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☆ We tried Jack in the Box's first new burger in 8 years, and it's way better than a Big Mac
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Jack in the Box's new Smashed Jack burger was an instant hit, selling out in two weeks. It took two years to develop the Smashed Jack — the chain's first new burger in eight years. AdvertisementSmashed Jack, the first new burger by Jack in the Box in eight years, is already smashing expectations. The chain sold 70,000 Smashed Jacks in just one day, and in two weeks, the burger was sold out everywhere . What's so special about the Smashed Jack, and is it worth all the hype?

Persons: Jack, Jack —, Burger King, —, Anneta Konstantinides, Nancy Luna, What's Organizations: Service Locations: Burger

☆ Chipotle is going after Gen Z workers with new perks like help with paying off student debt
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewChipotle is boosting its worker benefits to attract Gen Z workers as the chain seeks 19,000 new hires in the coming months. One carrot they're dangling before Gen Z applicants is a new perk that will help workers save for retirement while also paying off student loans. Private and federal loans are eligible for the student loan match, Chipotle said. Advertisement"If the employee is paying at least 5% of their salary toward the student loan, Chipotle will match 4% into their 401(k)," Chipotle told BI. The new 401(k) match incentive program is one of four new benefits introduced this week by the chain to help its Gen Z workforce.

Persons: —, Chipotle, Forbes, it's Organizations: Service, Business, Employees

☆ Jack in the Box went through 60 different versions of its new burger before landing on the final recipe
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewIt's been eight years since Jack in the Box released a new burger, and the Smashed Jack is already making a huge splash . "I think there was a year straight of trying different patties, different blends of meat, different types of ways we're going to cook it, how long we're gonna cook it." Jack in the Box's Smashed Jack, the first new burger launch in eight years, sold out in two weeks. Anneta Konstantinide/Business InsiderOstrom told BI that he and the chain's kitchen team went through 60 burgers before landing on the final Smashed Jack. The $8 Smashed Jack features a ¼-pound smashed-style beef patty, plus cheese, pickles, grilled onions, and the new "Boss" sauce.

Persons: —, Jack, It's, Ryan Ostrom, Ostrom, Anneta, Nancy Luna, I've, We're Organizations: Service, Business, Pepsi, Coke Locations: San Diego

☆ Jack in the Box's first new burger in 8 years sold out so fast you can't find it anywhere right now
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Nancy Luna | Anneta Konstantinides | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewJack in the Box wants the Smashed Jack to be the "best burger" in the fast-food industry. "We're sold out," Ryan Ostrom, Jack in the Box's chief marketing officer, told reporters at a media event Wednesday at the chain's San Diego headquarters. Jack in the Box's Smashed Jack burger took two years to develop. A Bacon Double Smashed Jack, a burger with two patties and bacon, will also be available. AdvertisementJack in the Box is hoping for the same kind of buzz with the Smashed Jack.

Persons: —, Jack, We're, Ryan Ostrom, McDonald's, Ostrom, Nancy Luna, It's, Anneta, Bacon, Burger King Organizations: Service, Business Locations: San Diego

☆ It's awards season, and that means only one thing — spotting celebrities noshing on In-N-Out burgers
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewIt's the red carpet season in Hollywood, and that means only one thing – spotting starving celebrities feasting on In-N-Out once the awards ceremony is over. Related stories"We're often at Oscar parties, on movie sets – you name it," In-N-Out's billionaire owner Lynsi Snyder wrote in her new book , "The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger." During the Academy Awards, Vanity Fair after-party attendees don't have to jump in a car to get their In-N-Out fix. Advertisement"I'm pleased I provided America with a little diversion, my need for an In-N-Out burger. If he should end up attending the Academy Awards this year, Vanity Fair will have the In-N-Out truck at its after-party – all night long.

