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Tag: hamburger

  • McDonald’s Malaysia denies any connection to Israel

    McDonald’s Malaysia denies any connection to Israel

    The Malaysian franchise of McDonald’s Corp said it was “disappointed” with calls on social media to boycott the fast-food restaurant chain in apparent retaliation against the US’ recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

    Social media users in the Muslim-majority country have called on people to boycott various American companies following United States President Donald Trump’s decision to relocate the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

    One Twitter user, who goes by the name, TheUsopIbrahim, stated without citing sources that US-headquartered McDonald’s “channelled funds to Israel”.

    McDonald’s Malaysia said in a statement on Facebook on Saturday that the chain does not support or engage in any political or religious conflicts.

    Mr Azmir Jaafar, managing director and operating partner of franchisee Gerbang Alaf Restaurants, said: “The claim that McDonald’s channels funds to Israel is a false accusation, a lie, fake and slanderous.”

    He added that Gerbang’s largest shareholder is Muslim.

    The Malaysian and Singaporean franchise rights were bought by Saudi Arabia’s Lionhorn a year ago, as part of the US parent’s strategy of moving away from direct ownership in Asia.

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  • Jollibee net profits rises in Q1

    Jollibee net profits rises in Q1

    Jollibee Foods Corp. said Friday net income rose 17.3 percent in the first 3 months of the year, as higher expenses offset growth in revenues, according to a stock exchange filing.

    Net income attributable to shareholders grew to P1.8 billion in the first quarter from P1.5 billion during the same period in 2017, the country’s largest fast food operator said.

    Gross revenues rose 19.4 percent to P35 billion while gross expenses rose 19.7 percent to nearly P32 billion, Jollibee said.

    Jollibee shares were up 2 percent at noon, compared to a 2.47-percent increase in the main index.

    Casual restaurant operator Max’s Group said Thursday net income fell 30 percent in the first quarter due to higher costs of raw materials and labor.

    Inflation reached a 5-year peak in April and on Thursday, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas raised the benchmark borrowing rate for the first time since September 2014.

  • China boost for McDonald’s appetite

    China boost for McDonald’s appetite

    A strong performance in China, partly offset by continued challenges in South Korea, helped build first-quarter momentum for McDonald’s Corporation.

    President/CEO Steve Easterbrook says the restaurant group has had 11 consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales and a fifth consecutive quarter of positive guest counts.

    Highlights for the first quarter, to the end of March, included a 5.5 per cent rise in global comparable sales and 0.8 per cent in global comparable guest counts.

    A strategic refranchising initiative resulted in consolidated revenues dropping 9 per cent (15 per cent in constant currencies).

    Systemwide sales increased 7 per cent in constant currencies, while consolidated operating income increased 5 per cent (flat in constant currencies) because of growth in franchised margin dollars, offset by the impact of the refranchising initiative

    Comparable sales for the international lead segment increased 7.8 per cent for the quarter, reflecting positive results across all markets. The segment’s operating income grew 21 per cent (9 per cent in constant currencies), fuelled by sales-driven improvements in franchised margin dollars.

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  • Fatburger Buffalo’s Express opens Tokyo burger restaurant

    Fatburger Buffalo’s Express opens Tokyo burger restaurant

    A co-branded Fatburger Buffalo’s Express is opening its first Tokyo location tomorrow. Located at the Magnet by Shibuya109 building in Shibuya Crossing, the US fast-food brands’ outlet will feature all-American fare from Buffalo’s Express and Fatburger, as well as alcoholic offerings from bar concept, FatBar.

    “We’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to enter Japan and it’s finally here. As a team, we couldn’t be more pleased with how this flagship location has developed,” said Andy Wiederhorn, CEO of Fat Brands.

    “Our recipes, ambiance and service have exceeded expectations in other locations across Asia and I expect nothing less in Tokyo.”

    The Japanese outlet is operated by Green Micro Factory, subsidiary of G Three Holdings.

    Fatburger parent company Fat Brands has recently announced openings and development deals in Canada, the Philippines, Scotland, Singapore and Southern California.

