w*******y
发帖数: 60932 | 1 to help promote their new fries, BK is giving out free fries at on December
16. Haven't been able to find an official announcement but it's on news
sites.
Burger King launches thicker fries amid competition:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/29/burgerking-idUSN1E7AS
(Reuters) - Burger King Corp, the second largest hamburger chain, has
changed its french fry recipe for the first time since 1998 as competition
from upstarts and traditional fast-food rivals mounts.
Burger King said it made the new fries thicker, reduced sodium and added a
coating that makes them crisper and keeps them hotter longer.
The fries, now a bit wider in diameter than a No. 2 pencil, will be
available in its more than 7,000 North American Burger King restaurants by
December 5. Prices remain the same.
"We're always trying to have the best menu possible. French fries are a big
seller for us and we want to make sure we're always improving," said Leo
Leon, vice president of innovation.
Leon said Burger King tested the new fries against other options: "This, by
far, was the winner."
Burger King's move comes a little over a year after rival Wendy's introduced
thinner "natural cut" fries that leave on some skin and are sprinkled with
sea salt.
McDonald's Corp's french fries often take the top spot in customer surveys,
but independents like Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Smashburger and In-N-Out
Burger have been dialing up the pressure.
"The competition to have good quality french fries is heating up," said
Darren Tristano, executive vice president at consulting firm Technomic, who
recently tried the new Burger King fries.
"Making them thicker certainly makes them easier to eat, and since many of
them are consumed in the car with one hand on the steering wheel, that's
probably not a bad idea," Tristano said.
Burger King said the new fries have 20 percent less sodium than their
predecessors.
The smallest, $1 portion has 330 mg of sodium and 240 calories. The fries
are cooked in trans fat-free vegetable oil and do not contain animal
products, Burger King said.
On December 16 Burger King is promoting its new fries by giving away $1 "
value" portions for free. The new fries will be available outside the United
States in 2012.
The trend in french fries is toward more "natural" offerings. That includes
fries that are or appear to be made from fresh-cut potatoes and topped with
"artisan" toppings like sea salt.
"The term natural seems to resonate (with diners) even though there isn't a
great definition of natural," Tristano said.
In-N-Out cuts its french fries in its restaurants every day and cooks them
in cholesterol-free vegetable oil.
Five Guys cooks its fries in peanut oil and gives customers the option of
having them "cajun style."
Smashburger seasons its regular fries with sea salt. It also offers fries
made from potatoes or sweet potatoes that are "toasted with rosemary, olive
oil and garlic."
McDonald's lately has attempted to reinforce its position as the top french
fry seller by promoting its fries, Tristano said.
Investment firm 3G Capital last year bought Burger King and took it private
in a $3.3 billion deal. Burger King has 12,400 restaurants around the world.
(Reporting by Lisa Baertlein)
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