Persons: —, Paul Giamatti, Giamatti, PAUL GIAMATTI, bmhbLhy3DB — Michael Warburton, Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts, Ang Lee, Olivia Wilde, Jason Sudeikis, Rita Wilson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Dan Levy, It's, Lynsi Snyder, Roberts, Sudeikis, I'm, Bob Hope, Paris Hilton, Thomas Keller, Tom Hanks, Anthony Bourdain Organizations: Service, Business, Golden Globe, Globes, Westwood, Hollywood, Paris Locations: Hollywood, California, L.A, @MichaelWarbur17, Instagram, America, Napa

☆ I'm a California restaurant operator preparing for the $20-an-hour fast-food wage by trimming hours, eliminating employee vacation, and raising menu prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The main reason: California fast-food workers are getting a big bump in pay to $20 an hour under a new state law that goes into effect in April. That new wage is nearly 30% more than most employers pay fast-food workers. 1 thing every California fast-food food owner was talking about. Raising wages for managers and shift leaders so they won't fleeThe minimum wage in California is $16 an hour. "This program should have been phased in over time instead of jumping the California minimum wage for our staff by 25% in one single day," he said.

Persons: —, Marcus Walberg, Walberg, He's, Seth Lederman, Frannexus, Lederman, he'd, he's, We'll Organizations: Service, Business, Florida Locations: Los Angeles, California, Chili's, McDonald's

☆ Burger King's owner is buying the chain's largest franchisee for $1 billion. It plans to flip 600 restaurants and sell them to 'motivated' operators.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The move comes as Burger King has pushed for remodels of top outlets while closing others. Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Burger King and Popeyes, announced plans Tuesday to buy more than 1,000 fast-food restaurants from its largest Burger King franchisee. RBI said it plans to invest $500 million in modernizing roughly 600 Burger King restaurants. AdvertisementRBI said the acquisition and flipping of the Burger King restaurants are an "exciting accelerator" to its overall "Reclaim the Flame" plan. Last year, Burger King operators closed dozens of restaurants in Florida, New York, Nebraska, Utah, and Minnesota .

Persons: Burger, —, Popeyes, Tom Curtis, Stephens, Joshua Long, Long, Burger King, Kobza Organizations: Restaurant Brands, Kings, Service, Burger King, Burger King US Locations: Burger, New York, Canada, King, Florida , New York , Nebraska , Utah, Minnesota

☆ I've tried dozens of plant-based fast-food dishes. This new fried cauliflower sandwich was the best.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A handful of restaurants across the US have changed their exterior marquee signs to read, "Dave's NOT Chicken." The chain changed its marquee to "Dave's Not Chicken" at a Santa Ana, California restaurant. Nancy Luna/Business InsiderDave's Hot Chicken was founded as a pop-up restaurant in East Hollywood in 2017. But the chain's culinary team couldn't find "any product that delivered the same craveability as our chicken," the chain told Business Insider. "Seeing Chick-fil-A's test further validated that this could be a viable option, so long as we could nail the flavor profile," the chain told Business Insider.

Persons: Nancy Luna, Arman Oganesyan, Dave's, Chick Organizations: East Hollywood Locations: Santa Ana , California, East

☆ We tried Taco Bell's 6 new value menu items, which are all under $3. Only a few lived up to the chain's meal-sized promise.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Nancy Luna | Anneta Konstantinides | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Taco Bell made sweeping changes to its Cravings Value menu on January 11. The chain added six new "meal-sized" items, changed the pricing, and cut five foods from the menu. We tried the six new value items to see if they lived up to their "satiating" promise. The Cravings Value Menu debuted in late December 2018 and included more than 20 items ranging in price from $1 to $5. The chain said the revamped 10-item menu features "more satiating, meal-sized items" that now cost $3 or less.

Persons: Taco Bell, — Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Taco Bell overhauled its value menu, and these four items are off the menu permanently
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Taco Bell is revamping its Cravings Value Menu with six new items for $3 or less. Five items, including the popular Beefy Melt Burrito, have been cut from the new value menu. The chain said the revamped 10-item value menu features "more satiating, meal-sized items." AdvertisementTaco Bell is overhauling its Cravings Value Menu by adding six new "meal-sized" items to the menu, which features items under $3. To make room for the new additions, Taco Bell is booting five items from the old value menu.

