Sustainability
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Courtesy of Burger King
Burger King prioritizes digital with first rebrand in more than 20 years
With its all-encompassing visual update, the QSR chain also seeks to demonstrate its improvements to food quality and sustainability.
By Chris Kelly • Jan. 07, 2021 -
Retrieved from Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. on October 26, 2020
Chipotle lets diners track environmental impact of burritos as restaurants prioritize sustainability
The Real Foodprint tracker, which mirrors a recent move by Panera to label eco-conscious menu items, is explained by Bill Nye in TikTok videos.
By Peter Adams • Oct. 26, 2020 -
Courtesy of Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box serves up plant-based, 'unchicken' sandwich
The chain is the latest QSR to add an alternative protein item to their menu, which appeals to the growing flexitarian trend and can help drive diner interest and traffic.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 16, 2020 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald's selects TerraCycle's Loop for reusable cup pilot across UK locations
The new partnership is the latest sign of major brands taking greater interest in circular solutions. It also marks an expansion beyond grocery for the ambitious reuse platform.
By Karine Vann • Sept. 11, 2020 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle debuts branded apparel dyed with recycled avocados
Available at a microsite, the line supports sustainability at a time when fast fashion is often associated with negatively impacting the environment.
By Dianna Christie • Aug. 04, 2020 -
Retrieved from Burger King on July 14, 2020
Burger King explains dangers of cow farts in video starring viral yodeling kid
An educational spot promotes new low-methane emission beef burgers from the chain that's steadily introduced more meatless options.
By Peter Adams • July 14, 2020 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
New McDonald's flagship runs 100% on renewable energy
The new restaurant, located near Disney's All-Star Resorts in Orlando, Florida, is part of the brand's push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 36% by 2030.
By Alicia Kelso • July 13, 2020 -
Retrieved from Starbucks on June 23, 2020
Starbucks continues plant-based push with Impossible breakfast sandwich
As consumer interest in meat alternatives surges, the coffee chain joins Burger King and Dunkin' in adding these items to its morning menu.
By Julie Littman • June 23, 2020 -
COVID-19 puts BYO coffee cups on hold, but sanitized reusable systems could fill the void
Major brands like Starbucks and Dunkin' have banned the use of personal to-go containers in recent weeks over coronavirus fears, raising new questions in a wider debate around packaging safety.
By Karine Vann • March 27, 2020 -
Impossible slashes prices by 15% for distributors
The reduction is a competitive incentive for restaurants looking to capitalize on the plant-based trend without further eroding thin margins.
By Emma Liem Beckett • March 03, 2020 -
Taco Bell CEO says chain will 'definitely' add plant-based protein
Mark King told Nation's Restaurant News he's met with Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods and the restaurant could launch new products by year's end.
By Lauren Stine • Feb. 25, 2020 -
NextGen Cup Challenge, driven by McDonald's and Starbucks, rolls out reusable cup pilot in California
The programs — set to debut at independent coffee shops around San Francisco and Palo Alto — could pave the way for major chains to make the switch as they seek to meet environmental goals.
By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 20, 2020 -
Sponsored by Alaska Seafood Marketing InstituteFin to gill: How restaurant chefs can make the most of whole fish for delicious sustainable dining
Take a second look at what you once saw as trash, and change how your restaurant operates.
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Yum Brands adds KFC's Beyond Fried Chicken to 2 new markets
This marks the second time this week the holding company announced a test of plant-based protein, with Habit Burger putting the Impossible Burger on menus.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 29, 2020 -
Plant-based burger craze will plateau, but no expiration date in sight
Tim Hortons rolled back select Beyond Meat products and Burger King's Impossible Whopper sales are sliding, but analysts predict that meat analogues have long-term staying power.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 27, 2020 -
Starbucks ramps up waste reduction goals, focusing on reusable and recyclable cups
The coffee giant's new "resource positive" goals seek 50% reduction in waste sent to landfills by 2030. Its emphasis on changing cup design for recyclability, versus shifting toward compostables, is different than some competitors.
By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 24, 2020 -
Starbucks sets course for resource positive supply chain
The operational and procurement changes would touch every corner of the company's operation from food sourcing to building construction.
By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 23, 2020 -
Taco Bell wants compostable, recyclable packaging by 2025
The chain will also remove harmful chemicals like PFAs, Phthalates and BP from its consumer packaging as part of its larger sustainability initiatives.
By Lauren Stine • Jan. 13, 2020 -
Impossible Foods
Burger King launches Impossible sausage breakfast sandwich
The Impossible Croissan'wich will be available at participating restaurants in five regions and is part of Burger King's plant-based menu expansion plans.
By Christopher Doering • Jan. 07, 2020 -
Deep Dive
5 restaurant trends that will define 2020
Analysts predict that ghost restaurants and lifestyle brand campaigns will continue to evolve and shape the market, but Gen Z's influence and interest in micro chains could disrupt the ecosystem.
By Julie Littman , Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 06, 2020 -
LEON
British invasion: How LEON plans to dominate — and change — American fast food
The London-based QSR's fresh, quality ingredients have pitted it against U.S. fast casuals, but the chain's founder wants to "reinvent McDonald's" so that it's healthy, sustainable and fun.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 20, 2019 -
E.A. Crunden
Blue Bottle, aiming for 'zero waste' in 2020, could eliminate to-go coffee cups
The upscale coffee chain's goals mirror a larger shift as more and more companies target their waste footprints. The no cup pilot will begin in two California locations.
By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 13, 2019 -
McDonald's could sell 250M Beyond Meat burgers annually in US, report says
Though the fast food giant is only selling 20 to 30 plant-based burgers per day in its Canadian test, UBS predicts the product would eventually drive strong sales if sold in America.
By Lauren Stine • Dec. 11, 2019 -
Ford will upcycle McDonald's coffee waste into car parts
The fast food chain's latest partnership is part of its long-standing sustainability initiatives, which includes reducing plastic packaging waste and its 2020 goal of sourcing coffee from 100% sustainable sources.
By Lauren Stine • Dec. 06, 2019 -
Sponsored by Beef. It's What's For Dinner.
Beef Quality Assurance: raising beef the right way
For more than 30 years, the beef community has participated in a voluntary Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program to ensure U.S. beef is produced under stringent animal care standards, resulting in high-quality beef.
