December 3rd QSR Roundup: A Culinary Journey Through Festive Menus, Expansion Strategies, and a Pro-Labor Shift in the Food Industry

QSR news for Dec 3rd, 2024. We reviewed 21 QSR publications, 6 subreddits, and over 111 articles to bring you the latest. Estimated reading time saved (at 200wpm): 366 minutes. It'll take you only 8 minutes to catch up.

Restaurant Expansions and Acquisitions

Toastique's Healthy Lifestyle Dining

Founded by Brianna Keefe in 2018, Toastique offers vibrant gourmet toasts, bowls, and collagen-infused drinks, catering to active lifestyles.

• Generated over $1 million in its first year.
• Expanded to 14 states, partnering with local entrepreneurs.
• Emphasizes transparency, fresh ingredients, and dedication to wellness.

Source: QSR Magazine

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza Sold

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza & Wings, a 51-unit chain, was sold out of bankruptcy.

• Initially acquired by TREW Capital Management for $44 million.
• Sold to Kuljeet Singh, a franchisee of Round Table Pizza and Burger King.
• Singh aims to lead the brand towards growth, separating from sister brand BurgerFi.

Source: Restaurant Business

Wings N' More Acquisition

Private-equity firm Goode Partners acquires Wings N’ More Restaurants LLC, planning Texas expansion.

• Investment Details: Founder Mark Dennard retains a minority stake.
• Growth Potential: Expand using a hub-and-spoke model.
• Founder Background: Mark Dennard, a former NFL player, started the chain in 1986.

Source: Restaurant Business

Portillo’s New COO Announcement

• Tony Darden appointed as COO, effective Dec. 9.
• Brings over 30 years of multi-unit restaurant experience.
• Former COO of Jack in the Box.
• Portillo's plans to open its first 'Restaurant of the Future' in Grapevine, Texas.

Source: Restaurant Dive, Foodservice Equipment & Supplies, Nation's Restaurant News

Innovative Restaurant Concepts and Designs

Pizza Hut's Fast-Food Makeover

Pizza Hut introduces a new design resembling traditional fast-food joints:

• Features drive-thru lanes with a 'Hut ‘N Go' quick-service menu.
• Self-service kiosks and contactless pick-up cabinets.
• Aims to enhance customer experience and increase in-store traffic.

Source: Restaurant Business, Pizza Hut

Moxies' Franchise Design Strategy

Moxies collaborates with DesignAgency for customizable franchise design:

• Enhances local connection and streamlines development.
• Allows franchisees to incorporate unique local narratives.
• New strategy debuts at the Washington, D.C. location.

Source: Networld Media Group

Olo's Open Platform Strategy

Olo emphasizes the importance of an open tech platform for restaurants.

• Hosted a Partner Summit with over 400 partners.
• Encourages integration for a unified guest profile.
• Invests $90 million annually in R&D, supporting 85,000 locations.

Source: FSR Magazine

Financial Investments and Market Trends

Buffett Bets on Domino's

• Warren Buffett invested approximately $549 million in Domino's Pizza.
• Acquired 1.3 million shares, causing stock to surge by about 10%.
• Reflects confidence in Domino's strong performance amidst industry challenges.

Source: Restaurant Business

Fast-Food Sector Decline

• The fast-food sector faced significant challenges in Q3.
• Consumers are shifting towards alternative dining or eating at home.
• Fast-food establishments struggle to maintain their customer base.

Source: Restaurant Business

Egg Market Volatility

• Egg prices fluctuate due to HPAI outbreaks and demand shifts.
• Cage-free regulations in states like California impact supply.
• Recent loss of 2.8 million layers leads to price surges.

Source: Food Business News, Food & Wine

Festive Menus and Holiday Offerings

Festive Menus Unveiled

Chains are rolling out seasonal treats:

• Popeyes: Festive Family Box and Midday Mardi Gras Happy Hour.
• Krispy Kreme: Merry Grinchmas Doughnut Collection.
• Bar Louie: Martinis of the Month supporting No Kid Hungry.
• Snooze A.M. Eatery: Nana’s Hot Cocoa Pancakes topped with candy canes.

