Today in Restaurant and Grocery Tech: McDonald’s El Salvador Takes Bitcoin; FAT Brands to Open 70 Ghost Kitchens in Middle East

Today in restaurant and grocery tech news, McDonald’s responded to El Salvador’s move to accept bitcoin as national currency by accepting the cryptocurrency at all its restaurants in the country, while FAT brands announced that it would open 70 virtual kitchens across five Middle Eastern countries. Plus, Abe Ng, CEO of restaurant brand Sushi Maki, discusses the win-win of in-grocery store restaurants.

FAT Brands Brings 70 Virtual Locations to the Middle East as Ghost Kitchen Expansion Trend Goes Global

Restaurant group FAT Brands, parent company of Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and Hurricane Grill & Wings, among others, announced Tuesday (Sept. 7) that it will open 70 ghost kitchens in the Middle East, as part of a broader development deal bringing over 200 new locations to the region. The deal includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait, and the locations will open over the next five years.

Sushi Maki’s In-Store Restaurants At Whole Foods Drive Frequency While Elevating the Grocery Experience

Seizing on the consolidation of previously disparate food categories, sushi chain Sushi Maki has been seeing great success from its locations inside of Whole Foods Market stores. The restaurant’s CEO Abe Ng speaks with PYMNTS about how these partnerships benefit both brands, meeting consumers’ omnichannel and omni-category needs.

McDonald’s El Salvador to Accept Bitcoin as Experts Question Profitability

In El Salvador, McDonald’s is now accepting bitcoin payments. Bitcoin payment processor OpenNode announced Tuesday (Sept. 7) that the quick-service restaurant (QSR) will accept the cryptocurrency at all 19 of its restaurants in the country.