QSR chain Momo King launches frozen momo

Popeyes® brand and Restaurant Brands Iberia (RB Iberia), the parent of the master franchisees for Burger King® Spain, Burger King Portugal, Popeyes® Spain, and Tim Hortons® Spain, are excited to announce entry into a master franchise and development agreement to develop and grow the Popeyes brand in Italy.

Founded in New Orleans in 1972, Popeyes has more than 50 years of history and culinary tradition incorporating Cajun and Creole flavor profiles. Popeyes distinguishes itself with a unique New Orleans-style menu developed by an in-house team of professionally trained chefs featuring the brand's signature chicken sandwich, spicy chicken, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, and other regional items.

"We're very excited about growing the brand in Italy with RB Iberia, a long-term partner and strong operator. We have set ambitious expansion plans for our iconic brand, and today's news highlights our commitment to serving Popeyes bold Louisiana flavors to more guests around the world." said David Shear, President of International, Restaurant Brands International, parent company of Popeyes.

Chicken lovers in Italy can soon look forward to getting their hands on Popeyes world-famous menu items, including the brand's signature Chicken Sandwich, which was declared one of the most successful quick service product launches when it was released in the United States in 2019.  

"We are thrilled to spearhead the launch of Popeyes® in Italy. It is an iconic brand, that has been well-received in Spain, and we are fully committed to its success within the Group," mentioned Gregorio Jiménez, Chairman of Restaurant Brands Iberia by adding that their company excels in managing master franchises, so they have a great business opportunity ahead of them, which will contribute to job creation in Italy and diversify the QSR market.

RB Iberia is committed to providing guests with an excellent digital experience, utilizing personalization and the latest service channels to serve our guests in the iconic hospitable way that is characteristic of the brand.   

Popeyes is one of one of the world's largest chicken quick-service restaurant brands with over 4,300 restaurants in over 35 countries around the world. This agreement marks a continuation of Popeyes expansion plan in Europe, with Popeyes restaurants already present in Spain, Switzerland, the UK, Romania, France, and more recently in Poland and Czech Republic.

TH International Limited (“Tims China” (Nasdaq: THCH)), the exclusive operator of Tim Hortons coffee shops and Popeyes restaurants in China, has opened 10th Popeyes store in Shanghai, marking a significant milestone.

In March, Tims China acquired the exclusive rights to operate and franchise Popeyes in mainland China and Macau. Since then, Tims China has repositioned the Popeyes brand for the Chinese market and has sold over 150,000 pieces of its iconic, original American crispy chicken.

“We are excited to reach this key milestone in four months. Between our Popeyes and Tim Hortons stores, we now operate 919 stores across China. We have seen a strong demand from our customers for our innovative products from both brands, and we are confident that this demand has a lot of room to grow even further from here,” shared Yongchen Lu, CEO, Tims China.

Looking ahead, Popeyes is set to expand across China, with plans to open 500 more stores in the next five years and 1,700 stores over the next decade.

McDonald’s Corporation and Accenture has announced an expansion of their strategic partnership to help execute McDonald’s strategy to leverage the latest edge technology and apply generative AI solutions across its restaurants worldwide to improve operations as well as customer and crew experience.

Through this work, McDonald’s also will enhance the digital capabilities of its employees.

“In order to unlock the opportunity in our ongoing digital investments, we chose Accenture, our long-time partner who has helped us build our digital foundation, to work with us on this next phase of innovation. Accenture’s deep understanding of our business, our industry, and of course technology, will allow us to leverage the full potential of the cloud and generative AI solutions by implementing advanced practices to quickly leverage those technologies as well as to nurture and empower the talent within our organization,” shared Brian Rice, executive vice president and global chief information officer, McDonald's.

This partnership will help support McDonald’s technology strategy which aims to leverage scale and unlock greater speed and efficiency for customers, restaurant teams, and employees. 

This includes the acceleration of automation innovation from equipment manufacturers, allowing restaurant general managers to quickly spot and enact solutions to reduce business disruptions, ultimately reducing complexity for restaurant crew and leading to customer benefits such as hotter, fresher food.

This phase of innovation is also designed to build an even stronger technology team at McDonald's. Accenture will help train and support McDonald’s global workforce by using Accenture’s learning and development programs, online training courses and boot camps for emerging talent to ensure the workforce has the AI, data and edge computing skills needed in the digital era.

“We are incredibly proud to continue to partner with McDonald’s as they reinvent the customer experience, stay ahead of their customers’ changing needs and reimagine what a restaurant can be. This new work will be a leading example across industries of innovating with tech data and AI at the core, across the cloud continuum, all the way to the edge. And doing so in a way that keeps their people in the forefront, building the skills they need to meet and delight their customers in new ways every day,” added Julie Sweet, chair and CEO, Accenture.

Bengaluru- based Biggies Burgers that also operate Bigguy's Wingery is high on expansion and is targeting 50 stores of the brand by December end.

“As a home-grown QSR brand for chicken wings, we recognized a gap in the market for a high-quality chicken wings brand in India. While international giants like KFC and Nando's were prominent, we saw an opportunity to bring a unique and localized twist to this beloved food item as an Indian homegrown brand,” shared Biraja Prasad Rout, Founder at Bigguy’s Wingery.

The group is in early stages of their expansion journey and they currently focus on southern markets, including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Coimbatore. 

“We have ambitious plans to launch 50 stores this year in these cities, aiming to acquire a significant market share in the chicken wings segment. Our franchise model will play a crucial role in empowering local entrepreneurs and ensuring the brand's growth in these markets,” he added.

On the other hand, for Biggies Burger, they are concentrating on expanding it to tier two and tier three cities.

“Our vision is to position Biggies Burger as a prominent home-grown burger chain in India with a revenue target of 500 crore and a market share of 15 to 20 percent of the burger market within the next three to four years,” added Rout.
 

DRG (Diversified Restaurant Group) renowned as a major Taco Bell franchisee with a portfolio of 325 establishments is set to inaugurate its seventh Taco Bell Cantina.

This unique fast casual variant of the brand, known for offering alcoholic beverages, will open its doors in San Jose, California, precisely located at Westfield Oakridge Mall (925 Blossom Hill Rd., Suite 1641).

The site showcases a nostalgic appearance, adorned with a classic movie theater display case, and includes three self-service ordering kiosks, a convenient pick-up window, and an outdoor seating area capable of hosting up to 24 patrons.

This information was shared by SG Ellison, who serves as both a Taco Bell franchise owner and the CEO of Diversified Restaurant Group.

He expressed in an official company statement, "The recent introduction of the Taco Bell Cantina in San Jose brings valuable enhancement to the local neighborhood, presenting customers with heightened comfort and options to enjoy meals within the premises, place delivery orders, or swiftly retrieve takeout requests."

He further noted the unique appeal of this location, as patrons have the opportunity to conveniently savor Taco Bell delights and Twisted Freeze beverages prior to or after shopping or catching a new film at the impressive Century Theatre situated within the Westfield Oakridge Mall.

More than 30 Taco Bell Cantina establishments are currently in operation throughout the United States.

Delhi-based Burgrill has announced that it is seeking its first external fundraise to accelerate its growth and expansion plans. 

The bootstrapped brand has created a niche for itself in the mass-premium category through a focus on innovation & customization. 

