In Focus

After launching its pre-packaged taco kits, the Mexican food brand is still looking for ways to provide the freshest options for people on-the-go. Mad Mex recently launched its new Taco Kit, which contains 12 tacos, 2 fillings, a choice of salsa, black beans, pico de gallo, cheese, lettuce, and sour cream, already cooked and prepared. Sold for $45, the taco kit aims to offer customers a fresh, pre-packaged ready-to-eat meal through delivery platforms like Uber Eats or Deliveroo. The taco kits are also sold through the brand’s own stores across the country.

Find out how the once-troubled doughnut chain plans to re-establish its then-leading brand position.

Find out how their Black Label concept will capitalise on the evolution of fast casual dining.

Chief marketing officer, Lara Thom, looks back at the success of #BringCalHome, and explains the importance of brands having a personality.

Learn how the U.S.-based brand will set itself apart in Australia’s fast casual dining arena.

In an exclusive interview with QSR Media, international president Liz Williams explains the principles behind their expansion plan.

The donut brand shares their excitement in entering new markets.

The restaurant chain looks to their sauces to give them the competitive advantage.

International president Liz Williams says the "more mature" Australian market is now ready for the global brand. After a couple of attempts to kickstart their presence in the country, the popular, youthful brand intends to stay after finding recent success with a clearer and more deliberate strategy. “Years ago, when we went into some markets – the markets weren't ready for us. And they weren’t ready for Mexican-inspired or the Mexican category in general. It was too niche. People didn't know how to eat a taco. We still see this in markets today," Taco Bell international president Liz Williams said in an exclusive interview with QSR Media. Aside from a clearer strategy, Williams said a more mature market that was open to different food types also made a difference this time. “Today, you go into a market like Australia - the Mexican category is well-defined and well-loved and so I think that’s has been the #1 differentiator from years ago when we did it." Williams also cites Taco Bell’s local franchise partner Collins Foods and its regional team for bringing the “perfect expression” of the brand in the market. “I think that clarity [in the brand strategy] is going to make a difference this time,” she remarked. The U.S.-based brand also sees potential in their international market for a thousand units over the next couple of years. But despite their master plan of global aggressive expansion, Williams says they are in no rush – emphasising the need for proper partnerships. “[We’re] taking time to go to the market in the Taco Bell way. It’s easy to do that because you see so much opportunities. Taking the time to find the right partner, getting the right site are really important, and getting the scale. It takes time to go under the market and get the partnership and to have that scale.”  

But how should competing brands that feature the Hawaiian dish separate themselves?

The global burger's upcoming centre in the country is poised to be a hub for food and IT innovation. QSR Media caught up with Jason Marker, Global CEO of the brand (and an Aussie!) and International President Ned Lyerly of CKE Restaurants to find out what’s next:

Needing a quick bite no longer means eating unhealthy.

Zarraffa’s Coffee's founder and managing director Kenton Campbell said that IT plays a significant role as the brand expands into New South Wales and further into Western Australia. With 80 stores so far across Australia, Zarraffa's Coffee has invested significantly in human resources and developed an in-house IT team, in addition to a dedicated Business Analyst to interact with real time KPIs, providing clarity for sound decisions across the business.

Foddies' mission is to unite and bring people together through freedom of food choices.

From its inception, the conversation on the use of chatbots in 2018 continues to be a polarising subject.

The brand is trialing the use of digital menu panels which are slated to roll out across all new stores and refits in 2018. Obvious print production savings aside, the digital menu boards allow Bucking Bull to be more agile in relation to menu and product innovation.