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  • Shake Shack opens next week in Hong Kong

    Shake Shack opens next week in Hong Kong

    Shake Shack Hong Kong makes its debut on Tuesday at IFC mall in Central. With panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, the eatery will be able to seat more than 46 guests. As a modern “roadside” burger stand that began as a hot-dog cart in New York’s Madison Square Park, Shake Shack has gained a global following for its Flat-top Dogs with all-natural beef and no hormones and antibiotics, served on a non-GMO Martin’s Potato Roll.

    As well as the New York City brand’s classics of burgers, hot dogs and fries, Hong Kong Shack will serve localised menu items like milk tea shake (vanilla custard blended with black tea), French toast (with vanilla custard, peanut-butter sauce and banana, topped with maple sugar), the Heart & Tart of Central (vanilla custard, egg tart and strawberry puree) and That’s My Jam (vanilla custard, mango/passion fruit jam, raspberries and crumbled shortbread).

    Its crinkle-cut fries can be served plain or with a special blend of American and cheddar cheese sauce.

    Hong Kong Shack customers will also be offered the classic ShackBurger, a cheeseburger made from premium whole-muscle cuts of Angus beef, topped with lettuce, tomato and house-made ShackSauce. A meat-free option is the ’Shroom Burger, a crisp-fried portobello mushroom filled with melted muenster and cheddar cheese, topped with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce.

    Brooklyn Brewery makes an exclusive ShackMeister Ale for Shake Shack, and as well as this the Hong Kong outlet will include beers by Gweilo, Heroes, HK Yau, Moonzen and Young Master. Wine is served by the glass, including Shack Red and Shack White from Gotham Project Winery in the US.

    To mark the eatery’s opening in Hong Kong, the first 100 people in line when doors open on Tuesday will be given a pair of Shake Shack sunglasses. And as part of Shake Shack’s mission to Stand for Something Good, the outlet will donate 5 per cent of sales to ChickenSoup Foundation, a non-profit that seeks to empower at-risk children in Hong Kong.

    Shake Shack has more than 90 locations in 19 US states and more than 50 international locations including Dubai, Istanbul, London, Moscow, Seoul and Tokyo.

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  • Jollibee offers the best summer fun for kids

    Jollibee offers the best summer fun for kids

    Kids are in for one of the best fun and learning experiences this summer as Jollibee welcomes them to the best summer activity – the Jollibee Kids Club Mini Managers Camp, happening until May 31, 2018.

    Through the six-day camp, kids aged 4-12 years old can learn the important values and key roles of a Jollibee Manager such as hard work, leadership, and responsibility through various fun and engaging learning activities.

    Wearing their Jollibee Mini Managers uniform, complete with nameplates, the kid managers will greet customers as they enter the store, work behind the counter to take orders, and hand out take-out bags via the Drive-Thru window to discover and experience first-hand Jollibee’s values, the Alagang Jollibee service heritage, and learn the store’s best practices. They will also engage in arts and crafts, Yumburger making, ice-cream making, fun games, and dancing, all while interacting with other kids and meeting new friends.

    “We at Jollibee believe that even at a young age, kids need to develop a sense of discipline, hard work, and responsibility in a fun learning environment, to become future leaders and managers. These are the values and lessons we want our Mini Managers to learn and experience as these will be pivotal in their growth, said Charisse Sumulong, Jollibee senior brand manager and head for Channels and Kids Marketing, “That is why the Jollibee Kids Club Mini Managers Camp is the best summer activity for Jolly Kids as it provides a fun and engaging atmosphere for kids to enjoy their vacation.”

    For only P650, parents and guardians can enroll the kids to the Mini Managers Camp at any participating Jollibee store nationwide. Non-JKC members are also welcome to enroll. Participants will get a Mini Managers Camp workshop kit that includes a set of Mini Managers uniform and name plate, activity materials and a camp bag, snacks for the six days of the program.

