Grocery News In Brief… Chobani, the yogurt company based in Norwich, New York, is calling for applications to the Chobani Food Incubator, which was designed to help entrepreneurs and small food companies. “Natural food startups with the right mindset can make a big difference,” said Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of Chobani. “I know that […]
Category: Northeast
The Shelby Report of the Northeast covers grocery retailers, wholesalers and suppliers in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. Follow the latest store openings, remodels, leadership changes and market news from the region.
Posted in, Northeast
Specialty Food Association Names New President, And More…
New Channels News In Brief… The board of the Specialty Food Association has named Philip Kafarakis president of the not-for-profit trade association. Kafarakis brings more than 30 years of food industry experience in brand management, membership development and strategic planning. Since May 2013, Kafarakis served as chief innovation and member advancement officer for the National […]
Posted in, Northeast
Dwight Funding, IBC Partner To Aid Financing For Food/Beverage Businesses
Dwight Funding, a New York-based financing company, and InterContinetal Beverage Capital (IBC) are teaming up to provide working capital for companies in the beverage and consumer packaged goods industries. The two firms announced July 18 that they are forming a strategic partnership within the beverage sector to help advance small and growing businesses. Dwight Funding […]
Posted in, Northeast
Utz Quality Foods To Buy Golden Enterprises, And More…
Grocery News In Brief… Utz Quality Foods plans to purchase Golden Enterprises, maker of Golden Flake brand snack foods. Dylan Lissette, CEO of Utz, said Golden Flake’s product line, market coverage and manufacturing facilities blend well with Utz’s desire to “expand and grow our markets in the South.” Golden Flake’s product lines and production capabilities […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Grocery News, Northeast, Snacks Brands, Suppliers
VERC Sends Fruit Baskets To Area Police To Show Support, And More…
C-Store News In Brief… In appreciation of the work performed by local law enforcement, VERC Enterprises recently sent fruit baskets to police departments in the 25 towns where it maintains stores. The idea came about when VERC President Leo Vercollone attended a recent industry study group. He and seven other convenience store owners from across […]
Posted in, Northeast
New York Passes Law Allowing Dogs At Outdoor Cafés, And More…
Foodservice News In Brief… New York recently passed a law allowing residents to bring their dogs to outdoor cafés as long as there is no food prep going on outside. Dogs must be leashed or in a carrier. Dogs still are not allowed indoors at restaurants… Steak ’n Shake recently added “24 Meals Under $4” […]
Posted in, Food Service News, Northeast
BJ’s Wholesale Club To Partner with Dunkin’ Donuts, And More…
New Channels News In Brief… BJ’s Wholesale Club will be converting the food courts in select clubs into Dunkin’ Donuts shops or kiosks. The first club conversions will be in Northborough, Massachusetts. BJ’s newest club in Kearny, New Jersey, will open with a Dunkin’ Donuts shop later this summer. “Dunkin’ is an outstanding brand, which […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, Industry News, Northeast
Weis, Big Y, Tops, Saubel’s Market All Involved In Ahold-Delhaize Divestiture Plans
Several Northeast retailers are set to gain stores as a result of the proposed divestiture between Ahold and the Delhaize Group. Last week, the two European-based super-retailers reached agreements with buyers to divest a total of 86 U.S. stores in areas where both companies operate stores. The deals are being made in connection with the […]
Posted in, Industry News, Northeast, Online Grocery Technology
NACS, Retail Firms Urge Debit Reform Bill Retainment
In a letter to House Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) expressed grave concerns with proposed legislation to repeal debit swipe fee reform. Last month, Hensarling included a provision to repeal the Durbin Amendment in his discussion of the Financial Choice Act. […]
Posted in, Northeast
Pizza Hut Sets New Social Ordering Platform
Pizza Hut, along with leading SaaS platform tech company Conversable, are launching a new Pizza Hut social ordering platform, or “chatbot,” to allow for conversational ordering of favorite pizzas and other menu items on Facebook Messenger and Twitter. “The new Pizza Hut social ordering platform is another example of making it easy for our customer […]