"We're thrilled to embark on this exciting journey as we seek to funding to fuel our expansion and enhance the Burgrill experience for our customers. This funding will enable us to introduce Burgrill to new markets, enhance our menu offerings, and invest in technology to further elevate our customer interactions. Client Associates Investment Banking team is advising us on this transaction,” shared Ankur Madan, CEO & Co-Founder, Burgrill.

Burgrill has quickly risen to prominence by introducing a novel dining concept that fuses the traditional charm of a classic burger joint with modern culinary techniques and an emphasis on a personalized dining experience. With its mouth-watering gourmet burgers, handcrafted with premium ingredients and innovative flavours at affordable pricing, Burgrill has gained a loyal following of food enthusiasts and gastronomes. The brand offers a unique menu with equal vegetarian & non-vegetarian options across burgers, wraps, subs & salads. 
The funding will be used to support key initiatives, including; expansion as it plans to open new flagship locations in high-traffic areas to attract a wider audience, menu innovation, and technology integration.

It is also planning to expand its team of culinary experts, marketing professionals, and operations specialists to support its growth trajectory.

Launched in 2016, Burgrill was conceptualized by three food fanatics to venture into an untapped segment of fast-food with healthier alternatives and became its pioneer in India. It operates over 49 outlets in more than 22 cities in India in the last eight years and intends to launch another 40 CoCo stores Pan India. The brand is rapidly growing in the northern states of the nation and aims to capture t- key metros in the next 4-5 years. So far the business crossed 45 Crores in Brand Revenue whilst remaining completely bootstrapped. It has registered double digit EBITDA Margins and is growing at 50% Y-o-Y. 

Pizza chain Pizza Hut has once again wowed the audience with its new film for its new brand campaign. 

Featuring two emoji avatars, the film personifies varying moods of people in their daily life situations and elucidates how Pizza Hut’s exotic range of 10 new pizzas offers them ample variety to match their every possible mood. 

“We understand the role of emotions in determining our food choices. This inspired us to introduce emoji avatars to further strengthen our bond with the audience. Pizza Hut acknowledges customer’s fluctuating moods and greets them with ample options to satisfy their cravings. Emojis have become a universal language today and our emoji avatars stand out to bring our customers together under one roof, making them experience best-tasting pizzas enveloped in our warm service,” shared Aanandita Datta, Chief Marketing Officer, Pizza Hut India.

The new flavours like Makhni Paneer, Dhabe Da Keema, Cheezy Mushroom Magic, Mexican Fiesta, Awesome American Cheesy, and Nawabi Murg Makhni, among others give abundant options to people to satisfy their food cravings triggered by their varied moods.  

The brand has also rolled out its value offer, wherein pizza lovers can relish 2 personal pizzas starting at Rs. 299, with 2 free Pepsi glasses at all 800+ Pizza Hut restaurants. 

Pizza Hut’s new film, conceptualized and shot by Creativeland Asia Pvt. Ltd, is part of Pizza Hut’s massive 360-degree marketing campaign which is being rolled out across television, digital social media platforms, involving PR and influencer outreach, OOH and in-store branding to connect with consumers at every touchpoint. The film is being promoted across TV, OTT platforms, as well as key new-age social media platforms and apps such as Glance, Saavan, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Snapchat, Amazon, PhonePe, Uber and others.
 

The Wendy's Company has signed a new master franchise agreement with Flynn Restaurant Group to develop 200 Wendy's restaurants in Australia through 2034.

Flynn Restaurant Group is the largest restaurant franchise operator in the world and will serve as the exclusive master franchisee in Australia.

The news comes following the announcement earlier this year that the iconic American hamburger brand marked its intention to enter the Australian market. 

Wendy's sees Australia as a high priority, strategic growth market and the collaboration with Flynn Restaurant Group showcases Wendy's ambition to expand its international footprint using its franchising model.

“Australia is a strategic market for long-term growth for Wendy's. Flynn Restaurant Group has incredible experience in the restaurant space, and we are thrilled to expand our relationship with them,” shared Abigail Pringle, President, International & CDO, The Wendy's Company.

The agreement between Wendy's and Flynn Restaurant Group will drive growth in Australia primarily after 2025, with the ambition to hit 200 restaurants across the country through 2034, through a combination of equity stores and sub-franchise partners.

In addition to Wendy's, Flynn's Restaurant Group operate restaurants for Applebee's, Taco Bell, Panera, Arby's and Pizza Hut throughout the US. Through their Wendy's franchise organization, Wend American, they currently operate nearly 200 Wendy's restaurants across five states.

“We couldn't be more excited about expanding our partnership with Wendy's. It is a tremendous brand with significant untapped potential outside of the U.S. and we think it is an especially great fit for Australia, given the savvy nature of the Australian consumer. We look forward to expanding the brand in the market and in the process re-defining what Australians should expect from QSR,” added Ron Bellamy, Chief Operating Officer of Flynn Restaurant Group.

Owner of Tim Hortons, Burger King and Popeyes, Restaurant Brands International Inc has recorded a robust Q2 with consolidated system wide sales growth of 14% plus year over year generating over $40 billion and a 10% plus global comparable sales increase.

RBI also owns Firehouse Subs.

As per the release, Restaurant Brands Inc crossed the 30,000 restaurant mark.

The brand recorded net income of $351 million versus $346 million in 2022.

It also posted adjusted EBITDA of $665 million increased 10.3% organically versus last year. 

"I am very proud of the continued performance of our teams and our franchisees who helped drive 14% growth in system wide sales and another quarter of improved franchisee profitability. We are generating positive momentum and results behind each of our iconic brands by focusing on new menu innovations, supported by exceptional marketing and operations,” shared CEO Josh Kobza by adding that the team is very motivated by the significant growth opportunities ahead of them in their home markets and around the world.

Restaurant Brands International Inc. is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with more than $35 billion in annual system-wide sales and over 29,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.
 

McDonald’s India (West & South) has launched the nation’s first-ever Airport Drive-Thru Restaurant in Mumbai. 

Strategically located just 100 meters from Terminal 2 (T2) of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), this is also the first McDonald’s restaurant in Mumbai to operate 24x7. 

This Experience of the Future (EOTF) restaurant is all set to provide quality food, convenience, and quick service to travelers and locals alike.

With this path-breaking initiative, McDonald’s India further strengthens its position as an industry leader and innovator. 
The Airport Drive-Thru Restaurant will cater to thousands of travelers in T2, airport staff, and local residents, meeting their demands for quick and delicious meals at any time of the day.

“We are delighted to introduce India’s first-ever Airport Drive-Thru Restaurant in Mumbai, a city that is always on the go. This innovative concept is a significant step toward our continuous commitment to enhancing customer experience, catering to their evolving needs, and offering them the best possible dining experience,” shared Saurabh Kalra, MD, McDonald’s India (W&S).

The Drive-Thru restaurant boasts of numerous innovative features, which will offer customers the experience of the future:

Dedicated Drive-Thru lane and Customer Ordering Display (COD) for customers to seamlessly order and enjoy their meals on-the-go, Instant order in just 120 seconds as part of McDonald’s India Service Guarantee programme, 4 Self Ordering Kiosks (SOK) installed at the restaurant to help customers save time and offer a quick, digital, and smart ordering experience Premium and spacious seating experience. This new addition expands McDonald’s presence at T2, bringing the total count to three restaurants within the airport.

