November 21th QSR Roundup: From Leadership Lessons to Culinary Innovations, Insights from the Restaurant Industry in 2025

Interviewy Team

Interviewy Team

— 7 min read
November 21th QSR Roundup: From Leadership Lessons to Culinary Innovations, Insights from the Restaurant Industry in 2025
QSR news for Nov 21th, 2024. We reviewed 21 QSR publications, 6 subreddits, and over 93 articles to bring you the latest. Estimated reading time saved (at 200wpm): 310 minutes. It'll take you only 9 minutes to catch up.

Leadership Shifts and Ambitious Expansions

Shannon Hennessy's Leadership Insights

Shannon Hennessy, CEO of Habit Burger & Grill, is set to speak at the 2025 Women in Restaurant Leadership Together Summit. Transitioning from a 20-year consulting career at McKinsey to Yum! Brands as KFC Global CFO during the pandemic, she emphasizes:

  • The people-powered nature of business, highlighting customer influence.
  • Encouraging stepping outside comfort zones for growth.
  • Advocating for brands being ‘and’, not ‘or’; promoting quality and consistency while scaling growth.
  • Viewing career paths as webs, valuing curiosity and skills over strict progression.

Sources: QSR Magazine

Freddy's Frozen Custard Eyes $1 Billion Sale

Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers is contemplating a sale, potentially valued at $1 billion. The fast-casual brand has experienced impressive growth:

  • Averaged 14.3% sales growth over the past five years.
  • Nearing $1 billion in system sales across 500+ locations.
  • Current owner Thompson Street Capital aims for a market exit, potentially realizing a remarkable 20x valuation of earnings.

Sources: Restaurant Business

Maple Hospitality Group's Ambitious Plans

The owners of a leading Chicago steakhouse are rebranding as Maple Hospitality Group, aiming for substantial expansion by 2025:

  • Transitioning from successful operations to form a hospitality group.
  • Plans for aggressive growth to reach new markets and customer bases.
  • Focusing on leveraging existing success into new ventures and experiences for patrons.

Sources: Restaurant Business

Pinky Cole's Vegan Empire

Aisha “Pinky” Cole Hayes is transforming Atlanta's restaurant scene with her vegan brands, Slutty Vegan and Bar Vegan, emphasizing authentic values and community impact:

  • Raised $25 million in funding since 2019.
  • Provided life insurance to 25,000 Black men and supported HBCUs.
  • Slutty Vegan's valuation at $100 million.
  • Expanding to 14 restaurants, with a new location in Baltimore.

Sources: FSR Magazine

California Rejects Minimum Wage Increase

Californians made history by rejecting a proposal to raise the minimum wage to $18/hour, keeping it at $16.50/hour:

  • A narrow victory with 50.8% voting against the increase.
  • The restaurant industry celebrates, having fiercely lobbied against Prop 32.
  • Reflects public backlash against high wages and economic concerns.

Sources: Restaurant Business, Nation's Restaurant News

E. coli Outbreak and Ground Beef Recall

Over 167,000 pounds of ground beef from Wolverine Packing in Detroit is recalled due to E. coli contamination concerns:

  • Fifteen individuals in Michigan reported symptoms between Nov. 2-10.
  • Recalled beef has a "Use By" date of Nov. 14 and bears the USDA number "EST. 2574B".
  • Follows a recent E. coli outbreak associated with McDonald's onions, affecting 104 individuals, resulting in 34 hospitalizations and one death.

Sources: Restaurant Business

Sushi Restaurant Closes After Viral Worm Incident

A Seattle sushi restaurant, FOB Sushi Bar, shut down its locations following a viral TikTok review by influencer Keith Lee, which allegedly showed a worm in their sashimi:

  • Despite Lee’s favorable review, followers spotted the suspected worm.
  • The restaurant initially refuted the claims but has since closed temporarily for investigation.
  • Highlights the power of social media and the potential consequences of food safety concerns.

Sources: Restaurant Business, Salon

Discounts Reshape the Delivery Landscape

Freebies and discounts are significantly impacting the third-party delivery market:

  • Discount-driven practices are crucial for attracting customers.
  • Apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats leverage discounts as the cornerstone of their business model.
  • Restaurants face challenges as these discounts can undermine profit margins, complicating the financial landscape.

