March 20th QSR Roundup: Ben & Jerry's battles Unilever over social activism while Sweetgreen's new Ripple Fries become a hit

Interviewy Team

Interviewy Team

— 6 min read
March 20th QSR Roundup: Ben & Jerry's battles Unilever over social activism while Sweetgreen's new Ripple Fries become a hit
QSR news for Mar 20th, 2025. We reviewed 21 QSR publications, 6 subreddits, and over 112 articles to bring you the latest. Estimated reading time saved (at 200wpm): 360 minutes. It'll take you only 7 minutes to catch up.

Ben & Jerry's has filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever, alleging improper termination of CEO David Stever to suppress the brand's social activism. The ice cream maker claims Unilever violated their agreement by censoring support for issues like Palestine and attempting to undermine Ben & Jerry's activist identity. This legal conflict intensifies as Unilever plans to spin off its ice cream division, raising concerns over the future of Ben & Jerry's social mission.

Sources:

  • QSR Magazine
  • Eater

Franchise Expansion and Incentives

&pizza's Ambitious Growth Plans

  • &pizza is launching its first franchising program, aiming for 300 locations by 2030.
  • CEO Mike Burns focuses on revitalizing brand identity and embracing digital transformation.
  • Shifted the business model post-COVID, now with 70% off-premise sales.
  • Emphasis on unique community-focused franchising, ensuring operators are local residents.

Marco's Pizza Franchise Incentives

  • Marco's Pizza introduces a Franchise Development Royalty Incentive Program.
  • Early-stage royalty incentives start at 0% for the first six months.
  • Goal is to make franchise ownership more accessible amidst economic challenges.

Nozzleman Pizza Expands into Walmart

  • Nozzleman Pizza Co. opens its first in-store restaurant in a Walmart in Carson City, Nevada.
  • Plans to launch 17 locations across six states this year.
  • Founded by retired firefighter Jesse Corletto, aims to support first responders.

Sources:

  • QSR Magazine
  • Restaurant Business
  • Restaurant Dive
  • Fast Casual
  • QSR Web

Innovations in Menus and Products

Sweetgreen's Ripple Fries

Sweetgreen's new 'Ripple Fries' have achieved the highest attach rate for sides in the company's history, reflecting a strong consumer desire for healthier fast-food options. Made from only five ingredients and air-fried in avocado oil, these fries represent a significant shift in Sweetgreen's menu, embracing indulgence without sacrificing health. The unique rippled shape enhances crispiness and dipping potential, with new sauces like Garlic Aioli adding excitement.

Just Salad's Market Plates

Just Salad has launched Market Plates, focusing on healthy dinner options with premium ingredients. This strategic move aims to broaden its menu beyond lunchtime, offering from-scratch dishes like Braised Chicken + Pesto and Chicken Fajita, catering to evolving consumer needs.

BIBIBOP's Spring BOGO Bonanza

BIBIBOP Asian Grill celebrates the first day of spring with a buy-one-get-one offer on bowls. The promotion aligns with the growing health and wellness food market, projected to grow by $627 billion by 2029. With 73 locations and plans to open 5-6 new locations by 2025, BIBIBOP emphasizes health benefits with menu additions like Korean Crispy Chicken.

McDonald's Minecraft Happy Meal

McDonald’s is launching a special Minecraft Movie Meal, appealing to both kids and adults. The meal offers choices like Big Mac or Chicken McNuggets, featuring pixelated packaging and collectible items like a Big Mac Crystal. New “Nether Flame Sauce” is introduced, highlighting the nostalgia for Happy Meals among adult consumers.

Sources:

  • QSR Magazine
  • FSR Magazine
  • Restaurant Business
  • Nation's Restaurant News

Technological Innovations and AI Integration

Pizza Hut's Digital Companion 'Hutty'

Pizza Hut has launched Hutty, a digital companion designed to engage NCAA tournament viewers. Hutty provides real-time reactions, insights, and exclusive offers, enhancing the second-screen experience for fans. Through interaction with Hutty on Instagram, fans can participate in sweepstakes, win free pizza for a year, and enjoy special deals.

Yum Brands Partners with Nvidia

Yum Brands collaborates with Nvidia to enhance AI capabilities in restaurants, focusing on drive-thru voice systems, computer vision technology, and real-time analytics. Aiming for a pilot program in 500 locations, the initiative leverages extensive data from Yum’s 61,000 stores to optimize efficiency and decision-making.

Bite Ninja's Acquisition by Voicify

Bite Ninja, a remote staffing startup for fast-food drive-thrus, is being acquired by Voicify. This partnership aims to mix Bite Ninja's remote employees with Voicify's AI to cover all drive-thru and phone orders, enhancing service while addressing labor challenges.

Smart Lockers Revolutionize Delivery

  • Smart lockers significantly speed up food pickup by eliminating counter waits.
  • Allow access in under 10 seconds with a unique code.
  • Address delivery dissatisfaction experienced by 90% of customers due to delays.

