KFC’s new prototype, McDonald’s massive initiative, and Darden’s impressive results

On this week's Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including KFC’s new Open House prototype, McDonald’s massive NEXT initiative, and Darden’s impressive results across its portfolio.

First up is KFC, which introduced its Open House prototype at a new location outside Dallas last week. Alicia toured the new location and reported on how the prototype enhances everything from hospitality and menu innovation to operations and the digital experience, and she and Sam discuss how this could be transformative for the fried chicken chain.

Next they turn to McDonald’s, which unveiled details around its $8.5 billion NEXT initiative. Not unlike KFC’s prototype, the NEXT initiative is a comprehensive retooling of the McDonald’s operation, just at a much more massive scale. Sam and Alicia explore the various components of NEXT and what’s at stake for McDonald’s in its transformation.

They then shift to the full-service world, where they unpack recent performance from Darden Restaurants and Cracker Barrel. For its part, Darden reported growth across all of its portfolio brands, while Cracker Barrel is still negative despite new CEO David Deno saying it’s “on the right track." Sam and Alicia dive into the results and what they mean for both companies and the broader full-service landscape.

For more on these stories:

KFC unveils 'Open House' prototype as a centerpiece of its U.S. comeback plan

Inside McDonald's massive 'Next' evolution strategy

Cyclospora outbreak put a damper on Olive Garden’s summer