Flave serves Rod Stewart on Sydney Harbour

Sydney plant-based chain Flave, recently reported getting the call to drop their burgers onto a chartered boat on Sydney Harbour for Rod Stewart.

It’s a great piece of brand-building and promotional coup all in one and they were able to document it on social for all to see.

It’s great to see brands doing all they can, going that extra mile at the right time.

It reminds me a little of the story we reported of the Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers chain answering the call from AFL teams in the finals after carbs for there recovery and personally delivering the food to the tarmac.

Red Rooster has merch

In another brand-building activity that we are without doubt going to see more and more of from many brands, Red Rooster has launched its merchandise range.

Available through the RedRoosterShop, the merch has four ranges including t-shirts, caps, jumpers, and more.

Some notables include, the Extra Chicken Salt sweatshirts, Cheesy Nuggets tees, Mash and Gravy tank tops, Street Food Tote bags and Retro cooler.

And of course, we can’t leave out the Street Food adult Onesie.

Love it.

With prices starting from $9.95 - $149.95, you can grab yours at the RedRoosterShop now, where they’d like you to spread the love like chicken salt!

McDonald’s USA layoffs

The New York Post reported this week, that as part of a companywide restructuring, “McDonald’s is laying off hundreds of employees in its corporate offices..and closing field offices..”

The report states that “McDonald’s will consolidate its operations into one national structure that would oversee all of its 10 field offices…”

This is after the Post also reported back in January that the business was reviewing corporate staffing levels as part of its approach in updating its market strategy.

Mr Charlie’s - the Vegan McDonald’s?

In a case that just about anyone who sees it asks the same question “How do they get away with this?” Los Angeles based vegan fast food business, Mr Charlie’s, looks a lot like another brand we all know.

This caught our eye after a story on the brand recently in Smart Company and warranted a closer look.

On the brand's website, they claim they are “...here to redefine fast food.” and most notably, are all about giving people a second chance, by giving opportunities to people transitioning from homelessness, incarceration or addiction. 

The brand has Frowny Meals instead of Happy Meals, Big Chucks instead of Big Macs, and has just very recently opened a location directly opposite a McDonald’s in San Francisco.

A report in the Vegconomist even states that the brand has fielded such interest that it is planning on opening locations in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore in 2023.

We’ll be interested to check back in on the brand in the coming months…