January Retail Sales Grew 2.7 Percent Over Last Year

Retail sales in January increased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted over December and were up 2.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year, the National Retail Federation said.

“The strength of consumer spending continues to be the anchor of the current economic expansion,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “January’s retail sales results reflect a confident consumer supported by solid wage growth and job gains. While the business sector continues to weigh significant uncertainties, consumers are providing staying power for...

Aramark Names Carl Mittleman Chief Operating Officer, International

Aramark has named Carl Mittleman Chief Operating Officer, International succeeding Brent Franks, who leaves Aramark after a successful 7-year tenure. Mittleman, who has been with the Company for 25 years, most recently served as President, Sports & Entertainment. Alison Birdwell, a sports and hospitality industry veteran, has been promoted to President, Sports & Entertainment.

Mittleman joined Aramark as a college intern and held positions of increased responsibility in sales and operations in Aramark Germany, Leisure and Sports & Entertainment. He moved through...

Certified Angus Beef Brand Advances Leadership Team

The Certified Angus Beef brand was born of innovation—a spirit that's spurred four decades of bringing families together from gate to plate. To continue supporting this thriving community and network of premium beef partners, the brand recently evolved its leadership team, recognizing several retirements, promotions and new team members.

"We've had a long track record of strong leaders, and that's true as we look to those who have stepped up to guide our next 40 years," says John F. Stika, president. "It takes a dedicated and creative group of people to move this brand forward, and...

Rabobank Assesses Coronavirus Impact on the Chinese Dairy Sector

The outbreak of coronavirus is disrupting the entire dairy supply chain in China. Although, for now, we have only limited information and anecdotal evidence, Rabobank assesses the impact on the Chinese dairy market because the potential effects on the global dairy commodities market should not be ignored. The situation remains fluid, and Rabobank is monitoring the developments closely.

Disruption to the Entire Supply Chain

While the impact of the epidemic on the demand for dairy should be short term, the uncertainty over the actual duration of the impact and the lingering psychological impact could potentially bring meaningful damage to consumption, which then affects...

Muscle Maker Grill Announces Pricing of $7.7 Million Initial Public Offering

Muscle Maker, Inc. announced that it priced on February 12, 2020 its initial public offering of 1,540,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $5.00 per share. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 231,000 shares of common stock at the initial public offering price. The total proceeds paid to the Company in the initial public offering or upon exercise of the underwriter’s option will be reduced by underwriting discounts and commissions and other costs arising in the offering. The shares are expected to begin...

ANALYSIS: An Initial 2020 Chicken Production Assessment

With the first couple weeks of 2020 under the industry’s collective belt, we thought it would be a good opportunity to check in on the slaughter stats...

Technomic Releases Foodservice Technology Program and Consumer Trend Study

Recent research as part of Technomic’s foodservice technology program sheds a light on the fast-paced and evolving influence technology has on consumers’ dining experiences. Brands must balance leveraging technology to foster a greater connection with guests and maintaining their trust in terms of privacy and control over personal data.

“Technology is becoming more ingrained in the foodservice industry and is rapidly evolving,” explains Anne Mills, senior manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “Operators will need to work with their partners to...

MGM Resorts Announces New Sustainable Sourcing Goals For Eggs And Chickens

MGM Resorts International announced plans to expand its responsible sourcing program with a set of goals for eggs and chickens.

Under its cage-free & free-range egg and chicken policy, the Company has set a goal to source 100 percent of eggs (shell, liquid, and egg products) from cage-free sources throughout its global portfolio before 2030. In tandem, the Company has also committed to sourcing chickens from...

Tyson Foods Appoints Kevin M. McNamara as Vice Chairman

Kevin M. McNamara, the lead independent director for Tyson Foods, Inc., has been given the additional role of vice chairman of the board, the company announced today.

The appointment means McNamara, who has been a Tyson Foods board member since 2007, will take on additional duties and responsibilities to assist the chairman with board matters, support the executive team on company matters, and focus on key strategic initiatives.

“The board’s appointment of Kevin to vice chairman reflects its commitment to sound governance to sustain the future of our company,” said Chairman John H. Tyson. “We look forward to...

ANALYSIS: Checking In On February’s Turkey Prices

Those in attendance at the National Turkey Federation Meeting this week are sure to be discussing the current state of the market and...

Kraft Heinz Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results

The Kraft Heinz Company today reported fourth quarter and full year 2019 financial results.