Spanning over 3,000 sq. ft., this unique Drive-Thru with McCafe provides customers with a seamless experience through its drive-thru lanes, dine-in area, and takeaway counter. 

The menu features McDonald’s signature dishes, such as the McAloo Tikki, McVeggie, McChicken, great tasting coffee, and desserts, along with sides, shakes, and coolers to cater to the diverse palate of Mumbaikars and millions of travelers from across the globe.

McDonald’s India remains committed to building Drive-Thru destination stores across all city suburbs and national highways, with 30-35% of new stores in the next 4-5 years likely to be Drive-Thrus. In the West and Southern parts of the country, the Golden Arches are present in 58 cities with 361 restaurants (as on June 30, 2023), 69 of which are Drive-Thrus.
 

Indian home-grown brand The Burger Company has announced its foray into the vibrant culinary landscape of Nepal with a master franchise agreement. 

Boasting over 100 outlets spread across India, TBC has become a household name, celebrated for its mouth-watering burgers, pizzas, beverages, fried chicken, and waffles, all served in an ambiance that exudes attractiveness and Instagram-worthiness.

"We are thrilled to extend The Burger Company's culinary journey beyond the borders of India and share our delicious Indianized flavors with the warm and welcoming people of Nepal. This marks a significant milestone for us, and we look forward to delighting taste buds and creating memorable dining experiences in Nepal,” shared Neelam Singh, founder at The Burger Company.

The brand is all set to establish 10 stores in Nepal over the next two years, with the first outlet grandly opening its doors in the lively capital city of Kathmandu.

Additionally, as the brand sets its sights on the future, The Burger Company plans to conquer international markets as well. According to the founder, the brand is already in the early stages of planning its expansion into countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Canada, taking the distinct Indian take on the popular dish, i.e., Burgers, to a global audience.

The Burger Company operates 100+ outlets in 40+ cities this year and on its way to become the biggest Indian burger brand.

Bengaluru-based Uncle Peter's Pancakes has announced the opening of its second upscale café located in Kormangala, Bengaluru. 

Building on their success, the brand currently operates 10 outlets in Bengaluru and is determined to broaden its reach by launching more than 60 stores across India in this year.

Started by Sundeep and Akashdeep who wish to create a distinctive food brand that revolves around a single product in many flavours and variations. 

“We are constantly exploring new varieties that incorporate local flavours and fruits. We have also developed a range of eggless products specifically tailored to cater to the Indian market,” shared Akashdeep, Cofounder. 

Born in 2019 in Indira Nagar, Bengaluru, Uncle Peter’s Pancakes has blossomed into a thriving chain of over 40 outlets across fifteen cities. From Bengaluru to Gurugram, Chennai to Lucknow, Kolkata to Indore, Ahmedabad to Pondicherry, and even Goa, this amber-yellow-hued cafe has captivated pancake enthusiasts, selling over 2000 pancakes daily. 

Uncle Peter’s Pancakes aspires to bring the essence of traditional Western delight to the Indian setting, fostering an authentic celebration of culinary artistry that forms an emotional connection with its diners.

Exciting times lie ahead for Uncle Peter’s Pancakes as they unveil plans for expansion in the Delhi NCR region. Fuelled by a deep-rooted desire to bring the joy of pancakes to every Indian home, Uncle Peter’s Pancakes is on a rapid growth trajectory, with a vision to establish over 200 stores across India within the next three years.

In the last 10 days we have seen tomato prices touching sky in most part of the country. From 25-35 rupees a kilogram, the prices have gone up to Rs 150 for a kilogram in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and others parts of the country.

And, this has pushed restaurants to remove tomatoes from their menu. In a recent announcement, McDonald’s (North & East) has removed tomatoes from their burgers and other food items in many parts of India. 

This action by the largest burger chain in the country comes as tomato prices have skyrocketed in the last month. 

The QSR chain on Friday said it is dropping tomatoes from its menu items due to a “temporary” seasonal issue in procurement and that they will bring back them on the menu soon. 

A large number of its outlets in the national capital also hung a notice about the unavailability of tomatoes. 

Owing to factors such as prolonged heatwaves and heavy rain in certain geographies, tomato prices have skyrocketed in the last month, forcing many state governments to take action. In some regions, wholesale prices of tomatoes have tripled in a month to a high of 140 rupees, with retail prices even higher.

However, denying that McDonald’s is dropping tomatoes from menu because of soaring prices, a spokesperson shared, "We reiterate that it is not due to the surge in the prices. It is only due to the non-availability of tomatoes meeting our quality specifications."

He also mentioned that restaurants in Punjab-Chandigarh area where the brand is able to source the commodity in adequate quantities, McDonald's continues to serve tomatoes in its menu.

"We are working towards resolving this issue by employing sustainable agriculture practices including hydroponically-grown tomatoes in a completely controlled environment to de-risk our requirements from vagaries of season," he added by pointing that the restaurant will be able to bring back tomatoes to the menu soon.

Flynn Restaurant Group LP is acquiring Pizza Hut Australia, purchasing about 260 Pizza Hut restaurants in the country.

Terms of the agreement were not announced, as per the report.

Flynn Restaurant Group, owner of eateries including Applebee’s, Taco Bell, Paners, Wendy’s and Pizza Hut, will have more than 2,600 quick‑service, fast casual and casual dining restaurants, generating $4.5 billion in sales and employing more than 75,000 people post the acquisition.

"This is an incredibly exciting moment for Flynn Restaurant Group. We spent our first 12 years growing in Applebee's, and then the next 12 years diversifying as a domestic franchise operator. In this next chapter, we're layering on international expansion, and the growth potential is essentially unlimited,” shared Greg Flynn, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Flynn Restaurant Group.

Under the leadership of CEO Phil Reed, Pizza Hut Australia has delivered 50 consecutive months of positive same store sales growth, creating record revenues and value for the business.

"Flynn Restaurant Group's investment is a strong endorsement of our high-caliber team and the brand's success, marking the beginning of an exciting new growth chapter for Pizza Hut in Australia," added Reed said in the press release.

The purchase is expected to be completed by the end of June 2023.

"We are thrilled to see a highly valued, capable, and committed U.S. franchise partner, Flynn Restaurant Group, expanding their relationship with Pizza Hut through the acquisition of the Master Franchisee license in Australia," pointed Aaron Powell, Pizza Hut Global CEO.

Atlanta-based QSR operator Southpaw has acquired abouty 40 Taco Bell locations in the Atlanta market.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed, as per the release.

With this new additions, Southpaw, which is one of the largest franchisee of Taco Bell in the region now has ownership of 115 locations across five states.

The brand also owns a series of Dunkin' locations.

Southpaw owns 180 total restaurants in eight states with sales of more than $300 annually, reported QSRweb.com.

"We are thrilled to deepen our strong relationship with Taco Bell and our footprint within this iconic brand. Taco Bell combines segment dominance with market-leading profits, consistent menu innovation and disruptive marketing. There are few QSR concepts which have exhibited more post-pandemic resilience than Taco Bell," shared Judd Wishnow, Co-Founder & CEO, Southpaw.

