Restaurant Brands International Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results

Restaurant Brands International reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

José E. Cil, Chief Executive Officer of Restaurant Brands International Inc. ("RBI") commented, "We are encouraged by the momentum across our business – including sales increases driven by quality menu items, rapid adoption of our digital channels by our guests and an acceleration in new restaurant openings around the world by our franchisees who believe strongly in our brands and business model."

Cil continued, "We also announced an increase in our share buyback authorization to $1 billion over the next two years, demonstrating our confidence in the...

Bloomin' Brands Announces 2021 Q2 Financial Results and Strong Operating Margin Expansion

Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. reported results for the second quarter 2021 (“Q2 2021”) compared to the second quarter 2020 (“Q2 2020”).

CEO Comments

“Q2 represented another quarter of strong results. We are well positioned to grow sales and capture additional market share,” said David Deno, Chief Executive Officer. “We are making great progress improving margins, increasing cash flow and retaining off-premises sales as dining rooms have reopened. Our sales momentum has...

Albertsons Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

Albertsons Companies reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2021, which ended June 19, 2021.

First Quarter of Fiscal 2021 Highlights

- Identical sales decreased 10.0%; on a two-year stacked basis identical sales growth was 16.5%
- Sustained digital sales levels; on a two-year stacked basis digital sales growth was 276%
- Net income per Class A common share of $0.78; two-year CAGR of 212%
- Adjusted net income per Class A common share of...

UNFI Announces Appointments of Sandy Douglas and Jack Stahl 

United Natural Foods announced the appointment of J. Alexander (Sandy) Miller Douglas to the role of Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board of Directors effective August 9, 2021. Mr. Douglas is a proven, customer-focused, strategic leader who brings a broad background and expertise in distribution, sales, marketing, and e-commerce as the Company’s new CEO. Mr. Douglas was selected after an extensive search to replace Mr. Steven Spinner, who earlier announced his retirement as CEO and who will concurrently retire from the Board, both effective August 9, 2021. Mr. Spinner will continue to provide Management and Board advisory services to UNFI through a transition period for up to one year after his retirement.

Mr. Douglas most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Staples, Inc., leading the North American business-to-business distribution platform’s strategic transformation and guiding the Company throughout...

Taco Bell Celebrates Year of Digital Acceleration by Spicing Up Rewards Program

The Taco Bell Rewards program celebrates a successful first year with more digital innovations and in-restaurant experiences for its fans. In true Taco Bell fashion, the brand is rejoicing in the biggest way possible and giving away free tacos for a year to one hundred lucky winners.

Taco Bell Rewards and the Taco Bell app have never been more rewarding. Now, the brand is expanding its digital capabilities, allowing fans to earn points on purchases made in-restaurant, through drive-thrus, and on digital kiosks. The additional access points make it easier to...

Vejii Holdings Signs Agreement with UNFI

Vejii Holdings Ltd. announced that as of July 15 it has entered into an agreement with United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), the largest publicly traded grocery distributor in the United States and Canada.

Under the terms of the agreement the company expects to greatly improve overall margin based on a tiered discount structure. This agreement will improve reliability and consistency of supply to over 5000 products across 200 categories.

"The customer shopping experience is our number priority. Having a strong relationship with...

Yum! Brands Reports Second Quarter Results

Yum! Brands, Inc. reported results for the second-quarter ended June 30, 2021. Worldwide system sales excluding foreign currency translation grew 26%, with 23% same-store sales and 2% unit growth. Second-quarter GAAP EPS was $1.29, an increase of 91% over the prior year quarter. Second-quarter EPS excluding Special Items was $1.16, an increase of 41% over the prior year quarter.

DAVID GIBBS COMMENTS

David Gibbs, CEO, said “Our strong second-quarter results, led by record unit development and 23% same-store sales growth are a testament to our iconic brands, world-class talent, and best-in-class franchisees. I’m proud that each of our divisions reported positive same-store sales growth on a 2-year basis, a step up...

HelloFresh Market Launches in U.S., Expanding Beyond Weeknight Dinners to Everyday Essentials

HelloFresh announced the launch of HelloFresh Market, an online store offering customers a range of add-ons, from quick meals to pantry essentials. The Market gives customers a convenient way to get breakfast options, ready-to-heat meals or everyday items – such as fresh produce, snacks, desserts, sides, spice blends, grocery essentials, and more – delivered to their doorstep simply by adding them to their weekly HelloFresh order. The range of Market offerings will be rolling out to all customers across...

Eat Beyond Portfolio Company Nabati Foods Patents New Plant-Based Liquid Egg

Eat Beyond Global Holdings Inc., an investment issuer focused on the global plant-based and alternative food sector, is announcing that its portfolio company Nabati Foods Global Inc. ("Nabati Foods") has patented its new plant-based liquid egg product, Nabati Plant Eggz, in Canada, the United States, and Australia, and is in the process of filing in Europe, and China as well.

The liquid egg alternative is made from lupin and pea protein to mimic the consistency and texture of conventional chicken eggs. Nabati Plant Eggz are designed to be an easy substitute for...

McDonald's Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results

McDonald's Corporation announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

"Our performance is a continued demonstration of the broad-based strength and resiliency of our business as global comp sales in the second quarter increased nearly 7% over 2019. For 65 years, we've created iconic experiences for billions of people around the world. Along the way, we've always focused on following our customers' needs, finding the most convenient and engaging ways for them to enjoy McDonald's. It's clear that...

Consumer Confidence Relatively Unchanged in July

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index was relatively unchanged in July, following gains in each of the prior five months. The Index now stands at 129.1 (1985=100), up from 128.9 in June. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—rose from 159.6 to 160.3. The Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—was virtually unchanged at 108.4, compared to 108.5 last month.

