From CNBC: 2024-10-25 16:09:25

the public felt that Chipotle wasn’t being upfront with them about the scope of the outbreak,” said Gonzalez.Still, the fast-casual chain managed to recover, fueled by an aggressive marketing campaign and new safety protocols, such as the testing of fresh produce and meats before they’re shipped to stores.Gonzalez said improvements in food safety protocols and the transparency of McDonald’s response to the outbreak could help bolster consumer confidence down the line.Other fast-food chains are not immune to food safety issues. Rival Burger King reached an $11 million settlement with the family of a man who became severely ill from an E. coli infection after eating a Whopper in 1997. The company also faced backlash following a Norovirus outbreak at a location in Virginia in 2017. The restaurant underwent a voluntary closure for cleaning after 135 people became sick.After Chipotle was hit with a string of foodborne illness outbreaks, the company now has a “culture of food safety like no other,” three years after the crisis, said Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol. The chain has launched a rewards program, several new menu items, and recently invested in employee benefits, wages and training. McDonald’s could take a page from Chipotle’s playbook in managing the aftermath of its food safety crisis.



Read more at CNBC: What McDonald’s needs to do next after E. coli outbreak