    The Jollibee Kids Club Mini Managers Camp is already accepting participants to the best summer workshop so, hurry, and sign up your aspiring Mini Managers today! Visit your nearest Jollibee store or follow /Jollibee Philippines on Facebook for more details.

  • Strong Filipino population draws fast food chain Jollibee to expand its reach in Canada

    Strong Filipino population draws fast food chain Jollibee to expand its reach in Canada

    The growing Filipino population in Canada has been catalyst for the biggest fast food chain in Asia to expand its market into Canada.

    Jollibee, a Filipino fried chicken restaurant with more than 1,000 locations in the Philippines, is opening its third Canadian location this weekend in Toronto.

    “People are very excited for the Easter Sunday opening,” Maribeth dela Cruz, vice president and general manager of Jollibee North America, told in a phone interview.

    “There’s going to be really long lines.”

    Jollibee has developed a bit of a following for its famous fried chicken, pineapple-topped burgers, peach-mango pie and spaghetti.

    Dela Cruz says the decision to expand into the Toronto market made sense because of the sheer volume of Filipinos in the region. She estimates there are about 300,000 Filipinos living in Ontario with roughly 30,000 of them living within a five-mile radius of their new Scarborough location.

    The 2016 Census indicates there are 837,130 Filipinos living in Canada, making it the third largest Asian Canadian group. The population grew by 26 per cent from 2011 to 2016.

    “The Filipino population in Canada continually grows and we’re very optimistic it will be a good market for us,” she said.

    Jollibee began expansion into North America in 1998, with the Toronto location being the 40th franchise to open in the continent. The two other Canadian locations are in Winnipeg.

    “North American expansion has been very encouraging, especially in locations where there are a lot of Filipinos,” said dela Cruz.

    When the first Canadian location opened in Winnipeg back in December 2016, dela Cruz says customers lined up in -30 C weather to get a taste of their fare.

    Jollibee provided the dedicated fans who camped overnight with heated trailers.

    “Winnipeg actually has a large Filipino population as well,” said dela Cruz. “We expect it’s going to be even bigger here in Toronto.”

    Jollibee has plans to continue expanding in North America and Canada, with locations in New York City, Las Vegas and somewhere in California all expected shortly.

    The Manila-based company is expected to open an Edmonton restaurant in a couple years with additional plans for locations in Mississauga and downtown Toronto.

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  • New Deal Means a New Majority Owner for Smashburger

    New Deal Means a New Majority Owner for Smashburger

    In $100 million deal, Jollibee Foods Corp. will acquire an additional 45 percent of Smashburger, the Denver-based burger franchise that has more than 360 restaurants. The companies announced the deal Tuesday and it’s one that increases Jollibee’s ownership stake in the chain to 85 percent. The Philippines-based restaurant company first bought a 40 percent stake in Smashburger in October 2015 for $100 million, a deal which then valued the chain at $335 million.

    Tom Ryan, co-founder and CEO of Smashburger, called Jollibee an “invaluable strategic partner.”

    “Our momentum in 2017 around improved guest experience, iconic and record-setting product launches, and innovative marketing provide JFC a tremendously strong brand to enter the North American market,” said Ryan in a statement. “Our entire team couldn’t be more excited to grow the Smashburger brand and share the great tastes of Smashburger with the world.”

    Ryan took over as CEO in December 2016 following the exit of Mike Nolan after just nine months. Nolan had replaced Scott Crane, who stepped down in April 2016.

    Since Ryan’s move to chief executive, Smashburger has focused on developing new menu items, such as its Triple Double Burger, and expanded its marketing efforts. The company in 2017 also launched Smash Pass, a subscription-model consumer frequency program.

    With the expanded Jollibee partnership, Smashburger CFO Bradford Reynolds said growth in Southeast Asia is a focus.

    “This reinforced strategic partnership with JFC will allow Smashburger to continue to focus on growth in both existing and new markets including the opportunity to bring our great tasting burgers, fries and hand-spun shakes to Southeast Asia,” said Reynolds. “We look forward to building upon our successful relationship to further bolster the brand as an international leader in the better burger segment.”