Sources: Restaurant Business

Cheesy Limited-Time Offers Entice Consumers

Limited-time offers (LTOs) featuring cheese are appealing to consumers, with several top items capturing attention:

  • Grilled Steak Melt from Perkins attracts 51% of consumers.
  • Cheesy Tots at Burger King draw 56% of consumers.
  • Baked Cheesy Potatoes from Mission BBQ is favored by 58% of respondents.
  • Cheese is a major driver in consumer interest for LTOs, showcasing its power to tantalize taste buds.

Sources: Restaurant Business

2025 Food Trends Unveiled

Anticipated trends shaping the food industry in 2025 include:

  • Innovative snacking influenced by lifestyle changes post-pandemic.
  • Rising popularity of South Asian flavors and regional ingredients.
  • Demand for restaurant-quality meals at home, with consumers seeking premium ingredients.
  • Growth in functional foods emphasizing natural ingredients like mushrooms and herbs.
  • Adventurous use of diverse chilis and vinegars to enhance home cooking.

Sources: Food Business News

Restaurant Expansions and Partnerships

Reviving Frisch's Big Boy

Veterans from Frisch’s Big Boy have acquired the remaining operations of the struggling family-dining chain with plans for growth:

  • Don Short and Cheryl White lead the buyout, aiming to revitalize the brand.
  • Financial troubles included owing $4.5 million and over 20 stores in delinquency.
  • Optimism expressed about investing in viable locations and expanding the brand's footprint.

Sources: Restaurant Business, Nation's Restaurant News

Virtual Kitchen Partnership Enhances Reach

Two iconic Midwestern brands, Olga’s Kitchen and Big Boy Restaurants, redefine ghost kitchens through a strategic partnership:

  • Olga’s operates within 10 Big Boy locations, tapping into existing customer bases.
  • High demand for popular items like Snackers and fresh pita sandwiches.
  • Utilize 250,000 loyalty members for targeted marketing, effectively attracting area customers.

Sources: FSR Magazine

Twin Peaks' Conversion Success

Twin Peaks successfully converted its first Smokey Bones location in Lakeland, Florida, leading to a $5 million increase in annualized average unit volume:

  • Sales increased from $3.6 million as Smokey Bones to $8.3 million as Twin Peaks.
  • The conversion process saves 18 months in construction time and costs less than building new restaurants.
  • Plans to convert 30 Smokey Bones stores into Twin Peaks by 2026.

Sources: FSR Magazine

Technological Developments and Innovations

Chipotle Opens Its 1,000th Chipotlane

Chipotle opens its 1,000th Chipotlane in Olathe, Kansas, enhancing customer convenience:

  • Nearly 30% of Chipotle's 3,600 locations feature mobile order pickup lanes.
  • Guests can retrieve orders in under 30 seconds.
  • Plans to open 315 to 345 new locations in 2025, with 80% including Chipotlanes.

Sources: Restaurant Dive, Pizza Marketplace

Paytronix Enhances Digital Engagement Platform

Paytronix has upgraded its platform for convenience stores and restaurants with new features:

  • Introduces an AI Assistant that answers retailer questions and provides data guidance.
  • Additive Lead Times allow settings for delivery timing, order limits, and customer visibility into order duration.
  • Aims to expand loyalty memberships and boost revenue through data insights.

Sources: Restaurant Dive

Innovative Fundraising Map Tool Launched

Force4Good has unveiled a dynamic new map feature on their website, revolutionizing the fundraising process for non-profits:

  • Provides access to over 3,000 partner restaurants.
  • Allows organizations to check availability and book events at no cost.
  • Offers personalized marketing tools to promote fundraisers effectively.

Sources: FSR Magazine

Sustainability and Food Safety

Cargill's $100 Million Sustainability Commitment

Cargill has invested $100 million in sustainability projects for 2024:

  • Achieved a 15.8% reduction in emissions, surpassing their 2025 goal of 10% reduction.
  • Advanced regenerative agriculture on 1.1 million acres in North America.
  • Restored over 38 billion liters of water in stressed regions.

