Americas
McDonald’s leaves National Restaurant Association over wage dispute
McDonald’s has withdrawn from the US National Restaurant Association due to disagreements over wage policy, Bloomberg has reported. The chain opposes the tipped wage model, which allows restaurants to count tips toward meeting minimum wage requirements. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski has voiced support for a “no tax on tips” provision, though he noted it would not affect McDonald’s employees, who are not tipped. The association, which has long backed the system, argues tipped workers often earn more than minimum wage. McDonald’s departure is seen as a major setback for the group, which represents much of the US restaurant industry.
Stanford study: more plant-based options don’t cut meat orders
A Stanford University School of Medicine study of nearly 4,500 participants found that adding plant-based proteins to a Chipotle-style menu did not reduce meat consumption. When no alternatives were offered, 89.1% chose meat. With Sofritas (braised tofu) available, 88.8% still chose meat, and with both Sofritas and a mock “chick’nitas” (a fictitious shredded chicken-style plant protein), 87.6% did. Instead, the new options mainly drew people away from the veggie option. Researchers pointed to taste concerns, perceptions of over-processing and “satisficing” ‒ picking the first familiar acceptable option ‒ as factors. The study priced the plant-based items the same as chicken, suggesting lower costs may be needed to drive uptake.
Asia Pacific
Singapore’s Aikit to pilot AI-driven automated kitchens
Singapore-based Aikit has just launched a six-month pilot of its AI-powered kitchen system, ChefGenie, at Punggol Digital District, a new-generation business park for tech sectors including cybersecurity, AI and robotics. Backed by Enterprise Singapore, the programme will test autonomous kitchens as a response to labour shortages and rising costs in the F&B sector, while gauging consumer acceptance. Eight brands, including Takagi Ramen, The Hainan Story and Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks, will take part. ChefGenie is designed to manage both cooking and operations such as inventory, restocking and demand forecasting. As part of the trial, 4,000 meals will be offered at S$1.99 ($1.50) each to make the trial accessible to consumers.
South East Asians send food to Indonesian riders amid protests
Protests in Indonesia, which escalated after Gojek driver Affan Kurniawan was run over and killed by a police vehicle, have inspired a regional support drive for food delivery drivers. Social media users in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand are using Grab and Gojek to order meals in Indonesia and tell riders to keep or share them, rallying under the #SEAblings hashtag, a play on South East Asia’s acronym. At least 10 people have died in the demonstrations over the cost of living and social inequality, including excessive pay and housing allowances for parliamentarians, which have taken place in several cities across Indonesia, starting on August 25. President Prabowo and the police chief have apologised and pledged to rein in some perks, but the rallies have continued.
Europe, Middle East, Africa
Heston Blumenthal calls for permanent VAT cut for pubs
Heston Blumenthal is calling for hospitality VAT to be permanently cut from 20% to help struggling British pubs. It comes after government data showed that 209 pubs were demolished or converted for other uses in the first half of 2025, equivalent to an average of eight closures per week. The chef, who owns the Michelin-starred Hinds Head pub in Bray, said: “Saving the great British pub is about more than nostalgia – it is about preserving spaces that bring people together, support local economies and keep traditions alive.” He is also urging other pub owners to do more to make customers aware of the issues facing pubs and develop their own initiatives to encourage people to support their local.
Sodexo partners with EAT to drive sustainable eating
Sodexo has partnered with Oslo-based non-profit EAT to promote healthier and more sustainable food choices. As EAT’s exclusive foodservice sector partner, Sodexo will aim to apply its global knowledge to translate scientific research into practical solutions, making nutritious meals widely accessible. The collaboration will be introduced at the Stockholm Food Forum on 3 October 2025, where the organisations will co-host a dinner showcasing responsible sourcing and culinary practices. Sodexo will also engage in discussions at the forum, including a side event focused on translating vision into actionable steps. Sodexo, which serves 80 million consumers daily, sees the partnership as a way to scale healthier habits, while EAT values Sodexo’s operational expertise in putting science into action.
Elly Earls
