March 12th QSR Roundup: Employee Retention Struggles, Cutting Restaurant Waste, and Recent Menu Changes

Interviewy Team

Interviewy Team

— 5 min read
March 12th QSR Roundup: Employee Retention Struggles, Cutting Restaurant Waste, and Recent Menu Changes
QSR news for Mar 12th, 2025. We reviewed 21 QSR publications, 6 subreddits, and over 120 articles to bring you the latest. Estimated reading time saved (at 200wpm): 430 minutes. It'll take you only 8 minutes to catch up.

Noodles & Company's Menu Transformation

Noodles & Company unveiled its most extensive menu upgrade after 18 months of research and testing, introducing nine new dishes to attract new customers and retain existing ones.

  • New dishes include Buffalo Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese, Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine, and a Green Goddess Cobb Salad.
  • Upgraded classics like Creamy Cheddar Mac & Cheese now feature more cheese and improved ingredients.
  • Customer feedback played a pivotal role, resulting in a 40% increase in sales for the Buffalo Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese in test markets.
  • The company shifted focus from lifestyle marketing to emphasizing their expertise in noodles.

Source: QSR Magazine, Restaurant Business

McDonald's Chicken and Beverage Focus

McDonald's established a cross-functional Restaurant Experience Team to bolster its competitive edge against chicken specialists like KFC and Chick-fil-A.

Highlights:

  • Chicken Strategy: Introducing the Chicken Big Mac and planning to reintroduce Snack Wraps and chicken strips.
  • Beverage Innovation: Testing CosMc's, a drink-forward concept with energy drinks and new food items.
  • Leadership: Jill McDonald appointed as Chief Restaurant Experience Officer.
  • Aiming to optimize in-restaurant technologies and streamline operations for faster execution.

Source: QSR Magazine, Restaurant Business

Pizza Hut's Pi Day Celebration

Pizza Hut celebrated Pi Day (3/14) by unveiling a customizable Pizza Charcuterie Board for $24.99.

  • The board includes any two medium pizzas, eight boneless wings, and a choice of breadsticks and dips.
  • Promoted by former NFL star Rob Gronkowski, encouraging fans to create their own pizza charcuterie boards.
  • Aimed at enhancing social gatherings and leveraging the Pi Day theme.

Source: Restaurant Business, /r/fastfood

Expansion and Growth Strategies

Jollibee's Ambitious North American Expansion

Jollibee announced plans to expand to 350 units in North America through franchising.

  • Currently operates 76 stores in the U.S. and 28 in Canada.
  • Targets cities beyond Filipino communities, focusing on multi-unit franchisees with restaurant experience.
  • Noted for unique menu items like Chickenjoy fried chicken and Adobo rice.
  • Aims to be among the top five global restaurant companies.

Source: QSR Magazine, Networld Media Group, Restaurant Dive

Potbelly's Franchise Growth

Potbelly unveiled plans to expand its franchise footprint from 10% to 22% over the next three years.

  • Opened 23 new units in 10 states last year and targets 38 locations in 2025.
  • Introduced an innovative 50/50 Large Area Developer Incentive Program to encourage earlier openings.
  • Same-store sales rose 0.3% in Q4, with a 2.2% increase in average check.

Source: QSR Magazine

Leadership Changes and Corporate Moves

Domino's Management Shake-Up

Domino's Pizza announced significant leadership changes amid a challenging delivery market.

  • Joseph Jordan promoted to COO and President of U.S. operations, overseeing domestic operations and technology.
  • Weiking Ng named EVP-International, and Ryan Mulally appointed as General Counsel.
  • Focus on growth in third-party delivery, expected to reach $1 billion.

Source: Restaurant Business, Foodservice Equipment & Supplies

Craveworthy Brands Acquires Kinnamōns

Craveworthy Brands expanded its portfolio by acquiring Kinnamōns, a gourmet cinnamon roll concept co-owned by Ndamukong Suh.

  • Plans to franchise Kinnamōns nationally, tapping into the demand for artisanal bakery products.
  • Follows Craveworthy's recent addition of Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken to their lineup.
  • Aims to leverage Suh's celebrity status and Craveworthy's expertise.

Source: Restaurant Business, Nation's Restaurant News

Industry Challenges and Solutions

Employee Retention Struggles in QSR Sector

The quick-service restaurant industry faces severe labor shortages and high turnover rates of 70-80% annually.