"Our acquisition in Atlanta gives us a network of locations that we believe will benefit from our operating strategies and unique ability to capitalize on white space in the market for new development. We could not be happier with the growth of our Taco Bell platform, and we look forward to continued expansion, as we seek to create additional value for our stakeholders,” he added.

Southpaw franchisee has earlier acquired 34 Mid-Atlantic locations in December 2021.

McDonald’s India- North and East launched its latest TVC taking viewers down memory lane, showcasing familiarity with the brand across generations, while standing true to its value promise.

The relatable campaign features a well-known fan truth of how McDonald’s has been a part of small moments of happiness across generations, with a focus on the value it delivers. The TVC conveys a heart-warming message capturing a relatable feeling for viewers.

“Our customers have fond memories associated with our brand. This TVC takes the viewers down the memory lane and helps her re-live the Joyous and ‘happy times she had with loved ones at McDonald’s. Through thoughtful gesture of care, love and reciprocity, the TVC gently touches heart and reassures that it does not take much to create and enjoy feel good delicious memorable moments at McDonald’s – ‘Kisi ka din banaane ke liye, bas dil bada hona chahiye’, We are hopeful of this resonating well with our customers,” shared Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North and East.

Conceptualized by DDB Mudra, the TVC features a fun and beautiful banter between a grandfather and granddaughter. The TVC opens with a grandfather holding a cotton ball on his arm while travelling in an autorickshaw with his granddaughter. The grandfather is cranky as he just got an injection. The little girl tries to blow air on the injection site which leaves him puzzled, and he questions her gesture. The girl smiles and calmly reminds him of the same gesture that he used to do when she was a kid. Soon after, she asks the autorickshaw driver to stop which further confuses him. He questions his granddaughter while stepping out of the auto rickshaw only to feel embarrassed when the granddaughter reminds him of their happy place post doctor appointments. They step out of the auto and enter a McDonald’s where they are seen relishing a McAloo Tikki Meal while reminiscing the old times of the girl’s childhood. The banter and McDonald’s role in creating memories, is set to be a relatable instance for viewers.

The McAloo Tikki Value Meal comes with McAloo Tikki burger, regular fries and regular beverage, priced at INR 99/-.

Westlife Foodworld Ltd (BSE: 505533) (WFL), owner and operator of McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India, has announced its official listing on the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) under the ticker symbol Westlife.

The company was previously only "permitted to trade" but is now listed on both the NSE and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which will result in increased accessibility to more shareholders for Westlife.

“We are delighted to announce our company’s listing on the National Stock Exchange, marking an important milestone in our journey. We believe this announcement will open up opportunities for more investors to be a part of our growth story. We remain committed to delivering value to all our stakeholders, including our customers, employees, shareholders, and the communities in which we operate,” shared Amit Jatia, Chairperson, Westlife Foodworld.

The listing on the NSE is a testament to Westlife Foodworld's strong business fundamentals, its robust growth trajectory, and its commitment to delivering exceptional value to its customers. It is also a reflection of the confidence that the financial markets have in the company's future prospects.

Being listed on a major stock exchange such as the NSE will provide greater visibility to the company and its shares, a high level of compliance on both exchanges, besides making it easier for investors to trade in the stock.

The company recently announced its robust 5-year plans under the aegis Vision 2027 which signifies that it is well positioned to capitalize on the emerging opportunities and strategically expand the footprints of McDonald’s in West and South India.

To mark World Environment Day 2023, Westlife Foodworld Ltd- owner and operator of McDonald's restaurants in West and South India will progressively install rooftop solar panels on one-third of its new restaurants in FY24.

This move is part of the company’s goal to increase the use of renewable energy.

In the last two years, Westlife has reduced its carbon footprint by 16,308 tonne by saving 19.58 million units of electricity, akin to planting 749,086 trees.

“We are committed to a lower carbon footprint, achieved through increased recycling and reuse of materials, use of renewable energy, and reduced consumption. We recognise the critical role that businesses must play in addressing climate change and we are proud to walk the talk. With each step, we are becoming stronger in our fight against climate change. We look forward to continuing our efforts towards a greener future and to serving our customers with delicious and sustainable food,” shared Smita Jatia, Vice Chairperson, Westlife Foodworld.

Westlife’s commitment to sustainability extends to measures that can help conserve resources. The company has eliminated single-use plastics from customer-facing packaging. It is also improving energy efficiency at its existing restaurants with the use of LED and OATS (order assembly table set).

Sustainable sourcing is driven by tapping into green-certified ingredients such as UTZ-certified coffee beans, one of the world’s largest sustainable programmes for coffee and cocoa farming. The cooking oil in McDonald’s -West and South- kitchens is converted into biodiesel, as Westlife is known for pioneering the recycling of converted biodiesel in India.

The drive to sustain the environment is not restricted to processes and equipment but has been adopted by Westlife’s employees too. Over 10,000 employees have taken the ‘Lifestyle for the Environment’ Pledge on the MyGov Pledge platform to showcase their commitment to consciously participate in taking up environmental lifestyle and inculcate long-term environment friendly habits. Hundreds of them from 11 cities have taken up beach-cleaning, planting saplings, and raising awareness about water conservation to mirror the company’s focus on green initiatives.

To promote planting for a greener future and celebrate World Environment Day in the community, McDonald's restaurants in West and South India are giving away Marigold seeds to their customers.

Each of these steps, including using more renewable energy, will advance the company toward its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The pledge through the United Nations Climate Change reflects Westlife's deep commitment to environmental conservation and reducing its carbon footprint.

India based global entrepreneur Teja Chekuri has acquired nine(9) US Dunkin franchisees this week for $ 18,000,000 via their company Golden Horn Group.

The iconic American brand Dunkin' Donuts LLC, also known as Dunkin and by the initials DD, is an American multinational coffee and doughnut company, as well as a quick service restaurant and one of the largest coffee and donut chains in the world. Founded by Bill Rosenberg in 1950, the company is headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts and is famous for its product range that includes donuts, bagels, coffee, and "Munchkins" donut holes.

The Dunkin brand currently operates 13,000 franchisees worldwide.

Nine of these that are in Sharon, Hanover, Weymouth, Braintree, Quincy in Massachusetts are now owned by the Golden Horn Group and will be operated under OM Network LLC.

“This is a historic move for our company because getting a Dunkin’ franchisee is really tough. They have set an impressive benchmark of growth in the industry which when achieved enhances progress. As an official Dunkin franchisee, we now have the opportunity to lead the brand in a new direction of growth. We start with 9 Dunkin stores in and around Boston, Massachusetts today,” shared Chekuri who together with his business partner Mitesh Patel lead the deal as they aim for 150 outlets in the next 5 years across several US cities.

The official Dunkin approval for this acquisition took almost 2 years and the transition of ownership will be a detailed process that will be completed in 6-8 months.

“To achieve this, we are in the process of strengthening backend systems that will enable us to grow faster. Our current expertise in establishing international concepts in the global restaurant industry will add to the vibrancy and growth of the brand as we restructure teams to chase this target,” added Chekuri.

Mexican-inspired restaurant chain Taco Bell has introduced Naked Veggie Taco - a disruptive, plant-based protein option in its diverse menu that compliments the existing fan-favorite, Naked Chicken Taco.

