China
Alibaba unveils “smart-ordering” system
Alibaba unveils “smart-ordering” system
Customers at cafés and restaurants may soon place their orders in a machine via voice. With the aim of enhancing the customer experience, Alibaba launched its “smart ordering” system – featuring software where order placements are addressed to a machine via voice recognition technology. The new innovation from Alibaba Machine Intelligence Technologies boasts that the machine’s AI is able make as many order changes or corrections to update the order in real time.
Starbucks Ready-to-Drink platform to expand to 400 Chinese cities
It is expected to reach across more than 125,000 premium points of distribution in partnership with Tingyi.
Starbucks to double China stores to 6,000 by the end of 2022
It also reaffirmed $20 million five-year commitment to social impact programs.
Jollibee invests SG$45m to acquire the Tim Ho Wan franchise in APAC
The venture is said to eventually allow substantial control of the master franchise for Asia Pacific.
Weekly Global News Wrap: McDonald's banks on digital transformation; Malaysia's QSR Brands mulls $509.6m IPO; Chipotle now offers delivery in 1,500 US sites
Here is a summary of the most interesting QSR news stories of the week from around the world.
Pizza Hut rolls out book donation and exchange program across China
To mark World Book Day, Yum China celebrated the grand opening of the "Pizza Hut Book Donation and Exchange Sub-Center" in Shenzhen.
Yum China's net income surged 41% to $288m in Q1
Its total system sales grew 6%, with 9% rise at KFC partially offset by 1% decline at Pizza Hut.
Starbucks China's net revenue grew 54% to $1,186.4m in Q2
It is driven by incremental revenues from the impact of the ownership change in East China.
Weekly Global News Wrap: Starbucks to close 8,000 US sites to conduct racial bias training; Chipotle eyes breakfast to drive sales; Retail Food Group to expand Gloria Jean's in Germany
Here is a summary of the most interesting QSR news stories of the week from around the world.
Starbucks poised to lead the coffee industry in China
The number of stores in China has grown from 800 to 3,200 in the past five years, with an average of one new store opening every 15 hours.
Alibaba acquires Chinese delivery startup Ele.me in $9.5b deal
It plans to expand in China’s fast-growing market for local delivery of food and other services.
BreadTalk forms joint ventures to operate bakeries in China
The joint ventures will run Wu Pao Chun bakeries in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
Marine Harvest to open 2,000 salmon-only fast food outlets in China
It believes this will help expand demand for the farmed fish among the country’s growing middle class.
TenRen Tea to open further eight sites by 2020
It plans to use the 65.6% of IPO proceeds to open new outlets and widen its retail footprint.
KFC China launches cultural-themed restaurants in 18 cities
It hopes to bolster customers' cultural experiences in their restaurants through technology.
Yum China's net income crashed 20% in 2017
For the fourth quarter, Yum's operating profit rose by 23% to $71 million.
McDonald's rolls out flagship 'future' store in Guangzhou
With a goal of creating a new customer-centric, digital-driven dining experience, the Victoria Square restaurant features new eight 'future' elements. These include buffet ordering, special menu, delivery to the table, newly-integrated McDonald's App, WeChat applet member points, mobile payment, two-point counter, and electronic dining cards.
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