Salads, blueberries, avocados and sweet potatoes are transforming the fast-food industry.
Pushed to offer more healthful fare to consumers, fast-food chains are finding ways to incorporate more fresh produce into their menus.
Fresh fruits and vegetables take a starring role in companies’ efforts to convey to consumers about the healthfulness their fare
Jan. 16
McDonald’s puts lettuce supplier front and center in TV commercials
By Mike Hornick, Staff Writer
McDonald’s features growers and ranchers in a series of television commercials launched Jan. 2.
The restaurant chain’s suppliers appearing in the ads: Dirk Giannini, partner in Christensen & Giannini LLC, Salinas, Calif.; Frank Martinez, principal in Saddle View Farms, Warden, Wash.; and Steve Foglesong, owner of Black Gold Cattle Co., Astoria, Ill.
They provide lettuce, potatoes and beef, respectively.
Feb. 12
More restaurants join group’s Kids Live Well program
By Mike Hornick, Staff Writer
Since its launch last July, participation in its Kids Live Well program has jumped from 19 to 68 restaurant brands, according to the National Restaurant Association.
To join the program, restaurants agree to offer and promote menu items based on nutritional science, which includes the U.S. Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines.
The restaurants and menu items are featured on www.healthydiningfinder.com.
March 19
McDonald’s ads push kids’ nutrition
By Mike Hornick, Staff Writer
With its nationwide rollout of apple slices in Happy Meals recently completed, McDonald’s USA is touting the nutritional benefits with a new series of TV ads and a chef contest for children and parents.
Avocados are a classy way to dress up a sandwich, and more fast-food chains are figuring it out.
April 2
Smashburger, Wendy’s join avocado craze
By Coral Beach, Staff Writer
Following the lead of Subway and Burger King last year, two more fast food chains now have guacamole and fresh avocados on their sandwiches.
Wendy’s Co., Dublin, Ohio, and Smashburger Master LLC, Denver, debuted their menu options March 22.
At Wendy’s restaurants, customers are encouraged to “rock the guac” with a spicy chicken guacamole club sandwich.
Seasonal promotions showed off sweet potatoes and blueberries in May.
May 7
Burger chains beef up fresh produce offerings
By Coral Beach, Staff Writer
From baked sweet potatoes to handmade salads, the latest advertising campaign by Wendy’s International Inc. focuses on fresh produce, leaving the question “Where’s the beef” relegated to the burger wars of the past generation.
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