Encouraging consumers to #GetNaked, the brand is also launching a digital campaign to highlight the family of Naked taco offerings.

“Taco Bell® India has established itself as the most innovative QSR in the country. I am delighted to announce that Taco Bell® India is today launching the delicious Naked Veggie Taco, our Plant-based Protein signature Taco to compliment the Naked Chicken Taco which has become one of our leading products,” shared Gaurav Burman, Director, Burman Hospitality Private Limited, Taco Bell’s exclusive franchise partner in India by adding that the group worked hard to create a vegetarian option that was as delicious, nutritious, and unique as their Naked Chicken Taco.

The new Naked Veggie Taco has a shell made entirely out of plant-based protein. A crusted and spice coated protein patty, its fried shell is made up of peas, corn, and nutritious soya. Layered with nacho cheese sauce with the filling of lettuce and signature Mexican Pico de Gallo - a tangy tomato and onion mix- along with the goodness of the two-cheese blend makes it a craveable combination.

The Naked Veggie Taco is available with Unlimited Pepsi at all Taco Bell restaurants across India for just INR 199*.

Emboldening the customers to #GetNaked, Taco Bell® India is urging everyone to substitute the traditionally boxed pizza and fried chicken offerings with the deliciously unique Naked Veggie and Naked Chicken tacos, respectively.

The brand has also released a digital film on its social media platforms that showcases the tantalizing creations and gives viewers a mouthwatering glimpse of both offerings.

In 2019, Burman Hospitality became the master franchisee for Taco Bell India. Burman Hospitality aims to have a pan India presence with more than 600 outlets by 2029. 

Burger King India has launched its latest value range of Tasty Meals, starting at Rs. 99.

With the QSR space becoming more competitive, the newly launched meal offering aims to drive consideration and increase dine-in traffic by providing guests with an irresistible value-for-money deal.

The ‘Tasty Meals’ is all set to treat the hunger pangs of many. With the introduction of meals starting @Rs.99, one can get a lip-smacking meal comprising of a Burger, Fries and a Pepsi Black.

The offer is available across a range including burgers and tacos. Vegetarian options include the Crispy Veg burger meal for Rs.99. One can also opt for Veg Makhani Burst meal, Veg Crunchy Taco meal, Crispy Chicken burger meal, Chicken Makhani Burger meal and Chicken Crunchy Taco meal that is available at different prices.

“We are thrilled to launch the 'Tasty Meals @Rs.99' campaign, which reinforces our commitment to providing guests with an unbeatable value-for-money deal. With the launch of this campaign, we aim to enhance brand love among younger guests by offering them a range of delicious meal options at an affordable price point,” shared Rajeev Varman, CEO, Burger King India.

To unveil this exciting offering, Burger King India has planned a 360-degree campaign that is sure to grab your attention. Starting with a pre-buzz featuring a 10-second product creative across TV, Digital and electronic channels. The campaign also includes a TVC showcasing crazy dance moves on a unique ‘Ninety-Nine’ tune to connect with guests and give them a glimpse of the amazing value they can get with the ‘Tasty Meals starting @ Rs.99’.

“At Burger King India, we are excited to bring this campaign to life as we understand that in today's market, value for money is a key driver of brand consideration. With the launch of our 'Tasty Meals @Rs.99' campaign, we are confident that we will not only satisfy our guests' cravings but also provide them with an unbeatable deal that will make them keep coming back for more,” added Kapil Grover, CMO at Burger King India.

Westlife Foodworld Limited, owner and operator of McDonald's restaurants in West and South India, has announced a record full-year performance 2023 with highest ever sales of Rs. 22.7 bn up by 44% YoY, driven by industry-leading Same Store Sales Growth (SSSG) at 36% YoY. The company recorded a Cash PAT of Rs. 2.5 billion up by 97% YoY.

In the quarter under review, the company reported an all-time high Q4 sales of Rs. 5.56 bn, up 22% YoY with a strong double-digit SSSG (same-store sales growth) of 14% YoY. This was driven by a double-digit growth in dine-in customers, enabling the on-premise business to grow by 38% YoY.

The company’s own delivery channel, the McDelivery platform, saw a robust rise in user base, as digital sales improved to ~62%, led by SOKs (Self-Ordering Kiosks).

“FY 23 was a landmark year for Westlife Foodworld.  Our strong performance, delivered by our omnichannel strategy, menu innovations, store modernization, and cost optimization strategies, is a testament to our scale and agility. We were not only able to strengthen our value proposition but were also able to capitalize on our momentum to promote long-term sustainable growth for all our stakeholders. I believe we are on a strong growth trajectory and will continue to build on our competitive strengths and further our business advantage,” shared Amit Jatia, Vice-Chairman, Westlife Foodworld Limited.

This strong topline resulted in a 34% YoY increase in the company's Restaurant Operating Margin, which now stands at ₹1,364 million.

Withstanding the challenges of inflationary pressures and macroeconomic headwinds, the company's Operating EBIDTA jumped to Rs 919 mn, growing by 26% YoY. The company recorded a Cash PAT of Rs. 567 million in the quarter. Westlife’s average sales per store (TTM) stood at Rs. 66.2 mn, up from Rs. 49.8 mn in FY 22.

Westlife opened 18 new restaurants in the fourth quarter of FY23. The company is on a fast track to add 40-45 new restaurants in FY24 and 580-630 new restaurants by 2027.

Strengthening its Big Burger-led menu innovations, the brand launched the iconic Chicken Big Mac and Cheesy Nuggets. To promote the Chicken Big Mac, Virendra Sehwag was roped in as the face of the brand campaign. To further reinforce its commitment towards fostering a culture of gender equality and diversity, this International Women’s Day, the company launched a distinctive multi-nation campaign recognizing the significant contribution that women have made to its workforce.

As of March 2023, Westlife had 357 restaurants in 56 cities, including 68 Drive-Thrus, 311 McCafés, and 220 Experience of the Future (EOTF) restaurants.

Sandwich chain Subway has announced the first update to its game changing Subway Series menu since its debut in July 2022.

This addition includes double cheese, two brand new sandwiches and new twists on four fan favorites from Subway’s culinary team.

Sandwich lovers now have even more craveable Subway Series options easily ordered by name and number, bringing this star-studded selection of subs from 12 to 18.

The Subway Series has been a hit with guests and franchisees over the last year, helping spur record-setting sales for Subway in 2022.

Four beloved Subway classics are joining the Subway Series menu — the Sweet Onion Teriyaki, Italian B.M.T., Chicken & Bacon Ranch and Spicy Italian – but with some changes.

Subway also gave two superfans a preview of the refreshed classic sandwiches and a behind-the-scenes look at how these new recipes came together. Dancing with the Stars duo Maksim (Maks) and Valentin (Val) Chmerkovskiy have a decade-long love of Subway's Italian B.M.T. and Sweet Onion Teriyaki.

"Before our TV days, we were constantly going to and from rehearsals, and Subway was always an easy, delicious meal to fuel us for another performance," Chmerkovskiy said in the press release. "We even thought about owning a restaurant years ago! Could you imagine Maks and I dancing behind the sandwich counter? We're huge fans of the brand and excited to see some of our favorite sandwiches taken up a notch on the Subway Series. I could never make a sandwich this good."

Subway operates nearly 37,000 restaurants across worldwide.