Consumer confidence was flat in July but remains at its highest level since February 2020 (132.6),” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “Consumers’ appraisal of present-day conditions held steady, suggesting...

Sweet Earth Foods Debuts New Plant-Based Breakfast Bowls and Reformulated Deli Slices Nationwide

Plant-based foods innovator Sweet Earth Foods is announcing the nationwide launch of their new heat-and-eat Breakfast Bowls and reformulated, ready-to-eat Deli Slices. As consumers return to on-the-go busy lifestyles, these prepared meal and plant-based protein offerings provide quick plant-based solutions.

The three new Sweet Earth Breakfast Bowls meet this demand and are inspired by classic regional scrambles, all while offering between 17 - 20 grams of plant protein and three to five grams of fiber in every bowl. New flavors found in the frozen meals section include...

Sysco Partners with SAVRpak to Ensure Meals Stay Fresh and Crisp in Transit

Sysco Corporation announced an exclusive partnership that will deliver SAVRpak’s patented food preservation technology to independent and local chain restaurants nationwide. Through their agreement, Sysco will add SAVRpak “freshness packs” to its Cutting Edge Solutions platform, making this technology immediately available to order.

Developed by an aerospace engineer, SAVRpak is a frozen, peel-and-stick patch that removes moisture from the air of a food container, thereby keeping it away from the meal and...

McDonald’s Creates Customer Experience Team; Names Manu Steijaert Global Chief Customer Officer

McDonald's Corporation announced the creation of a new Customer Experience team to transform the way customers engage with the McDonald’s Brand. This team brings together the Company’s Data Analytics, Digital Customer Engagement, Global Marketing, Global Restaurant Development and Restaurant Solutions, enabling McDonald’s to create an unparalleled customer experience at each physical and digital customer touchpoint.

To lead the new team, McDonald’s has promoted Manu Steijaert to the newly created role of Executive Vice President and Global Chief Customer Officer, effective August 1. Steijaert will report to...

Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. Reports Fiscal Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Del Taco Restaurants reported fiscal second quarter 2021 financial results for the 12-week period ended June 15, 2021 and provided a business update.

Management Commentary

John D. Cappasola, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Del Taco, commented, “We generated outstanding revenue and profitability growth during the second quarter as we leveraged our top-line momentum across all key cost inputs. Top-line growth was characterized by system-wide comparable restaurant sales growth versus 2020 in the high teens, representing...

Canada’s Restaurant Count Declined by 5,000 Units in 2020

Before the pandemic, Canada’s restaurant count held steady at 66,000 units since 2016, but then 2020 happened, and the industry lost 5,000 units, a decline of -8%, reports The NPD Group. Independent restaurants lost 3,000 units, representing the bulk of the slide, according to NPD’s ReCount®2020 restaurant census, which tracked Canadian restaurants opened as of December 2020.

The restaurant categories hardest hit by closures are those that relied heavily on customers’ regular day-to-day routines, such as shopping, working, or schooling... 

C&S Wholesale Grocers Purchases Albertsons' Frozen Contract With Burris Logistics

C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., an industry leader in supply chain solutions and wholesale grocery supply in the United States, has purchased Albertsons' frozen service contract from Burris Logistics.

"C&S's legacy is innovating ahead of market trends and this agreement is the next step in our transformation journey. It will further strengthen our service with Albertsons in the frozen product, as well as support a new relationship with Albertsons' mid-Atlantic division," said Rick Cohen, Chairman, C&S Wholesale Grocers...

UB Executive Conference: Early Bird Pricing Ends Friday!

Urner Barry’s Executive Conference is taking place September 26-28^th, 2021, at The Venetian in Las Vegas!

Book now to take advantage of Early Bird pricing, which will end on Friday, July 23^rd. From now until Friday, you can save $200 on the registration fee so click HERE to reserve your spot at the discounted rate.

The Executive Conference is the must-attend event of the year for the protein industry. The show features unparalleled networking opportunities, insights from flagship companies in the sector, incredible keynotes, analysis, and more...

Urner Barry Insights to Host Spotlight on Foodservice Recovery July 27-28

The road to recovery in foodservice has been a long one. Restaurants across the country and the globe had never before experienced a disruptive event quite like COVID-19. Now, as lockdown measures are increasingly lifted and the industry is looking at a return to more normal business operating conditions, it is imperative we take a look at market dynamics impacting the foodservice sector.

On July 27^th and 28^th, Urner Barry will host a COMTELL Insights Spotlight on The Road to Recovery in Foodservice. The online event will feature two live sessions, two podcasts, and two in-depth analysis pieces—all available within the COMTELL platform...

Domino's Pizza Announces Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Domino's Pizza announced results for the second quarter. Global retail sales increased 21.6% in the second quarter, or 17.1% excluding foreign currency impact. U.S. same store sales grew 3.5% during the quarter versus the year-ago period, continuing the positive sales momentum in the Company's U.S. stores business. The international business also posted strong results, with same store sales growth of 13.9% during the quarter. The second quarter marked the 110th consecutive quarter of international same store sales growth and the 41st consecutive quarter of U.S. same store sales growth. The Company had second quarter global net store growth of 238 stores, comprised of 35 net U.S. store openings and 203 net international store openings.

"I am very pleased with our strong global retail sales and store growth momentum during the second quarter, which demonstrated the power of our investments in...

Packaged Facts: The Future of Grocery 

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of consumer behavior and daily life. In 2020, many consumers were suddenly faced with more time at home.

