All articles tagged with #fast food
UC Santa Cruz researchers studied 100+ fast‑food outlets and found that California’s $20 minimum wage for franchised outlets increased prices, reduced hours and overtime, and boosted automation, with local restaurants feeling the labor-cost pressure; the study frames these as unintended consequences and adds to the debate over wage mandates in policy.
After McDonald's released a video of CEO Chris Kempczinski tasting the Big Arch burger, rival fast-food brands like Burger King and Wendy's posted snarky clips and memes, with others such as Jack in the Box, A&W Canada, Freddy's and KFC joining the chatter. The online sparring touched on everything from biscuit quality to a tongue-in-cheek “Chief Tasting Officer” hiring contest, as McDonald’s tried to steer the narrative with playful posts and rivals kept the roast going across Instagram, X and TikTok.
The piece ranks Chipotle as the worst Mexican-style fast-food chain, citing past health violations that led to a $25 million fine, shrinking portion sizes that sparked online backlash, higher prices for extras like guacamole, and some unhealthy menu options, while noting newer Mexican-style chains are gaining ground.
McDonald’s new Big Arch—its biggest burger yet, weighing nearly a pound and delivering about 1,020 calories—kicks off an industry-wide tilt toward oversized, premium-looking burgers while chains continue to push value meals. Pricing varies by market (average around $8.88, with some outlets above $12.99), as the industry pursues a two-pronged barbell strategy of value plus abundant, indulgent offerings. Online jabs among CEOs accompany steady sales gains as chains vie for burger leadership.
Pete Suerken, Wendy's U.S. President, posted a video eating the Baconator in four bites and tossing shade at McDonald's after viral clips of CEO Chris Kempczinski reacting to the latest burger. Burger King followed with a counter-video, and Wendy's social account joined in, joking about the Frosty dispenser and quipping that their machines are always working. The posts have sparked a wider discussion about a growing feud among fast-food leaders and speculation about who might join next.
Burger King’s CEO takes aim at McDonald’s Big Arch rollout by biting a Whopper on social media and tossing in a napkin gag, reviving a lighthearted corporate feud as McDonald’s led with its new burger.
Chick-fil-A says its waffle fries no longer contain pea starch, ending the 2024 tweak meant to keep fries crispy; current stock with pea starch is depleted, so new fries are pea-starch free.
McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski posted a video of himself sampling the new Big Arch burger that went viral, prompting online jokes about his bite. In response, Burger King shared a video of its president Tom Curtis eating a Whopper, saying the post wasn’t a reaction but part of ongoing promo for the Whopper. The moment drew engagement from rivals including Wendy’s, highlighting how leadership-level content is being used to spotlight new menu items in a competitive buzz cycle.
OutKick recaps a whirlwind Whataburger week, from a manager repelling an attacker with a trash can to President Trump visiting a Corpus Christi location and picking up the bill for everyone, sparking national buzz and memes as the fast-food chain becomes a cultural flashpoint.
White Castle’s Valentine’s Day dinners are a longstanding, quirky tradition dating to 1991, with about 325 locations offering themed dining, decorations, and required reservations. The meals are affordable (roughly $20–$25 with dessert for bigger orders) and attract couples, families, and even weddings, making the holiday memorable at a budget-friendly fast-food chain. The promotion has grown over the years, and other chains like Waffle House have similar events. Stories like Krystal Gray’s, who will memorialize her late mother at the table, highlight the sentimental value of these dinners for loyal fans.
Jet's Pizza, a Michigan-based chain known for Detroit-style pies, leads Chowhound's fast-food pepperoni pizza rankings for National Pizza Day, followed by Godfather's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Papa John's and Domino's; the list evaluates flavor, ingredients and value, underscoring pepperoni as America's favorite topping, with Jet's boasting hundreds of locations across 22 states.
Solo dining is accelerating: solo orders account for 47% of fast-food visits (up from 31% in 2021), one-person reservations at full-service restaurants rose 22% in Q3 2025, and about 70% of solo diners skip discounts. Yum Brands notes menus are being redesigned for individuals, with personal-size pizzas appealing to Gen Z and millennials, signaling a shift toward personalization even as sharing remains common and solo bookings still represent a minority overall. The trend points to more customization in 2026.
Yum! Brands says Pizza Hut will close about 250 underperforming U.S. locations in the first half of 2026 as part of the Hut Forward plan to modernize marketing, technology, and franchise agreements; the closures amount to roughly 3% of Pizza Hut’s U.S. restaurants, amid a Q4 2025 sales decline, while Taco Bell and KFC posted gains.
The article crowns In-N-Out Burger as the West Coast’s top American burger chain, praising its fresh, daily-sourced ground chuck, simple yet high-quality menu, fast service, and strong nationwide reputation, while noting a loyal fan base, affordable prices (roughly $3–$7 per burger), and occasional criticisms of the fries; nostalgia and consistent quality help sustain its standout status.
Tasting Table ranks Jack in the Box as the worst US burger chain, citing pervasive online complaints about greasy food, slow and overpriced service, misassembled menu items, and lengthy wait times, suggesting a tough year ahead for the brand.