Press Box: Pot, China and a Bomb

Today's franchise news are a little crazy. International too.

A Burger King Serves Pot Burgers to Cops
3 employees of a Los Lunas, New Mexico Burger King were arrested for possession of marijuana after two police officers discovered pot laced in their burgers.

The policeman's attorney Sam Bregman, who is conducting the suit states, "It gives a whole new meaning to the word 'Whopper'. The idea that these hoodlums would put marijuana into a hamburger and therefore attempt to impair law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs is outrageous." [via CNN]

One wonders what tipped the officers to look into their burgers. Were they wondering what made them especially tasty?

McD Sees Renewed Growth in China Through Focusing
The Wall Street Journal ($$) reports McDonald's has seen success in reviving its China business by promoting core menu items and expanding at a measured pace in prime locations. Sales grew in the first three quarters to 10.7%, and operating profit grew 58% compared to 2005.

There's other good news. McDonald's recently has signed a deal with the nation's largest gas station chain, state-owned Sinopec Group, giving the right to build drive-throughs at tens of thousands of Sinopec's stations across China. The agreement gives McDonald's the ability to expand rapidly along highways and fast-growing Chinese suburbs, which are booming from the country's burgeoning middle class. 

The new middle class will soon be able to fill up both tanks at one stop.

A&W Fast-Food Bomber in Jakarta Harms Himself, No One Else
A 36-year-old bomber seems to have misread the bomb instructions. The lunchtime blast at an A&W restaurant caused little damage - just himself. However, it added to security jitters just days ahead of President Bush's visit to the world's most populous Muslim nation, according to the WSJ ($$).

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I found many of today's major fast-food news (except those requiring subscription - $$) and more in Blue MauMau's off-the-wire news feeds.