern

A manager worries about accidentally leaving the restaurant door unlocked:

  • Community Support: Fellow managers reassure it's a common mistake.
  • Emphasis on Honesty: Advising to own up to the error and learn from it.
  • Management Perspective: Higher-ups typically understand occasional oversights.
  • Key Takeaway: Such mistakes happen, but accountability and communication are crucial.

Sources: /r/Restaurant_Managers

Real vs. Fake Eggs in Fast Food Chains

Discussion on which fast-food chains use real whole eggs:

  • Chains Using Real Eggs:
    • McDonald's
    • Taco Bell
    • Wendy's
    • Whataburger
    • Panera
  • Chains Not Using Real Eggs:
    • Starbucks
    • Dunkin'
    • Chick-fil-A
    • Burger King
    • Subway
  • Consumer Reactions: Surprises over perceptions of quality versus reality.
  • Additional Mentions:
    • White Castle and Bojangles use whole eggs.
  • Preference for Real Eggs: Highlighting the importance of ingredient transparency.

Sources: /r/fastfood

Group Reservation Etiquette in Restaurants

Debate over splitting group reservations:

  • General Consensus: Splitting a group without prior notice is unacceptable.
  • Importance of Communication: Restaurants should inform guests of seating arrangements in advance.
  • Customer Expectations: Large parties expect to be seated together.
  • Business Practice: Keeping groups together enhances customer satisfaction.

Sources: /r/restaurant

Addressing Workplace Bullying in Restaurants

A restaurant deals with an abusive prep chef:

  • Issue at Hand: A prep cook is supportive in front of management but abusive to staff.
  • Management Response: Plans to hold a meeting with involved parties and managers.
  • Community Advice:
    • Immediate termination of the toxic employee.
    • Recognizing the impact on team morale and cohesion.
    • Legal implications of a hostile work environment.
  • Key Message: Toxic workers should be removed to protect the team.

Sources: /r/restaurant

NFL Broadcast Costs Impacting Bars

Bar owners express frustration over NFL broadcast fees:

  • High Costs: Quotes as high as $15,000 for NFL packages.
  • Business Impact: Expenses often outweigh benefits.
  • Consumer Shifts: Patrons less interested in watching games at bars.
  • Alternative Investments: Some owners prefer live music over sports broadcasts.
  • Call for Fairness: Suggesting that areas supporting NFL teams should have free access.

Sources: /r/BarOwners

Holiday Cheers Among Bar Owners

Bar owners share holiday sentiments:

  • Well Wishes: Expressing hope for good tips and enjoyable breaks.
  • Shared Experiences: Some celebrate belated Christmas parties after busy seasons.
  • Community Spirit: Encouraging generous tipping and camaraderie.
  • Lighthearted Exchanges: Emphasizing the importance of taking time off.

Sources: /r/BarOwners

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