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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Tough Times Push Chains to Try New Fare

McDonald's classy coffee, grilled KFC widen menus

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(Newser) – Desperate times are driving chain restaurants to desperate measures—straying from their bread-and-butter dishes and diversifying the menu. KFC now sells grilled chicken, Domino’s offers subs, and McDonald’s dips into the world of espresso coffee, USA Today reports. “This is a defining moment for the industry," says a National Restaurant Association analyst. "The financial crisis has brought with it a redefining of boundaries."

“When you're trying to grow a category, you need to bring in innovations,” notes Domino’s marketing head. Variety can cancel the “veto vote”—the guy who refuses a group trip to a restaurant because he doesn’t like their limited offerings. Thus Pizza Hut is pushing pasta; rotisserie-happy Boston Market is selling crispy chicken; and roast-beef purist Arby’s is making a burger-like sandwich.

McDonald's in Central Ohio Launches New McCafe Product with this Steamy Billboard!
McDonald's in Central Ohio Launches New McCafe Product with this Steamy Billboard!   (Photo: Business Wire)
In this April 13, 2009 photo released by KFC, Mike Ash of Louisville, Ky., having the new Kentucky Grilled Chicken for lunch, is shown at a KFC location in Louisville, Ky.
In this April 13, 2009 photo released by KFC, Mike Ash of Louisville, Ky., having the new Kentucky Grilled Chicken for lunch, is shown at a KFC location in Louisville, Ky.   (AP Photo/KFC, Brian Bohannon)
Domino's Pizza introduces four varieties of oven baked sandwiches.
Domino's Pizza introduces four varieties of oven baked sandwiches.   (PRNewsFoto/Domino's Pizza)
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 27, 09 11:59 AM CDT
Not to worry... the extra effort will evaporate at the first sign of recovery... higher profits still reign as king. Reply
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NewserHound
May 27, 09 1:15 PM CDT
I was in a Subway over the weekend and noticed that they now serve pizza... Imagine going to a subway for pizza... WHY? Reply
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Pizza Hut • Domino's Pizza • fast food industry • KFC • chain stores • menu • food industry • Arby's • Boston Market • restaurant industry • National Restaurant Association

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