McDonald's chicken strategy: Not just a sandwich, an entire platform

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

When McDonald's officially starts selling its Crispy Chicken Sandwich in late February, it's not only responding to the pleas of franchisees over the last year…

Taco Bell, A&W CEOs among those sharing 2020 lessons learned

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Granted, there's not much to love, let alone like about 2020 in the restaurant universe or elsewhere. But under the heading of pain so often bringing gain, we…

From family-only to franchising: Southern Classic moves on out

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Southern Classic Chicken begins franchising, with an all-in attitude for off-premise eating.

Laying it on thick: Sauce sales set to soar

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

By 2027, the culinary sauce market in the U.S. is projected to be worth nearly another $12 billion or $55.3 billion annually. A lot of that money will be spent…

KFC China deploys autonomous rolling chicken-dispensing 'pods'

November 25, 2020

KFC China has deployed autonomous chicken-dispensing robots around Shanghai, according to CNET. The machines that look like miniaturized minivans with side…

Wendy's makes classic chicken classier

October 22, 2020

Wendy's underlined its commitment to all things "chicken" today by both launching a new classic chicken sandwich and adding the higher-quality filet used in…

Ex-Smoothie King, Broken Egg execs lead Southern Classic Chicken's franchising effort

With a simple, value-based menu of much-loved homestyle fried chicken, Southern Classic Chicken is starting to franchise with two longtime restaurant leaders…

Friendly 'ghosts' breathe new life into Smokey Bones

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Tripling the size of your brand's units in the course of a year -- and a pandemic-stricken year at that -- is no easy feat. But casual brand, Smokey Bones, has…

Popeyes only bright spot in RBI Q3 preliminary results

October 14, 2020

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken is expected to be the only bright spot in Restaurant Brands International Q3 financial results, with substantial drops in sales…

Jack in the Box using 'mostly' cage-free eggs

October 1, 2020

San Diego-based Jack in the Box Inc. said more than three-quarters of all eggs in its supply chain come from chickens raised in cage-free environments. The…

Golden Chick names restaurant marketing veteran to CMO post

September 29, 2020

Golden Chick has named Howard Terry as its CMO. Terry also currently leads product development and innovation for Golden Chick and is president of Golden…

McDonald's intros Spicy McNuggets with BOGO offer Sept 16

September 15, 2020

McDonald's is playing up the heat in the Spicy Chicken McNuggets the brand is introducing Sept. 16 nationally by offering its tongue-in-cheek "Spicesurance,…

Hot chicken + hot deals: 2 ways QSRs are igniting 2020 sales

In this edition of the QSRweb podcast, Dave's Hot Chicken CEO Bill Phelps talks about building a brand on simple, but sizzling chicken sandwiches, while a…

KFC giving dozen tenders free via DoorDash partnership

September 8, 2020

Kentucky Fried Chicken will give customers who order through its =delivery partner, DoorDash, between now and Sept. 17, a dozen free chicken tenders and free…

Popeyes names Americas president

September 8, 2020

Restaurant Brands International Inc. has named former RBI Asia-Pacific president, Sami Siddiqui, as president of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen for the Americas, a…

Church's Go Box targets family, value-based customers

August 28, 2020

Church's Chicken is aiming to box up the family, value-based meal business that has soared since the onset of the pandemic by launching the "Go Box."

KFC suspends 'finger-lickin'' catchphrase globally

August 25, 2020

KFC has suspended the use of its familiar catchphrase, "It's finger-lickin' good" globally now, five months after it stopped using the wording in its ads in…

McDonald's spicy chicken is 1st new McNugget flavor in 37 years

August 25, 2020

Hot and spicy chicken continues to blaze through the quick-service category, even sweeping up McDonald's, which is launching Spicy Chicken McNuggets Sept. 16 …

Jollibee's opens 45th US store in Dallas area

August 19, 2020

As part of its initiative to grow nationwide this year, Philippine-based fried chicken chain, Jollibee, will open its first Greater Dallas store Thursday, Aug.

Where KFC's lab-grown chicken efforts might lead QSRs

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Can lab-grown or cultivated meat really be a game-changer for QSRs in the future? The scientists at a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit alternative protein…