Here’s our look at the week that was in the restaurant industry while we ponder what to do now that we’ll never know a world with a Doughnut McFlurry.
Here comes Dubai Chocolate everything
If you ask me, the big news of the week came courtesy of our esteemed food editor Pat Cobe, who noticed everybody releasing Dubai Chocolate menu items.
We have Dubai Chocolate shakes, Dubai Chocolate froyo, Dubai Chocolate Matcha Latte, Dubai Chocolate pastries. I’m a little surprised we haven’t seen a Dubai Chocolate pizza yet.
Anyway all of this is happening because restaurant chains are avid users of social media and apparently everybody is talking about Dubai Chocolate on social media. So we get these creations.
So much for those Doughnut McFlurrys
Or would it be McFlurries? I never know. Maybe somebody from McDonald’s will answer that question for me.
Regardless, the fast-food chain and Krispy Kreme ended their partnership before it’s even half completed because the doughnut chain couldn’t make a profit from selling doughnuts at McDonald’s.
It was not a surprise, because the rollout was delayed a few weeks ago. But it has once again generated questions about Krispy Kreme and its business model. Also, doughnuts are a tough business.
Giordano’s goes thin
Our Joe Guszkowski spent some quality Zoom time with Giordano’s CEO Nick Scarpino, who noted that the chain plans to open locations again for the first time in ages. But we were particularly interested in his comments about the chain’s product offerings.
Specifically, the company plans to embrace a Chicago pizza that is basically the opposite of what Giordano’s serves: The tavern-style pizza. The thin, crisp-crust pizza with toppings all the way to the edge has generated a rapidly growing following. Better for Giordano’s: People order thin crust more often than they go out and get the super-thick, stuffed pies it sells.
It's also good news for us as we love all types of pizzas.
Don’t mess with In-N-Out
The venerable fast-food burger chain will apparently take only so much from YouTubers. As Lisa Jennings reported, the company is suing the social media personality Bryan Arnett for “pranks” that went a bit too far in mocking its customers and its reputation.
It’s one thing for the influencer to sneak his own photo on the wall as employee of the month, but In-N-Out got mad when Arnett started doing things like asking customers if they’d be interested in sleeping with his wife or intimating that the restaurant has a cockroach problem.
So it filed a lawsuit and demanded the removal of the social posts.
More from Restaurant Business:
Roark Capital’s track record mirrors the restaurant industry.
Check out Lisa’s fantastic story on the San Pedro Fish Market.
Red Lobster is trying seafood boils finally.
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