January 29th QSR Roundup: Immigration Enforcement for QSRs, Egg Price Crisis, Customizable Eating and more

Interviewy Team

Interviewy Team

— 5 min read
January 29th QSR Roundup: Immigration Enforcement for QSRs, Egg Price Crisis, Customizable Eating and more
QSR news for Jan 29th, 2025. We reviewed 21 QSR publications, 6 subreddits, and over 115 articles to bring you the latest. Estimated reading time saved (at 200wpm): 320 minutes. It'll take you only 9 minutes to catch up.

Immigration Enforcement Intensifies for Restaurants

Immigration enforcement is ramping up under the Trump Administration, with Tom Homan leading the strategy. Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) should prepare for:

  • Increased ICE Audits: Notices of Inspection requiring quick compliance.
  • Identification of Unauthorized Workers: Potential during audits, so consult an immigration attorney for documentation issues.
  • Maintaining I-9 Compliance: Train staff and regularly audit records to prevent discrepancies.
  • Utilizing E-Verify: Offers compliance advantages and possible safe harbor against penalties.
  • Preparing for ICE Raids: Establish a Rapid Response Plan, verify warrants, monitor ICE actions without obstruction, and manage public relations post-raid.

Sources: QSR Magazine

Spicy Menu Innovations Ignite Taste Buds 🔥

El Pollo Loco's Mango Habanero Chicken Launches

El Pollo Loco debuts Mango Habanero Fire-Grilled Chicken on January 30:

  • A blend of sweet mango purée and spicy habanero.
  • First chicken flavor innovation in nearly a decade, celebrating their 50th anniversary.
  • Available in individual and family meals at no extra charge, starting at $9.19.

Dunkin's Cold Foam Revolution

Dunkin' introduces new Cold Foam Creamers in Extra Extra and Chocolate flavors:

  • Enhances at-home coffee experiences with rich, creamy textures.
  • Limited-edition S’mores flavored creamer combines chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and graham crackers.
  • Cold Foam Creamers priced at $5.99 for 14oz cans.

Sources: QSR Magazine

Bojangles' Bold Expansion Plans for 2025

Bojangles enters 2025 with remarkable momentum:

  • Opened first locations in Las Vegas and Houston, with plans for more in dynamic markets.
  • Signed key franchise deals aiming to saturate the LA market by mid-2025.
  • Introduced a boneless chicken menu to meet evolving preferences.
  • Operating 266 company-operated and 561 franchised units, inviting seasoned entrepreneurs to join their growth.

Sources: QSR Magazine

Leadership Shake-Ups at Starbucks and McDonald's 🏢

Starbucks Revamps Leadership

  • CEO Brian Niccol announces departures of Sara Trilling and Arthur Valdez.
  • Mike Grams appointed as Chief Stores Officer, focusing on retail teams and performance.
  • Meredith Sandland becomes Chief Store Development Officer, overseeing store strategies and designs.
  • Starbucks plans to reintroduce customer-friendly policies like free refills and self-service condiment bars to enhance customer experience.

McDonald's CMO Tariq Hassan Resigns

  • Tariq Hassan steps down after 3.5 years as U.S. Chief Marketing Officer.
  • Credited with transforming marketing strategies and customer connections.
  • Alyssa Buetikofer, CMO of McDonald's Canada, will succeed him starting February 15.

Sources: QSR Magazine, Restaurant Business

Flippy Robot's Major Upgrade in Restaurant Tech 🤖

Miso Robotics unveils a significantly enhanced Flippy Robot:

  • Half the size and works twice as fast as before.
  • Installation time reduced by 75%, with 99% uptime.
  • Can process 100 fryer baskets an hour, nearly twice the speed of human cooks.
  • Rental price is $5,400 per month, with potential savings of $5,000 to $20,000 monthly.
  • Developed in collaboration with Nvidia, expected to accelerate robotic adoption in 2025.

Sources: Restaurant Business

Egg Price Crisis: Causes and Effects 🥚

Egg prices in the U.S. are soaring due to:

  • Avian Flu Outbreak: Forced culling of millions of hens, reducing supply.
  • Rising Production Costs: Increased prices for chicken feed and energy.
  • Regulatory Changes: Transition to cage-free eggs adds to costs.
  • Impact on Consumers: Grocery stores limit purchases; restaurants adjust menu pricing; food insecurity rises among families relying on affordable protein.

Sources: QSR Magazine, Modern Restaurant Management

Gleaning Revival Combats Food Waste and Poverty 🍎

Gleaning, collecting leftover crops post-harvest, gains momentum:

  • Gleaning Cornwall feeds 10,000 people a week using over 400 volunteers.
  • The U.K. wastes 3.3 million metric tons of food annually.
  • Sussex Gleaning Network collaborates with 60 farmers and 3,000 volunteers, saving over 500 metric tons of produce.
  • In the U.S., efforts are smaller due to legal barriers, but the practice highlights the need for systemic change to reduce waste and hunger.

