Fast Food Chains

July 2008

NYC Not Eating Up Calorie-Count Law

newser | MSNBC | Jul 17, 08 6:28 PM CDT

As chain restaurants waddle their way toward compliance with a New York City law that requires them to post the calorie counts of food, the numbers behind the items have diners grappling with some unappetizing knowledge, MSNBC reports. The restaurant skinny is turning out to be anything but, from 630-calorie Dunkin' Donuts muffins to a pecan-crusted chicken salad at TGI Friday's, whose 1,360 calories trumped a burger and fries on the same menu. More »
In Tough Times, McDonald's Revives a Jingle

newser | New York Times | Jul 17, 08 8:47 AM CDT

In 1974, with an unpopular war raging and inflation on the rise, McDonald's launched a jingle—"Two all beef patties, special sauce..."—to promote its signature product, the Big Mac. Decades later, in similar circumstances, the fast food giant is reintroducing the mantra-like list of ingredients via a MySpace competition. The New York Times looks at how the economic downturn is driving advertising retro. More »
California Set to Ban Trans Fat

newser | Sacramento Bee | Jul 15, 08 8:01 AM CDT

The California legislature yesterday passed a bill banning all trans fats in restaurants and bakeries by 2011. It's now awaiting the signature of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who hasn't indicated whether he supports such an action. If passed, the new law would make California the first state to enact such a ban. A similar measure was implemented earlier this month in New York City. More »
Tasty Morsels on Fried Chicken

newser | Daily Green | Jul 13, 08 11:48 AM CDT

You might be well acquainted with the Colonel and his famous fried chicken, but beneath the crunchy skin lie some lesser-known facts. The Daily Green sides its poultry with a six-pack of trivia. It's a place: After toying around with the name "Ptarmigan," one town's handful of residents settled on Chicken, Alaska. Where to get it: If you follow Bon Appetit's advice, you'll take your chicken craving to Blackberry Farm in Tennessee, Price's Chicken Coup in North Carolina, or Willa Mae's Scotch House in New Orleans. More »

June 2008

Burger King Serves Up $190 Burger

newser | ABC News | Jun 19, 08 3:43 AM CDT

Burger King has concocted a luxury burger with a whopping $190 price tag, reports ABC News. "The Burger" features Wagyu beef garnished with truffles and onion straws fried in Cristal champagne in a saffron-dusted bun. The bold, limited edition tantalizer is being offered once a week at a single Burger King in London. The fast food chain is donating all proceeds to a charity helping poor children. More »

April 2008

Arby's Purchase of Wendy's 'Sad Day' for Thomas Family

newser | Columbus Dispatch | Apr 25, 08 12:08 PM CDT

After years of haggling, Arby’s owner Nelson Peltz reached a deal to acquire Wendy’s yesterday, ending the involvement of the Thomas family that founded it. Wendy Thomas herself called the sale a “huge, huge disappointment,” the Columbus Dispatch reports. The family had hoped local franchisee J. David Karam would acquire the company. “It’s a sad day for Columbus,” said Karam. More »

March 2008

Boston Dogs Best in the Land

newser | Wall Street Journal | Mar 29, 08 9:33 AM CDT

America's best hot dog is to be found in Beantown, writes Raymond Sokolov in the Wall Street Journal . On the eve of a new baseball season, Sokolov criss-crossed the country in a quest to find the top dog. Hollywood, New York, and (especially) Chicago offered strong contenders, but perfection in a bun was found at Speed's—a humble hot dog stand in a Boston parking lot. More »
McMuffin Man Dead at 89

newser | Associated Press | Mar 27, 08 2:45 AM CDT

The inventor of the Egg McMuffin has died in his Southern California home at the age of 89, AP reports. Herb Peterson began working with McDonald's in the advertising department, and later switched to the hands-on side of the business, owning six restaurants in the Santa Barbara area. Peterson, a big fan of eggs Benedict, came up with the idea for the breakfast-on-the-run Egg McMuffin in 1972, inspiring a host of imitators. More »
In-N-Out Burger Clogs Neighbors' Arteries

newser | Los Angeles Times | Mar 14, 08 6:25 PM CDT

In-N-Out Burger's customers aren’t “in and out” as fast as its Southern California neighbors would like. Businesses near some oversubscribed locations are frustrated at drive-through lines that block their own entrances and exits—and some are ready to sue, the Los Angeles Times reports. “We've lost a lot of customers because they can't get in,” says one Quizno's manager. More »
Fireman Dead in Fla. Wendy's Shooting

newser | Palm Beach Post | Mar 3, 08 8:00 PM CST

A gunman killed a local firefighter and wounded five others in a West Palm Beach Wendy's today before taking his own life, the Palm Beach Post reports. Shooter Alburn Edward Blake left no suicide note but was said by one witness to be an ex-worker at the restaurant. "Looks like this was just another random shooting like we've seen around the United States," a Palm Beach County Sheriff's spokesman told the AP. More »
Beer and Pizza Getting Pricey

newser | MSNBC | Mar 1, 08 3:58 PM CST

Even cheap foods like pizza and bagels are getting pricey these days over a mix of inflationary pressures, MSNBC reports. Last year's shocking 4% food price hike was driven by more than gas prices, one analyst says: It's diesel that fuels the trucks and trains that transport goods. "It's everything that gets shipped," he said—which makes diesel costs "much scarier" than the cost of gas. More »