    Smashburger’s footprint extends to 38 states and nine countries. Jollibee Foods operates the largest foodservice network in the Philippines, with 2,875 restaurants in the country as of December 31, 2017. In addition to its 1,062 units of the Jollibee brand, it has Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal and is a Burger King franchisee with 93 units. It also operates restaurants in Australia, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Kuwait, Macau, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.

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  • Resurgent McDonald’s plans 200 openings in Japan’s burger battle

    Resurgent McDonald’s plans 200 openings in Japan’s burger battle

    Fast-food chains in Japan are launching the biggest expansion wave in decades and adopting strategies that would have been unthinkable in the early 2000s, when hamburgers were a prime symbol of deflation.

    McDonald’s Holdings (Japan), the biggest player, is emerging from a prolonged slump and on Tuesday announced it is planning the first net store increase in a decade this year. Burger King, the world’s second-largest hamburger chain, aims to triple its Japanese locations to 300 by 2022, spending 5 billion yen ($45.5 million) in the process.

    McDonald’s saw a 4.5-fold increase in group net profit for the fiscal year through December, logging a record 24 billion yen. It aims to open 150 to 200 new locations in the next three years. Factoring in closings, it expects a net increase of around 100.

    “Over the last several years, we were focusing on optimizing our existing store portfolio,” President Sarah Casanova told reporters. “Now, it’s time to look to opportunities to grow with new restaurants.”

    The number of McDonald’s locations in Japan peaked in 2002 and has been decreasing since. The chain now has 2,900 restaurants after a net decrease of about 1,000.

    Opening new restaurants might seem like an odd move in a country where the birthrate is falling and consumers are holding back on dining out. The hamburger business, however, is one of the few bright spots in an otherwise bleak restaurant industry.

    It helps that chains like Burger King and McDonald’s are globally recognized. Japan is welcoming record numbers of tourists — 28.6 million last year — giving the restaurants a steady stream of fresh customers looking for familiar flavors in an unfamiliar land.

    Burger King Japan, the U.S. chain’s local operation, will open most of its 200 new restaurants in large cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. Target locations include shopping center food courts and suburban spots with room for drive-thrus. Open-kitchen interiors will allow customers to see their Whoppers being cooked.

    Burger King also intends to offer a home delivery service, countering McDonald’s Japan’s move to expand deliveries in partnership with Uber Eats last year.

    This is Burger King’s second crack at the Japanese market. The chain left the country in 2001, after a slump. It returned in 2007 with support from such companies as Lotte, but its store count remains far behind McDonald’s Japan’s 2,900.

  • McDonald’s Hong Kong uses Elton John classic to celebrate ‘Little Big Moments’

    McDonald’s Hong Kong uses Elton John classic to celebrate ‘Little Big Moments’

    Scenarios portrayed include a friends’ rooftop dinner, an expectant mother with her partner and a young man visiting his ailing relative.

    Created by DDB Group Hong Kong, the #LittleBigMoments video has been viewed more than a million times on YouTube, and another million elsewhere on social media, since its release last week.

    “As a brand, we understand that life is not just one big thing, but the accumulation of a million little things, a million little moments. And in the end, it is these little moments that make life big,” said Randy Lai, chief executive officer of McDonald’s Hong Kong.

    The use of pop classics is not an unfamiliar tactic used by DDB’s for McDonald’s in Hong Kong. In 2014, American fast food brand used the Billy Joel song ‘Just the way you are’ to promote its cheaper prices.

    In addition to the 60-second TVC, DDB also created three 15 second stories – each focusing a specific McDonald’s product with ‘You Song’ playing in the background.

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  • Jollibee to open 15 more outlets in Singapore, eyes 150 in Indonesia

    Jollibee to open 15 more outlets in Singapore, eyes 150 in Indonesia

    The famous Philippine chicken joy is spreading its wings across Asia as home-grown fast-food chain Jollibee announced Friday its plans for expansion in Singapore and Indonesia.

    Dennis Flores, Jollibee president and head of international business in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia, confirmed that 15 more outlets will be opened in Singapore in the next five years.