Bengaluru-based Biggies Burger has launched its newest store at Sarjapur, Bengaluru.

With its 14^th store in Bengaluru, Biggies Burger is expanding its presence deep into the city bringing hyperlocal approach to its expansion plans. 

The QSR chain aims to have 350 stores across India by 2024. Biggies Burger currently has over 130 stores in the country.

“We are excited to open a new store in Bengaluru. We have been building a loyal customer base across the country and we are confident that we will reach our 350 store mark by 2024,” said Biraja Prasad Rout, Founder, Biggies Burger by adding that the menu is diligently planned to suit the tastes of the local people.

As a part of its franchising programme, Biggies Burger has come up with ‘Biggies Entrepreneur Programme’ which enables aspiring foodpreneurs to build a sustainable QSR business as its franchisees.

The newly launched store, located at Natura Walk, Sarjapur features the signature Biggies Burger menu, which includes a variety of lip smacking burgers, sides, and drinks.

With the opening of its new store in Sarjapur, Biggies Burger is continuing its mission to bring authentic grilled burgers to customers across India.

Founded in 2002, US based Meridian Restaurants, that filed for bankruptcy earlier in March and operate 116-unit is closing 27 restaurants.

As per reports, the locations are in Minnesota, Utah, Montana, Kansas, Nebraska and North Dakota.

Many of them are in small towns, such as Lewiston, Montana, a town of about 6,000 people 126 miles north of Billings, reported QSRWEB.COM.

The franchisee is also leaving open the possibility of more closures ahead, saying “it is possible, if not likely,” that further analysis suggests more closures are “appropriate.”

But the company in a filing said that it doesn’t anticipate closing “all or even a substantial portion of their restaurants,” it added.

Meridian and its advisers are negotiating rent concessions and operational improvements with landlords.

“It will be in the debtors’ best interest not to conduct store closings at most of its locations,” the company said in a filing.

The company initially sought court approval to close 23 restaurants on March 29 but last week added four more to the list.

Meridian operated 120 restaurants, most of which it acquired when they were struggling, believing they could be turned around.

Earlier this week, McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger announced two new appointments to his senior leadership team.

The QSR chain has promoted Michael Gonda to Senior Vice President and Chief Impact Officer, North America.

In this role, he will be responsible for driving the holistic impact strategy across Communications, State and Local Government Relations, Sustainability & ESG, and Philanthropy in the U.S. and Canada.

His cross-functional team will proactively engage stakeholders and communities to protect and enhance the McDonald’s brand and more efficiently and effectively partner with global and other markets.

Sandy Rodriguez, Vice President, U.S. Communications, will transition to and assume the role of Global Chief Communications Officer for McDonald’s Corporation.

On the other hand, Jami Guthrie has been promoted to Vice President, Strategic Insights and Prioritization. In this role, he will be responsible for managing strategy, insights, analytics, and planning resources, creating an integrated view for the entire U.S. business.

This team will help McDonald’s USA to focus on its most critical priorities, eliminate redundancy and inefficiency in work, and enable more rapid innovation and effective collaboration.

QSR chain Burger Singh is planning at opening 6 outlets in the pink city with existing outlets in Vaishali Nagar, Mansarovar and the newly launched outlet in Raja Park.

It also plans to hire 50 personnel to aid the operations of the upcoming outlets.

In the past year, the chain has experienced tremendous growth, with over 100 outlets in 54 cities, 83 of which are operational and 20 currently being fitted out. Burger Singh recently also announced plans to expand in other states, including 35 outlets in Maharashtra, 8 in Madhya Pradesh, 48 in Gujarat, 16 in Bihar, 6 in Jharkhand and 8 in Odisha.

“We are overjoyed by the love we have received from the people of Jaipur. The phenomenal performance of our existing outlets has motivated us to open more branches in the city as our unique blend of Indian and western flavours have been a phenomenal hit with fast food lovers in the Pink City,” said Kabir Jeet Singh, Founder & CEO of Burger Singh.

Burger Singh's success in fusing Indian flavours into their burgers is a great example of innovation in the fast food industry. Their approach has resonated well with consumers beyond metros, leading to their rapid growth and expansion.

“We are proud to be India’s first and largest homegrown burger chain. As a brand, we constantly seek to evolve and provide customers with innovative and exciting options. Our commitment to quality, affordability, and convenience has made us a trusted choice not just for fast food lovers across the country but also for budding entrepreneurs who want to become a part of the Burger Singh story,” added Rahul Seth, Co-founder of Burger Singh.

Mexican QSR chain Taco Bell has on-boarded cricket all-rounder and youth-icon Hardik Pandya as its first ever brand ambassador in India.

For Hardik’s first campaign with the brand, he will be seen promoting Taco Bell’s® partnership with Microsoft Xbox for a month-long giveaway. To bolster participation in the contest and ensure active consumer engagement, the brand will go-live with multiple digital activations throughout the month, featuring Hardik Pandya.

To kick off the campaign with the all-rounder, Taco Bell® has launched an engaging digital film that captures the collaboration for its audiences. 

In its third year, this collaboration between Taco Bell® and Microsoft Xbox will run from 3^rd April 2023 till 30^th April 2023 wherein Taco Bell® fans and gaming enthusiasts can place order at Taco Bell® via dine-in or delivery app and aggregators and stand a chance to win the Xbox Series S, 12-month game pass.

“I’m excited to partner with a super cool brand like Taco Bell as their first brand ambassador in India. I’m a big foodie. Whenever I can, I feast on their tacos. I’m sure the consumers will enjoy the innovative experience Taco Bell offers in this campaign. I look forward to being a part of this journey with Taco Bell across their partnership with Microsoft Xbox,” shared Pandya.

“Hardik Pandya is one of the world’s greatest cricket superstars, a brilliant athlete, and a wonderful role model. Taco Bell India is honoured and delighted that as a result of his love for our food and brand he has agreed to become Taco Bell India’s first Brand Ambassador. Taco Bell India has over 130 stores and is adding a new store every 100 hours, our success has been a result of our focus on delivering our customers the most innovative food at the most affordable prices.,” added Gaurav Burman, Director, Burman Hospitality, Taco Bell’s Master Franchise Partner in India.

The Taco Bell® App and website will also provide the participants with extensive and explicit terms and conditions. To be eligible for the giveaway, consumers can either place an order with their valid 10-digit mobile number, for delivery via the Taco Bell® App or food aggregators, dine-in at any nearby restaurant or opt for Takeaway.  

The brand will give-away 28 Xbox Series S gaming consoles and 12-month game pass to the lucky winners for this installment of the collaboration.

QSR chain 99 Pancakes has announced its entry into the FMCG segment, with its first product, Brownie Brittle Chips.

The product range will be available in 4 variants – Almond, Pistachio, Strawberry and Coffee.

The Brownie Brittle Chips will be manufactured and marketed by parent company, Euphoriya Hospitality and sub-branded by 99 Pancakes.

“We started 99 Pancakes six years ago with a specialty product – Pancakes, and we’ve been able to penetrate the markets across India very well. The overwhelming response from our customers has given us the courage and motivation to further expand ourselves and venture into a new segment of Fast Moving Consumer Durables (FMCG). The Brownie Brittle Chips is our first product in the FMCG segment. With this product, we wish to strike the mid-meal snacking craving or a dessert after-meal. The different flavours that we’re offering will match the taste buds of all generations,” shared Vikesh Shah, Founder, 99 Pancakes.