January 2008

Britain to Offer McQualifications

newser | Guardian (UK) | Jan 28, 08 8:11 AM CST

Gordon Brown parried criticism today for his government's decision to give students school credit for completing a McDonald's "basic shift manager" course, and other entry-level corporate training programs. "It's not that standards are going to fall. It's going to be a tough course," Brown said of the new vocational credential. "Once you've got that qualification you can go anywhere." More »
New McD's Menu Muscles In on Starbucks

newser | Wall Street Journal | Jan 7, 08 11:15 AM CST

You’ll be able to get cappuccinos, lattes, and frappes from a certified barista beneath the Golden Arches this fall, reports the Wall Street Journal, as McDonald's takes on Starbucks. It’s the fast-food behemoth's biggest menu addition in 30 years, and the company expects it to bring in $1 billion annually. It’s also a huge risk, because McDonald's traditionally appeals to customers who want simple, cheap food. More »

December 2007

Fast Food: The Healthy Alternative*

newser | Reason Magazine | Dec 13, 07 7:37 PM CST

Don't blame McDonald's for America's obesity problem—in fact, thank it for providing a relatively healthy alternative to the even-fattier fare of "dives and diners," which offer delicacies like the "10-Storey Challenge Burger" and 72-ounce steaks, writes Greg Beato in Reason Magazine . Despite the graver health crimes of such “greasy-spoons,” fast-food chains are the ones demonized and targeted for legal action. More »

November 2007

McD's Perks Up Coffee, Menu

newser | Associated Press | Nov 14, 07 9:00 AM CST

Vanilla lattes, cafe mochas, and caramel cappuccinos are coming to your local Golden Arches as McDonald’s Corp. positions itself to take a slice of the booming $12 billion specialty beverage market and become a “beverage destination,” reports the AP. McDonald’s will launch a sausage skillet burrito in two weeks and a Southern-style chicken biscuit next year. More »

October 2007

NYC Pushes Calorie Count Plan

newser | Associated Press | Oct 25, 07 7:24 PM CDT

That burger might be darned tasty, but New York City health officials are reviving their crusade to give you an accompanying calorie count on menus—this time not just for fast-food joints, but restaurants with 15 or more locations. Chains aren't too keen on the plan, and a state restaurant association is set to sue a second time, the AP reports. More »
Restaurant Chains Race Into Four-Figure Territory

newser | USA Today | Oct 19, 07 3:25 PM CDT

Fast-food behemoth McDonald's took 20 years to open its 1,000th store, but 2007 has seen five chains join the four-digit club, USA Today reports. Of the success of Panda Express, Panera Bread, Papa Murphy’s, Sbarro, and Wing Street, one consultant says: “It's a landmark. It's a goal to join an elite class.” More »
Russia Loves the Golden Arches

newser | Wall Street Journal | Oct 16, 07 12:08 PM CDT

Russians can’t get enough of McDonald’s, which is a good but frustrating situation for the fast-food giant. The company could easily open 100 new restaurants, executives tell the Journal, save for two things: their new corporate philosophy, which values quality over growth, and Russia’s rampant bureaucracy. More »
Taco Bell: You Quiero Mexico

newser | Canadian Press | Oct 10, 07 2:03 PM CDT

Taco Bell is acting on its own long-standing imperative to run for the border, but as it re-enters Mexico, it’s not trying to pass as traditional—instead maxing out its American identity. The restaurant has its first Mexican branch since a failed 1990s incursion, but adding french fries to the menu hasn’t fended off early insults, the Canadian Press reports. More »
Strip-search Costs McD's $6.1M

newser | Courier-Journal (Louisville, Ky.) | Oct 6, 07 10:03 AM CDT

A Kentucky jury has ordered McDonald's to pay $6.1 million to settle the case of an employee who was strip-searched in the fast-food restaurant as part of a hoax. Jurors gave Louise Ogborn, 18 at the time, hefty punitive damages because McDonald's didn't seem all that concerned about warning employees about a roving prankster, the Courier - Journal reported. More »