Burger King will begin using eco-friendly packaging for its Kids Meals
Beginning this summer, BK will package their Kids Meals in bags made of 100% recycled materials and will use kids’ beverage cups made from 10% recycled materials. Information on recycling will be posted on the new packaging to encourage young generations to be more environment friendly.

Booster Juice signs agreements for expansion onto India, Bahrain and Qatar
Canada-based Booster Juice currently operates some 170 stores in Canada and the United States. They also own and operate stores in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The company now looks at expanding their brand further in the Middle East over the next 3 years through master franchisee Brand Calculus.

KFC introduces breakfast menu in select UK stores
The menu will include breakfast sandwiches such as the AM Wrapster, the AM Riser and the AM Loader as well as a Lavazza coffee and Tropicana smoothies. It is yet unknown if Yum! Brands plans to roll the program over to other markets.

Hard Rock Café partners up with Arbor Day Foundation to create new eco-friendly Lil’Rockers children’s menu
In addition to several new food items, all Hard Rock kids’ menus now come with tree seed packets in order to encourage kids to plant trees. New kids’ meals will also be served with a 4-page book featuring eco-friendly activities, along with drink cups and lids emblazoned with “Save the Planet”.

McDonald’s will open 40 stores in Russia before the end of 2008
The chain already opened 4 stores this year in Russia and several remaining stores are to be developed in airports. The company will begin franchising once they have a firm hold in Russia. If they manage to open the 40 target stores, this will bring their count to 233 in Russia.

Wal-Mart signs agreement with Taco Maker to begin franchising in select U.S. stores
The Taco Maker will open its concepts across the country with approximately 6 units due to debut this year in Wal-Mar stores in Utah, Florida and South Carolina. The Taco Maker currently operates more than 185 stores under the Mayan Juice, Taco Maker and Jake’s Over the Top concepts.

Pollo Campero turns to Wal-Mart
Pollo Campero, the largest chain in Guatemala, has now opened its first unit inside a Wal-Mart supercenter. The US counterpart, and company-owned outlet in Rowlett, TX, is the first of 20 sites of Campero USA opening inside Wal-Marts by 2009. Campero USA currently operates 39 units in 8 states, including Washington DC

Baskin-Robbins plans to open more than 100 stores in Houston
The company is currently seeking franchisees that will open a minimum of 3 stores in the Houston area. Baskin-Robbins currently has 33 units in Houston and more than 90 throughout Texas