    He also revealed the company’s long-term expansion plans in Indonesia.

    “We’re looking at putting up no less than 150 stores in Indonesia over the next 10 years,” Flores told ABC-CBN News.

    Jollibee opened its first outlet in Singapore in 2013 located at Lucky Plaza, a known hub for overseas Filipino workers. Flores said, a 6th outlet will open at Jurong East in April 2018.

    He said the growing number of Singaporean patrons is proof that “Jollibee’s offerings have greatly appealed to the taste buds of the locals.”

    Aside from Indonesia and Singapore, Jollibee is looking into growing its international store network in Malaysia and Macau.

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  • Burger King sales grow even as industry stagnates

    Burger King sales grow even as industry stagnates

    American fast-food chain Burger King, in the second year of its India operations, grew 69% to post sales of Rs 237 crore during FY17 when most quick-service restaurants were struggling with stagnant sales. In the 2016-17 fiscal, the company generated average sales of Rs 2.7 crore from each of its 88 outlets opened till March, while its rival Westlife Development, that runs McDonald’s in the south and west, posted average sales of Rs 3.6 crore from each outlet. Burger King, however, notched up higher numbers than Jubilant FoodWorksBSE, where average sales per outlet were at Rs 2.1 crore from both brands, Domino’s Pizza and Dunkin’ Donuts.

    Burger King’s losses rose to Rs 62 crore during last fiscal, compared with Rs 38 crore a year ago, as the company doubled its store count. Burger King, that now runs more than 100 stores in India, claims it is now profitable at both the store and company level. “Our restaurant EBIDTA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) has been positive since last July,” said Rajeev Varman, CEO, Burger King India. “Sales grew mainly due to three reasons — all our burgers are grilled similar to an Indian-stye tandoor which is healthy, our focus on entrylevel pricing, and we offer the largest vegetarian menu within QSR.”

    Burger King, that is popular for its Whopper burger, entered India in November 2014 when most quick-service restaurants were struggling with falling sales. There was a slight revival last fiscal but the overall market continued to face challenges, compounded further by demonetisation announced in November last year which saw consumers reduce discretionary spending. The 65-year-old burger chain partnered Everstone Capital in India, which holds a majority stake in the company through subsidiary F&B Asia Ventures.

    It has lined up $100 million for expansion over the next few years and expects to open at least 40-45 restaurants in India in the next few years. “There’s a significant room to grow as the potential in each of the 28 cities where we are present remains high,” said Varman. Leading quick-service restaurants have seen low same-store sales growth (SSG) since the past two years with consumers cutting back on discretionary spending.

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  • Hanoi finally gets its first McDonald’s

    Hanoi finally gets its first McDonald’s

    Global burger behemoth McDonald’s opened its first branch on Saturday in the historic heart of communist Hanoi, a conservative city renowned for its traditional – and cheap – Vietnamese staples beloved by food-obsessed locals.

    Hungry customers lined up for Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets at the Vietnamese capital’s first McDonald’s outlet. It overlooks the tree-lined Hoan Kiem lake, which draws millions of tourists annually to see French-era colonial buildings and sample street-food favourites like pho noodle soup and banh mi sandwiches.

    The restaurant is the first outside of the southern commercial hub Ho Chi Minh City, where 16 branches have opened since McDonald’s first came to Vietnam in 2014 to much fanfare, especially among the rapidly-growing middle class and American-obsessed youth.

    The global fast food chain received a similarly warm welcome in Hanoi on Saturday, as hungry diners crammed into the two-storey eatery for a first taste of the Golden Arches.

    For 84-year-old Tran Dinh Luyen, who fought against the US in the Vietnam War, the restaurant was a sign of warming ties with a former enemy.

    “I am happy that McDonald’s has opened a restaurant in Hanoi. It’s a very famous American brand, so it shows how far US-Vietnam relations have come,” he told after mowing down on a Big Mac with his daughter and granddaughter.

    Some curious tourists stopped to see what all the fuss was about, perplexed that a brand ubiquitous in the West would draw so much attention.

