Wendy’s to cast social-media fans in ‘short film’ for new sandwich (PR Newswire)
To promote its new Tuscan Chicken on Ciabatta sandwich, Wendy’s is once again integrating its social media followers into videos showcasing the menu item, much like the video campaign for the Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger that turned fans’ tweets into love song lyrics. The Dublin, Ohio-based chain is going the opposite direction this time, providing a nine-minute short movie, “L’Estrella de la Toscana,” filmed with the actors speaking in Italian about the limited-time offer, and inviting social media followers to provide funny subtitles for the video clips using their tweets or Facebook comments.
—Mark Brandau
Meatloaf goes from daily grind to chef’s pride (Sacramento Bee)
Meatloaf is becoming more sophisticated as restaurant chefs continue to finesse familiar dishes.
—Marcella Veneziale
Let them drink chocolate (The New York Times)
In this New York Times column, vegetarian Mark Oppenheimer decries schools' decision to replace chocolate milk with unflavored skim milk. The result of that change, according to one study, was that children just ended up drinking less milk, and some also skipped their nutritious school lunches. However, Oppenheimer also advocates for letting kids enjoy some gastronomic indulgences — just as adults do.
—Bret Thorn
Mobile-payments startup Square discusses possible sale (The Wall Street Journal, registration required)
Mobile payment company Square lost at least $20 million as a result of its partnership with Starbucks last year, according to a report Monday in the Wall Street Journal. Two years ago, Starbucks invested $25 million in the mobile payment startup, but sources told the Journal that the company recorded a loss of $100 million in 2013. The firm has reportedly put a planned initial public offering on hold and is considering a sale.
—Lisa Jennings
What’s on the menu at Jessica Biel’s new restaurant? (People)
Actress Jessica Biel has been quietly at work building the menu for Au Fudge, the kid-friendly restaurant she’s opening in Los Angeles. Every few weeks, a new photo from a menu tasting pops up on Au Fudge’s Instagram feed with chef Vic Casanova as the culinary mind behind the salads, pastas, desserts and more. Casanova, who owns L.A. restaurant Gusto and will soon open Pistola, said he immediately identified with their restaurant vision: To create “somewhere that’s an oasis for families, a place where the kids can go do educational things and the parents can have a great lunch or breakfast or dinner.” The 120- to 130-seat restaurant will be set up with areas where kids can do art projects and other activities.
—Ron Ruggless