Panera founder and CEO Ron Shaich took to Twitter on Wednesday to slam McDonald’s Happy Meals and challenge fast food CEOs to eat from their own kids’ menus for a week.
In a video posted to the social media site, Shaich lauded Panera’s “clean” offerings and challenged the CEOs of McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King to eat only items off their kids' menus for seven days.
Staich said fast food chains have “served our children poorly” and created the hashtag #KidsMenuChallenge to continue the conversation.
Panera eliminated all artificial preservatives, flavors, and sweeteners from their food earlier this year and is asking fast-food leaders to consider what they are feeding kids.
“What we are trying to do is create a discussion. What is the right thing to be doing as leaders and parents?” Staich told The Street about his challenge.
He said the CEOs he challenged are his friends and he doesn't want to embarrass anyone, but he did want to raise the issue and hopefully improve the foods kids are eating, The Street reported.
Comments from Twitter followers were positive, even from those who have never eaten at Panera.
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