• Office workers and those with jobs that can be done from home began to work from home full-time.
• Many schools and daycares closed, meaning that students and children were now spending their days at home.
• Restaurants, cafeterias, and other foodservice operations closed to dine-in service in many areas.
• With these changes, families across the U.S. were eating at home more often, cooking more, and sometimes feeding more people than usual throughout the day. As a result...

Instacart Announces Next-Gen Fulfillment Initiative for North American Retailers

Instacart, a leading online grocery platform in North America, unveiled the first phase of the company's next-generation fulfillment initiative designed to bring automated technology solutions to retailers across the U.S. and Canada. As part of the new initiative, the company announced it has signed a multi-year strategic deal with Fabric as a fulfillment automation partner. With Instacart next-gen fulfillment, the company will integrate leading software and robotics solutions with Instacart's proprietary technology and growing shopper community to create new e-commerce services for retail partners and an even faster, more effortless online grocery shopping experience for customers.

As part of Instacart's new next-gen fulfillment initiative, the company will pair Fabric software and robotics with...

Uber and Costco Kick Off Grocery Delivery Pilot in Texas

Uber Technologies have entered a delivery pilot with 25 locations across the state of Texas where Costco members could have their groceries delivered within hours, if not minutes, with Uber and Uber Eats. Over the coming weeks, 7 additional Costco warehouses will be available to Uber users via Uber and Uber Eats mobile apps. The minimum order amount is $35 and delivery is free for Uber Pass and Eats Pass holders. This is Uber's first pilot with a food wholesaler in the United States.

Today's news follows Uber's recent announcement of their first national grocery partnership in the US, with Albertson's Co., which more than doubled the availability of Uber's grocery offering with...

The Online Grocery Market Nearly Tripled in 2020

The U.S. food and beverage industry has been impacted heavily by COVID-19. In 2020, more consumers than ever before were deciding to order food and beverage items online to avoid grocery shopping in crowded stores, where they might be exposed to the COVID-19 virus. As reported by Packaged Facts' new report The Future of Grocery: Online Grocery, Meal Kits, & Direct-to-Consumer Food, the online grocery market nearly tripled in 2020.

Packaged Facts projects that online sales of food and beverages will...

NPD: Addressing Safety, Changes in Workplace, and Digital are Key to Recovery for Europe Foodservice

According to the latest report from The NPD Group, COVID-19 Foodservice Sentiment Study: Europe, a large part of the European^* population expects to return to dine-in restaurants as soon as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, with 93% stating they have either already returned to restaurants or expect to be returning to restaurants before the end of the year. But while many consumers expect to go back to dining occasions comparable to what they were doing before the pandemic, one-quarter of them expect...

CBP Agriculture Specialists Prevent Smuggled Animal Products from Entering United States

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists (CBPAS) issued 246 emergency action notifications during the second quarter of 2021. Emergency Action Notifications (EAN) alert trade entities of non-compliance with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulations. The EAN provides options for phytosanitary actions that must be taken to prevent the entry of plant pests, prohibited plant products, or animal products capable of introducing foreign animal diseases.

During the inspection of rail containers in International Falls, Minnesota, CBPAS intercepted more than 18,500 pounds of smuggled animal products. The animal products were seized because...

Kroger Names New Head of Investor Relations

Kroger announced Rob Quast has been promoted to Head of Investor Relations.

"Rob is a seasoned financial professional and respected leader within Kroger," said Gary Millerchip, Kroger's chief financial officer. "Rob's experience will be invaluable as we continue to share our strategy for delivering strong and sustainable total shareholder returns with our investment community."

Quast joined Kroger in 2013 as a financial manager in the corporate accounting department. In 2017, he was promoted to director of insurance and claims where he was...

Animal Agriculture Organizations Launch Ambitious New Protein PACT

Twelve organizations representing farmers and companies who make the vast majority of America’s meat, poultry, and dairy, as well as animal feed and ingredients, today (Monday) unveiled the Protein PACT for the People, Animals, and Climate of Tomorrow - the first joint initiative of its kind designed to accelerate momentum and verify progress toward global sustainable development goals across all animal protein sectors.

The Protein PACT has been submitted to the UN Food Systems Summit as a sustainability game changer, and sustainable livestock and poultry production will be featured...

Portillo's Announces Confidential Submission of Draft Registration Statement for Proposed IPO

Portillo's Hot Dogs, LLC ("Portillo's") today announced that Portillo's, Inc. has confidentially submitted a draft registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. The initial public offering is expected to take place after the SEC completes its review process, subject to market and other conditions...

Cargill and Ecolab Support Emerging Technologies Across Food Supply Chain

Cargill and Ecolab today announced the latest class of entrepreneurs to join the Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator, a three-month, mentorship- driven program that engages early-stage entrepreneurs changing the face of the global food system. The 11 startups in the 2021 Techstars program are utilizing technology to drive innovative solutions in areas such as the future of food retail, food safety, and workforce development and management.

The food value chain is one of the last major industries to completely modernize, but the latest technologies are having a major...

Moran Foods Announces Two New Appointments to Board of Directors

Moran Foods, premier wholesale grocery distribution company and parent company to U.S.-based discount grocery chain Save A Lot, today announced that Fred Boehler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Americold Logistics, and Mike Motz, Chief Executive Officer for Staples U.S. Retail, have been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors as Independent Directors, effective immediately.

“Fred and Mike join the Board at an exciting time for Moran Foods as we continue our expansion and transition to a wholesale business model,” said Kenneth McGrath, Chief Executive Officer, Moran Foods... 

Cal-Maine Foods Reports Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: CALM) today reported results for the fourth quarter (thirteen weeks) and fiscal year ended May 29, 2021.

Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 were $349.8 million, compared to $453.3 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company reported a net loss of $4.2 million, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to net income of $60.5 million, or $1.25 per basic and...

Uber Accelerates National Grocery Availability Across the U.S.

Today, Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) announced that its on-demand and scheduled grocery delivery is now available to Uber and Uber Eats customers in over 400 cities and towns across the U.S., including major markets like San Francisco, New York City, and Washington DC. This marks Uber’s first major grocery expansion in the U.S., more than doubling the availability of the offering this week, and accelerating its grocery rollout this year with a 1,200-store partnership with the Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE: ACI)...

Restaurant Sales Grew in June as Industry Recovery Continues

Restaurant sales continued to grow in June as consumers looked for a much-needed night out, according to the National Restaurant Association.

For the month, eating and drinking places netted $70.6 billion in total sales on a seasonally adjusted basis, per preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That total was a 2.3% rise from May’s volume and is the fifth increase in the first half of the year.

The Association said that sales in June were $4.4 billion (6.6%) above pre-pandemic levels in 2020...

Publix Named Among Fortune’s Best Workplaces for Millennials

Publix has been recognized by Fortune as one of the Best Workplaces for Millennials for the sixth consecutive year, ranking No. 76 out of 100 in the large companies category.

“Millennials are the largest age group in the workforce today and represent over one-third of our team at Publix, so we are keenly focused on creating a diverse, vibrant workplace where they can build successful careers,” said Publix Vice President of Human Resources Marcy Benton. “We are pleased they recognize our efforts, especially during the pandemic, and...

White Castle Expands Retail Food Manufacturing Plant in Vandalia, Ohio

White Castle broke ground today on the expansion of its retail food manufacturing plant in Vandalia, Ohio. The plant, now named "The House That Bill Built" in honor of former president and CEO Bill Ingram, supplies packaged Sliders to retailers, large and small, in all 50 states.

"Our retail division has been growing steadily over the past 10 years, and we saw huge growth last year as people cooked and ate at home more during the pandemic," said Lisa Ingram, president and CEO of White Castle and daughter of Bill...

NRF: June Retail Sales Increase as Recovery Continues

Retail sales saw solid growth during June, increasing in most categories on a monthly basis and across the board on a yearly basis as the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic continued, the National Retail Federation said today.

“Continued growth in June retail sales shows enduring strength in the American consumer,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Heading into the back-to-school season, we expect record sales as families purchase electronics, shoes and backpacks for in-person learning this year. However, as the drop in monthly auto sales indicates, retailers are...

PERSPECTIVES: Effectively Moving to Cage-Free
 

As the protein industry prepares for Proposition 12 coming into effect, more discussion is being raised within the industry on how to ensure compliance through both updating existing operations and building entirely new ones. Of course, neither of these solutions is particularly straightforward or easy, and producers face different challenges when thinking about effectively moving to a cage-free operation.

Urner Barry spoke with Henning Companies, a 97-year-old general contractor and design-builder, to understand the issues egg producers are currently dealing with...

Smithfield Foods to Host Nationwide Hiring Event on National Hot Dog Day

Smithfield Foods, Inc. today announced it will host its first national hiring campaign on National Hot Dog Day, July 21. The Virginia-based food company will offer walk-in hiring events at 47 of its U.S. locations and conduct on-the-spot job interviews for up to 2,500 hourly positions across the company's facilities, farms and distribution centers. In celebration of National Hot Dog Day, event attendees will receive a coupon for a free pack of Nathan's Famous^® hot dogs...

C&S Wholesale Grocers Enters Into A Definitive Purchase Agreement With Piggly Wiggly Midwest

C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., an industry leader in supply chain solutions and wholesale grocery supply in the United States, has entered into a definitive agreement with Piggly Wiggly® Midwest with the intent to purchase the Wisconsin-based wholesaler. Piggly Wiggly® Midwest operates corporate stores and services independent franchisees under a chain-style program. Since 1911, Sheboygan, Wisconsin has been the home to Piggly Wiggly® Midwest's headquarters where it has its corporate offices and two of its distribution centers. A third distribution center...

Giant Food is Now Accepting EBT Payments on Online Pickup and Delivery Orders

Giant Food announced that individuals and families using SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits now have the option to pay with an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card when placing online orders for Giant Pickup and Giant Delivers throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware.

The new user-friendly experience offers customers the option to add their EBT card to their account on Giantfood.com and begin shopping using their SNAP funds. While browsing online aisles, SNAP customers can sort products to show eligible items and a "SNAP Eligible" label will appear within...

SpartanNash to Open New Micro-Fulfillment Center to Better Serve Online Grocery Shoppers

Grocery retailer and distributor SpartanNash announced plans to open its first SpartanNash Micro-Fulfillment Center, located at 5199 68th St. SE in Caledonia, Mich. The 55,000-square-foot facility will hold 16,000 products and pick and pack Fast Lane orders for 24 Ada Fresh Market, D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare and Forest Hills Foods stores throughout West Michigan, primarily in the Grand Rapids and Holland area.

“Fast Lane has been a tremendous value-add for our store guests as the pandemic heightened the importance of safe, efficient grocery shopping, pickup and...

Kroger Announces Leadership Changes

The Kroger Co. announced the retirement of Steve McKinney, senior vice president of retail divisions, after more than 40 years of distinguished service, effective August 7. McKinney will be succeeded by Valerie Jabbar, currently group vice president of center store merchandising.

Steve McKinney, Senior Vice President, Announces Retirement

McKinney began his career with Kroger in 1981 as a clerk for Florida Choice Supermarkets, a former Kroger banner. While there, he advanced to store manager, buyer and...

