The Americas
KFC US switches from Pepsi to Coke, ending a 40-year partnership
The quick-service chain will transition its longtime beverage partnership from Pepsi to Coke beginning in January with a full roll out by spring 2027, after a 40-year exclusive partnership. The announcement comes as KFC continues to evolve its beverage platform through new drink offerings and expanded dayparts in response to significant consumer demand. “I’m incredibly excited to bring KFC and Coca-Cola together. These are two originals, with deep consumer love,” KFC president Catherine Tan-Gillespie said in a statement.
New York’s Plaza Hotel to close in 2027 for four-year facade restoration
Starting in January, the iconic New York Plaza Hotel will shut down for at least four years to undergo repair to its landmark-protected building exterior, reports Hotel Dive. The property, which opened in 1907, is part of Accor’s Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand. The works will involve a restoration to its facade, though the full scope and complexity of the project is under review, per the hotel’s release. The restoration of the hotel, which has long been regarded as an “enduring part of New York City’s architectural and cultural heritage” will require detailed planning and coordination with relevant stakeholders. The hotel will also adhere to applicable historic preservation requirements as the project advances, said the statement.
Asia Pacific
Burger King’s Japan operator says 11.18 million customer records exposed
Last week, the operator of the Burger King hamburger chain in Japan reported a data breach, with 11.18 million customer records exposed through unauthorized access to a server managing data from its official smartphone app. The leaked data includes users’ names, dates of birth, email addresses, phone numbers and gender. BK Japan said it has not confirmed any fraudulent use of the information and is investigating the breach. Credit card information is not stored by the company and was not compromised. Other Japanese companies to report data breaches in recent weeks include the Times Car car-sharing service, Yahama Motor Co and East Japan Railway Co.
Domino’s calls out ‘continued pressures’ of Australian arm
The US pizza giant has issued a warning about its struggling Australian franchisee’s future, blaming its sales strategy for pulling down the fast-food giant’s global performance. Joe Jordan, CEO of the company, has signaled he is open to taking away some overseas markets from the ASX-listed business. The NASDAQ-listed pizza chain has reported slowing comparable sales for several quarters in a row, as rising competition, inflation and a softening labor market hamper consumer spending. In its second-quarter earnings presentation overnight, the US parent company revealed international comparable sales dropped by 0.1 per cent, with bosses blaming ASX-listed Domino’s Pizza Enterprises (DPE), which operates thousands of Domino’s outlets across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Japan.
Europe, Africa and Middle East
AI cuts food waste for 78% of UK restaurant operators
AI tools have helped 78% of UK restaurant operators using the technology reduce food waste, according to research by restaurant technology platform Toast. The study found that 32% of operators reduced food waste by 1% to 10%, while 40% achieved cuts of 11% to 20%. A further 6% reduced waste by more than 20%. The findings come as restaurants face higher operating costs following the UK’s National Living Wage increase to £12.71 an hour in April 2026, up 4.1%, alongside higher employer National Insurance contributions.
Prosecutors accuse heiress of Block House steak restaurant chain in espionage scandal
In an ongoing trial in Germany, Christina Block, heir to Block House steakhouses, prosecutors accused Block of ordering an Israeli security firm to carry out the violent abduction of her children from Denmark, ‘following a bitter custody battle with her former husband’, reports the BBC, which also called the case the country’s biggest espionage scandal in recent history. The Block House chain, specializing in steak and baked potatoes, owns around 53 restaurants in Europe, 42 of which are in Germany, with the others being owned by Franchise partners in Portugal, Spain and Austria.
Lauren Hurrell
