QSR, Restaurant and Food Service Trends from the United States

June 09, 2008

McDonald's same store sales for May 2008 up 7.7%

McDonald's said on Monday that global sales at restaurants open at least 13 months rose 7.7 percent in May, helped by strong international sales. Overseas sales have been outpacing domestic results for some time at McDonald's, which has been heavily p...

June 09, 2008

Tomatoes are pulled off menus and supermarket shelves over Salmonella fears

Fast-food chains and supermarkets in the United States have removed or stopped serving tomatoes tied to a salmonella outbreak that's sweeping the nation. Officials have preliminary linked raw red plum, red Roma and round red tomatoes as the possible ...

June 06, 2008

El presidente de la cadena de franquicias KFC abandona la compañia

El presidente estadounidense de la enseña de comida rápida, especializada en pollo frito, Gregg Dedrick deja la compañía en medio de una revisión de su concepto de negocio. Después de 20 años al frente de la marca, Dedrick será sustituido por Roger Eat...

June 05, 2008

McDonald's Appoints New Director of Nutrition

McDonald's USA announced today that Dr. Cynthia M. Goody has joined the company as director of nutrition, effective June 1, 2008. In her new role, Goody will oversee all aspects of menu nutrition for McDonald's 13,800 restaurants in the U.S.

June 04, 2008

McDonald's Dollar-Menu Fixation Sparks Franchisee Revolt

With sky-high commodity costs, an increase in minimum wage and consumers trading down to lower-price items, McDonald's owner/operators are starting to push back on the dollar menu credited with much of the chain's turnaround. Several New York stores...

June 04, 2008

Yum! Brands Appoints Eaton President of KFC, USA

Yum! Brands, Inc. today announced the appointment of Roger Eaton, 47, as President of KFC USA. He replaces Gregg Dedrick, 49, who has made a personal decision to leave by year’s end after 20 years with the Company so that he may pursue several outside ...

June 02, 2008

Fast Food Outlets In New York Go Against Rule To Publish Calorie Count

Since May 5 when New York City mandated restaurants to print the calorie count of the meals on menus 81 dining establishments have been served notice by the city Health Department for violation of the law. Among those found guilty were Dunkin' Donuts...

June 02, 2008

New details of Wendy's sale deal emerge from securities filing today

At one time, there were proposed bids for Wendy’s International from four groups other than Triac Cos which agreed in April to buy the Dublin burger chain for $2.3 billion. A regulatory filing today offers a first-time look at the sale process for Wen...

June 02, 2008

Boise McDonald's gives out free fries to honor JR Simplot

To honor the man responsible for bringing the frozen French fry to the masses - McDonald's locations in Ada and Canyon Counties will give people a special free treat today. From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., customers can get a free order of fries in honor of...

May 30, 2008

Resolution reached in McDonald's french fry cases

Newschannel Five has learned eight Florida lawsuits filed against McDonald's have been resolved. The lawsuits all alleged McDonald's French Fries made the individuals sick and complicated pre-existing medical problems or diseases. The cases all revol...

May 30, 2008

FTC clears Triarc to merge Arby's and Wendy's

The Federal Trade Commission has given the OK to Triarc Companies Inc.'s planned $2.34 billion acquisition Wendy's International Inc. The regulator this week granted an early termination to a waiting period mandated by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust ...

May 28, 2008

Interview with Linda Alvarado, one of YUM brands largest franchisees

Linda Alvarado talks about the restaurant business. She is one of Yum Brands largest franchisees. A highlight of this multipage interview: At Palo Alto, what are you saying back in your offices about food costs and how you can address that? We are loo...

May 27, 2008

Burger King Board of Directors Appoints John Chidsey as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Burger King Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BKC) announced today that it has made several changes to its board of directors. The private equity funds controlled by TPG Capital, Bain Capital Partners and the Goldman Sachs Funds, which purchased the company in Dece...

May 24, 2008

Fast food chain Burger King, farm worker group agree on wage deal

A farm workers advocacy group and Burger King Corp. have agreed on a deal to help boost wages and improve conditions for Florida tomato pickers, both sides said Friday. The plan ends a bitter dispute between the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the M...

May 22, 2008

McDonald's switches to transfat free frying oils

The McDonald's Corp. has completed its changeover to cooking oil with no trans fat at its restaurants in the U.S. and Canada The world's largest restaurant chain is now cooking French fries, hash browns, Filet-O-Fish sandwiches and chicken in a blend ...

May 20, 2008

Restaurants Serve New Sustainability Initiatives

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) wants to lighten its industry's environmental impacts with a new initiative aimed at helping restaurateurs implement eco-friendly business practices.The industry group unveiled "Conserve: Solutions for Su...

May 19, 2008

Senator John McCain speaks at NRA Show, Chicago

Before a packed ballroom, Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), accompanied by Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.), addressed industry insiders at the 2008 National restaurant Association, Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show today. Touching on topics ranging from his democrat...

May 19, 2008

Yum! Brands Appoints Robert D. Walter to Board

Yum! Brands, Inc.announced today the appointment of Robert D. Walter, 62, to its Board of Directors. Walter is Founder and Executive Director of Cardinal Health, Inc. , a global provider of products and services that improve the safety and productivity...