Persons: Taco, — Organizations: Taco Bell, Service, Bell, Business

☆ Tennessee Town Fought Mega Chick-Fil-a and Won
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Chick-fil-A wanted to build a new, larger restaurant in a small town in Tennessee. But residents fought back, saying the "mega" restaurant would increase traffic. AdvertisementChick-fil-A had big plans to build a large-scale modern restaurant with an indoor playground and dual-drive-thru lanes in a small Tennessee town. But the fast-food juggernaut underestimated the tenacity of locals, who rallied against the proposed "mega" Chick-fil-A in Collierville, whose population is just over 50,000. The proposed restaurant, a relocation of an existing smaller Chick-fil-A, was billed by the company as the "latest greatest prototype Chick-fil-A has" in its system.

Persons: Chick, —, Alderman Organizations: City, Service, Collierville, Business Locations: Tennessee, Collierville

☆ I tried KFC's new chicken wraps, including a spicy mac and cheese. The new dishes should push McDonald's to get wraps back on the menu fast.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-07 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Chicken wraps are making a comeback at fast food chains like Wendy's and Burger King. The latest to join the fray is KFC, which introduced two chicken wraps in early January. KFC expanded its wrap menu a few weeks after McDonald's announced plans to bring back chicken wraps. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementMcDonald's triggered buzz when it announced in December plans to bring chicken wraps back to US menus.

Persons: Burger King, McDonald's, — Organizations: KFC, Service, McDonald's, Business Locations: Burger

☆ A proposed Chick-fil-A 'mega' restaurant in Tennessee is sparking backlash and fears of drive-thru traffic
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-05 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A plan for a "mega" Chick-fil-A store in Tennessee is the latest project to encounter backlash from locals concerned about the fast-food chain's frequently crowded drive-thrus lines. In Collierville, Tennessee, Chick-fil-A has proposed replacing a 23-year-old 3,950-square-foot restaurant with a larger one to accommodate the growing consumer demand. Chain reps are billing the proposed 6,110-square-foot restaurant as the "latest greatest prototype Chick-fil-A has" in its system. Chick-fil-A said the bigger restaurant, proposed for an empty lot about a half-mile down the road, is expected to contain cars within two double drive-thru lanes that wrap the restaurant. It also has plans to build an elevated restaurant that has four drive-thru lanes that flow below the store.

Persons: —, Brent Edmiston, Woody Reid, Edmiston, Raymond Descheneaux, Chick, Jennifer Casey Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Tennessee, Collierville , Tennessee, Collierville, City, Poplar, Colliersville, North Carolina

☆ Costco pharmacies are open to everyone. But only members get the company's deep discounts on medications.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-30 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Advertisement"The Costco Member Prescription Program offers discounts on prescription drugs up to 80% or more, depending on the medication," according to the chain's website. On its website, Costco states, "we cannot guarantee" that all insurance plans will work with Costco as many "treat Costco Mail Order Pharmacy very differently from the local Costco pharmacies and may not accept claims from us." In most cases, you'll have to get your doctor to send your prescription directly to Costco, according to the company's website. Advertisement"Most mail order pharmacies will not transfer prescriptions out, especially to other mail order pharmacies," the company states on its website. "If your previous mail order pharmacy has advised you that they will transfer the prescription out to us, please contact us via phone or Live Chat to have us request the transfer."

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Costco, Business

☆ We tried Popeyes' new wings. They're crazy delicious and could spark another fast-food chicken war.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-26 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

After testing wings earlier this year, Popeyes made them a permanent menu item in late November. The chain now serves five spicy wing varieties , including one slathered in Cajun hot sauce. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementPopeyes made wings a permanent menu item after the overnight success of its Ghost Pepper and Sweet 'N Spicy wings earlier this year. Nearly all of them pack a ton of heat, including entry-level wings like the Roasted Garlic Parmesan.