Sources:

  • QSR Magazine
  • Restaurant Dive
  • QSR Web

Challenges in Franchising and Labor

Franchising faces rising tensions over fees and lack of transparency. The FTC reports an increase in franchise complaints due to:

  • Surprise charges and high royalties burdening franchisees.
  • 75% of franchisors prefer maintaining the status quo, while franchisees seek regulatory reform.
  • The industry's future hinges on addressing these concerns for fairness and transparency.

In the restaurant labor landscape:

  • Recruitment and retention rates have returned to pre-COVID levels.
  • However, labor costs have soared over 30% higher, presenting financial challenges for employers.

Sources:

  • QSR Magazine
  • Restaurant Business

Impact of Egg Price Crisis on Breakfast Chains

  • Egg prices have soared due to bird flu, impacting breakfast chains significantly.
  • Average egg carton reached $5.90 in February 2025, up nearly 100% from the previous year.
  • Restaurants like Waffle House and Denny’s introduced surcharges for egg dishes.
  • Breakfast chains experienced a 10% traffic drop year-over-year in February.

Sources:

  • Restaurant Business
  • Food & Wine
  • Nation's Restaurant News

Food Aid Cuts Affect Communities and Local Farms

The USDA's $1 billion cut in food aid is leading to significant layoffs and supply shortages, aggravating hunger in vulnerable regions.

  • Local nonprofit Appalachian Sustainable Development halts its food box program due to funding delays.
  • USDA programs like Local Food Purchase Assistance have seen funding slashed, jeopardizing food banks like Northern Illinois Food Bank.
  • Cuts cause chaos in local food systems, leading to layoffs and reduced food supply.
  • Small farms delivering over 300,000 pounds of fresh produce to local schools are severely affected.

Sources:

  • Grist
  • Civil Eats

Caesar Salad Reimagined

The classic Caesar salad is being reinvented with unique ingredients and variations, serving as a foundation for countless culinary innovations. Chefs are:

  • Using different greens like charred cabbage or broccolini.
  • Adding flavors like Calabrian chiles and charred corn to enhance traditional tastes.
  • Experimenting with textures by incorporating crispy elements.

Rise of Butter Yellow

  • Butter yellow emerges as a trending color, symbolizing comfort and warmth.
  • KitchenAid names 'Butter' as their 2025 color, linking it to comforting meals—52% of consumers agree.
  • The color evokes positive feelings, enhancing home decor and fashion vibes.

Beverage Innovations

  • Global flavors gain popularity, driven by international food programming and social media influencers.
  • Unique combinations like miso caramel and brown butter sage are on the rise.
  • Tous les Jours' Tiramisu Latte blends French, American, and Korean influences, showcasing global inspiration.

Sources:

  • Eater
  • Fast Casual
  • Salon

Regulatory and Trade Challenges

Consumer Confusion About Organic Labels

  • Many consumers are confused about what the USDA organic label entails.
  • 74% trust the USDA organic label, but only 60% recognize it.
  • Younger consumers, particularly Gen Z, exhibit strong willingness to pay more for organic products.
  • The organic sector faces challenges in clarifying the comprehensive benefits of organic certification.

Tariffs Impact US Agriculture

  • US beverage sales to Canada and beef and sorghum sales to China may face significant challenges due to retaliatory tariffs.
  • Canada's 25% tariff on US goods and China's countermeasures pose threats to farmers' profits.
  • 20% of US agricultural goods are exported, making tariffs a major concern.

Tariffs Disrupt US Food Industry

  • A looming deadline for new tariffs threatens the US food system, involving grain farmers, meat producers, and food companies.
  • Businesses express high levels of uncertainty as they navigate the impacts of these tariffs.

Sources:

  • Food Business News

Krystal Launches Kids' Meals and Leadership Changes at Dairy Queen

Krystal's New Kids' Meals

Krystal is now offering chicken nuggets and kids' meals featuring popular options such as Krystal Sliders and Cheese Krystals. The chicken nuggets are made from all-white meat and come with various dipping sauces. The kids' meals are designed to provide enjoyable flavors in appropriate portions for children, making mealtime easier for parents.

Dairy Queen's New COO

International Dairy Queen appoints Art D'Elia, former Domino's Pizza CMO, as COO for U.S. and Canada to enhance operations and marketing efforts. D'Elia brings extensive experience from leading roles at Domino's, Danone Dairy, and PepsiCo, aiming to boost franchise sales and the DQ brand reputation.

Sources:

  • QSR Web

Elevating Guest Experience and Recovery

Mastering Guest Recovery

Every restaurant faces challenges like dropped plates and forgotten reservations. Instead of succumbing to these setbacks, capitalize on them through effective guest recovery strategies. Many restaurant owners overlook this opportunity, but with innovative platforms like Ovation, actionable insights can be gained from concise feedback surveys. A free webinar featuring Zack Oates and Gregg Majewski is available to explore these valuable techniques, providing practical strategies to drive revenue and improve operations.

Sources:

  • QSR Web
  • Fast Casual

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