99 Pancakes, which came into existence in the 2017 with its first pancakes specialty outlet in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai, currently has 40+ outlets across 15 cities of India.

Brownie Brittle Chips are priced at INR 110 and available in all stores of 99 Pancakes, the online store of 99 Pancakes, Swiggy, and Zomato.  

In the upcoming time, Brownie Brittle Chips will be available on Amazon, Flipkart, Big Basket, Blinkit, Zepto, and many more such marketplaces.

QSR chain McDonald's Corp is temporarily closing its US offices this week as it prepares to inform its corporate employees about layoffs as part of a broader company restructuring, share a WSJ report on Sunday.

In an internal email last week to the employees and some international staff, McDonald's asked them to work from home from Monday through Wednesday so it can deliver staffing decisions virtually.

However, it is unclear how many employees will be laid off.

"During the week of April 3, we will communicate key decisions related to roles and staffing levels across the organization," read the message sent by the burger chain.

McDonald's has also asked its employees to cancel all in-person meetings with vendors and other outside parties at its headquarters, shared the report.

Earlier in January it had announced that it would review corporate staffing levels as part of an updated business strategy, which could lead to layoffs in some areas and expansion in others.

The layoffs are expected to be announced by Wednesday.

QSR chain McDonald’s has partnered with China-based terminal solutions manufacturer Telpo to provide a customized, 27-inch self-service ordering kiosk called the Telpo K20 at McDonald’s store.

According to the report, customers can see and choose what they want, including ingredients and sauces, through the touchscreen display.

The kiosk also provides optional payment accessories, including the contactless card reader, a 3D structured light camera, QR code payment, NFC payment and face recognition payment.

An 80mm thermal printer with an auto-cutter provides a printing speed of 150mm/second and a maximum of up to 220mm/second. At the same time, multi-language and multi-font printing makes receipts an advertising tool.

Without adding any selector switch, the operating system can be switched between Windows and Android operating systems.

Telpo has offices in India, as well as branches in Hong Kong, Nigeria, the U.S. and Sri Lanka.

Wow! Momo Foods that operates with 3 Brands; Wow! Momo, Wow! China and Wow! Chicken, is all set to launch its new format - Wow! Eats.

Wow! Eats bring together the best of all wow!-world, with all three         popular brands under one roof - Wow! Momo, Wow! China & Wow! Chicken. It’s at one end stepping stone for Wow! Momo Foods as a “UNIFIED PLATFORM from a MULTI-BRAND” approach; and for the consumers it’s a delicious mélange of three culinary dynamos.

Wow! Eats will also be extended online as the Wow! Eats App soon; where the consumers can place an order both in dine in and delivery; from all 3 brands  from a single app and therefore the brand WOW! Eats is built purely as a PHYGITAL BRAND from the start.

“We believe that consumers want diversity of taste through unity of window; the future is not about owning share of marketplace; rather it is going to be owning share of stomach through multiple branded occasions; Wow! Eats brings these multiple occasions of eating out to a single place & a Wow! Experience,” shared Sagar Daryani, CEO & Co-Founder, Wow! Momo Foods.

Wow! Eats launched its first outlet in Chennai couple of days back; idea is to extend it to 10 such towering super speciality restaurants with next 3 months. 1 More in Chennai and 2 in Hyderabad, 2 in Kolkata, 1 in Bhubaneshwar and few more lined up across key metro cities of the country.

“With Wow! Eats, we're on a mission to enter the pure platform play; tripling our might and machinery to give consumers a diverse choice and strategically own larger share of the stomach,” added Murali Krishnan, Co-founder and CMO at Wow! Momo Foods.

With over 500 outlets across 27 cities, Wow! Momo Foods plans to open 250 outlets in FY24.

Bengaluru-based Biggies Burger has announced plans to expand its presence in tier II and III cities across the country.

The company currently has over 130 stores in 28 cities across 14 states in the country and aims to increase its store count to 350 by the end of 2024.

Biggies Burger's expansion will be focusing on expanding in tier II and III cities owing to the growing demand in these geographies.

As part of its expansion strategy, Biggies Burger will be launching Bigg Café, a first of its kind burger café introduced by Biggies Burger last year. While the brand aims at increasing its store count to 350 with its presence in tier II and III cities, among them the brand plans to open 50 Bigg Cafes this year all of which would be in Bengaluru.

The burger chain also aims at converting its existing Burger stores to Bigg Café format soon in addition to having at least 90 percent of its upcoming stores in Bigg Cafe format. 

Biggies Burger has also introduced a franchise program that will enable entrepreneurs to start their own QSR chains with the company's support and guidance. Biraja Rout, Founder of Biggies Burger himself being a techie turned foodpreneur, Biggies Burger’s franchise program aims at creating more foodpreneurs in the country regardless of their background and experience running QSR business.

Speaking about the expansion plans, Biraja Rout, Founder of Biggies Burger, said, "We see tremendous potential in tier II and III cities, where there is a growing demand for global QSR food options with an Indian touch for it. With a great deal of demand for our stores in these locations, we are confident that we can meet this demand and offer customers the same quality, taste, and value that they have come to expect from our brand."

Biggies Burger's expansion plans come at a time when the QSR industry in India is witnessing significant growth, driven by changing consumer lifestyles and a growing demand for convenience and value-based dining options. According to industry reports, the QSR market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22% between 2020 and 2025, with tier II and III cities accounting for a significant share of this growth.

The company has already identified several locations in tier II and III cities for its new outlets and is in the process of finalizing the details. The new outlets will offer Biggies Burger's signature menu, including a range of grilled burgers, chicken wings, and beverages.

QSR chain Taco Bell has opened its doors to its latest Cantina restaurant experience in the heart of Los Angeles, bringing the vibrant atmosphere to the iconic palm tree-lined, Hollywood Boulevard community.

"We're excited to be part of LA history with the continued expansion of our Cantina concept," said Taco Bell President and Global COO, Mike Grams by adding that these flexible formats are bringing iconic Taco Bell experiences to their fans across America, made possible by strong partnerships with their franchisees and the best restaurant teams.

"Taco Bell Cantinas continue to embody the spirit of the community, with our latest Hollywood location delivering an immersive, craveable brand experience to our Los Angeles guests," said Brian Cox, Owner of C&R Restaurant Group, one of Taco Bell's franchisees.

The site, formerly a bookstore to the starts, includes: digital ordering; a movie screen and DJ ready speakers; merchandise; a footprint on a historic landmark and an improved team member experience.

"We're continuing to push the boundaries and innovate for communities hungry for elevated dining experiences from quick-service restaurants they love, and our new Hollywood Cantina is poised to be a guest favorite," added Mark Reed, Owner of C&R Restaurant Group.

The Wendy's Company has announced near-term, science-based targets to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 47% by 2030 across its global System.

The goals, which were recently approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), underscore Wendy's® commitment to transparency and mitigating its climate impact.

To make these meaningful cuts, Wendy's will work throughout its System, including Company operations, and cooperatively with franchisees and suppliers, to turn commitment into action.