Persons: Popeyes, Pepper, —, Wingstop Organizations: Service

☆ McDonald's is in the midst of some big changes that show the changing tides in the world of fast food
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-11 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . In today's big story, we're looking at some of the recent big changes at McDonald's, including the launch of a new restaurant concept. AdvertisementCold foam and oat milk are big business, as drink modifiers add up to roughly $1 billion in revenue for Starbucks. McDonald's app has grown over the years, with over 57 million active members, but it still leaves much to be desired. To be sure, 10 CosMc's is not even a drop in the bucket of McDonald's 40,000-plus restaurant empire.

Persons: —, I'm, Joe Ciolli, Iman Jalali, Nancy Luna, It's, McDonald's, Nancy, CosMc's, Jamie Dimon, Jerome Powell, Jose Luis Magana, Ryan Detrick, Niklas Halle'n, Rebecca Zisser, Jeff Bezos, OpenAI's Ilya Sutskever doesn't, Sam Altman's, hasn't, Elon Musk's, Ben Bergman, Adam Neumann's, Insider's Ben Bergman, Z, Donald Trump, Dan DeFrancesco, Naga Siu, Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan Organizations: Service, Starbucks, Nancy, McDonalds, McDonald's, Reserve, Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs, Capitol, Carson Group, Getty Images, San, Sutskever, Visual China, Getty, Fort, Trump Organization, Trump Organization . Golden Globe Locations: Chicago, , Illinois, Texas, Washington, AFP, San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale, New York City, San Diego, London, New York

☆ Your local Subway will no longer be allowed to reject digital coupons or avoid footlong sandwich deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Subway franchisees have been able to opt out of deals made through the chain's app. Starting December 28, the chain is forcing franchisees to honor all digital deals. Subway appThe Subway app currently shows a deal for 50 % off a footlong sandwich when you buy one at full price. A Subway franchisee from California questioned the legality of forcing operators to accept low-margin deals via the app. The California franchisee said they honor digital deals to maintain good customer relationships.

Persons: Jimmy John's, —, we've, Roark, Subway's Organizations: Service, Business, Roark Capital, FTC, Subway, Federal Trade Commission, Politico Locations: California

AdvertisementEarlier this week, Iman Jalali, a real estate investor in the greater Chicago area, had business in Bolingbrook, Illinois, and decided to take a detour to visit McDonald's new spinoff concept: CosMc's. AdvertisementA menu board in front of an CosMc's restaurant Iman Jalali"It's surprising. There's a spicy queso sandwich and classic McDonald's breakfast options like the Egg McMuffin and Sausage McMuffin with Egg. Joe CiolliA close-up shot of the drone Joe CiolliFrom his car, Jalali asked someone near the drive-through: "Hey, are you open?" The chain did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment on CosMc's menu.

Persons: McDonald's, —, Iman Jalali, Jalali, Iman, Joe Ciolli, Ciolli Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Chicago, Bolingbrook , Illinois, Boston, Dutch, Oregon, CosMc's, Illinois

☆ Red Lobster's $20 promotion backfired, signaling how desperate diners are for cheap deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Red Lobster introduced a $20 all-you-can eat shrimp promotion that backfired. They're clearly seeking value, a Red Lobster exec said. AdvertisementTheir generosity backfired, as the chain underestimated the number of diners hunting for dining deals amid rising menu prices. Though inflation is slowing, menu prices remain on the uptick, according to new federal data released in November. Ultimately, $20 for endless shrimp was too cheap for Red Lobster.

Persons: —, Ludovic Garnier, Garnier, It's Organizations: Lobster, Service, Thai Union Group, Labor Statistics

☆ Chick-fil-A appears to be creating an entertainment app to host video series and podcasts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The chain is hiring an "entertainment producer," according to a job posting on its website. The new entertainment app, PLAY, will feature scripted and non-scripted programming. The Atlanta-based fast-food chain, owned by the wealthy Cathy family, is set to launch a family-focused entertainment app called PLAY, according to a job posting for an "entertainment producer" listed on the chain's website. The PLAY app is geared toward entertaining families and children. AdvertisementThe entertainment producer will manage writers, actors, casting directors, artists, and showrunners.