“While our 2019 results were disappointing, we closed the year with performance consistent with our expectations, and driven by factors we anticipated,” said Kraft Heinz CEO Miguel Patricio. "We have taken critical actions over the past six months to re-establish visibility and control over the business. And we remain convinced Kraft Heinz has the potential to achieve best-in-class financial performance as we begin transforming our capabilities and making necessary investments in our brands based on deep consumer insights. Our turnaround will take time, but we expect to make significant progress in 2020, laying a strong foundation for future growth.”

Q4 2019 Financial Summary

Net sales were $6.5 billion, down 5.1 percent versus the year-ago period, including a negative 2.3 percentage point impact from divestitures and...

Alpha Foods Raises $28 Million in Latest Funding Round, Looks to Expand Brand

Alpha Foods, creators of plant-based burritos, nuggets, pizza, pot pies, tamales, burgers and more announced it raised $28 million in its most recent funding round.

The new capital will support new products, additional hires, expanding its distribution channels in the U.S. and around the globe and boost its marketing and sales efforts.

“As more and more people actively seek out plant-based options, whether for their health or the environment, we are looking to expand our innovations within the category and bring...

Foodservice Participates in Valentine’s Day with Tempting Offers

Whether consumers plan to dine out or stay in on Valentine’s Day, another record is expected to be set this year. According to the National Retail Federation, consumers plan to spend an average of $196.31, up 21 percent over last year’s previous record of $161.96. Spending is expected to total $27.4 billion, up 32 percent from the previous year’s record of $20.7 billion. Of that total, $4.3 billion is expected to be spent on an evening out.

Romantics looking to get ahead of the rush to book a reservation at a restaurant for Valentines’ Day should have done so before February 4th. According to data released by OpenTable, majority of diners wait until ten days or less in advance to reserve a table, despite this being...

U.S. Restaurant Customer Transactions Increased in January Compared to Year Ago

Customer transactions at U.S. restaurant chains were up in January, a benefit of milder weather compared to a year ago when extreme weather conditions, including a polar vortex and above average precipitation, hit many areas of the United States.

For the retail weeks ending January 6 through February 2, total restaurant transactions increased by 2% over same time last year and quick service restaurant (QSR) chains were the primary contributor to these gains, according to NPD’s CREST Performance Alerts, which provides...

Cranswick Acquires White Rose Farms 

Cranswick plc, a leading UK food producer, announces that it has acquired the Buckle family’s pig farming and rearing operations as well as the family’s 50% share of the White Rose Farms Limited pig production joint venture set up by Cranswick and the Buckle family in 2018. The enlarged pig enterprise, to be known as White Rose Farms, specialises in the production of Red Tractor assured pigs in Yorkshire and will continue to be led by Rick Buckle.

Following the acquisition of Packington Pork in December, which specialises in British free range and outdoor pigs, today’stransaction further increases Cranswick’s self-sufficiency in UK pigs processed to over...

Carrefour Introduces a Method for Avoiding Male Chicks to Be Culled 

As part of its food transition plan, Carrefour and Loué have entered into a partnership to produce and sell eggs laid by chickens produced using a spectrophotometric in-ovo sexing technique. Consumers will be able to purchase the products from 1 May.

This is another step forward for animal welfare, and Carrefour is involving players across the sector in identifying and developing the best in-ovo sexing techniques in France. As soon as a concerted solution that can be industrialized has been identified, Carrefour will commit to...

NPPC: FDA Stall Tactics Hurting U.S. Agriculture

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) misrepresentation of a gene edited livestock research project is its latest stall tactic designed to rationalize a regulatory grasp on an emerging technology that must be regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) if the United States is to maintain its global leadership position in agriculture.

“While countries like China, Canada, Brazil and Argentina are moving quickly on this advancement to gain competitive advantage, the United States is falling far behind because of the FDA’s precautionary regulatory approach,” said NPPC President David Herring, a hog farmer from Lillington, N.C. “Under FDA regulation, gene editing faces an impractical, lengthy and expensive approval process. Unless we move oversight to the USDA, we are ceding a technology that promises significant animal health benefits, including...

PODCAST: USMCA - What It Means for Protein

This week Michelle Klieger returns to the show to discuss the NAFTA replacement. She discusses the new opportunities for protein exporters and producers in the US as a result of the agreement and of course, China...

