Sustainability

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 Institute

Fin 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. 

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

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

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

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.

McDonald's invests in solar, wind projects

The QSR joins Starbucks as one of the only restaurant brands investing in renewable energy projects as part of long-standing sustainability initiatives. 

By Lauren Stine , Julie Littman • Nov. 08, 2019

Industry, government take aim at food waste in the supply chain with formal commitment

The National Restaurant Association joined a cohort of grocery and food industry groups in signing a memorandum of understanding Wednesday to reduce food waste 50% by 2030.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 31, 2019

Dig pilots reusable bowl program in NYC

The fast casual chain's mobile app lets customers rent and return melamine bowls with plastic lids for $3 per month. 

By Lauren Stine • Oct. 30, 2019

Impossible Whopper drives 5% of Burger King's Q3 US comp sales

The sandwich helped drive the chain's strongest U.S. growth rate since 2015, and could kick-start the creation of a plant-based platform both domestically and abroad for the restaurant. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 28, 2019

Carl's Jr. grills up second Beyond Meat burger

The fast food chain will sell its Beyond BBQ Cheeseburger starting on Wednesday, expanding its plant-based offerings after selling 4.5 million Beyond Famous Star burgers since December.

By Lauren Stine • Oct. 08, 2019

Impossible Foods CEO: Plant-based competitors 'suck' and stifle industry growth

Pat Brown also said the company's supply shortage is over, and he expects to regain restaurants that stopped carrying its product "once we can assure them that we got them covered."

By Christopher Doering • Oct. 07, 2019

McDonald's trials Beyond Meat burger in Canada

The plant-based burger will be available at 28 Ontario stores starting on Monday, and marks Beyond Meat's largest restaurant partner to date. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 26, 2019

Tim Hortons pulls plug on Beyond Meat, for now

The coffee and donut chain removed its plant-based sandwiches and burgers from Ontario and British Columbia Tuesday, the final two Canadian markets where Tim Hortons sold the products.

By Lauren Stine • UPDATED: Jan. 29, 2020 at 11:34 a.m.