The Americas:
Taco Bell will add AI drive-thru ordering to hundreds of locations
A few weeks after McDonalds said it would be shutting down all of its AI drive-thrus, Taco Bell has decided to go all in on the technology. The restaurant chain announced last week that it will expand its Voice AI drive-thru technology to hundreds of Taco Bell locations in the US by the end of 2024. The system is already available at more than 100 Taco Bell locations in 13 states. “Tapping into AI gives us the ability to ease team members’ workloads, freeing them to focus on front-of-house hospitality. It also enables us to unlock new and meaningful ways to engage with our customers,” said Dane Mathews, chief digital & technology officer, Taco Bell, in a statement.
Chunk Foods unveils largest piece of plant-based meat in foodservice
The deli that is home to what was Anthony Bourdain’s favorite pastrami sandwich now has a plant-based offering. Chunk Foods, the vegan whole-cut steaks start-up, has collaborated with New York City deli Pastrami Queen to debut ’The Prince’. Made from cultured soy and wheat, the almost $20 plant-based pastrami sandwich is cut from the Chunk Slab, one of two new vegan steak offerings the brand has brought to foodservice this year. According to Chunk Foods, the slab is the largest plant-based whole-cut meat to hit the restaurant market, weighing over 3 lbs. This collaboration marks the Slab’s debut in the US.
Asia Pacific:
Weather events slow down China’s self-sufficiency plans
China’s quest to become more food-secure is getting interrupted by extreme weather challenges, the South China Morning Post reported last week. Torrential rains and floods have battered most of the country in recent days and weeks, threatening the productivity of a farming industry that’s already lacking in efficiency. On Tuesday, the Chinese government issued 238 million yuan, equivalent to $32.8m, in emergency funding for recovering agricultural production in five provinces. The money is intended to be used to help curb agricultural losses and to lay the foundation for a solid autumn grain harvest, which would account for the bulk of the year’s food output, said the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in a joint statement.
Caterers suspended after food poisoning outbreak at TikTok office in Singapore
Authorities in Singapore have suspended the operations of two companies, which supplied food to TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, after more than 100 people fell sick. A total of 130 people consumed food supplied by Yun Hai Yao Pte and Pu Tien Services Pte at ByteDance’s office at One Raffles Quay last week. Seventeen people were hospitalized and are currently in a stable condition.The firms are required to clean and sanitize the premises, including equipment and utensils, and dispose of all ready-to-eat food and perishable food items. All food handlers at the companies are also required to re-attend and pass the food safety course level 1 and test negative for foodborne pathogens, before they can restart their work.
Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA):
French choc chip muffin becomes a global sensation at the Olympics
The Olympics has proved to be a boon for French company Coup de Pates, with its Maxi Muffin Chocolat Intense catching the attention of Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen. Within a week of discovering the muffins, Christiansen had made several TikTok videos about them, most of which have had millions of views. Writing to Eater via email, a representative for Coup de Pates confirmed the company was behind the viral muffins and said, “We work exclusively with foodservice professionals, some of whom are partners of the Olympic Village.” They added that the muffins can be found “in many countries around the world thanks to our clients and distributors.”
Dinner trade set to bolster Greggs’ strategic growth
UK-based food-to-go retailer Greggs is seeing pizza deals drive strong sales growth after 4pm, reporting that its evening sales are growing faster than overall average sales. Its dedicated pizza deals, including an offer of a slice of pizza and a cold drink from £2.85, are cheaper later in the day. Customers are also buying its ‘Pizza Box Deal’ ‒ a new four-slice pizza sharing box from £6.50. Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs stated: “Over the long term we believe that the evolution of our menu and the extent of our suburban shop estate offers a significant opportunity to grow our share of both the walk-in and delivery evening markets.”
Elly Earls