Sources: Food Business News

Enhancing Food Safety Protocols

Operators are urged to monitor early warning signs to prevent contamination:

  • Factors like suppliers, kitchen layout, and workflow significantly impact contamination risks.
  • Emphasis on technology to avoid the spread of foodborne illnesses.
  • 89% of foodborne illnesses linked to inadequate handwashing, highlighting the importance of hand hygiene.

Sources: Modern Restaurant Management

Combatting Food Waste with Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go connects users with restaurants selling leftover food bags, effectively reducing food waste:

  • Generated approximately $162 million in revenue in 2023.
  • Illustrates financial success and impact on sustainability.

Sources: Modern Restaurant Management

Culinary Delights with Fish Roe

Caviar and fish roe are elevating dishes with their unique flavors, showing up in both luxury and home cooking:

  • Michelin-starred restaurants are experimenting more with these ingredients.
  • Popular in sushi, pasta, and appetizers like deviled eggs.
  • Pairing suggestions include champagne or vodka to complement the flavors.

Sources: BlueCart

Rising Popularity of Caviar in Restaurants

The usage of caviar and fish roe in restaurants has surged due to innovations in harvesting:

  • Alternatives like salmon or capelin roe offer economical options without sacrificing flavor.
  • Sturgeon aquafarms are expanding globally, making caviar more accessible.
  • Leveraged for special events and high-value dishes, enhancing customer experiences and profit margins.

Sources: BlueCart

Miscellaneous News

McDonald's McRib Returns with Sauce Giveaway

McDonald's brings back the McRib on Dec. 3 for a limited time:

  • Fans can purchase a half-gallon jug of McRib sauce starting Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. ET.
  • The McRib debuted in 1981 and has maintained a loyal following ever since.
  • McDonald's celebrates with a holiday jingle and promotional integrations.

Sources: Nation's Restaurant News, QSR Web

Starbucks Appoints New Chief Sustainability Officer

Starbucks has appointed Marika McCauley Sine as its new Chief Sustainability Officer:

  • Replaces Michael Kobori, who is retiring.
  • Will focus on Starbucks' ESG strategy amid challenges, including an 8% rise in carbon emissions.
  • Aims to cut climate, water, and waste footprints by 50% by 2030.

Sources: Restaurant Dive

Layne's Chicken Fingers Expands to Pittsburgh

Texas-based Layne's Chicken Fingers is set to open its third location in Pittsburgh by the end of the year:

  • Managed by 3E Franchise, aligning with the brand's growth strategy.
  • Currently operates 20 restaurants with an additional 226 in the pipeline.

Sources: QSR Web

Perkins Expands Griddle & Go Concept

Perkins has inked a franchise deal for 10 Griddle & Go units in Monmouth County, NJ:

  • The first unit is set to open by October 2025.
  • Griddle & Go has over 30 signed commitments, tapping into new markets like Texas.
  • Features self-order kiosks, digital menus, and a 65-seat dining area.

Sources: Restaurant Dive, Pizza Marketplace

Dog Haus Expands to Saudi Arabia

California-based Dog Haus opens its first location in Saudi Arabia, experiencing a warm welcome:

  • CEO Michael Montagano celebrates this milestone as the best week since founding in 2010.
  • Over 50 locations since inception, with sister brands like Bad-Ass Breakfast Burritos and Plant B.

Sources: Fast Casual

Delta Partners with Shake Shack for In-Flight Dining

Delta has partnered with Shake Shack to offer Cheeseburgers on select First Class flights:

  • Available on flights over 900 miles, with plans for more markets in 2025.
  • The meal includes an Angus beef cheeseburger, chips, a Caesar salad, and a brownie.

Sources: QSR Web

Nominations Open for Pizza Marketplace's Top 100

Nominations for Pizza Marketplace's Top 100 Movers & Shakers for 2025 are now open until January 10, 2025:

  • Seeks to recognize the top 75 pizza brands and top 25 executives shaping the industry.
  • Winners will be announced at an awards gala on March 25, 2025.

Sources: Pizza Marketplace

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