Chain Stores / Restaurants

Thieves Prey on Starbucks Customers

by Jason Best, Posted May 2nd 2011 @ 1:00PM

laptops temp thieves at starbucks Photo: Andrew*, Flickr

Starbucks has done just about everything it can to make you as comfortable as possible and to turn its ubiquitous coffee shops into your home away from home--but maybe it's made you too comfortable.

One important difference between your living room and your local Starbucks is (presumably) you don't have an army of strangers traipsing through your living room as your kick back with your iPad and your morning cup of coffee. It seems obvious enough, but apparently, according to the New York Times, it's a distinction that's increasingly lost on a number of people -- and they're losing their purses, wallets and laptops, too.

Filed under: Coffee Shops, Chain Stores / Restaurants

Starbucks To Help Pinkberry Achieve Global Frozen Yogurt Domination

COMMENTS 6

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 29th 2011 @ 3:00PM

Pinkberry frozen yogurt Photo: 1derbread Media, Flickr

If you have plans to vacation in Britain, Turkey, Morocco, and the Philippines this year, you might just find a tart, cold reminder of home. By the end of 2011, Pinkberry is planning to to be in 17 different international markets, according to Nation's Restaurant News.

The chain currently has 122 outposts in eight countries, and hopes to gain 30 more international locations (this in addition to more U.S. outposts). Part of the success of Pinkberry's growth is attributed to Starbucks, as many of its international franchisees also operate Starbucks locations. Moreover, Starbucks' president and CEO Howard Schultz sits on Pinkberry's board.

"Consumer brands have to look at the landscape through a global lens, as opposed to the domestic lens that Starbucks started from 40 years ago," Schultz told Business Week. Although Pinkberry has plenty of competition in the U.S. market--Cold Stone Creamery is adding froyo to its line this spring and Red Mango has plans to nearly double its domestic stores--there is less competition in the worldwide arena, explains Business Week. In fact, Pinkberry's highest-volume store is in Kuwait.

Filed under: Business, Chain Stores / Restaurants

Will Starbucks Kill the Cake Pop?

COMMENTS 12

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 29th 2011 @ 11:00AM

Starbucks cake pops Photo: Starbucks

Please say this isn't the beginning of the end for cake pops.

Starbucks, America's largest coffee retailer, has begun serving cake pops -- and it's got the baking community up in arms. The pops are made by crumbling fresh cake and mixing the crumbs with frosting, then forming them into a ball and placing them on a stick. To make them pretty (and keep them fresh), they're dipped into a colorful candy coating.

The little pops have caught on like wildfire. (Cake that's portable, adorable, and has fewer calories than a whole slice? Sweet!) They're quickly overtaking cupcakes as the "must-have" item for baby showers, weddings, and birthday celebrations. And that's what has the folks over at Honest Cooking are worried. They know that anything that shows up at Starbucks is likely to experience backlash (and the pops they're serving up are no great shakes), and they don't want their favorite treat to meet that fate.

In an attempt to keep the pops in good favor, they've posted a killer recipe for Lemon Cream Cheese Cake Pops.

Filed under: Coffee Shops, Chain Stores / Restaurants

Starbucks Responds To Video Showing Rat On Store's Counter

COMMENTS 4

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 28th 2011 @ 2:00PM

rat at Starbucks Photo: YouTube

Despite a local resident finding what is believed to be a black rat inside a Starbucks located in Richmond, British Columbia, there is no cause for alarm, reports the Richmond Review. The YouTube video shot on April 21 shows the rodent scuttling around syrup dispensers.

As a result of the video, an environmental health inspector met with Starbucks management and quality assurance employees. Steve Chong, Richmond's chief public health inspector, told the Richmond Review that there is no indication of a rodent infestation. Pest control is now visiting the store daily, instead of weekly.

See the video of the rat below.

Filed under: Coffee Shops, Chain Stores / Restaurants

Taco Bell May Countersue Group That Sued Over Beef

COMMENTS 6

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 28th 2011 @ 12:00PM

taco bell Photo: Like_the_Grand_Canyon, Flickr

Taco Bell is really not letting this whole beef lawsuit controversy go.

Here is the rough sequence of events: Taco Bell was sued for allegedly not using real beef, and Taco Bell fired back claiming that the charges were bogus. It launched an aggressive campaign to de-bunk the claims. The suit was dropped. Taco Bell demanded an apology.

Now, as it awaits said apology, Taco Bell thinks it deserves even more, and is considering countersuing, reports FoxNews.com. Taco Bell CEO Greg Creed tells Fox News that the company started of the year very strong but the consequences of the beef lawsuit resulted in a slower quarter, and that Taco Bell is suffering from the bad publicity.

We get what they're trying to do here, but frankly, it feels a little like beating a dead horse at this point. How about making tastier tacos instead?

Filed under: Chain Stores / Restaurants

Starbucks Jumps Burger King & Wendy's To Become No. 3 U.S. Restaurant Chain

COMMENTS 63

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 27th 2011 @ 1:00PM

Starbucks Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Despite its coffee-centric menu, Starbucks is now the third largest restaurant chain in terms of domestic sales, according to Technomic's listing of America's top 500 restaurant chains in total 2010 U.S. sales. Completing the trifecta is McDonald's in the number one spot, followed by Subway at number two. USA Today explains that Starbucks' rise to the top signifies a shift in the American palate. For decades, McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's dominated the top three, and all served a similar hamburger-focused menu. Now, within the new top three, only McDonald's serves burgers. Overall, the top 500 chains reported a 1.8% sales growth in 2010, with total estimated sales of $234 billion.