Posted in, Northeast
GMO Labeling Bill Heads To President’s Desk For Approval
On July 14, the House of Representatives passed by a 306-117 vote the U.S. Senate’s version of a new federal standard for the labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs), S. 764, the Roberts-Stabenow Biotech Labeling Act. The measure, which pre-empts Vermont’s law and others that are in the works, will now be sent […]
Posted in, Northeast
The Guess Corp. Seeks C-Store/Gas Stations, and More…
C-Store News In Brief… The Guess Corp. in Durham, North Carolina, is seeking to acquire at least 1,000 convenience store/gas station units over the next 12 months through a subsidiary. The company is looking to acquire an average of 100 units per month, which may include branded and unbranded units. Upon completion, the company intends […]
Posted in, Northeast
RIHA Planning Hospitality Crisis Management Session, And More…
Foodservice News In Brief… The Rhode Island Hospitality Association will host a “Hospitality Crisis Management 101” session Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 9:30-11 a.m., at a location to be determined. A panel of experts will discuss the steps business owners need to take when confronted with a crisis such as someone who claims to be sick […]
Posted in, Dairy News, Deli News, Frozen Food, Grocery News, Northeast, Suppliers
Three Northeast Frozen & Refrigerated Groups Collaborate On Fall Conference
The board of directors of the Eastern Frosted & Refrigerated Foods Association (EFRA), the Frozen & Refrigerated Association of the Northeast (FRANE) and the Western New York Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (WNYFRFA) will host a joint Northeast Convention & Business Conference this fall. The event, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 29, through Sunday, Oct. 2, […]
Posted in, Northeast
C-Store Sales Are Strong For First Half Of 2016
Convenience store sales surged over the first half of the year as lower gas prices fueled more driving and Americans embraced the continued addition of fresh and healthy food options, according to a survey of convenience retailers released by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). More than two in three convenience retailers (70 percent) […]
Posted in, Northeast
More Than 1,000 Wendy’s Impacted By Payment Card Security Attack
The Wendy’s Co. recently updated its customers regarding malicious cyber activity experienced at Wendy’s restaurants, now estimating the data breach has impacted more than 1,000 locations. The Wendy’s system includes approximately 6,500 franchise and company-operated restaurants in the U.S. and 28 countries and U.S. territories worldwide. The company first reported unusual payment card activity affecting […]
Posted in, Northeast
Fairway Emerges From Bankruptcy, And More…
Grocery News In Brief… Fairway Market emerged from bankruptcy two months after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. One of Fairway’s 15 stores will shut down: the Lake Grove Long Island location, on or about July 15. The reorganized company has a new board of directors… Two flavors of Betty Crocker cake mix sold […]
Posted in, Northeast
Cumberland Farms Says Shoppers Saved $50M With SmartPay Check-Link, And More….
C-Store News In Brief… Cumberland Farms claims its customers have saved $50 million through its free SmartPay program since its launch in January 2013. SmartPay Check-Link users automatically save 10 cents on every gallon of gas, and SmartPay mobile app users receive a free Farmhouse Blend coffee, free Chill Zone beverage or free bottle of […]
Posted in, Northeast
Starbucks Increases Staff Compensation, And More…
Foodservice News In Brief… In a July 11 letter sent to U.S. employees, Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz discussed new compensation, healthcare benefits and scheduling commitments. Those changes include an increase in the base pay of 5 percent or more for all employees and store managers at U.S. company-operated locations, effective Oct. 3. When […]
Posted in, Northeast
FDA Prepares Web-Based Guide For Reading Nutrition Label, And More…
New Channels News In Brief… The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued final changes to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods to reflect the latest scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases. FDA’s Nutrition Facts Label Online tool provides an overview of the Nutrition Facts label that consumers see […]