REPORTER: FOODSERVICE: The Main Driver For Rising Prices

This article was originally featured in the Summer 2021 Edition of Urner Barry's Reporter magazine.

Foodservice is undoubtedly recovering faster than anticipated. Rapid price increases at the wholesale level are possibly the best indicator to help identify the recovery trend. The “pent-up” demand from foodservice operators as restaurants and bars reopen across the U.S. has been one of the main drivers for such price acceleration from late February and early March to early June. However, price trends during the previous months were still somewhat supportive for many animal proteins.

7-Eleven Expands Mobile Checkout Feature to Thousands of US Stores

7‑Eleven, Inc. has expanded its new Mobile Checkout contactless shopping solution to an additional 2,500+ stores across the U.S. Using the 7‑Eleven app, customers can quickly scan items and pay for purchases without ever standing in a checkout line. Mobile Checkout is now available in more than 3,000 participating 7‑Eleven stores in 32 states including Washington, D.C.

The frictionless shopping experience is a benefit of 7‑Eleven's award-winning 7Rewards® loyalty program where members (rather, more than 50 million of them) can earn and redeem points on product purchases and receive...

U.S. Restaurant Industry Recovery Will Depend on Strength of Key Dayparts

The U.S. restaurant industry has shown remarkable resiliency, having lost as much as 35% of visits at the beginning of the pandemic, but still has a ways to go to get back to pre-pandemic levels, reports The NPD Group. Total restaurant visits were down -6 percent in May 2021 compared to May 2019 but were up +23% from a year ago, recovering from a -23% decline in May 2020. The key to the industry’s recovery will be the strength of each daypart. Each daypart — morning meal, lunch, dinner, and P.M. Snack — will recover differently depending on the new rhythms of home, school, and work-life, according to NPD’s continual tracking of the U.S. foodservice industry.

Visits, online or physical, at morning meal, which includes the breakfast and A.M. Snack periods, were down -5% in May 2021 compared to May 2020, and for a pre-pandemic view, down...

Urner Barry's Reporter Summer 2021 Issue Released; Read It Online For Free Now

REPORTER: Manufacturing Holds Egg Products Market Together as Foodservice Demand Returns

This article was originally featured in the Summer 2021 Edition of Urner Barry's Reporter magazine.

COVID-19 had various impacts on the egg market since Q1 of 2020. Most of the attention was on the record breaking prices of shell eggs during the early stage of the national lockdown, but perhaps the most impactful change surrounded the demand for egg products. As consumers packed their refrigerators and cooked more at home, demand for egg products associated with the foodservice and institutional sector was slashed. This channel absorbs...

REPORTER: As Plant-Based Demand Skyrockets, Innovators Think Beyond the Burger

This article was originally featured in the Summer 2021 Edition of Urner Barry's Reporter magazine.

There is no doubt that burgers and sandwiches are the most popular items ordered by consumers when dining out. In fact, according to the NPD Group, burgers were included in 13.5% of all restaurant orders in the year ending 2020, which translates into 7 billion servings of burgers. Chicken sandwiches were included in 6.7% of all restaurant orders in the U.S., which amounts to 3.5 billion servings. With that in mind, it comes as...

Grubhub Doubles Down on Its Commitment to Supporting Restaurants with The Grubhub Guarantee

Grubhub, a leading U.S. food-ordering and delivery marketplace, announced the Grubhub Guarantee, the company's newest feature promising diners on-time delivery and the lowest price relative to competitors, or Grubhub will make it right with Grubhub Perks for free food.

In a study of thousands of consumers, Grubhub looked at what mattered most to diners, and on-time delivery came in as one of the top factors when choosing a food delivery platform. With the Grubhub Guarantee, Grubhub is standing behind on-time delivery and lowest price in order to facilitate...

REPORTER: Protein Markets Continue to Battle Container Shortages, Logistical Hiccups

This article was originally featured in the Summer 2021 Edition of Urner Barry's Reporter magazine.

"It's really bad. There is no other way to characterize it."

CNBC editor and author Lori Ann LaRocco provided a bleak but accurate representation of the shipping container issues impacting businesses over the past year in her latest interview on Urner Barry’s Market Digest Podcast.

The shortage of shipping containers has been well-documented during the pandemic, and weather incidents and the massive Suez Canal jam...

Subway is Giving Away One Million Sandwiches

Subway restaurants are giving away one million six-inch subs on July 13 to guests who visit their local Subway from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. local time. At participating restaurants, the first 50 guests who come in and request a free sub will receive one 6" Turkey Cali Fresh, which features many of Subway's signature new ingredients like smashed avocado, BelGioiso® fresh mozzarella and new deli-sliced thin turkey, all on Subway's new Hearty Multigrain bread.

To prepare for the sampling event, nearly 11,000 Subway restaurants across the country will close the evening of...

After Twelve Months of Consecutive Rise, the FAO Food Price Index Fell in June

The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 124.6 points in June 2021, down 3.2 points (2.5 percent) from May, but still 31.5 points (33.9 percent) higher than its level in the same period last year. The decline in June marked the first drop in the FFPI following twelve consecutive monthly increases. The drop in June reflected declines in the prices of vegetable oils, cereals and, to a lesser degree, dairy prices, which more than offset generally higher meat and sugar quotations.

The FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 129.4 points in June, down 3.5 points (2.6 percent) from May but still 32.7 points (33.8 percent) above its June 2020 value. After reaching their highest level in May since January 2013, international maize prices dropped by...

