Americas
McDonald’s rolls out digital ordering kiosks
Customers in a number of US stores of McDonald’s will start to see a new format of digital ordering systems taking the place of cash registers. Customers will be encouraged to order via the digital kiosks or on the app, allowing franchisees to improve speed and accuracy, said the company. Cashiers will be redeployed to other roles in stores, including curb side pick-up. The burger chain insists there are no plans to roll out the kiosk-based format at a large scale and has announced the change at a small number of franchisees.
Pumpkin season is back
Some consumers welcome pumpkin spice season with the same anticipation as they look forward to Christmas. Starbucks will likely be among those that look forward to the season the most because it is good for business – according to data by Placer.ai the coffee chain saw a 24% increase in footfall on the day it launched its fall menu, 22 August. September has long marked the start of a season of fall-specific items to entice diners to come and spend and Starbucks is among the pioneers in the seasonal product line, having launched its first pumpkin spice latte – so ubiquitous that it is referred now to as the PSL – in 2003. This year, the chain has returned with new items, including the Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai.
EMEA
Dirty Martini? London rainwater added to signature cocktail
During a three-month pop-up at The Emory, a rooftop bar in London’s Knightsbridge, customers can enjoy a very special martini, prepared by Argentinean bartender Renato ‘Tato’ Giovanonni of cocktail bar Floreria Atlantico in Buenos Aires. This twist on the classic cocktail calls for a few drops of London rainwater, which is boiled three times before being added to the ‘garua martini’. The rain water is collected daily in a stainless steel vat and goes through a purification process. Giovannoni has a reputation for creating unique and playful cocktails, many based on his childhood memories and has a particular interest in little-used ingredients.
Online junk food ads ban announced in the UK
With a view to new rules, banning online ads for junk food, coming into force in the UK in October 2025, the UK government has released explanatory information on what will qualify as junk food under the regulation. The food must meet two criteria to be affected by the ban: first it should be classified as “less healthy” based on an official scoring system based on analysis of fat, salt and sugar. Second, the food should fall into one of 13 categories, including ‘soft drinks’, ‘breakfast cereal’ and ‘savoury snacks’. It is hoped that the ban will stop influencing young children in their eating preferences. Official government statistics have found that more than one in five children in the UK are overweight and obese by the time they start primary school.
Asia Pacific
KFC opens 800th restaurant in Australia
With this milestone opening, the fried chicken chain has become the fastest growing fast food operator in Australia. The store, in Sydney’s Oran Park, saw the first 800 customers receiving a free Zinger Burger with a Pepsi. KFC opened its first store in Australia in the western Sydney suburb of Guildford on April 27, 1968, employing only 25 people. According to Kristi Woolrych, GM of KFC South Pacific the chain has become the fastest growing quick-service restaurant in Australia over the past six years, opening over 140 restaurants. It has seen a record-breaking 2023, opening 34 new locations in Australia.
Luckin Coffee expands and strengthens partnership with Brazil
China’s homegrown coffee chain giant, Luckin Coffee, has announced the construction of a massive new roastery and supply chain hub in the eastern port city of Qingdao. The hub, costing $21.2m will process coffee beans sourced from Brazil after the signing of an agreement between the two countries in June 2024, which sees China committing to the purchase of 120,000 tons of coffee over the next two years. Luckin Coffee has also launched the Luckin Coffee Brazil Coffee Culture Festival – an event to ‘foster an exchange of culture and coffee’ between the two countries. The festival will also feature the opening of a Luckin Coffee Brazilian Coffee Culture themed store in Beijing.
Tina Nielsen
