Franchising’s Weekly Recap

Alcohol sales expected to improve modestly in 2015 According to Technomic’s BarTAB Report, drinks sales are projected to grow modestly in 2015. Wine is expected to achieve the highest sales growth among the three adult-beverage categories, with spirits as a close second. Technomic projected that slowly improving traffic at major restaurant chains and increase in consumer confidence would drive sales growth for alcoholic beverages next year. (From PizzaMarketplace.com) What’s hot in 2015? The National Restaurant Association (NRA) has put together its top 10 restaurant trends for 2015. Topping the list this year are locally sourced meats and seafood, locally grown produce, and environmental sustainability. The overall trend is local, environmentally sustainable and natural. Keep an eye out for this trend in restaurants in the next year. (From QSR Magazine) The Yumbo is Back After 40 years, Burger King has brought back the Yumbo, a ham and cheese sandwich. This throwback is making its comeback after spending only six years on the menu 40 years ago. The $3.69 sandwich includes slices of ham and cheese with lettuce and mayo on a toasted hoagie bun. The brand is getting into the 1970s spirit by transforming their social pages and creating an (844) BK-YUMBO hotline for people to comment on the sandwich. This is a limited-time-only menu item. (From CBS News) http://www.cbsnews.com/news/burger-king-brings-back-the-yumbo-sandwich-after-40-years/ Taco Bell is Going Global On Thursday, Dec. 4, Taco Bell announced their plans to add 1,300 locations overseas. This comes shortly after announced changes to the brand’s international leadership team. Taco Bell has primarily operated as a domestic brand and currently has 5,800 units in the United States and 250 units internationally. The Irvine, California-based chain is also planning to add 2,000 new units in the United States. (From Nation’s Restaurant News) Coconut Fish Café is coming to the Mainland* Coconut Fish Café has announced plans expand from Hawaii into the mainland through franchising in 2015. The company has pinpointed several key cities in the South and West Coast. The first franchisee is a multiunit operator in Texas who has plans to open eight cafes in the next 24 months in the Dallas market. (From FastCasual.com)