Here's the Top 5 list:
1. McDonald's
2. Subway
3. Starbucks
4. Burger King
5. Wendy's

Filed under: Food News, Chain Stores / Restaurants

Chipotle Facing Natural Chicken Shortage

COMMENTS 18

by Jason Best, Posted Apr 27th 2011 @ 11:00AM

Chipotle chicken burrito Photo: Eric M. Martin, Flickr

Ay, caramba! Chipotle is running low on natural chicken, particularly at its restaurants in Southern California, reports the Orange County Register. This is a pretty big deal. After all, the chain likes to tout that its ingredients are a cut above your average fast-food fare, and let's be honest: to a certain crowd, part of the appeal of Chipotle is the side dish of sanctimony you get to enjoy as you imagine the chicken that's now the star of your burrito clucking around some bucolic barnyard somewhere while its KFC-destined kin were shivering in a cage waiting for their next mega-dose of antibiotics.

A spokesman for Chipotle told the Register that the chain had experienced a "disruption" in its supply of naturally raised chicken but that it's working to resolve the problem. There was no explanation as to why, all of a sudden, naturally raised chickens are in short supply. Alas, apparently the country doesn't keep a strategic reserve of the cluckers like it does for oil.

Filed under: Food News, Chain Stores / Restaurants

Burger King's New Campaign Targets Kids

COMMENTS 22

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 26th 2011 @ 1:00PM

Burger King Thor toys

TV commercials are so last century -- burger chains are now heading online in an effort to get kids (and their parents) more engaged with their brands. Burger King is the latest to join the trend with its upcoming "Thor" marketing push, reports Nation's Restaurant News.

With the purchase of a Kids' Meal at the restaurant, kids get small toys related to the Marvel comic in addition to codes that entitle them to exclusive digital-comics chapters at its kids' website, www.ClubBK.com. The four comic strips are a prequel to the movie, which opens May 6.

And the chain isn't alone in its digital push. As we reported earlier, McDonald's is getting in the web game with its McWorld.com site ("Ronaldgrams," anyone?), and later in May, Wendy's plans to host "Wendy's Family Week" on "Wheel of Fortune" to encourage customers to enter an online sweepstakes.

Filed under: Online, Chain Stores / Restaurants

Walmart Testing Online Grocery Service

COMMENTS 2

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 25th 2011 @ 2:30PM

Wal-Mart Photo: Robyn Beck, AFP / Getty Images

As rumored ealier this month, Walmart has begun test marketing Walmart To Go, its online grocery delivery service, in San Jose, California. In an effort to compete with the likes of Peapod, Fresh Direct and Amazon Fresh, Walmart To Go is offering aggressive pricing with delivery charges that start at five dollars, reports the New York Times. Products include "fresh produce, meat and seafood, frozen, bakery, baby, over-the-counter pharmacy, household supplies and health and beauty items."

The prices are impressive. The New York Times found that a 64-ounce carton of Horizon milk was $3.50 on Walmart's site, versus $3.99 from Peapod and $4.29 on Fresh Direct. Similarly, 16 ounces of celery was only $1.98 at Walmart, with Peapod charging $3.29 and Fresh Direct $3.49. There are trade-offs, though. Customers can't always choose the number of items for purchase -- fruits like oranges and lemons are only available in large bags.

Douglas McIntyre of Daily Finance is wary of the move, warning that it may cost the retailer impulse purchases of other items. "Walmart may pick up a new category of customers with home-delivered groceries. But it risks losing one of its best ways of luring people into its stores to buy things other than groceries," he says. The New York Times also points out that online delivery is a tough business, citing the high-profile bust of dot-com giant Webvan in 2001, among others.

But don't count them out. Walmart has size on its side: they're the biggest grocer in the country, with about 33 percent of the United States market share.

Filed under: Business, Chain Stores / Restaurants

Arby's Jr. Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Reviewed

COMMENTS 26

by Erik R. Trinidad, Posted Apr 25th 2011 @ 2:00PM

Arby's Jr. Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Photo: Erik R. Trinidad

Arby's used to pride itself solely on its signature item -- the roast beef sandwich, and all its variations thereof -- but let's not forget that they also serve chicken, as well as salads and deli-style sandwiches. These days, their menu is quite diverse for a fast food chain -- much like their sibling restaurant chain Wendy's -- which they celebrate in song with their kitschy new jingle "Good Mood Food." However, there should be a disclaimer at the bottom of their ads which reads, "*Does not necessarily put you in a good mood," because sometimes their food just gets you full without really doing anything to your emotional state. Such is the case with the new Jr. Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. Here's how it rates:

The Claims: Arby's Jr. Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, a new addition to their Value Menu, is "value sized crispy tender all white-meat chicken," topped with shredded lettuce and Buffalo sauce on a toasted sesame seed bun. (Approx. 340 calories.)

The Price:$1.29. (Prices may vary at participating locations.)

Get our verdict after the jump.

Filed under: Reviews, Chain Stores / Restaurants