McDonald’s E. coli outbreak, Starbucks’ performance woes, and Mo’Bettahs acquisition

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s, which was traced to the onions on its Quarter Pounders. As the fallout reverberates around the restaurant industry, Sam and Alicia recount how past food-borne illnesses have affected companies like Jack in the Box, Chipotle, and Chi-Chi’s. Plus, they talk about the acquisition of Mo’Bettahs by a partnership between two separate private equity groups — and what it says about how emerging brands can leverage private equity for growth. And senior editor Joanna Fantozzi joins for this week’s extra serving to discuss Starbucks’ announcement ahead of its earnings report that both same-store sales and traffic are down significantly. How will CEO Brian Niccol get the company back on track?