Weekly Global News Wrap: Subway says it's ‘not for sale'; Taco Bell testing new plant-based 'Cravetarian' protein; McDonald's continues hiring spree

Here is a summary of the most interesting news stories of the week from around the world.

Subway clarified that the business is not for sale, amidst recent media reports that discussed sale rumors that have spread among operators and some former executives for years. Restaurant Business reports the chain denied such sale rumors after franchisees asked for a cut of any potential deal in an open letter. Read more here.

Wendy’s said it will focus on responsible sourcing, sustainable packaging, greenhouse gas reduction and increasing diversity within its leadership, management and franchisees. Nation’s Restaurant News said the chain plans to sustainably source all of its customer-facing packaging by 2026. Read more here.

McDonald’s continues its hiring spree, announcing it is looking to fill nearly 8,000 jobs in the months ahead. The chain announced that owner-operators anticipate hiring 3,100 restaurant employees in Nashville and surrounding areas, as more restaurants welcome back customers following COVID-19-related shutdowns. Read more here.

Ahead of its team up with Beyond Meat for more meatless options, Taco Bell is testing its own plant-based protein creation called the "Cravetarian" Taco. Business Insider reports the creation is made of a blend of peas and chickpeas, and comes with shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sour cream in a crunchy shell. Read more here.

Chipotle said its online orders overtook those made inside its restaurants for the first time. Reporting about the chain’s first quarter earnings, CNBC noted the chain’s online orders more than doubled during the quarter and accounted for 50.1% of total sales. Read more here.