QSR August 2022

August

TABLE OF CON T E N T S AUGUS T

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QSR / LIMITED-SERVICE, UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES

26 / McDONALD’S SITS ATOP THE QSR 50, AS USUAL. BUT WHAT’S CHANGED IN A YEAR? THE SHORT ANSWER: A LOT.

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

N E W S

9 SHORT ORDER 24 FRANCHISE FORWARD Diversity from the Top Down

Franchising can prove a powerful vehicle for restaurants to create career opportunities. BY HILARY DANINHIRSCH 97 CLIMATE RESPONSIBILITY Shaking Up Sustainability Shake Shack is tackling the topic with a multifaceted strategy. BY RACHEL PITTMAN I N S I G H T 15 FRESH IDEAS Cold Coffee Gets Hot Customers of all demographics are changing how—and when— they drink the habitual classic. BY AMANDA BALTAZAR 20 ONES TO WATCH Sarpino’s Pizzeria A bevy of offerings is drawing in guests, old and new, and prospective operators, as well. BY BEN COLEY 62 OUTSIDE INSIGHTS Why 2021 Was a Mixed Blessing for Top Brands Beyond the numbers and into consumer sentiment, there’s a lot this past year can tell us. BY ADAM LEFF 104 START TO FINISH Scott Snyder The CEO of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii on leading a rocket ship.

ADOBE STOCK / NITIPHOL

26 QSR 50 BY DANNY KLEIN AND BEN COLEY

78 Is a Golden Era of Fast Food Upon Us? BY DANIEL P. SMITH The restaurant world continues

In the first full year following the onset of COVID-19, the country’s highest-earning restaurant chains battled for market share once again. Who grew in 2021? Who slipped? And who is ready to accelerate on the other side? Let’s dive into the data.

facing undeniable headwinds, but the impressive results and ambitious plans of industry power players suggest quick-serves are poised to become an even bigger part of daily life.

2 BRANDED CONTENT

4 EDITOR’S LETTER

103 ADVERTISER INDEX

ON THE COVER Starbucks clocks in at No. 2 in this year’s QSR 50 as it keeps scaling up. PHOTOGRAPHY: STARBUCKS / CONNOR SURDI

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www.qsrmagazine.com | QSR | AUGUST 2022

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