Blue Apron Sets New Sustainable Packaging Goals

Blue Apron announced a new sustainable packaging goal for its meal kit boxes of 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable by the end of 2025. The company also strives to use 75% post-consumer recycled content, by weight, in its meal kit boxes by the end of 2025.

By establishing these goals, Blue Apron is the first major meal kit company in the United States to announce time-bound targets around packaging goals.

“With these new goals, we are building on our history of sustainability through food waste reduction, packaging improvements, and ingredient standards,” said Linda Findley Kozlowski, Blue Apron’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We estimate that our meal kit packaging is currently...

Retail Cargo Continues to See Double-Digit Increases Over 2020 as Supply Chain Disruptions Continue

Imports at the nation’s largest retail container ports are continuing to show double-digit growth over last year as strong consumer demand keeps up its momentum, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“The year-over-year growth we saw this spring was off the charts because the comparisons were against a time when most stores were shut down due to the pandemic,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “But we’re continuing to see strong growth even as we enter a point when stores had begun to reopen last year. That’s a sign of the...

US Food Retail: Where Did Consumers Go During Covid-19? 

While the fact that food retailers have benefited enormously from stay-at-home orders and restaurant closures is hardly news, a deeper look into credit/debit card transactions reveals their different impacts across food retail categories in both brick-and-mortar and online environments. We translated these data points into six learnings from the most eventful year in the food industry in generations, as well as into insights as to how players can sustain the momentum in a post-Covid economy.

- Online is the big winner, but summer may bring a temporary halt. Recent data indicates a likely temporary halt to this expansion in Q2 2021, as cases...

Papa John's Announces New Hiring, Referral and Appreciation Bonuses for Front-line Workers

Papa John’s International announced new hiring, referral and appreciation bonuses for its approximately 14,000 front-line team members in the company’s corporate restaurants and supply chain, recognizing again their essential role in the company’s record growth and industry outperformance. Papa John’s also plans to make additional investments in its full-time staff in its higher volume company-owned stores to support continued growth. The company expects to invest approximately $2.5 million in these initiatives during the remainder of 2021.

“The incredible hard work and commitment of our team members, which powered Papa John’s tremendous performance and transformation over the past 18 months, is just as important to...

Papa John’s Loyalty Program, Papa Rewards Reaches Milestone of 20 Million Members

Papa John’s announces that its Papa Rewards loyalty program has reached a milestone with the sign up of its 20 millionth member. The program, which began in 2010, has seen a rapid continuation of growth that began in early 2020 with more than 100 thousand customers joining the program each week. In 2021, the rewards program has contributed to almost half of the brand’s sales.

The Papa Rewards program is an important component to increased repeat sales and customer loyalty for the Papa John’s business. The program enables the brand to engage customers at a high frequency; providing targeted offerings that can drive more transactions and...

US Foods Announces New Chief Information and Digital Officer

US Foods Holding Corp. announced that John Tonnison will join the company as Executive Vice President, Chief Information and Digital Officer, effective July 12, 2021. Tonnison will oversee the company’s technology vision and strategy and all information technology functions, including digital, cyber security, applications and infrastructure. He will report to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pietro Satriano.

“JT joins the executive team with more than 30 years of extensive experience leveraging technology to foster innovation, improve operational efficiencies and deliver exceptional service to customers,” said Pietro Satriano, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of US Foods. “He will be instrumental in driving...

Foodservice, Drinking Places Help Propel US Employment Boost in June

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics said notable job gains were seen in the foodservice and drinking places sector for the month of June.

Overall, nonfarm payroll employment jumped 850,000 in June. In June, nonfarm payroll employment is up by 15.6 million since April 2020 but is down by 6.8 million, or 4.4%, from its pre-pandemic level in February 2020.

For the month, nearly half the job gain was seen in the leisure and hospitality sector (343,000) which has opened at a rapid pace as...

Kroger Collaborates with KNAPP to Modernize and Expand Great Lakes Distribution Center

Kroger and KNAPP, a global leader in intelligent automation and specialized software solutions, announced their agreement to deploy, expand, and enhance the capabilities and capacity of the retailer's existing Great Lakes Distribution Center in Delaware, Ohio. The facility is currently being renovated to add modern state-of-the-art technology and is expected to be complete this summer.

The distribution center opened in 2003 and currently services 115 stores in central and northwest Ohio, as well as southeast Michigan and the Ohio River Valley region. During the renovation, the facility will...

Grubhub Releases Third Annual State of the Plate Report

As we approach a new normal and restaurants reopen, there's a lot to look forward to for the rest of the year. Before looking ahead, let's rewind to see how diners ate their way through the last six months. Grubhub, part of leading global online food delivery marketplace Just Eat Takeaway.com, launched the third annual "State of the Plate" report. Looking at trends from hundreds of thousands average daily orders, Grubhub's mid-year report checks in on what has shaped 2021 thus far, including the top trending foods, popular restaurants across the country, and what we can expect to see more of in the second half of the year.

Unlike 2020, diners opted for the plant-based versions of delivery classics so far in 2021. And while last year's top food, the wildly popular...

Walmart Highlights "American Lighthouses" Concept, Following Annual Open Call Event

Open Call 2021 is now in the books with more than 900 small businesses from across the country pitching their products made, grown or assembled in the U.S. to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants today. As expected, this year’s cohort marked the largest number of business owners ever to take part in the one-day event, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Of those businesses, 167 of their products are advancing to the next stage in the process to land a deal with Walmart or Sam’s Club and another 705 are receiving further consideration...

