Taco Bell Franchise Expansion in Midwest
Southpaw adds 43 Ohio Taco Bell restaurants to its impressive portfolio, highlighting franchise growth and strengthening the Midwest QSR landscape.
Jun 26, 2026
Southpaw adds 43 Ohio Taco Bell restaurants to its impressive portfolio, highlighting franchise growth and strengthening the Midwest QSR landscape.
Jun 26, 2026
Discover how Cicis Pizza's rewards program skyrocketed to over one million members in under a year, driving customer engagement and retention. See the lessons for restaurant loyalty programs.
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Darden Restaurants surpassed $13 billion in sales, fueled by robust performance at LongHorn Steakhouse and innovative menu changes at Olive Garden. Explore the strategies driving this industry giant’s continued dominance.
Jun 26, 2026
The fallout of Pizza Hut's mandated AI delivery system rollout has ignited a $100 million lawsuit from a leading franchisee, highlighting crucial franchisor-franchisee lessons for all restaurant owners.
Jun 26, 2026
Founders Table Restaurant Group acquires fast-casual leader Hopdoddy Burger Bar, expanding its reach to over 200 restaurants and accelerating operational growth across the platform.
Jun 25, 2026
LongHorn Steakhouse surpassed $1 billion in quarterly sales for the first time, driven by strong value perception and menu innovation. Restaurant leaders can draw key lessons for thriving when consumer price sensitivity is high.
Jun 25, 2026
Inspire Brands is preparing for an IPO aiming for a $20B valuation. Discover how giants like Arby’s, Sonic, and Dunkin’ are performing as part of this dynamic portfolio.
Jun 25, 2026
Estepp Energy, known for multi-unit brands like Little Caesars, is adding PJ's Coffee to its Kentucky convenience stores, marking a strategic expansion into specialty coffee.
Jun 24, 2026
Carl's Jr. has launched a "Pass on Jack" marketing campaign rewarding loyalty members with a free Sourdough Star burger for driving past a Jack in the Box to reach a Carl's Jr. location- a direct shot at its California-based burger rival.
Jun 24, 2026
Miso Robotics has acquired Zume Pizza’s technology deck, giving new life to pizza automation and food robotics for forward-thinking restaurant operators.
Jun 24, 2026
Discover the limited-time Dulce de Leche Frappé by McDonald’s, celebrating Latin American flavors. Learn about the campaign, ingredients, and the impact of espresso machine outage.
Photo by (Augustin-Foto) Jonas Augustin
Photo by (Augustin-Foto) Jonas Augustin
McDonald’s has recently introduced the limited-time Dulce de Leche Frappé, capturing the essence of Latin American flavors. The campaign accompanying this launch celebrates the various names Latinos use to refer to this delectable flavor, such as cajeta, manjar, manjar blanco, arequipe, and others. This strategy aims to connect with the diverse Latino community and honor their rich culinary heritage.
Photo by (Augustin-Foto) Jonas Augustin
To amplify the reach of the Dulce de Leche Frappé campaign, McDonald’s has collaborated with Mexican actor Iñaki Godoy. Known for his role in Netflix’s popular series “One Piece,” Godoy's involvement adds a touch of star power to the promotion. Through this partnership, McDonald’s enhances its connection with Latin American audiences and creates a buzz around the new beverage offering.
As part of the promotion, McDonald’s has introduced Dulce de Leche carritos (carts) at select locations in Southern California and Miami. These carritos offer free samples of the new frappé, allowing fans to experience the flavor before making a purchase. Additionally, customers have the opportunity to win exclusive merchandise and Arch Cards, adding excitement to their McDonald’s visit.
Dulce de Leche, a beloved Latin American flavor, is derived from caramelized milk, milk candy, or milk jam. McDonald’s version of the beverage features a luscious combination of caramel base, dulce de leche syrup, whipped cream, and caramel pieces. This indulgent drink provides a taste of authenticity and tradition, appealing to both new and existing customers.
Interestingly, McDonald’s Dulce de Leche Frappé, unlike the chain's McCafé Frappé line, is not espresso-based. This distinction becomes crucial as many McDonald’s espresso machines were reported to be out of commission for over two weeks due to safety concerns. The outage affected various espresso-based beverages like lattes, Americano, and macchiatos, highlighting the operational challenges faced by the fast-food giant.
McDonald’s, along with its supplier Melitta, is actively working to address the espresso machine outage and determine the extent of its impact on different locations. With a significant portion of the menu dependent on espresso-based drinks, including popular options like lattes, the restoration of these machines is crucial for providing a seamless experience to customers. NRN's follow-up with McDonald’s and Melitta indicates ongoing efforts to resolve the issue promptly.