November 2nd QSR Roundup: Navigating Challenges from TGI Fridays Bankruptcy to BJ's Pizookie Strategy

Interviewy Team

Interviewy Team

— 4 min read
November 2nd QSR Roundup: Navigating Challenges from TGI Fridays Bankruptcy to BJ's Pizookie Strategy
QSR news for Nov 2nd, 2024. We reviewed 21 QSR publications, 6 subreddits, and over 47 articles to bring you the latest. Estimated reading time saved (at 200wpm): 180 minutes. It'll take you only 5 minutes to catch up.

Major Chain Updates & Strategic Shifts

BJ's Restaurants Recalibrates Promotions

  • Pivoting from Pizookie Pass to more sustainable promotions
  • Total revenues rose to $325.7 million
  • Same-store sales up by 1.7%
  • Focus on efficiency and market expansion under Lyle Tick's leadership

TGI Fridays' Bankruptcy Filing

  • Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
  • Closed nearly 50 restaurants, leaving 39 domestic outlets
  • Franchise locations unaffected
  • Three CEOs in 2023 highlighting leadership instability

Starbucks Strategic Revival

  • Facing 7% decline in global same-store sales
  • 8% drop in traffic
  • Key changes implemented:
    • Eliminating non-dairy milk upcharge
    • Reintroducing handwritten names on cups
    • Targeting four-minute wait times
    • Simplifying menu without price increases

Sources: Nation's Restaurant News, Restaurant Business, Eater

Restaurant Sector Job Analysis

  • Only 3,700 jobs added in October vs 39,300 in September
  • National unemployment at 4.1%
  • Full-service restaurants 4% below pre-pandemic levels
  • Limited-service restaurants 3% above pre-pandemic levels
  • Notable Growth: 17% increase in snack and non-alcoholic beverage sectors since February 2020

Sources: Nation's Restaurant News

Innovation & Menu Updates

Pinkbox Doughnuts' November Specials

  • New Pumpkin Roll doughnut featuring:
    • Cinnamon roll base
    • House-made pumpkin icing
    • Praline topping
  • Four Vegas Golden Knights themed doughnuts introduced
  • Available through November 29

Starbucks Holiday Menu Highlights

  • New Gemstone Cold Cup and Candy Twist Mug
  • Vanilla & Chocolate Cold Brew Concentrate
  • Potential new Cran-Merry Orange Refresher
  • Holiday Foams introduction
  • Menu simplification: Eliminating Oleato drinks

Sources: QSR Magazine, Restaurant Business

Continuing from previous sections...

Growth & Expansion News

Mountain Mike's Pizza Growth

  • Fifth location opened in Bakersfield, California
  • New location features:
    • 2,400-square-foot space
    • Five big-screen TVs
    • All-you-can-eat pizza and salad buffet
  • Multi-unit franchisees plan further Southern California expansion

Taco Mac's Conyers Opening

  • Set to launch in late November
  • Key Features:
    • Award-winning Buffalo wings from Springer Mountain Farms
    • 80 beers on tap
    • 165-inch LED wall
    • 40+ 65-inch TVs
    • Indoor/outdoor design with 14-foot garage doors
  • Creating 150+ new jobs

Sources: QSR Magazine, FSR Magazine

Plant-Forward Movement Surge

  • 70% of US citizens prefer plant-based foods
  • Only 4% identify as vegan
  • Industry adaptations:
    • Incorporating dairy for flavor enhancement
    • 74% of operators prioritize nutritional content
    • Focus on vegetable-heavy dishes with strategic animal product use

Indian Cuisine Evolution

  • Beef integration trends:
    • Chicago emerging as hub for Indian restaurants serving beef
    • Short rib braised in Madras curry innovations
    • Thattu and Dhuaan BBQ leading creative integration
  • Social media, especially TikTok, driving experimentation
  • Launch of Steak Masala by Diaspora Spices

Sources: FSR Magazine, Eater Chicago

Viral Food Phenomena

La Hacienda Bakery's Pumpkin-Spice Success

  • Viral Achievement:
    • Over one million TikTok views
    • Featured on Good Morning America
    • Thousands sold daily
  • Customer wait times up to 16 hours
  • Extended availability through November
  • Increased staffing to meet demand

Sources: Eater Houston

Industry Technology & Innovation

Restaurant Tech Adoption Stats

  • 52% of operators planning AI implementation
  • Key Industry Metrics:
    • 63% reported profit increases in 2024
    • 37% adjusted food suppliers for inflation
    • 34% increased menu prices
    • 28% planning new locations within 12 months
  • 80% of diners prefer restaurants with positive reviews

Access Group's Strategic Acquisition

  • Acquiring Paytronix
  • Coverage of 50,000+ sites
  • 40 billion transactions processed since 2001
  • Client base includes major brands like Panera and Five Guys

Sources: Modern Restaurant Management, Pizza Marketplace

Food Safety & Industry Standards

Black Plastics Safety Concerns

  • Peer-reviewed study findings on harmful chemicals
  • Key Issues:
    • Presence of flame retardants
    • Cancer and hormone disruption risks
    • High levels of bromine detected
  • Recommendations for bamboo alternatives
  • Call for stricter chemical policies

Sources: Salon

Product Launches & Innovation

New Food & Beverage Releases

  • Coffee mate® Innovations:
    • First-ever cold foam creamers
    • Unique mess-free dispensing tip
    • Italian Sweet Crème and French Vanilla flavors
  • Silk Kids Launch:
    • 8 grams of protein
    • 50% less sugar than dairy
  • Holiday Special Releases:
    • Spice House x Jimmy Fallon collaboration
    • Pepperidge Farm Thin & Crispy Peppermint Cocoa cookies
    • Blue Diamond holiday flavors

Sources: Food Industry Executive

Industry Leadership & Management

Notable Appointments

  • Epicure:
    • Samantha Toomey Ballard as VP of Field Development
    • 300% sales increase achievement at oHHo Botanicals
  • PopUp Bagels:
    • Tory Bartlett as CEO
    • Focus on national expansion through franchising

Industry Loss

  • Manfred Bonetsmuller, SOMIC Group founder, passed at 83
  • Legacy highlights:
    • Founded SOMIC in 1974
    • Pioneered first carton erector
    • Transformed company from 4 to global operation

Sources: Food Industry Executive, Foodservice Equipment & Supplies

Restaurant Operations & Management Insights

Server Management Challenges

  • Tip Distribution Concerns:
    • Texas server compensation issues
    • Illegal tip retention practices
    • FLSA compliance requirements
  • Management Resources:
    • Route optimization development for delivery
    • Bar manager interview strategies
    • Band-aid policy controversies

Direct Mail Marketing Insights

  • 10-12% potential ROI
  • Best Practices:
    • Partner with local businesses
    • Limited-time offers
    • Targeted demographic approach
  • Warning against attracting only deal-seekers

Sources: /r/restaurantowners, /r/Restaurant_Managers, /r/restaurant, /r/BarOwners

Regional Developments

California's Factory Farming Initiative

  • Measure J vote on November 5
  • Key Points:
    • Aims to ban factory farming
    • Affects 21 large farms
    • $1.8 million spent against measure
    • Environmental concerns over 941 billion pounds of manure
  • Political implications for agricultural industry

The Lodge Dining Center Transformation

  • 37,989 sq. ft. facility serving 1,400 daily
  • Features:
    • Seven microrestaurants
    • 625 seating capacity
    • Emphasis on local sourcing
    • $9.1 million projected annual sales
  • Focus on sustainability and Montana culture

Sources: Salon, Foodservice Equipment & Supplies

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