Weekly Global News Wrap Up: $1.7b equity deal collapses; Starbucks' premium status threatened; Pizza Hut ditches preservatives

Here is a summary of the most interesting QSR news stories of the week from around the world.

• A proposed $1.7 billion deal to sell a majority stake in the Middle Eastern franchise rights-owner of Pizza Hut and KFC to a local group of businessmen has collapsed, reflecting a diminished appetite for large transactions in a region where low oil prices have dented investors’ confidence, reports the Wall Street Journal. READ MORE.
   
• Recently Starbucks Corporation‘s announced that it will bring its first International Starbucks Roastery and Reserve Tasting Room to China in 2017, reveals a report by Forbes. READ MORE.
   
• According to Fortune, Pizza Hut is promising to make some big changes to the restaurant chain’s basket of ingredients, including the removal of preservatives from cheeses used for its pizzas and stripping out two key preservatives from meats on the menu. READ MORE.
   
• Reuters reports that main courses served at fast-casual restaurants tend to be higher-calorie than traditional fast-food entrees, despite public perception that the offerings at these outlets are healthier, U.S. researchers say. READ MORE.
   
• According to the Business Insider, while fast-food chains across the US are making major investments in delivery, mobile ordering, and employee-replacing robots, many companies are forgetting the most important part of business—the customer. READ MORE.
   
• The Economic Times reveals that from hosting science classes and home delivery by mascots dressed as Angry Birds to selling burgers for Re 1 in flash sales, western fast food chains such as McDonalds, Taco Bell, Wendy's, Carl's Jr and Genuine Broaster Chicken are trying out new tactics to push sales amid slowing demand. READ MORE.