Chief Economist: NRF Revised Forecast Because ‘Great Uncertainty’ Has Transformed Into Recovery

As retailers head into the second half of 2021, the “great uncertainty” that clouded the nation’s economic outlook earlier in the year has transformed into evidence of an unprecedented recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today.

“It has become clear that the U.S. economy and retail sales are growing far faster and more steadily than anyone could have expected just a few months ago,” Kleinhenz said. “We are seeing not just unprecedented growth from months of pent-up demand as the economy reopens but momentum as well...

Kroger Collaborates with KNAPP to Modernize and Expand Great Lakes Distribution Center

The Kroger Co., (NYSE: KR) America's largest grocery retailer, and KNAPP, a global leader in intelligent automation and specialized software solutions, today announced their agreement to deploy, expand, and enhance the capabilities and capacity of the retailer's existing Great Lakes Distribution Center in Delaware, Ohio. The facility is currently being renovated to add modern state-of-the-art technology and is expected to be complete this summer.

USDA Announces Efforts to Promote Transparency in Product of the USA Labeling

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement today following the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) vote to strengthen its enforcement of the Made in USA standard:

“Today, the Federal Trade Commission took important steps to enhance its ability to enforce the Made in USA standard. I congratulate the FTC on strengthening this important protection for American consumers. USDA will complement the FTC’s efforts with our own initiative on labeling for products regulated by FSIS, an area of consumer labeling where USDA has a long tradition...

URNER BARRY HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

URNER BARRY HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Urner Barry will be closed on Monday, July 5, 2021 in observance of Independence Day. From all of us here at UB, we wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday!

ANALYSIS: Production Cuts, Demand Improvements Lift Shell Egg Values for First Time Since March

After what several market sources have referred to as the longest “dry spell” in recent memory, production cuts and demand improvements have...

Poultry Industry and OSHA Partner on Safe + Sound Week

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), National Chicken Council (NCC) and National Turkey Federation (NTF) are pleased to again partner with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for Safe + Sound Week, August 9 – 15. Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide effort to raise awareness and understanding of the value of safety and health programs that include management leadership, worker participation and a systematic approach to finding and correcting hazards in the workplace.

Safe + Sound Week is co-sponsored by the National Safety Council, American Industrial...

Market Trends to Watch Ahead of Independence Day

Urner Barry is the leading provider of protein market news and information in the food industry. Through daily canvasses of the trade and an unrivaled historical database, our analysts are uniquely positioned to report on the underlying conditions and significant disruptors to the market. In this Market Briefing, Urner Barry reporters outline the latest action in the commodity protein markets, highlighting seasonal factors, disruptors, and current supply and demand fundamentals.

Access the latest UB Market Briefing HERE.  

Papa John’s International Expands into Germany

Papa John's International, Inc., in partnership with its franchise partner PJ Western Group, announced its expansion into Germany, with plans to open 250 restaurants in the German market over the next seven years. PJ Western Group, one of Papa John’s largest global franchisees in Central and Eastern Europe, has opened the first seven Papa John’s in Magdeburg and Leipzig and plans to open another six stores in Halle and Merseburg by the end of the summer.

“We are excited to expand our business farther west into the heart of Europe,” said Christopher Wynne, CEO and founder of the PJ Western Group, which currently operates 200 Papa John’s restaurants, in addition to ten dough production plants in Europe and Asia. “We are excited to bring great pizza and...

Consumer Confidence Improved Further in June 

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® improved further in June, following gains in each of the previous four months. The Index now stands at 127.3 (1985=100), up from 120.0 (an upward revision) in May. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—rose from 148.7 to 157.7. The Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—improved to 107.0, up from 100.9 last month.

“Consumer confidence increased in June and is currently at its highest level since the onset of the pandemic’s first surge in March 2020,” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “Consumers’ assessment of current conditions...

Conagra Brands Launches Extensive Summer Line-up of New Product Innovation

Conagra Brands is kicking off summer with additions to the company's portfolio. From meals and sides to new plant-based offerings, Conagra's latest foods deliver great taste, convenience, and value.

A Fresh Look at Frozen

Conagra offers a collection of brands within single-serve frozen meals, with new dishes coming from Healthy Choice®, Banquet®, Marie Callender's ® and...

USAPEEC: Latest Update On the South Korea HPAI Egg Situation

Since the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) broke out, the consumer price of the egg has been soaring. However, at some point, the egg price is expected to fall from mid-year 2021. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), on June 11th, the domestic price of an egg tray, which is formed of 30 shell eggs, rose 46 percent to 7,557 KRW (6.69 USD), from 5,179 KRW (4.59 USD) the average year.

The HPAI has died down, but the price has not yet come down with it. With the prolongation of COVID-19, consumers tend to stay indoors and avoid eating out. The change in consumer behavior caused an increase in the demand for the egg. According to the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI), the average purchase of eggs per household in the first quarter of 2021 was...

Chaz Wilson Re-elected Chairman of The Board at USAPEEC 

Chaz Wilson, head of international sales for Pilgrim’s USA in Greeley, Colo., was re-elected chairman of the board of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) for 2021-22 during the 2021 USAPEEC Annual Meeting in Nashville.

Wilson, who has served on the board of directors since 1998, will head the board, which sets policy and provides direction to USAPEEC, an organization whose mission is to promote and increase exports of U.S. chicken, turkey, duck, and egg products worldwide.

Wilson along with the entire executive committee was reelected by the membership due to the extraordinary circumstances caused by the global pandemic which...

P.F. Chang's Expands To Go Concept to Meet Consumer Demand for Takeout

P.F. Chang’s is expanding its P.F. Chang’s To Go concept with two new locations in key markets as the global restaurant chain continues to meet demand for easily accessible Asian cuisine, adapting to the evolution of dining across the country.

