Giant Robot Store and GR2 News

Bigger Belts Needed Soon in Singapore! 300 wristbands to taste a pretty decent burger happened in Singapore. It’s actually happening elsewhere too. Burgers are taking over the world. The question is, will there be “Animal Style” added to the menu and the those little Biblical religious messages on the cups? Perhaps they’ll curtail it to the religions of the region. Buddha 1:1 (Huffpo – In-N-Out)
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  McDonald’s VS Wendy’s in Japan. We reported on Wendy’s Foie Gras Burger, and McDonald’s is now doing their specials. Less gourmet, and more themed on the US, these burgers look fair, if you’re a junk food eater and they’re all limited. January is the Las Vegas, Feb is the Broadway, and March is the Beverly Hills. The December that’s now over was the Grand Canyon Burger. If you want more details on the contents, click on the link below. (Inventorspot – Big America Burgers)
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  Wendy’s Japan CEO Ernest Higa gets interviewed about Wendy’s Japan’s relaunch. “When I did Domino’s, I thought it was very critical to adapt it for the Japanese market. I did a lot of brand repositioning and product adaptation and added Internet ordering. How you adapt and what you adapt for the local market are crucial. There is no manual for that.” This holds true for all brands in Japan whether it’s food, clothing or toys. You can’t just turn on the ON button and it works. (Japan Today – Wendy’s)
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  I was there on the last day of Wendy’s burger chain in Japan at the end of 2009. I was cold in Tokyo, yet dumbfounded at the long lines as people celebrated Wendy’s exit. They wanted the last taste of their burgers with the square patties. Other fast food chains Freshness Burger were putting a dent in the luster of Dave Thomas. But now, in a Thomas less world, Wendy’s just opened up their first revival on Omotesando Street. For those of you who don’t know, Omotesando is a stylish Beverly Hills. It’s among the higher end streets in Tokyo. To fit a relaunch and to do something different, you can now get your burgers with Fois Gras. There’s other specials on the menu as well. The burger will not be a $4, $5, or $6 excursion, this is a $16 project. From their press release: “At the same time, we’ll further differentiate our restaurants by adding innovative new menu options created exclusively for the Japanese market, including the Avocado Wasabi hamburger and the Truffle and Porcini Grilled Chicken sandwich. Our food will be served in a contemporary, inviting atmosphere that we believe will exceed the discerning expectations of Japanese consumers.”  (Eater – Wendy Foie Gras)
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