Sustainability

Domino's slapped with failing chicken welfare grade

The pizza chain has resisted animal rights groups' outcries before, but the zero score from the World Animal Protection report comes as consumers demand more transparency and humane practices.

By Emma Liem • Jan. 17, 2019
Taco Bell testing vegetarian menu as meatless trend grows

The chain also announced seven new commitments, including the removal of all artificial colors and flavors and improving the sustainability of its beef supply.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 11, 2019
California could ban paper receipts by 2022

The proposed legislation would require restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses to provide digital receipts unless customers request a paper one.

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 10, 2019
Impossible Burger becomes gluten-free in new reformulation

White Castle will offer the revamped product, which is designed to replace ground beef in any recipe, chainwide in the next few months.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 09, 2019
Carl's Jr. gives plant-based Beyond Burger the star treatment

The chain is now selling the meat-free Beyond Famous Star burger for $6.29 at over 1,000 locations, following White Castle's Impossible slider expansion.

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 03, 2019
Column
The power of sustainable sourcing

While McDonald’s move to rid its beef supply chain of non-medically necessary antibiotics may seem like an edict thrown at the procurement staff within the massive company, it’s more a boon than a burden.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 17, 2018
JUST partners with Toriyama to produce lab-grown wagyu beef

Through the agreement, JUST plans to make the exclusive beef available to more restaurants and at more price points.

By Megan Poinski • Dec. 11, 2018
App connects diners with otherwise unsellable food

Now in seven countries, Too Good To Go lets restaurants sell expiring or excess food at discounted prices to consumers.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 06, 2018
Wind to power more than 1,000 Starbucks stores

The coffee giant has invested $325 million in a wind farm as part of its goal to operate all of its locations with renewable energy.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 03, 2018
Food waste reduction is a high priority for U.S. diners, study shows

Seventy-two percent of American consumers care about how businesses handle food waste, and nearly half would pay more for restaurants with food recovery plans.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 26, 2018
Beyond Meat's future has ties to a successful tea maker

Seth Goldman founded organic tea maker Honest two decades ago. Today, he has an executive role at the maker of plant-based products and notes the many similarities between the two companies.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 26, 2018
Free mug-share program wants to replace paper coffee cups

Eco-friendly startup Vessel has partnered with four Colorado cafes, where customers can use an app to grab a reusable stainless steel mug that can be returned at other shops or kiosks near transit stations.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 16, 2018
Impossible Burger will be sold in grocery stores next year

The move into retail will add to the approximately 5,000 restaurants in all 50 states where the plant-based burger is now available — a huge jump from about 50 restaurants a year ago.

By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 09, 2018
McDonald's focuses on poultry with made-to-order meals

The addition of two new customizable products at more than 160 Washington restaurants comes as the chain looks to become a go-to chicken destination.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 02, 2018
VeganBurg to bring plant-based comfort foods to 300 California locations

While chains like Panera and White Castle have added meatless options, the company hopes its 100% vegan burger menu will give it a meaningful slice of the market.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 23, 2018
All but 2 burger chains fail antibiotics report card

Only Shake Shack and BurgerFi earned As on Chain Reaction's fourth annual antibiotic report, followed by Wendy's with a whopping D-.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 18, 2018
All tapped out? Global warming could impact world beer supply

A new study found that drought and heat could hurt barley crops enough to spike beer prices and decrease supply by the end of the century.

By Lillianna Byington • Oct. 17, 2018
Majority of diners will pay more for sustainable packaging

Forty-five percent of Americans consider sustainability when choosing a fast food outlet, but only 31% said those businesses clearly label items with proper disposal instructions, according to a study.

By Kristine Sherred
McDonald's removes artificial ingredients from hamburgers

The fast-food giant is answering consumer demand for cleaner foods, phasing out artificial preservatives, flavors and colors from its signature menu item.

By Jacqueline Renfrow • Sept. 28, 2018
Impossible Burger goes to White Castle

The company is the first nationwide fast food chain to tap into the plant-based meat trend and now offers the slider at all 377 of its restaurants.

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 13, 2018