Americas
Nationwide boycott of McDonald’s restaurants
Grassroots movement The People’s Union has staged a boycott of McDonald’s restaurants nationwide, as a response to the fast-food giant’s rollback of DEI policies. The People’s Union started organizing so-called economic blackouts motivated by corporates scale-back of diversity, equity and inclusion policies. McDonald’s was among those who responded to the “evolving landscape around DEI” by removing diversity goals in the business. This year, The People’s Union, led by John Schwartz, has carried out boycotts of other organizations, including Amazon, Walmart and Target. McDonald’s is currently facing multiple headwinds, but it is unknown whether it is significantly impacted by the boycott.
Dining tailored for the Ozempic crowd
Media reports are starting to emerge of restaurants bringing out new offers specifically targeted at diners who are using weight-loss jabs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. In one report The New York Post cites restaurants with dishes designed for diners with reduced appetites caused by the medication. So, instead of a starter of three arancini, the restaurant Tucci offers diners a portion of just one. Similarly, a pub has introduced a Teeny Weeny Mini Meal, featuring two one-ounce beef patties and baby buns. While welcoming guests with reduced appetites, the move also reduces food waste.
Asia Pacific
Yum Holdings introduce hands-free assistant tool
Leveraging technology to boost efficiency is vital for foodservice operations to survive and thrive as it battles multiple challenges, including staff shortages and spiking prices. Now Yum China Holdings, which operates Yum Brands’ franchises including Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, has launched a new AI-enable hands-free assistant tool at certain KFC stores. The purpose of the tool, named Q-Smart, is to support restaurant managers in organising staff rotas, inventory management and food quality. The pilot phase is intended to lead to a wider roll-out in the future.
The Malibu Barbie Café opens in Melbourne
After hugely popular openings in US cities, including New York, Chicago and Austin, Mattel’s Malibu Barbie Café has opened its doors to its first opening Down Under. The family-friendly pop-up is said to offer guests “the ultimate Barbiecore experience”, offers a menu of all-day dining options including a soda float served in a pink convertible. On the upper floor, the Ken Kabana will serve creative cocktails reflecting the spirit of 1970s Malibu, a time when Malibu Barbie, the world most iconic fashion doll, was first introduced to the world. The Malibu Barbie Café is open for a limited time at Chadstone shopping centre and is a partnership with Mattel, The Mushroom Group and Bucketlisters.
Europe, Middle East, Africa
Dishoom enters the accommodation market
UK crowd favourite Dishoom has so far limited its services to dishing up wildly successful Indian food in its restaurants styled on the cafes of Bombay. Now the company has made its first tentative foray into the accommodation market, following in the steps of other restaurant operators including Nobu. The Permit Room Lodgings is a two-bedroom apartment upstairs from the restaurant’s newest brand in London’s trendy Notting Hill neighbourhood. The launch has been described the owners as a “gentle and thoughtful experiment”, so it is safe to assume there are plans to expand the presence in the accommodation market if this first one attracts anywhere near the same level of interest as the 10 Dishoom restaurants.
KFC orders shutdown of all franchised restaurants in Denmark
After Danish national broadcaster DR exposed food safety scandal in 11 franchises of KFC in Denmark, the fast-food company ordered the operator Isken ApS to shut all branches. The revelation from several members of staff that the branches broke regulation by changing the expiry dates on the chicken it served, led to the immediate order to close the stores. However, Isken refused to comply with the order and the dispute is set do play out in court.
Tina Nielsen