Marty Smith of Florida Elected President of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Fifth-generation Florida rancher Marty Smith was elected president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) at the annual Cattle Industry Convention this afternoon. He replaces Jennifer Houston of Sweetwater, Tenn., 2019 NCBA president.

Smith operates Smith Brothers-Wacahoota, LLC, a cow-calf operation in Central Florida, that has been in continuous operation since 1852. It retains ownership through feedlots in Texas, Kansas and Iowa.

Smith graduated from the University of Georgia with a BSA in Agricultural Economics and Animal Science. While at UGA, he was on the livestock judging team and served as president of Ag Hill Council. He was also active in...

US Foods Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2019 Earnings

US Foods Holding Corp. announced results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2019. In this press release we refer to certain organic financial results. Organic financial results exclude contributions during the respective period from the Food Group of Companies (the "Food Group"), which was acquired on Sept. 13, 2019.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2019 Highlights

• Total case volume increased 12.3%; independent restaurant case volume increased 11.9%
• Total organic case volume increased 0.4%; independent restaurant organic case volume increased 2.9%
• Net sales increased 14.8% to $6.9 billion; organic Net sales increased 3.0% to $6.2 billion
• Gross profit increased 13.3% to $1.2 billion
• Income from continuing operations before income taxes decreased $10 million to...

NPPC Applauds House Passage of Ag Inspectors Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation that authorizes funding for 740 new agricultural inspectors at land, air and sea ports to prevent African swine fever (ASF) and other foreign animal diseases (FAD) from entering the United States. In October 2019, the Senate approved an identical version of the bill (S. 2107), which the House approved today. Providing additional agricultural inspectors represents a top priority for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).

“For more than a year, NPPC has advocated for more agricultural inspectors at our borders,” said NPPC President David Herring, a hog farmer from Lillington, N.C. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection have done much to mitigate risk to animal disease, but we must remain vigilant. Today’s vote represents a tremendous victory for our farmers, consumers and...

Secretary Perdue Statement on President Trump’s Budget Proposal

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement after President Donald J. Trump submitted his FY 2021 budget proposal to Congress:

“The United States is leading the world in economic growth and prosperity. President Trump’s pro-growth policies like tax cuts, common-sense deregulation, and new trade deals have increased confidence in the economy and put hard earned money back into the pockets of Americans,” said Secretary Perdue. “President Trump’s budget continues to reign in an overgrown Federal government with fiscally responsible cuts in spending. USDA is doing its part to improve our customer service while reducing our economic and regulatory impact. We will continue to...

Burke Corporation Launches New Plant-Based Alternatives

Burke Corp., a subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corporation, announced the launch of new Burke Alternatives plant-based products available to foodservice operators across the country.

“We know that a growing number of consumers are interested in incorporating more plant-based foods into their diets,” said Amy Thielking, marketing manager at Burke. “These new products are the perfect way to not only add more plant options to meals, but also still enjoy a great-tasting meal with plant-based ingredients.”

Powered by pea protein, Burke Alternatives include a fully cooked crumble and uncooked ground products with...

Tyson Fresh Meats and Jacob Stern & Sons Launch Joint Venture

Tyson Fresh Meats, the beef and pork subsidiary of Tyson Foods, and Jacob Stern & Sons, Inc. have launched a joint venture, JST Global, LLC, to serve the worldwide fats and oils market. Specific terms of the venture are not being disclosed.

Beef and pork by-products of the fresh meats business, along with fats and oils derived from other sources, are key ingredients in thousands of products in such diverse industries as pharmaceuticals, personal care, and animal nutrition, plus the rapidly developing field of renewable fuels.

“Jacob Stern and Tyson Fresh Meats have enjoyed a strong relationship for over 50 years. Combining Tyson’s vast supply of animal fats with Jacob Stern’s Texas operations is...

February Retail Imports to See Larger Drop Amid Coronavirus

With coronavirus causing longer Lunar New Year shutdowns of factories in China, imports at major U.S. retail container ports are expected to see a sharper-than-usual drop this month, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“February is historically a slow month for imports because of Lunar New Year and the lull between retailers’ holiday season and summer, but this is an unusual situation,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Many Chinese factories have already stayed closed longer than usual, and...

Kroger Names Keith G. Dailey Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs

The Kroger Co. today announced Keith G. Dailey, Kroger's vice president of corporate affairs, has been promoted to serve as group vice president of corporate affairs.