These creative menus make the season deliciously festive!

Source: Restaurant Business

CrispiDays Return at Noodles & Company

Noodles & Company brings back CrispiDays with weekly Rice Crispy treats:

1. S’mores Crispy
2. Cinnamon Crunch Crispy
3. Chocolate Peppermint Crispy
4. Cake Batter Crispy

• Aims to enhance customer engagement.
• Offers special pricing with promo code CRISPIDAYS.

Source: Nation's Restaurant News

Labor and Workforce Developments

Trump's Labor Secretary Pick Raises Concerns

• Lori Chavez-DeRemer, nominated for Labor Secretary, is surprisingly pro-labor.
• Voted for the PRO Act, simplifying union elections.
• Signals a strategic shift as GOP seeks to build bridges with organized labor.

Source: Restaurant Business

Management Style Realizations

A restaurant manager reflects on:

• The effectiveness of their 'get it done' approach.
• Facing team resistance and considering a shift to a more collaborative style.
• Importance of self-reflection and adapting leadership methods.

Source: Reddit - /r/Restaurant_Managers

Food Safety and Regulations

Cucumber Salmonella Contamination

• FDA warns of cucumbers from Mexico linked to a salmonella outbreak.
• Affected 68 individuals, with 18 hospitalizations.
• Distributed across 26 states between Oct. 12 and Nov. 26.

Source: Restaurant Business, Salon

Food Recalls Surge During Holidays

• Costco's Kirkland brand eggs recalled due to salmonella risk.
• SunFed recalls cucumbers linked to illnesses.
• Consumers advised to stay informed about food safety.

Source: Salon

Proactive Food Safety Strategies

With 48 million Americans affected by foodborne illnesses annually:

• Source ingredients from certified suppliers.
• Maintain proper storage temperatures.
• Foster a culture of food safety within the team.
• Implement an incident management plan.

Source: Modern Restaurant Management

Innovations in the Food Service Industry

Couche-Tard's Foodservice Growth

• Investing $1 billion over five years to expand in Ireland, the U.S., and the U.K..
• Fresh Food, Fast program in nearly 5,800 Circle K locations.
• Launched value menu with $3, $4, and $5 meal deals.

Source: Restaurant Dive

Wings Over Enhances Delivery

Wings Over partners with Cartwheel to revolutionize delivery:

• Optimized delivery management with AI-powered dispatch tools.
• DoorDash integration for efficient peak-time deliveries.
• Onboarded 18 locations in one month.

Source: Restaurant Dive

GoTo Foods' Strategic Shift

• Kieran Donahue joins as CCO to optimize seven brands.
• Unifies brands like Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, and Cinnabon.
• Introduces a new shared POS system and mobile apps.

Source: Nation's Restaurant News

Cultural Food Traditions

Pasteles: Puerto Rican Christmas Tradition

• Pasteles mark the start of Christmas in Puerto Rico.
• Labor-intensive dish that fosters family bonding.
• Reflects African and Indigenous influences.
• Symbolizes gifts during El Día de Los Santos Reyes.

Source: Eater

Chinese Food on Christmas

• Tradition of Jews dining on Chinese food during Christmas.
• Reflects a communal spirit and shared cultural experiences.
• R&G Lounge in San Francisco serves over 1,000 diners on Christmas.

Source: Eater

Nochebuena Celebrations

• Nochebuena is a cherished Christmas Eve celebration among Latino and Filipino families.
• Filled with traditions, music, and cherished dishes.
• Emphasizes togetherness and cultural heritage.

