Here is a summary of the most interesting QSR news stories of the week from around the world.

Chipotlewas slapped with a US$1.3 million fine over 13,000 child labour violations committed across its 50 stores in Massachusetts from 2015 to 2019. CNN reports that the state touted the penalty as the largest it has given in their history. Read morehere.

Also, the Mexican chain has launched its latest accelerator programme intended to support farmer-focused ventures in the US. Successful applicants to the Chipotle Aluminaries Project 2.0 would be mentored by industry leaders during a five-day summit to be held in California. Read morehere.

McDonald’sreported it hit US$100 billion in systemwide sales in 2019, a first for the fast food giant.In their latest disclosure, the global QSR chain saw a 5.9% increase q-o-q in global comparable sales, touted as its highest in more than a decade. Read morehere.

Starbucksposted a 5% comparable sales growth and a net revenue increase of 9% in the quarter ended December 2019, driven by its US and China operations. The coffee giant opened 539 net new stores in the same period, a rate of 6% increase year-on-year. Read morehere.

KFCin the US announced that its plant-based chicken is headed to southern US, CNBC has reported. The vegan chicken made with Beyond Meat is coming to KFC stores in Nashville, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina in February. Read morehere.

Tim Hortonshas withdrawn Beyond Meat products across their shops in Ontario and British Columbia due to low customer demand. The alternative meat company told Reuters that it might work with the coffee chain in the future. Read morehere.

Denny’shas partnered with Beyond Meat for the nationwide roll out of its new plant-based burger. The chain gave away free Beyond Burgers across its more than 1,700 locations in the US and Canada. Read morehere.

Subwayfollowed McDonald’s in partnering with e-commerce firm Adyen in part of its further digitalisation. With a new payments partner, the sandwich chain offers its stores a franchisee dashboard that includes easy reconciliation of all payment methods, refunds and terminal fleet management and support for preferred payment methods, amongst others. Read morehere.