    “It’s kind of random to see McDonald’s opening … it’s an interesting cultural experience to see how important it is that the store is opening here,” American Dan Moore told AFP, after his wife remarked she might not have expected to find one of the most salient symbols of capitalism in the communist country.

    The one-party state has seen dizzying economic growth in recent years as it has opened its doors to foreign investment, which has included an influx of western chains like Starbucks, KFC and Burger King.

    Growth in the fast food sector has been buoyed by rapidly rising incomes – annual per capita income has more than doubled in the past decade to about US$2,100 today – especially among under-30s, who make up half of Vietnam’s population of 93 million people.

    The fast food industry in Vietnam has seen double-digit growth annually for the past five years, and the country has the highest 2017 growth in Asia-Pacific for fast food chains, according to market research firm Euromonitor International.

    Though meals can cost as much as three times the local fare, customers are still showing strong appetite.

    “Young people like to hang out in fast food restaurants as they are seen as a cool and nice place … and these customers also like the taste of the food,” Euromonitor analyst Samuel Huynh told.

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  • McDonald’s posts positive third quarter results

    McDonald’s posts positive third quarter results

    Global fast food chain, McDonald’s, has posted an increase in sales for the third quarter as its promotions and fresh food offerings attract more customers.

    McDonald’s net income rose to $1.88 billion (A$2.42 billion) in the three months ending September 30 from $1.28 billion the previous corresponding period.

    Total revenue was $5.75 billion, down 10 per cent from a year earlier due to charges related to a refranchising initiative, according to McDonald’s.

    The fast-food company said on Tuesday that sales in the US rose 4.1 per cent at existing locations during the third quarter, thanks to its US$1 drinks and its two for US$5 promotion called McPick 2.

    McDonald’s also said pricier burgers, which are stuffed with crispy onions, kale or guacamole, helped boost sales, too.

    McDonald’s has been working to modernise its restaurants by adding mobile ordering and offering delivery through the UberEats app. It’s also been tinkering with its menu as more people shun processed foods: It removed artificial preservatives from its nuggets and it’s working to use fresh beef in its Quarter Pounder burgers.

    “We’re building a better McDonald’s and more customers are noticing,” said chief executive Steve Easterbrook.

    Adjusted earnings came to $US1.76 per share, a penny above what analysts expected, according to Zacks Investment Research.

    Revenue fell 10 per cent to US$5.75 billion, missing analyst expectations of US$5.8 billion. The company said it brought in less revenue as it switches more stores from company-owned restaurants to ones owned by franchisees, especially in China and Hong Kong.

    Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, although various storms and natural disasters across the US threatened to blow McDonald’s off course, the company’s third-quarter numbers are a testament to both its resilience and the soundness of its reinvention strategy.

    He said international growth may have waned slightly in lead markets, but its US comparable sales growth continues to accelerate over the same period last year.

    “Given that the fast food and casual dining segments as a whole struggled over the third quarter, this is an encouraging set of results which suggests McDonald’s is gaining both market and customer share,” Saunders said.

  • Lotte sells Burger King Japan to Affinity Equity

    Lotte sells Burger King Japan to Affinity Equity

    Affinity Equity Partners of Hong Kong has bought Burger King’s Japanese business from South Korea’s Lotte Group for an undisclosed sum.

    A new entity set up by Affinity, Burger King Japan Holdings, is expected to take over the roughly 100 fast-food outlets next month, reports Nikkei Asian Review.

    The US burger chain had pulled out of Japan in 2001 following poor earnings, but re-entered the market in 2007 when Lotte and Japan-based Revamp bought the franchise and ran it as Burger King Japan. Three years later the business was transferred to Lotte subsidiary Lotteria.

    Meanwhile, rival McDonald’s has maintained leadership in the market despite a slowdown and store closures in the past few years, pushing Burger King to seek a new approach.

    Affinity bought the Burger King South Korean franchise last year from VIG Partners for US$170 million. Meanwhile, Affinity is raising $5 billion for its fifth fund, which exceeds its $3.8 billion fund in 2013.

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