News Bites – September 2025
Smoothie King Lured Starbucks Fans with Free High-Protein Coffee Smoothies
On Sept. 29, Smoothie King offered Starbucks Rewards members free 20-ounce high-protein coffee smoothies in almond mocha or pumpkin coffee. Starbucks and other coffee retailer rewards were redeemable at checkout for in-store purchases until 10:30 a.m. Consumers increasingly demand protein options; 41% aim to boost protein intake. Smoothie King highlights its long history of protein-rich smoothies, while Starbucks debuts protein cold foam and protein lattes.
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Report Pushes for Healthier Children’s Options in Restaurants Nationwide
The MAHA Commission’s report urges restaurants to help improve children’s health by promoting nutritious options, aligning with dietary guidelines. The strategy focuses on evaluating ingredients, nutrition labels, and food marketing to children, aiming for comprehensive health reforms. Past efforts saw restaurant chains offer healthier kids’ meals, such as McDonald’s introducing fresh fruit alternatives. The report spurs policy changes, like banning synthetic food dyes and eliminating seed oils by notable brands.
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Chick-fil-A Introduces ‘Play it Forward’ Game Show on Play App
Notably, Chick-fil-A’s Play App introduces a game show, “Play it Forward,” with families winning funds for community heroes. Hosted by Andrew Allman, the series combines sports challenges like Splashketball and Cherry Launch to award a monetary prize. As part of Chick-fil-A’s family-focused strategy, the show aligns with offerings like animated series and e-books, aiming to enhance family engagement. Additionally, the app ensures families enjoy quality time, reflecting the company’s commitment through new content and family activities.
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New Tech Advancements Boost Delivery Platforms’ Operator Capabilities
Recently, DoorDash expanded its ecommerce features, adding a loyalty program and customizable websites for restaurants. Additionally, Uber Eats formed a partnership with Pipe, offering growth capital access via Uber Eats Manager app. Meanwhile, Chowbus rebranded, now focusing on cultural, minority-owned restaurants with new tech tools. Furthermore, Qu launched edge computing to enhance operations during outages and introduced kiosk upgrades with AI capabilities.
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Starbucks Introduces AI-Powered Inventory Management for Baristas
Recently, Starbucks introduced AI-powered technology to enhance inventory management, enabling baristas to count inventory eight times more frequently. With NomadGo’s tool, baristas use tablets for quick scans and real-time stock tracking, cutting inventory check time drastically. In addition, the system’s computer vision flags low-stock items and plans to automate restock orders later. So, the technology will be in all company-owned Starbucks, promising efficient operations and an improved customer experience by the end of September.
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Check out last month’s news bites: News Bites – August 2025!
