More than 200 people, including restaurant operators, managers and servers, rallied at the Rhode Island State House on March 19 to testify against a bill that would eliminate the tipped wage. Organized by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association (RIHA), association members told the Rhode Island Committee on Labor that passage of this bill would negatively […]
Tag: restaurant
Posted in, Northeast
Chick-fil-A, Papa John’s Lauded, And More…
Food Service News In Brief… Chick-fil-A and Papa John’s deliver the best customer experience in the fast food industry, according to the 2015 Temkin Experience Ratings, an annual ranking of companies based on a survey of 10,000 U.S. consumers. Chick-fil-A took the top spot for the fourth year in a row, earning a rating of […]
Posted in, Northeast
Sysco Extends Merger Agreement With US Foods Until May 7
Sysco Corp. has extended its merger agreement with US Foods by 60 days, to May 7—two days after lawsuit hearings on the merger are scheduled to begin. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sued to block the merger and has requested a preliminary injunction to stay the merger until the lawsuit is heard. Hearings on […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, National, Whole Foods
Publix, Aldi And H-E-B Earn Top Customer Experience Ratings
Based on a study of 10,000 U.S. consumers, Publix, Aldi and H-E-B earned the highest scores in the 2015 Temkin Experience Ratings that ranks 293 companies across 20 industries. Joining those firms in the top 12 spots are Chick-fil-A, PetSmart, Amazon.com, Trader Joe’s, USAA, credit unions, Papa John’s, Walgreens and Hannaford. While supermarket chains, fast […]
Posted in, C-Store News, Midwest, Northeast, Store News
Giant Eagle Entering New Market With Two Store Concepts
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Giant Eagle plans to enter greater Indianapolis later this year with two store concepts. The multi-format food, fuel and pharmacy retailer will open a Market District food destination store and GetGo convenience restaurant and fuel station in The Bridges development in Carmel, Indiana, just outside of Indianapolis. “We are thrilled to bring our Market […]
Posted in, Northeast, Store News
Stop & Shop Remodel Enlarges Merrick Store, Expands Product Selection
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. has completed a major remodel of its store located at 2160 South Merrick Mall in Merrick, New York. The store reopened earlier this month. The Merrick store closed in September 2014 and underwent a four-month remodel to provide customers with a larger store, an expanded product selection and special […]
Posted in, National, New Products, Perishables
Fazoli’s Launches New Retail Product Line
Fazoli’s, the Italian quick-service restaurant chain, is rolling out five new snacks and appetizers at retail. The line includes Mozzarella Stuffed Mini Breadsticks, Parmesan Boneless Chicken Nuggets, Chicken Alfredo Flatbread, Lasagna Fritta and Six Cheese Toasted Ravioli. Sizes range from 8.5-11 oz. The products are available now in the frozen food sections of participating grocers. […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Is Your Store The Best Restaurant In Town?
