Weekly Global News Wrap Up: John Schnatter sues Papa John's; Chick-fil-A set for Canadian expansion; McDonald's new ‘Aussie' burger
Here is a summary of the most interesting QSR news stories of the week from around the world.
John Schnatter is now suing Papa John’s, pizza chain he founded and chaired until July 11, accusing its board of treating him in a “heavy-handed way”, Forbes has reported. He resigned on the said date after using a racial slur and stating other controversial remarks during a media training exercise. Read more here.
Domino's Pizza, Inc. posted strong growth for the second quarter of fiscal 2018. In a media release sent to CNBC, same store sales, global store counts and earnings per share all rose for the pizza chain, according to its second quarter financial report.
Domestic same store sales grew 6.9% during the quarter versus the year-ago period, continuing the positive sales momentum in the Company's domestic business. The international division, meanwhile, also posted positive results, with same store sales growth of 4.0% during the quarter. Read more here.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that McDonald’s missed its same-store growth targets in its home market in the second quarter, even as global growth continues at a steady clip. Slowing customer traffic in the U.S. offset positive comparable guest counts in all other regions, resulting in a global guest count drop of 0.3 percent. Read more here.
Seven US fast-food chains have succumbed to pressure asking them to eliminate a practice that limits their workers' ability to take jobs at other restaurants in the same chain, NPR has reported.
The news comes after Bob Ferguson, the state attorney general, threatened to sue them over the practice, claiming the practice was anti-competitive. The chains, which include Arby's, Jimmy John's, Auntie Anne's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Carl's Jr. and Cinnabon, will stop enforcing or using such practices across the country. McDonald's had previously agreed to remove such restrictions. Read more here.
The National Post reports that Chick-Fil-A is planning to open 15 stores in the Greater Toronto Area over the next five years, with the first one launching by next year.
Chick-fil-A said that it has been considering expanding to Canada “for a long time” because of the country’s culture, economy and “deep talent pool.” The Atlanta-based company’s expansion comes at a time when other foreign fast food brands are making their move on the Canadian market. Read more here.
Social users were reportedlly confused with McDonald's Canada's newest creation: the 'Aussie' burger. As reported by Nine, the new innovation actually contains Canadian beef, beet chips, and a freshly cracked egg - stirring feelings of some Australian burger lovers. Read more here.
(Photo credit: Papa John's Pizza US Facebook page)
