The Americas
Starbucks king of the snack chains
Research by QSR magazine found that Starbucks is growing faster than other snack retailers in the US. The QSR 50, an annual ranking of limited-service restaurant companies by US system-wide sales, named three coffee chains as the top three: Starbucks was followed in second place by Dunkin’ Donuts while Dutch Bros came third.
The magazine noted that all had introduced new experimental offers, from Starbucks’ spicy lemonade to the summer s’mores menu from Dunkin’.
In 2023, Starbucks opened 473 more units than in 2022, and had a total unit number of 16,346 in 2023. Dunkin’ meanwhile saw an increase of 210 units in 2023, bringing it to 9,580 total units in 2023, according to QSR Magazine. Dutch Bros saw an increase of 160 units in 2023, taking its total to 831.
Elsewhere, and despite that unit growth, on 13 August, Starbucks announced it was replacing Laxman Narasimhan as CEO following two underwhelming quarters and weeks of speculation concerning the involvement of activist investor Elliott Management. Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol will replace Narasimhan – who was only on board for just more than one year – at the global coffee chain .
Merchandise big business for Jollibee
Jollibee, the Filipino fast-food operator, recently named the best fast food fried chicken in the US by USA Today, has launched the Jolly Merch shop – an exclusive collection of merchandise, exclusively available to consumers in the US and Canada. The first drop, released on 12 August, includes a t-shirt featuring the slogan “you’re the gravy to my Chickenjoy”, referring to the signature Jollibee menu item, and a mascot t-shirt with a picture of the Jollibee icon.
A journaling notebook, a beach towel, a dog bandana and Jolly keychains complete this collection. This first ‘drop’ will be followed later in the month by a second collection, which will also include a tote bag and an apron.
Asia Pacific
Tim Hortons gets ready for Malaysia with two new openings
The popular Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons is continuing expand its global presence, this time with the announcement of two new stores in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this month. The operator has stated an ambition to open 100 outlets across south-east Asia by the end of 2025.
The coffee chain is tapping into a spiking interest in coffee Malaysia, which has attracted a number of international coffee chains in recent months. A relatively new consumer demand for out-of-hone coffee has seen a flurry of domestic brands including ZUS Coffee and Gigi Coffee launch to compete with global players such as Luckin Coffee, the largest coffee chain in China.
Helicopter crashes into hotel in Australia
Disaster struck at the Doubletree by Hilton in Cairns, Australia, in the early hours of Sunday 11 August when a helicopter on an unauthorized flight crashed into the hotel, killing the pilot and setting off an evacuation of hundreds of guests when the building caught fire. The helicopter has been stolen from Cairns Airport.
The incident happened in an area that is popular with tourism, a tropical city in the north of Queensland in North East Australia during what is peak season for holidaymakers. Police has not disclosed any further detail about the pilot or the circumstances of the theft.
Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
No culinary gold medal for Paris Olympics
Following developments in the provision of food for the athletes during the Paris Olympic Games has almost been as exciting as the action on the sporting fields, courts and pitches. After first boasting about the elevated quality of food competitors could expect, once the games started there were reports of insufficient amounts of food, especially protein, which athletes need and crave during competition.
Now, as the Games have concluded, one Team GB swimmer, and silver medallist, Adam Peaty complained that the food was inadequate and asserted that some athletes had even found worms in their fish. Sodexo Live, which was chosen as the foodservice provider of the 2024 Paris games hit back at the claims saying there was “zero proof” for the allegations.
Frozen vegetable shavings among Tik Tok culinary hits for 2024
The UK’s Delish magazine has taken a look at the year’s top food trends on TikTok so far. Well established as one of the principal destinations for recipe content, the platform was the launch pad for the baked feta pasta recipe, which went viral a few years ago. Among this year’s big hits is tomato ice toast, which is exactly what it sounds like tomato flavored shaved ice on toast. Called “one of Gen Z’s most bizarre creations” by the publication, the frozen vegetable shavings extend beyond tomato – as TikTokkers have demonstrated, many vegetables are suitable for this technique.
For other TikTok culinary inventions of 2024 see scrambled pancakes, ramen carbonara and cereal milk latte.
Tina Nielsen
