Dear Reader,
Our weekly newsletter covers noteworthy and curious news from the international hospitality business. Find out what we've discovered about McDonald's UK, KFC and Panera Bread. Also, take a look at our market research on the consumer demand for restaurant openings.
Enjoy reading!
Your foodservice Bites team
Editor's Note
After a wonderful anniversary Summit last year to celebrate conference number 20, let’s concentrate this time on a ‘special limited edition’ with a maximum of 150 participants (plus live stream).
Don't miss out on the 21th European Foodservice Summit on September 24th & 25th, 2020, Rüschlikon/Zürich, Switzerland. Early booking: 15 % discount.
www.efss.ch
Market Research
German and French consumers are most open to come back to restaurantsMore than half of consumers in Europe (51%) indicate that - even if restaurant doors open again – they will wait before they start visiting them. And interestingly this does not change by age, younger as well as older consumers see the same concern and will be cautious. Slight difference have been observed by countries: German and French consumers are most open to come back to restaurants quickly after re-openings and basically trust in their hygiene and safety measures. Much less so in Spain and Italy. This indicates that even if the industry can offer food and beverages together with its in-store experience, it may be a slow start after the lockdown.
www.npdgroup.com Brands
McDonald's shares exact date every drive-thru in UK will reopenMcDonald's said 975 more outlets will reopen to the public, providing customers are able to keep in line with social distancing and safety guidelines. (Approx. reading time: 3 min.)
www.mirror.co.ukPizza Hut is giving away 500,000 free pizzasThe pizzeria chain is celebrating the class of 2020 by giving away 500,000 free pizzas. Pizza Hut is teaming up for the giveaway with America's dairy farmers.
(Approx. reading time: 2 min.)www.cnn.comKFC to test revamped sandwichKentucky Fried Chicken will begin testing an overhauled sandwich featuring a bigger chicken filet and other modifications.
(Approx. reading time: 3 min.)
www.reuters.com Operations
Panera Bread has hired former Kraft Heinz CMOPanera Bread has hired Eduardo Luz, the former US chief marketing officer and global brand officer of Kraft Heinz, as its chief brand and concept officer.
(Approx. reading time: 2 min.)
www.businessinsider.comTaco John’s names new CMOTaco John’s International Inc. has named Barry Westrum as chief marketing officer. The company said Westrum will oversee brand and marketing strategy, advertising, digital innovation, menu development, creative services and the overall brand experience for Taco John’s.
(Approx. reading time: 2 min.)
www.nrn.comNaf Naf Middle Eastern Grill names new CEO
Greg Willman has been named as the new CEO of Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill. Gary Beisler, who served as interim CEO, will continue as chairman of Naf Naf’s board.
(Approx. reading time: 2 min.)
www.nrn.com
Delivery
Meituan hits $100b valuationThe Hong Kong-listed giant which focuses on food delivery with smaller segments in travel and transportation is the third Chinese firm to reach the landmark valuation.
(Approx. reading time: 3 min.)
www.techcrunch.com10 promising food delivery startups While some food delivery companies are having turbulent times, the others are booming. A compiled list of 10 fast-growing European start-ups focusing on ready-made food delivery.
(Approx. reading time: 5 min.)
www.eu-startups.com By the way
Burger King debuts giant crowns Burger King introduced giant social distancing crowns to keep customers socially distant as franchises began to reopen dine-in services in Germany.
(Approx. reading time: 2 min.)
www.nypost.com