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Fast Food Insights January 09 2025

YUM Brands Terminates Franchise Agreement with IS Gida in Turkey

YUM Brands (NYSE: YUM) has terminated its franchise agreement with IS Gida, the operator of KFC and Pizza Hut locations across Turkey. This move affects a total of 283 KFC outlets and 254 Pizza Hut outlets, significantly impacting the fast-food market in Turkey. In addition, YUM has reacquired franchise rights from IS Holdings in Germany.

Why it matters: Franchise agreements are critical for YUM’s global expansion strategy. A termination of this scale reflects either performance issues or a shift in corporate priorities.

Source:

SEC Filing

Peet’s Coffee Introduces Vitality Menu with Bob’s Red Mill

Peet’s Coffee, owned by JAB Holdings, has launched its Vitality Menu in collaboration with Bob’s Red Mill. The new menu focuses on health-conscious offerings, including protein-rich lattes and sparkling drinks fortified with Vitamin C and D. This initiative aligns with evolving consumer preferences for functional and plant-based foods. It is also enhancing its winter menu with plant based food. 

Why it matters: The collaboration reflects Peet’s efforts to position itself as a leader in health-driven beverage innovation.

Source:

MSN Article

Mayfair Acquires Irish Pride and Pat the Baker

Mayfair Equity Partners has acquired Irish Pride and Pat the Baker, two iconic Irish bakery brands. These additions will become part of Ceres Group, a Mayfair-owned holding company specializing in baked goods. This acquisition strengthens Mayfair’s portfolio in the food manufacturing sector and reflects its continued interest in consolidating high-potential regional brands under a centralized operational strategy.

Why it matters: Both brands are household names in Ireland, making this a significant move in the Irish food industry.

Source:

MSN Article

Maple Park Capital Acquires Majority Stake in Rita’s

Maple Park Capital, a private equity firm founded by Alexander Blankfein and Andrew Lauck, has acquired a majority stake in Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. With a presence in over 30 states, Rita’s has been a popular franchise in the frozen desserts category. The stake was purchased from Argosy Private Equity, which, alongside MTN Capital, had acquired controlling interest in Rita’s in 2017. Needless to say, it has changed ownership multiple times. 

Why it matters: Maple Park’s acquisition reflects continued interest in niche QSR segments with strong regional followings.

Source:

Dallas Innovates Article

Krispy Kreme Promotes Multiple Executives

Krispy Kreme, owned by JAB Holdings, has announced significant leadership changes to support its global growth strategy:

Nicola Steele promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Dave Skena promoted to Chief Growth Officer (CGO)

Raphael Duvivier promoted to President of International

Alison Holder promoted to Chief Product Officer (CPO)

Source:

Krispy Kreme News

Jollibee Group Partners with Qualtrics to Enhance Customer Experience

The Jollibee Group, a Filipino multinational that owns JollibeeThe Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Smashburger, has selected Qualtrics to elevate its customer experience capabilities. This collaboration is part of Jollibee’s strategic push to modernize operations and improve customer satisfaction as it continues its rapid global expansion.

Why it matters: Enhancing customer experience is vital for global brands seeking to strengthen loyalty and market share in competitive regions.

Source:

Qualtrics News