Americas
Supreme Court blocks full food stamp payments as end of shutdown nears
The Supreme Court has issued an emergency stay blocking lower-court orders that required the Trump administration to restore full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments. The USDA has told states to roll back any full benefits already issued and pay about 65% instead, threatening penalties for non-compliance. The First Circuit has rejected the administration’s latest appeal, leaving states facing conflicting directives as November payments descend into chaos for 42 million Americans. Congress has moved closer to ending the shutdown with a Senate-passed funding bill, but uncertainty remains. Meanwhile, Jimmy Kimmel has launched The Jimmy Kimmel Live Big, Beautiful Food Bank to support those affected.
Wendy’s to close up to 350 US restaurants amid turnaround plan
Wendy’s will close hundreds of underperforming US restaurants as part of a major turnaround effort. Interim CEO Ken Cook said a “mid single-digit percentage” of the chain’s roughly 6,000 US outlets ‒ around 200 to 350 locations ‒ will shut down between now and 2026. The closures, which follow 140 last year, are intended to strengthen franchise operations and improve profitability at remaining sites. This comes after Wendy’s reported a 4.7% drop in US same-store sales in the last quarter, lagging behind the likes of McDonald’s, Burger King and Shake Shack. On the up side, Cook said new “Tendys” chicken tenders have shown strong early demand, with some selling out before advertising even began.
Asia Pacific
The Michelin Guide will arrive in Oceania in 2026
In 2026, the Michelin Guide will arrive in Oceania for the first time. Michelin Guide inspectors are already on the ground, dining anonymously across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, in preparation for the first New Zealand selection, which will be revealed next year. “The country offers a rich and diverse culinary landscape, shaped by its indigenous Māori heritage, Pacific influences, and a new generation of chefs who champion local produce with creativity and passion,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide. The announcement follows the 2025 Michelin Global Keys reveal, in which 19 New Zealand hotels received Michelin Key distinction for excellence in design, architecture, service and personality.
Starbucks hands majority control of China business to Boyu in $4bn deal
Starbucks will sell a 60% stake in its China retail operations to private equity firm Boyu Capital for $4bn, forming a new joint venture valued at more than $13bn. Starbucks will retain 40% ownership and continue licensing its brand and IP. The Shanghai-based venture will run Starbucks’ 8,000 Chinese outlets, with plans to expand to 20,000. CEO Brian Niccol said Boyu’s local expertise would accelerate growth, especially as the brand expands into smaller cities. The deal is expected to be completed in fiscal Q2 2026.
Europe, Middle East and Africa
McDonald’s strengthens measures to tackle workplace harassment
McDonald’s has extended its legal agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to introduce stronger actions against sexual harassment. The move follows a BBC investigation revealing staff, including 17-year-olds, faced routine harassment. The updated plan includes commissioning an external audit, working with safeguarding experts, refreshing harassment training and requiring franchisees pledge their commitment to adopting appropriate policies, systems and measures. EHRC chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner said the steps will ensure “zero tolerance for harassment.” McDonald’s said the measures build on progress made since 2023, including new training, onboarding and a 24/7 digital “Speak Up” channel for its 148,000 UK staff.
‘Bang in some beans’: school and university caterers join celeb chefs to boost bean consumption
Celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall have joined major supermarkets to support Bang in Some Beans ‒ a nationwide campaign led by The Food Foundation and Veg Power to double UK bean consumption by 2028. Backed by £1.4m in National Lottery funding, the initiative highlights beans’ health, affordability and climate benefits. For school caterers, the campaign’s outreach includes 750 primary schools across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, engaging caterers, teachers and parents to increase beans in school meals and introduce children to new recipes. The campaign has also extended to university students, with an initiative at the University of Kent trialling on-campus interventions to increase student engagement and bean consumption. The hope is to capture lessons that can be shared with other universities.
Elly Earls