Fresh prepared foods (FPF) are a high-growth category for most grocery retailers as consumers seek more fresh, healthy foods in ready-to-eat formats. As retailers continue to invest in their fresh prepared foods programs, some of the recent innovations and learnings from fast-casual restaurants and international retailers could provide some insights and opportunities for food retailers […]
Posted in, National
Summer Fancy Food Show Later This Month Will Be Largest Ever
The Summer Fancy Food Show, which will begin later this month, will be the largest since it was first presented in 1955. The sold-out exhibit halls will be filled with 2,730 specialty food makers, importers and entrepreneurs representing the latest new products and trends from across the U.S. and around the globe. The show takes […]
Posted in, Southwest, Store News
H-E-B Opens The Market At Stone Oak With Oaks Crossing Restaurant
On June 20, H-E-B opened The Market at Stone Oak at 23635 Wilderness Oak in San Antonio. The new location also includes Oaks Crossing Bistro & Bar, a restaurant serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The Market at Stone Oak features large fresh departments that include an expanded organics section, a produce station/juice bar, sushi […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, New Products
Van Holten’s Now Bottling Pickle Juice
Van Holten’s is now bottling pickle juice. Pickleback—Real Pickle Brine is a 32-oz. bottle of dill pickle brine for use as a shot chaser or cocktail mixer. “We are using real honest pickle brine,” said Van Holten’s President Steve Byrnes.“This is the same stuff we’ve been making for over 100 years using our original recipe. […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Taps Trader Joe’s VP As Its New CFO
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, the oldest and largest privately-held specialty premium coffee and tea retailer in the U.S., has appointed Trader Joe’s executive Karen Cate as its CFO. She is responsible for all accounting, finance, treasury and IT functions at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Her teams are focused on delivering value-added business […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Command Packaging, Bunzl Dist. Bring Bag Ban-Compliant Reusable Plastic Bags To Grocers
Command Packaging, a U.S. manufacturer of reusable shopping and restaurant bags, has entered into a partnership with Bunzl Distribution USA to bring smarterbags—bag ban-compliant reusable plastic bags—to grocers in areas where bag bans have eliminated ultra-thin plastic T-shirt bags. “Contrary to what many have been led to believe, plastic grocery bags are not going out […]
Posted in, Northeast, Store News
Giant Eagle’s Market District Express Store Format Offers Shopping, Dining Experience
Giant Eagle’s Market District food stores introduced on Thursday the company’s first innovative neighborhood restaurant dining and food shopping experience. The new Market District Express store is located on Route 19 and Circle Road in McMurray, Pa. The concept combines fresh, chef-created meals to eat in or take out with a curated selection of traditional […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Food Channel Unveils Top 10 Food Trends For 2014
The Food Channel has released its “Top 10 Food Trends for 2014.” Based on research conducted by The Food Channel in conjunction with CultureWaves, the list identifies the significant food movements consumers, foodservice professionals and manufacturers should watch for in the coming year. “This year it’s all about global flavors and customs. There is also […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Southwest
Argenta Market Launches Buy Local Campaign For Holiday Open House
Argenta Market, a full-service food store emphasizing Arkansas-grown and -made products, is keeping with its Arkansas theme for a holiday open house, to be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at 521 Main St. in North Little Rock. For the open house, the store has teamed up with local vendors to provide food […]
Posted in, National, New Products
MountainKing’s Steakhouse Roasters Provide Healthier Alternative To Frozen Fries
MountainKing has introduced its new Steakhouse Roasters, a slender, thin skin, tubular-shaped fresh potato variety filled with flavor that doesn’t require peeling and cooks fast to create steakhouse-quality, oven-baked wedge fries. Known within the produce industry as “fingerlings,” MountainKing says it has reinvented this specialty potato with a new name and new packaging to attract […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
Report: How C-Stores Could Eat Quick-Serve Restaurants’ Lunch
As consumers increasingly clamor for quick, easy and accessible meals, convenience stores have a great opportunity to become go-to destinations for lunch. They currently are losing out to fast-food outlets, which have added fresh, healthier options for people on the move, according to a newsletter report from The Hartman Group. Quick-serve chains, including Chipotle, Subway, […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Red Robin Releases Steak Fries At Grocery Retail
For more than 40 years, Red Robin restaurants have served signature Bottomless Steak Fries. Now, a frozen version of those fries—Red Robin’s Seasoned Steak Fries—are available in the grocery retail sector. The fries are available in frozen food aisles nationwide, prepared with Red Robin Seasoning Salt. Red Robin’s first product for retail distribution, the take-home […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
Joe Sheetz Steps Into CEO Role At Sheetz
Joe S. Sheetz, EVP of finance and store development, will officially step into the role of president and CEO for Sheetz Inc. on Tuesday. Current chief executive Stan Sheetz leaves the presidency after 18 years and will stay active in the role of chairman. “I am honored to be entrusted with the leadership of my […]