Sources: Grist

Exciting Collaborations and Product Launches 🎉

Popeyes Partners with Tequila Don Julio

  • Launching a Tequila Don Julio Reposado flavored chicken sandwich on January 31.
  • Available in select cities: Kansas City, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and Philadelphia.
  • Celebrates championship flavors with a unique twist.

Kona Ice Expands into Candy Market

  • Teams up with Hilco Sweets and CandyRific to create candies inspired by Kona Ice flavors.
  • Offers flavors like tiger's blood, blue raspberry, and pina colada.
  • Products include dual-flavored gummies, lollipops, and popping candy.

Sources: /r/fastfood, Food Business News

Hot Dog on a Stick Expands in Utah 🌭

  • Opens a new location in St. George, Utah, run by YouTube influencers Benji and Tiffany Nelson.
  • Continues growth in Utah with classic menu offerings and fresh lemonade.
  • Established in 1946, now operates around 50 locations across the U.S.

Sources: QSR Magazine

Buffalo Wild Wings' Super Bowl Promo 🏈

  • Offering six free wings if the Super Bowl goes into overtime.
  • Promotion valid on Feb. 24, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time, for in-person orders.
  • Last year, over 2.5 million wings were given away.
  • Taps into the excitement as Americans are set to consume 1.45 billion wings on Super Bowl Sunday.

Sources: Nation's Restaurant News

Ben & Jerry's Introduces New Sundae Line 🍨

Ben & Jerry's launches four new sundaes:

  • Cookie Vermont-ster
  • Dulce Delish
  • Choco-lotta Cheesecake
  • Turtle

Prices range from $4.99 to $6.49, offering delightful treats for ice cream enthusiasts.

Sources: Food Business News

Egg Industry Crisis Due to Avian Flu and Costs 🐔

  • Avian Flu leads to culling over 20 million hens, drastically reducing egg supply.
  • Prices projected to rise by 20% in 2025, potentially reaching $5 per dozen.
  • Rising Costs: Feed, energy, and new cage-free regulations add to the financial strain.
  • Restaurants and consumers face higher prices and limited availability.

Sources: Modern Restaurant Management

Sustainable Farming Legacy Strengthened 🌱

  • Federal funding increases for Black farmers, bolstering agriculture's resilience to climate change.
  • Kansas Black Farmers Association (KBFA) empowers farmers with resources and knowledge.
  • Emphasizes traditional sustainable practices like summer fallow for soil health.

Sources: Civil Eats

Flippy Robot Upgrades Enhance Efficiency 🤖

  • Flippy's redesign makes it smaller and faster, ideal for restaurant kitchens.
  • White Castle piloted the new Flippy, planning gradual rollouts.
  • Installation time reduced; occupies less space, minimizing costs.
  • Costs approx. $14.51/hour to operate, slightly above median fast-food cook wage.
  • Processes 100 baskets/hour, surpassing human capabilities.

Sources: Restaurant Dive

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant Expands Leadership Team 🍷

  • Appoints Dawn Phillipson as CFO, Linda Bartman as Chief Customer Officer, and Dave Harris as CTO.
  • Aims to drive growth strategy with estimated sales of $625 million in 2023.
  • Wine club contributes 25% of total sales, enhancing in-store dining.

Sources: Restaurant Dive

Domino's Launches New Loaded Tots 🍟

Domino's introduces Loaded Tots in three varieties:

  • Philly Cheese Steak
  • Cheddar Bacon
  • Melty Three Cheese

Available starting Feb. 6, offering a savory addition to their menu.

Sources: /r/fastfood

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant Appoints New CEO 🍺

  • Mark Kirke becomes CEO, aiming to advance growth.
  • Brings experience from leading roles at TooJay’s, P.F. Chang's, and Hillstone.
  • Iron Hill operates 19 locations across five states.

Sources: Nation's Restaurant News

Curtis Duffy Named 2025 MenuMasters Innovator 🏆

  • Celebrated chef Curtis Duffy recognized for culinary excellence.
  • Owns Ever, a Michelin-starred restaurant opened during the pandemic.
  • Will be honored at the MenuMasters Celebration on May 17 in Chicago.

Sources: Nation's Restaurant News

Gulf Coast Shrimp Fraud Concerns 🦐

  • Widespread issues of shrimp fraud in Gulf Coast restaurants.
  • Mislabeled and misrepresented seafood affects consumer trust.
  • Calls for better transparency and regulation in the industry.

Sources: /r/restaurant

  • Launches new Red Velvet Cookie sandwich.
  • Customers express excitement but also skepticism about availability.
  • Available for a limited time, adding sweetness to the menu.

Sources: /r/fastfood

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