"As a key architect of Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, Keith's strategic and inclusive leadership has advanced Kroger's position as a national thought leader and authentic advocate for ending hunger, eliminating waste, and other social impact initiatives," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "He combines broad public affairs experience with knowledge of Kroger's corporate character and belief that business can be a force for good."

Dailey, 39, has nearly 20 years of public affairs experience, including...

Del Taco Restaurants Appoints Tim Hackbardt as Chief Marketing Officer

Del Taco Restaurants, Inc., today announced that Tim Hackbardt has been appointed Chief Marketing Officer.

Mr. Hackbardt is a restaurant industry veteran with over 27 years of experience and has led or advised numerous restaurant chains as a marketing executive and brand consultant across the quick-service, fast-casual, family dining, casual and polished-casual categories. Among these brands are BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Rubio’s, Pieology, Steak ‘n Shake, Johnny Rockets, and Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que. He has a proven track record of driving sales and...

Restaurant Brands International Reports Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2019 Results

Restaurant Brands International Inc. today reported financial results for the full year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2019.

Jose Cil, Chief Executive Officer of Restaurant Brands International Inc. ("RBI") commented, "We have three iconic restaurant brands that are together growing rapidly around the world. Last year, we shared a long-term aspiration to build the most loved restaurant brands in the world and have more than 40,000 restaurants open within 8-10 years. I'm proud that our 2019 results have us solidly on track."

"Burger King delivered its strongest year of restaurant growth in the last two decades. Popeyes launched an iconic Chicken Sandwich that has proven to be a game changer for the brand in every way. At Tim Hortons, our performance did not...

Family Traditions Meat Company Recalls Ready-to-Eat Meat Stick Products 

Family Traditions Meat Company, an Ackley, Iowa establishment, is recalling approximately 270 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef stick products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

The fully cooked, ready-to-eat beef stick items were produced on Nov. 14, 2019, Dec. 3, 2019 and Jan. 6, 2020 and have a shelf life of six months. The following product is subject to recall...

Taco Bell Appoints Nikki Lawson As Global Chief Brand Officer

Taco Bell Corp. today announced that it has named Nikki Lawson as Global Chief Brand Officer, responsible for continuing the success of the Taco Bell brand in the US and across the world.

Lawson, former Managing Director, KFC SOPAC (South Pacific), will join the brand effective this April, reporting to Mark King, Chief Executive Officer, Taco Bell Corp. Lawson comes to Taco Bell after nearly 20 years at KFC, having held numerous marketing leadership roles, first in the KFC Africa business, and later in SOPAC, where she served as Chief Marketing & Development Officer and...

American Egg Board CEO Announces Plans to Step Down 

Anne Alonzo, CEO of the American Egg Board, announced to members and staff that she has decided to step down from her role as President and CEO in April 2020. In a letter to the board members and alternates, Alonzo stated that she was afforded a unique opportunity to join a newly public agriculture company and lead its Washington D.C. office. Alonzo mentioned that over the past years, she has worked hard to drive needed change necessary to transform the American Egg Board into a modern, efficient, and high performing organization. She added that replacing long-standing public relations and creative agencies, championing exports, and...

Job Report Numbers Show 2020 is Off to a Good Start

Starting the year on a strong note, the US economy added 225,000 jobs in January and the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 3.6 percent. Today's job report provides more evidence of accelerating employment growth, with the last three months averaging 211,000 new jobs. Stronger employment growth may reflect growing confidence of employers, as some of the geopolitical risks -- such as the US-China trade spat -- subsided in recent months.

Amid stagnant growth in the working-age population, strong employment growth will likely further tighten the labor market in 2020. As a result, we can expect increasing challenges around...

NCBA Releases Consumer Research Showing Widespread Confusion About Contents of Plant-Based Fake Meat

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today released survey results that show widespread consumer confusion regarding the ingredient composition and purported benefits of plant-based fake meat products.

In an online survey of more than 1,800 consumers, less than half of the respondents understood the labeling term “plant-based beef” was intended to describe an entirely vegetarian or vegan food product. One major source of confusion uncovered by NCBA’s research is that approximately one third of surveyed consumers believed that plant-based fake meat products contained at least some real beef in them. When asked to evaluate specific product labels and marketing materials from some of the leading plant-based fake beef products currently on the market, the results were astonishing...