Persons: —, Cathy, thoughtfully Organizations: Service, Evergreen Locations: Atlanta, Evergreen Hills

☆ How the Raising Cane's founder, Todd Graves, turned a lousy college grade into a billion-dollar fast-food business
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Todd Graves opened the first Raising Cane's in Louisiana on August 28, 1996. He wrote a business plan for a chicken fingers chain as a college assignment. AdvertisementWhile attending Louisiana State University in the mid-1990s, Todd Graves wrote a business plan for a fast-food restaurant that sold only fried chicken tenders. He worked to raise his own funds and eventually opened his chicken tender restaurant Raising Cane's in 1996. AdvertisementHere's how Graves turned a bad grade into a billion-dollar business.

Persons: Todd Graves, Cane's, Graves, —, Graves didn't Organizations: Bloomberg, Service, Louisiana State University Locations: Louisiana

☆ Fast food isn't cheap anymore
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

McDonald's menu prices are up about 10% this year. AdvertisementInflation may be slowing, but when it comes to skyrocketing fast-food prices, the damage is done — and there's no turning back. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that fast-food prices in October jumped 6.2% over the past 12 months. Nancy Luna/Business InsiderMore price hikes are on the horizonChipotle recently raised menu prices by 3% in October. Some are fuming over skyrocketing fast-food prices and expressing their concern on social-media platforms such as TikTok and Reddit .

Persons: That's, Chipotle, —, Tim Powell, Mark Kalinowski, Nancy Luna, McDonald's, Kalinowski, Chris Kempczinski, @xconmedia, Ian Borden, Borden Organizations: Service, Starbucks, Labor Statistics Locations: QSRs, California, Orange , California, Connecticut

☆ Explore the Chick-fil-A corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia surrounded by 73 wooded acres
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Chick-fil-A's headquarters is known as the Chick-fil-A Support Center. The company's headquarters, or Chick-fil-A Support Center, is located at 5200 Buffington Road in Atlanta, Georgia. The corporate campus, established in 1984, has an on-site cafeteria, training center, test kitchen, wellness center, nature trails, and is surrounded by 73 wooded acres, according to the chain's website. With the $10 Classic tour, visitors learn the history of the company and its founder S. Truett Cathy. Chick-fil-AThe company also mentors high school students at its support center through a program called Beyond School Walls.

Persons: —, Cathy, Andrew Cathy, Truett Cathy, Dan Cathy, Andrew, Chick Organizations: Service, Car Museum Locations: Atlanta, Georgia, Atlanta , Georgia

☆ I visited an indoor farm in Compton that's growing leafy greens for Walmart and Whole Foods using robots — and it gave me a peek at the future of farming
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The urban farm supplies Walmart and Whole Foods with leafy greens. The urban farm run by the Bay Area agricultural-tech startup Plenty is designed to grow up to 4.5 million pounds of leafy greens annually. Plenty launched the large-scale indoor farm in May, producing leafy greens that can go from harvest to store in 24 hours. Over my two-decade career as a food journalist, I've visited farms and processing plants that supply leafy greens for top fast-food chains such as McDonald's. Plenty, on the other hand, grows, harvests, and packages four types of leafy greens in a single facility.

Persons: —, I've Organizations: Walmart, Service, Foods, Bristol Farms Locations: Compton , California, Bay, California, Plenty, America

☆ I put Taco Bell's wacky menu experiments to the test. Some meals should return to the lab, while crazy-good items like breakfast tater tots should go national.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Taco Bell has tested more than a dozen items across the US this year. Some items should return to the test lab, but others should go national. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementTaco Bell is widely known for testing wacky experimental menu items in various cities nationwide to gauge interest in a possible nationwide release. "Like all innovation, a lot of work goes into bringing a new menu item to life," Taco Bell told Business Insider.

Persons: Taco Bell, I've, —, Bell, Taco Organizations: Service, Triple Crunch, Taco Bell, Business Locations: Chicago, Mexican, Nebraska, Indianapolis

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