Source: Food & Wine

Retail and Merchandising Trends in Restaurants

Holiday Restaurant Merchandise 2024

Restaurants offer unique holiday merchandise:

• Chipotle: Cilantro-scented soap.
• McDonald's: Jug of McRib sauce.
• KFC: Streetwear-inspired Holiday Collection by Yeye Weller.
• Items range from jewelry to pizza wine, embracing playful and delicious themes.

Source: Nation's Restaurant News

Dive Bar-Inspired Perfume

• Miller High Life launches Dive Bar-Fume, capturing dive bar aromas.
• Features scents like cedarwood, tobacco, and leather.
• Available for $60 on December 4, 5, and 6.

Source: Food & Wine

Emergency Pizza from Domino's

• Domino's offers "Emergency Pizza" at Squid Game: The Experience.
• Players receive a ticket for free pizza for a year, valued at $500.
• Presented in a custom Dalgona tin.

Source: Food & Wine

Fast Food and Casual Dining Updates

McDonald's Filet-O-Fish Appeal

• The Filet-O-Fish remains a beloved menu item after nearly 60 years.
• Fans appreciate its unique taste and nostalgic value.
• Suggestions for a Filet-O-Fish Big Mac highlight its popularity.

Source: Reddit - /r/fastfood

Arby's Cyber Monday Deal

• Offered 50% off one sandwich via app or online orders.
• Deal was valid for one day only on December 2, 2024.
• Some customers faced technical issues with the app.

Source: Reddit - /r/fastfood

Spicy Chicken Sandwiches

• Discussion on best spicy chicken sandwiches with spicy breading.
• Wendy's and Chick-fil-A are top recommendations.
• Desire for genuine spicy flavor in the breading, not just the sauce.

Source: Reddit - /r/restaurant

Additional Highlights

Empowering Diversity in Baking

• Joanne Canady-Brown, founder of The Gingered Peach, champions diversity.
• Addresses challenges for minority entrepreneurs.
• Aims to create inclusive job opportunities and drive change.

Source: Foodservice Equipment & Supplies

Plant-Based Food Innovations

• The plant-based sector is booming with innovative whole-food products.
• Demand is rising among flexitarians and non-vegan eateries.
• 27% growth in the plant-based food market in 2023.

Source: Total Food Service

Agtech Innovations Combat Ingredient Shortages

• Rising prices threaten staples like coffee and cocoa.
• Agtech solutions include lab-grown ingredients and sustainable alternatives.
• Innovations offer hope for a resilient food industry.

Source: Food Industry Executive

Cargill Workforce Reduction

• Cargill to lay off about 8,000 employees (~5% of workforce).
• Follows a nearly 10% decline in sales for fiscal 2024.
• Aims to realign resources amid global challenges.

Source: Food Business News

Chipotle's Upcoming Price Hike

• Considering another price increase due to rising costs.
• Food costs rose from 29.7% to 30.6% in Q3.
• Aims to stay appealing to bargain-seeking customers.

Source: Salon

Pastazerts Grows with Innovation

• Startup specializing in chocolate ravioli desserts.
• Partnered with a co-manufacturer to scale operations.
• Aims to expand into retail and foodservice by 2025.

Source: Food Business News

Best Restaurants 2024

• Eater’s awards highlight dining excellence in 20 cities.
• Emerging trends: Italian bars, Lao cuisine, innovative corn dishes.
• Celebrates culinary talent and leadership.

Source: Eater

Family Ownership & New Partnerships

• Belgeri family continues legacy through CMA Foodservice Solutions.
• BK Resources partners with Food Equipment Representatives.
• Signals growth and stability in the industry.

Source: Foodservice Equipment & Supplies

Meaningful Gifts with Impact

Thoughtful food-related gifts that give back:

• Wild Caper Olive Tapenade: Supports Palestinian farmers.
• Babusya’s Kitchen Cookbook: Proceeds aid Ukrainian humanitarian efforts.
• Pastry Kit Subscription: Provides job training in pastry arts.

Combines generosity with positive societal contributions.

Source: Eater

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