Food Roundup: Coke is Power Brand, Dunkin' is Donuts Brand, and More

(MoneyWatch)  Food companies among top 100 power brands -- Coca-Cola maintained its No. 1 spot in CoreBrand's annual "Brand Power" index this year, while rival PepsiCo plummeted further to No. 18 from No. 11, after being No. 4 in 2005. Starbucks dropped to No. 14, down from No. 10 in 2007. McDonald's and Wendy's were also in the top 100, at No. 44 and No. 48, respectively, and both had improved their ranking compared with last year. [Source: Seeking Alpha, Chain Leader]

Dunkin' Donuts to focus on namesake product -- After years spent improving its position in the coffee and breakfast markets, Dunkin' Donuts is going back to basics and pushing its donuts. The company will spend $10 million on TV, radio and online advertising, roll out different donut specials, and sponsor a "design-your-own donut" contest. [Source: Nation's Restaurant News]

McDonald's test launches Snack Wrap Mac -- A burger in a tortilla is now for sale for $1.49 until mid-May at 1,400 McDonald's in Canada. The chain has also been testing the wrap at a few U.S. stores since late last year, and the response has been "positive" according to a spokeswoman. Nevertheless, the company has yet to determine whether it will continue the product and expand it nationally. [Source: Chicago Tribune]

Pilgrim's Pride plant to go to Foster Farms -- The family-owned Foster Farms announced plans to buy a Pilgrim's Pride plant -- with the state of Louisiana footing half of the bill. Pilgrim's Pride filed for reorganization under chapter 11 in December, and the sale is subject to approval by the federal bankruptcy court. But closing the plant would have cost 1,300 jobs in Farmersville, La., so the state intervened and brokered the deal. [Source: Meat & Poultry, AP]

Humane Society urges McDonald's to use cage-free eggs -- Burger King, Quiznos, Denny's, Hardee's, and Carl's Jr all use cage-free eggs, the Humane Society says. Why doesn't McDonald's? The organization is proposing a resolution on cage-free eggs for McDonald's shareholders to vote on at their May meeting. [Source: QSR]