Wendy's estimates that achieving the goal would avoid approximately 7.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent compared to business as usual, which is equal to removing more than 1.5 million gas-powered vehicles from the road in a single year.

"We recognize our role in using resources and energy, and we continue to prioritize delivering more to our customers with a smaller environmental footprint," said Chief Corporate Aairs and Sustainability Ocer Liliana Esposito.

Through the process of setting its Scope 3 science-based targets, Wendy's identified two areas of focus for emissions reductions: purchased goods and franchised restaurants. Purchased goods, such as food and packaging, represent nearly 85% of the System's Scope 3 emissions while Wendy's more than 6,500 franchised restaurants contribute approximately 10% of Scope 3 emissions. Collaboration throughout the Wendy's value chain will be critical to achieving its Scope 3 targets, which are aligned to SBTi's well below 2°C criteria.

"Today, Wendy's joins the growing list of companies with science-based targets consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C," said Luiz Amaral, Chief Executive Ocer of the Science Based Targets initiative. "We now need more corporate actors to set ambitious targets like Wendy's."

India’s home-grown burger chain Burger Singh has announced its plans to establish a warehouse in Mehsana, Gujarat.

The new facility will help Burger Singh to better serve its customers in the state and surrounding regions by bolstering its supply chain and making operations more cost-efficient.

This move is part of Burger Singh's ambitious expansion plan in the Western region of India, with a goal of opening 48 outlets in the state of Gujarat alone. The QSR chain has already established 7 operational outlets in Gujarat and 5 more under fit-outs.

"These are cities where other international brands won't go, making them the perfect market for Burger Singh to establish its presence and make a big impact," said Rahul Seth, Co-founder of Burger Singh by adding that they see immense potential in tier 2 and tier 3 cities in the country.

Burger Singh is the largest Made-In-India burger chain and is on a rapid expansion spree, going from 50 outlets in Dec 2021 to over 100+ outlets in 54 cities currently, with 83 operational outlets and 20 in fit-outs.

The quick-service restaurant chain has seen tremendous growth in a highly competitive market due to its unit-level profitability and signature Indian flavours. In tier 1 cities, Burger Singh competes with international giants not only in terms of volumes but also in the number of outlets; Delhi, Lucknow, and Chandigarh being prime examples.

“Joining the Burger Singh franchise network has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. The unique menu with its signature Indian flavours, combined with its cost-effective business model, has proven to be a recipe for success. I have seen immense growth in my franchise within a very short period of time, and I am proud to be a part of such a successful brand,” added Franchise owner Bhamra Harmandarsingh.

QSR chain Carl's Jr has partnered with Nocking Point Wines to launch Wine Pairing Bundle.

Two wines in the package have been chosen especially to go with the A.1 Double Cheeseburger.

“After the busy holidays, there is no better time to sit back and relax with a mouth-watering cheeseburger and a glass of red wine. That's why we are bringing back our partnership with Nocking Point Wines to celebrate the return of our A.1. Double cheeseburger,” shared Owen Klein, VP, Global Culinary Innovation, CKE Restaurants.

The Carl's Jr. Wine Pairing Bundle allows consumers to replicate a fine dining experience for an unbeatable price and the ability to enjoy on a night in, reported QSRWeb.com.

To determine the perfect pairing for the burger, the Carl's Jr. culinary team tasted a number of wines and settled on a red blend and pinot noir.

Wine Pairing Bundle will receive a promotional code that can be used to get a free A.1. Double Cheeseburger with a minimum purchase of $1 via the Carl's Jr. app or online ordering.

“We wanted to create a gastronomic moment that people can enjoy to unwind, relax, and reward themselves. The current Carl's Jr. steakhouse-inspired burger is the ideal way to indulge, and Nocking Point Wines' flavour brings out special and pleasant nuances from both the wines and the burger to make it even more enjoyable,” added Zac Albright, vice president of branded content at Nocking Point Wines.

QSR chain Burger King has announced Patrick (Pat) O’Toole as Chief Marketing Officer, beginning Feb. 6.

O’Toole will be accountable for leading marketing efforts to help grow traffic, accelerate sales growth and amplify the fundamental advancements the brand is making to the Guest experience — in support of the brand’s existing Reclaim the Flame plan shared in 2022 — and supported by more than 96% of Burger King Franchisees nationwide.

“We are excited to welcome Pat to the Burger King leadership team and broader BK family. Pat joins us at a milestone moment for the brand, and brings the right combination of perspective, experience and expertise to position BK for success in 2023 and beyond. We have an incredible plan that has been built with and endorsed by our Franchisees. Pat is joining this team to strengthen and build on our existing plans in collaboration with our Franchisees, leveraging his impressive background and past experiences,” shared Tom Curtis, President of Burger King North America.

O’Toole joins the brand following 14 years with PepsiCo, where he most recently served as CMO for Mountain Dew. Prior to that, he held key roles at GE and Black & Decker.

Founded in 1954, the Burger King® brand is a global fast-food hamburger chain that operates more than 18,700 locations in more than 100 countries and U.S. territories.

One of the largest Canada-based restaurant operator Redberry Restaurants has partnered with Taco Bell to build out 200 units in Canada, making it the largest Taco Bell franchisee in the country.

Redberry currently operates 14 Taco Bell locations across Ontario. The units are expected to be built within the next eight years, reported QSRWeb.com.

"We're excited to 'Make it Happen. Our team is committed to achieving what we say we're going to do. This has led brands to invest in us and trust us to deliver. The opportunity to lead the expansion of the beloved Taco Bell brand north of the border is truly an honor,” shared Ken Otto, CEO, Redberry Restaurants.

The group is targeting to open outlets across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.

"Over the past few years, we have seen what Redberry can do with our brand. We recognize how different the Canadian market is and Redberry has proven themselves as an undisputed leader in operational excellence in the Canadian QSR industry. We couldn't be happier to partner with Redberry as Taco Bell's Canadian brand ambassadors,” added Matthew Shaw, chief development officer, Taco Bell North America.

Redberry has 170-plus restaurants across Canada, operating Burger King, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell brands.

QSR chain McDonald’s on Friday announced that it may look at evaluating roles and staffing level as part of a broad organisational structure.

Promising some “difficult discussions and decisions ahead,” Chris Kempczinski, CEO, McDonald’s said the group is thinking about restructuring designed to increase the speed, innovation and efficiency of the business.

The effort, called “Accelerating the Organization,” will include discussions among leaders throughout the company, with the strategy slated to be finalized in April, reported Restaurant Business Online.

“As part of this work, we will evaluate roles and staffing levels in parts of the organization and there will be difficult discussions and decisions ahead,” Kempczinski wrote in a system message on Friday by adding that they will look into the strategy and their values to guide how they reach those decisions and support every impacted member of the company.

McDonald’s effort also includes the promotion of four key executives, including expanded roles or new business units designed to take advantage of the organizational changes.

It promoted its Marketing chief Morgan Flatley to EVP, global chief marketing officer and new business ventures, Skye Anderson, who had been president of the West Zone for McDonald’s USA, was named president of global business services and Andrew Gregory was promoted to SVP global franchising and development.

Those appointments will be effective Feb. 1.

“Through Accelerating the Organization, we will evolve our culture to foster greater collaboration and develop one McDonald’s way to solve problems for our customers and people together,” added Kempczinski.