QSR July 2022

July

TABLE OF CON T E N T S J U LY

CLIMATE CONTROL FOCUS

2 0 2 2 # 2 9 3

QSR / LIMITED-SERVICE, UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

N E W S

10 SHORT ORDER 18 FRANCHISE FORWARD Change, One Straw at a Time

Noodles & Company is paying closer attention to its impact on the environment. BY BRYAN REESMAN 43 INNOVATE Delivery, Done for You The world of autonomous fulfillment has taken flight. BY TREVOR GRINER I N S I G H T 11 FRESH IDEAS Waste Not, Want Not A fresh wave of quick-service operators are doing their part to keep food waste down. BY AMANDA BALTAZAR 16 ONES TO WATCH Cousins Maine Lobster Sustainability and product care was in the upstart brand’s DNA since day one. BY BEN COLEY 46 START TO FINISH Dave Wetzel Farmer Boys has its sights set on growth and plenty of innovation.

20 / FOR JUST SALAD AND CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER SANDRA NOONAN, CLIMATE RESPONSIBILITY REMAINS AT THE FOUNDER AND CEO NICK KENNER (LEFT)

FOREFRONT OF THE BRAND’S MISSION.

LIZ EIDELMAN

20 The Sustainability Savant BY DANNY KLEIN Just Salad’s Sandra Noonan is proof one fast casual is taking environmental issues to heart.

28 Enviormental Essentials BY CONNIE GENTRY Restaurants are learning how to be green-savvy and green-sincere.

36 How to Sustain a Chain BY NICOLE DUNCAN Recent bottlenecks and shortages have restaurants reevaluating their supply chains—and sustainability might just be part of the solution.

2 BRANDED CONTENT

4 EDITOR’S LETTER

80 ADVERTISER INDEX

ON THE COVER Sandra Noonan has taken Just Salad’s reusable program and broader goals to new heights. PHOTOGRAPHY: LIZ EIDELMAN

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www.qsrmagazine.com | QSR | JULY 2022

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