  • Contributing factors include poor company culture and inadequate management tactics.
  • Post-pandemic trends like the Great Resignation have exacerbated retention issues.
  • 80% of the workforce is deskless, leading to burnout and feelings of undervaluation among employees.

Source: QSR Magazine

Cutting Restaurant Waste for Profitability

Reducing kitchen waste is essential for boosting restaurant profits and sustainability.

  • Economic Impact: Over-portioning and spoilage represent significant financial losses.
  • Key Strategies:
    • Portion Control: Ensuring consistent serving sizes.
    • Waste Tracking: Monitoring waste to identify problem areas.
    • Staff Training: Educating employees on efficient practices.
    • Smart Purchasing: Buying only what is needed.
    • Kitchen Creativity: Using leftovers creatively.
    • Continuous Improvement: Regularly reviewing processes.

Source: FSR Magazine

Cultural and Community Engagement

Whataburger's Immersive Art Exhibit

Whataburger celebrated its 75th anniversary by launching an immersive art gallery featuring fan-made installations.

  • Artworks include acrylic nails, crocheted meals, oil paintings, and more.
  • Featured artist Khia Ancalade highlighted the communal aspect of comfort food.
  • The gallery opening coincided with the return of popular menu items, celebrating the brand's legacy and community connection.

Source: QSR Magazine

Taco Bell's Global Growth and Cultural Campaigns

Taco Bell is expanding internationally with a focus on educating customers about its menu.

  • Operating 1,150 locations across 32 countries, with plans for 3,000 restaurants by 2030.
  • Utilizes unique marketing strategies like ‘Tiltvertizing’ and supports local musicians.
  • Strong sales growth in the U.K. and Spain, connecting with diverse cultures and enhancing brand awareness globally.

Source: QSR Magazine

Notable Marketing Campaigns

Buffalo Wild Wings' Vision Goggles

Buffalo Wild Wings launched new B-Dubs Vision Goggles to enhance viewing during March Madness.

  • The goggles feature five mirrors and adjustable arms, allowing fans to watch multiple games simultaneously.
  • Available for a limited time, priced at $9.99, starting March 17.

Source: FSR Magazine

Panera's St. Patrick's Day Offerings

Panera celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a special "Pot of Gold Bread Bowl"—a green bread bowl filled with mac 'n' cheese.

  • Available March 16-17 in select cities like St. Louis, NYC, and Chicago.
  • Customers could participate in the Pot of Gold Sweepstakes by texting "LUCKY" to win free mac 'n' cheese for a year.
  • MyPanera members enjoyed a $2 discount on mac 'n' cheese during the promotion.

Source: Fast Casual

Emerging Restaurant Trends

Yelp's recent data shows significant growth in searches for eggs, matcha, and women’s sports bars.

  • Egg-Related Searches: A 700% increase in chicken coop searches due to egg shortages and rising prices.
  • Matcha Popularity: 180% increase in searches, fueled by DIY matcha drinks amidst a shortage in Japan.
  • Women’s Sports Bars: A staggering 1,827% increase in searches, reflecting a cultural shift towards supporting women in sports.

Source: Restaurant Business

Hot Dog Tower Trend

The hot dog tower is a rising star in the restaurant scene, overtaking the traditional seafood tower.

  • Trina’s Starlite Lounge sells 40 hot dog towers nightly for $35 each.
  • Highroller Lobster Co. combines six hot dogs and six corn dogs for $75.
  • Restaurants are embracing playful presentations, appealing to diners seeking comfort food and a fun dining experience.

Source: Eater

Starbucks Ordered to Rehire Baristas

A judge ruled that Starbucks must rehire two baristas from North Carolina who were unjustly fired for supporting unionization.

  • Alyssa White and Mateo Molina faced termination following labor activities in 2022.
  • The NLRB judge determined their dismissals violated labor laws, emphasizing employees' right to strike.

Source: Nation's Restaurant News

Bankruptcy Filings Among Restaurant Chains

Several restaurant chains filed for bankruptcy amid industry challenges.

  • On the Border filed for Chapter 11 with over $25 million in debt and 10,000 creditors.
  • Sticky Fingers Rib House declared bankruptcy after 23 years in business.
  • Factors include labor shortages, financial struggles, and closure of underperforming stores.

Source: Nation's Restaurant News, FSR Magazine

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