School is out, balmy breezes are blowing (except in the southwest where folks are toasting under record highs) and it’s high season for the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) sector. Otherwise known as Fast Food Joints. Here’s our weekly rundown of the biggest headlines from the biggest players…
Denny’s new signature ‘America’s Diner’ Cheeseburger: Elegant simplicity.
McDonald’s testing a Snickers Bar McFlurry – in Pakistan…
Snickers – a flavour one would immediately associate with the U.S., has been introduced as a McFlurry option in Pakistan, Hungary, Malta, and Cyprus for a limited time. I didn’t even know they knew about Snickers in those far-flung nations… The McFlurry features Snickers flavours, but no chunks of the bar, itself. I, for one, am disappointed. But I’ll be among the first to try one of it ever comes to McD’s near me.
…Switching to paper straws in September – in UK and Ireland
Though McDonald’s international and U.S. have declared themselves hold-outs in the war over plastic drinking straws, McD’s UK and Ireland are going ahead and beginning a phase-in of paper straws starting this September. And McD’s UK and Ireland is also pursuing the goal of sourcing all customer packaging from “renewable, recycled, or certified” sources by 2025. Other McD’s country organizations are testing or planning to test paper replacements for plastic. And McD’s U.S. is reportedly watching those efforts closely…
Denny’s launches ‘America’s Diner’ Cheeseburger and ‘Craft’ Pancakes
First the Burger. ‘America’s Diner’ is a registered trademark of Denny’s and, so, we may assume this Burger is the new signature Denny’s Burger. It’s a simple, straightforward menu item consisting of a nice, thick Burger Patty topped with Caramelized Onions, American (Process) Cheese, and covered in new All-American sauce on a brioche-style bun. The Pancakes are Buttermilk style, and come in three presentations: Strawberry Citrus, Tres Leches, and Dulce de Leche Crunch. Get the nitty grittgy details at Denny’s website, coming soon.
Walmart survey shows Burgers beat Dogs this July 4th
In a survey of sales records taken this July 4th, Walmart found that Burgers way outsold Hot Dogs – the most American of summer Snacks – and not for the first time. Among Walmart customers, 41 states showed a preference for Burgers, while just 9 favoured Dogs. The situation is very fluid, though: 17 states plus the District of Columbia changed allegiances this year over last.
New study of air in chip bags severely flawed
A new study by Kitchen Cabinet Kings, involving 14 different Chip brands, concludes that the three which give you the most for your money are Fritos, Pringles and Tostitos, in that order from fist to third. Third place Tostitos was found to have 34 percent air space in the bag. Contrast that with last-place Baked Lay’s which has more than 60 per cent air space. But the study’s premise, that you get less for your money with brands that have more airspace is just wrong. This is a case of junk science at its worst. You can easily judge which brand gives you most for your money by simply noting the net weight and figuring out the price per 100 g. It’s simple math. In Canada all food sellers must post, right on the shelf, the price per 100 g of all foods by law.
And there you have it!
The skinny on what’s currently making is fat for another week. See you back here in seven for another rundown of QSR news and launches…
~Maggie J.