What wowed QSRweb readers in 2021

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

From legal issues at some of the industry’s biggest names to freebies and viral videos, here’s what was most read on QSRweb this year.

Mastercard to acquire Dynamic Yield from McDonald's

December 23, 2021

McDonald's has announced an agreement for Mastercard to acquire McDonald's state-of-the-art personalization platform and decision engine company, Dynamic Yield.

McDonald's to ration fries in Japan

December 22, 2021

Beginning Friday, McDonald's in Japan will only offer fries in a small size thanks in part to flooding at a Vancouver port and supply chain issues stemming…

McDonald's provides free meals for tornado victims

December 20, 2021

McDonald's units in Kentucky, in conjunction with a McDonald's branded trailer called the McRig, are providing free hot meals for those affected by an EF-…

McDonald’s opens net zero carbon location in UK

December 13, 2021

The UK's first net zero carbon McDonald's has opened in Market Drayton, Shropshire, England, according to a BBC report.

McDonald's launches franchise initiatives to increase historically underrepresented franchisees

December 9, 2021

McDonald's said Wednesday it will launch a franchisee recruitment initiative to increase the number of new franchisees from all backgrounds, including…

McDonald's expands NASCAR's Bubba Wallace sponsorship

December 8, 2021

McDonald's is expanding its sponsorship of the 23XI NASCAR team for the 2022 cup series, according to an NBCSports report.

McDonald's to release Mariah Carey merch

December 7, 2021

The eagerly awaited Mariah Menu arrives at McDonald's on Dec. 13, and the company is giving away exclusive merchandise toe celebrate, according to a press…

McDonald's holiday fan favorite returns in limited markets

December 3, 2021

McDonald's is bringing back a fan favorite: the Holiday Pie, according to a USA Today report. The rare dessert has been released in limited markets for the…

Starbucks tops social media paid advertising

November 19, 2021

Starbucks' paid ad campaigns are the top paid share-of-voice, defined by the percentage of sponsored impressions on social media, according to a study by…

McDonald's offers Egg McMuffin at throwback price

November 17, 2021

McDonald's will offer its Egg McMuffin for 63 cents on Nov. 18 exclusively through the McDonald's app, according to a company press release.

How McDonald’s is leading the way helping low vision customers: Don’t miss SSIS!

November 10, 2021

McDonald's has played a pioneering role popularizing self-service kiosks and this past year the fast food giant is upping its game by introducing technology to…

McDonald's, Mariah Carey team up for holiday deals

November 10, 2021

McDonald's is teaming up with singer superstar Mariah Carey for 12 days of deals leading up to the holidays.

McDonald's celebrates McRib return with limited edition NFTs

October 29, 2021

McDonald's is creating a limited number of NFTs in celebration of the McRib's 40th anniversary. The limited-edition sandwich returns to participating stores…

McDonald's enjoys same store sales growth in Q3

October 27, 2021

McDonald's shares have risen 11% this year, according to a CNBC report, as the Chicago-based burger chain saw same sales growth both domestically and…

QSR brand ad spend jumps in 2021

October 27, 2021

QSR brands are spending an estimated $1.8 billion on national television advertisements, an 18% increase over 2020, according to a iSpot.tv report.

What's McDonald's least-ordered item?

October 22, 2021

A viral video claims to identify McDonald's least selling item.

McDonald’s deploys Storm Interface AudioNav to improve kiosk accessibility

October 21, 2021

McDonald's hits equal pay by gender goal

October 20, 2021

McDonald's employees are paid based on work rather than race or gender, according to a message viewed by QSRweb. The company says it has achieved equal pay by…

McDonald's exec to talk about diversity, inclusion at 1-day QSR event

Ariane Panter, senior director of global diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and corporate function support at McDonald’s, will discuss diversity…