Marcas de Restauración (MDR), the employers' association that brings together 52 companies and more than 180 brands in the sector, has launched the "pilgrim's menu", now available in more than 1,200 establishments on the occasion of the visit to Spain of Pope Leo XIV.
To this end, a coordination group has been created among the associated brands in order to articulate a joint response, activating specific and affordable menus during the key days of the visit. In this way, a large-scale logistical challenge is faced and the food and hydration needs arising from the high expected attendance are covered.
In just over a month, more than 1,200 establishments belonging to 40 chains have aligned a common operation, concentrated mainly in Madrid and also extended to Barcelona and the Canary Islands. The objective is to offer a unified, broad and accessible proposal for different types of public, calculated at more than 1.5 million people.
The offer is planned with moderate prices and different modes of consumption (in-house and takeaway), in addition to a wide range of products and formats. The initiative is already active in some of the participating establishments and will remain so until next June 9.
These menus are aimed at pilgrims, volunteers, workers, visitors and media representatives displaced by the event. Among the participating brands are: Aloha, Como, StrEAT, Bareto, Deli&cia Tasty Daily Food, La Place, Taberna La Ancha, Buena Pita, Farine, Rodilla, Paul, La Barra, Flax+Kale, Santa Gloria, VyTA at airports, Burger King, Can Pizza, Ditaly, Domino's Pizza, Empanadas Malvón, Five Guys, Foster's Hollywood, Ginos, Goiko, Grosso Napoletano, KFC, La Cantina, La Famiglia se sienta a la mesa, La Máquina, La Tagliatella, Lateral, Manolo Bakes, McDonald's, Muerde la Pasta, Panaria, Pans, Papa John's, Papizza, Perretxico, Popeyes, Puerta 57, Ribs, Sibuya, Singular, Starbucks, Subway, Suite 57, Sushi Shop, Taco Bell, Viena Capellanes and Vips.
The proposal also includes other lines of collaboration linked to the organization of the event, such as the "Volunteer Exchange" for the visit, designed to reinforce logistics and support for the participating teams. Associates and collaborating partners such as Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Viena Capellanes, Lotus Bakeries, Cacaolat, Cantabria Labs, Danone, Europastry, and García Carrión are involved in this action, having contributed tens of thousands of units of products and materials for distribution during the events.
On the other hand, Mallorca, the emblematic Madrid pastry shop celebrating its 95th anniversary this year, has won with "Cor Unum, the sweet that will honor Pope Leo XIV during his visit to Madrid," in the competition promoted by the Community of Madrid.
Thus, the family company has presented the "Cor Unum," a Latin expression meaning "one heart." A sweet consisting of a butter pastry filled with lemon and Aranjuez strawberry cream. The preparation is completed with a white chocolate coating, decorated with yellow lines and a chocolate leaf with the Vatican coat of arms printed on its surface.