The concept, which launched in 2020, features a smaller footprint, creating access to elevated Asian cuisine in high-density metropolitan communities, allowing more guests to experience the P.F. Chang’s Asian favorites they know and love. P.F. Chang’s To Go is a convenient format that provides a solution for...

Domino's Rolls Out Carside Delivery 2-Minute Guarantee
Domino's Pizza is launching a new guarantee to offer customers the most convenient carryout experience possible. Domino's Carside Delivery 2-Minute Guarantee is simple: order Domino's Carside Delivery online, check in when you arrive, and as soon as your order is ready, a Domino's team member will head to your car in less than two minutes or your next pizza is free.

Domino's and DraftKings Inc., a leading sports entertainment and technology company, have launched Domino's Carside Delivery 2-Minute Guarantee Over/Under Challenge as well, giving customers the chance to predict if Domino's Carside Delivery nationwide will be quicker than...

Technomic's Take: Roadblock to Recovery for Restaurants

By all accounts, the restaurant industry is roaring back to life as vaccination distribution spreads, dine-in restrictions are lifted and improved weather throughout most of the country sends consumers flocking to restaurants to dine with friends and family. Operators are reporting same-store sales approaching, and in some cases exceeding, pre-pandemic levels as pent-up demand drives the dine-in surge and off-premise orders remain strong.

For restaurant operators eager to return to full capacity, however, significant headwinds remain as the restaurant industry struggles to fill jobs to meet this booming demand. The biggest challenge facing operators in this current recovery period is finding staff willing to work. There are numerous other factors that are impacting...

Conagra Brands Accelerates Transition to 100% Cage-Free Eggs

Conagra Brands announced the company's plans to accelerate its transition to 100% cage-free eggs, converting 100% of its egg usage to cage-free by the end of fiscal year 2024, one year earlier than its original commitment to directly source 100% cage-free eggs by 2025.

Conagra plans to convert approximately 20% of its egg usage to cage-free by the end of fiscal year 2021; approximately 45–50% to cage-free by the end of fiscal year 2022; approximately...

Starbucks to Bring Iconic Coffeehouse Experience to Barbados

Starbucks Coffee Company in partnership with Caribbean Coffee Traders Limited (CCTL), announced it will open its first location in Barbados this year, bringing its unique Starbucks Experience to local customers for the first time.

Located in Haggatt Hall St. Michael, the new location will provide local customers high-quality arabica coffee from around the world through Starbucks handcrafted beverages prepared by...

How Walmart is Using A.I. to Make Smarter Substitutions in Online Grocery Orders

Last year, amidst the pandemic, Americans’ shopping behavior shifted radically. Customers increasingly began shopping online for everyday needs, including food and groceries. That surge in demand was a boon for online grocers, but it also presented a unique challenge to retailers as the combination of in-store shoppers and online volume meant some popular items  could quickly sell out. Walmart’s solution was to use artificial intelligence to help both customers and Personal Shoppers choose the best substitute for an out-of-stock item.

For example...

USDA Releases Study on Hurdles to Healthy Eating on Snap 

Nearly nine out of 10 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants face barriers in providing their household with a healthy diet throughout the month, based on a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) study released.

The study, Barriers that Constrain the Adequacy of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Allotments, conducted in 2018, finds that 88% of participants report encountering some type of hurdle to a healthy diet. The most common, reported by 61% of SNAP participants, is the cost of healthy foods. Participants who reported struggling to afford nutritious foods were more than twice as likely to experience food insecurity. Other barriers range from...

McDonald's is Rolling Out Loyalty Rewards 

McDonald's is launching MyMcDonald’s Rewards, its first nationwide loyalty program allowing consumers to unlock freebies simply by eating at McDonald's. MyMcDonald’s Rewards will be available via the McDonald’s app at participating restaurants nationwide on July 8, and users will pocket 100 points for every one dollar spent on qualifying purchases.

Consumers can simply enjoy McDonald’s favorites to rack up points on each order and use them toward free items like their go-to breakfast sandwich or McCaféFrappe, or lunch classics like...

Just Crack an Egg Introduces Omelet Rounds 

Just Crack an Egg is introducing Omelet Rounds: a protein-packed, baked breakfast option that can be ready in under a minute.

“We love eggs at Just Crack an Egg – is there a more perfect food? Omelets are wonderfully delicious but also tricky to make,” says Maureen O’Neill, Brand Manager for Just Crack an Egg. “With Omelet Rounds, we want to introduce egg-loving fans to a quick and easy-to-prep way to get...

Kathy Krenger to Join Kraft Heinz as Chief Communications Officer; Michael Mullen to Retire

The Kraft Heinz Company announced that Kathy Krenger is joining the company as its new Chief Communications Officer. Currently Senior Vice President, Global Communications, for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, she will begin her new role on July 21, reporting directly to CEO Miguel Patricio. Michael Mullen, Head of Global Communications and Corporate Affairs at Kraft Heinz, has decided to retire after 23 distinguished years with the company, effective Aug. 15.

Krenger brings more than 25 years of corporate and agency experience as a Communications leader to her new role. At Hyatt, she led corporate, internal, brand and field communications for the company and more than 1,000 hotels worldwide. During her years at Edelman, she supported clients across travel and tourism, consumer packaged goods, and...

Bloomin’ Brands Promotes Mark Graff to Executive Leadership Team

Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. announced the promotion of Mark Graff to Senior Vice President of Business Development and Financial Planning for Bloomin’ Brands. Graff will lead the company’s business development team, including asset and franchise development, in addition to his existing financial planning responsibilities. He will also join the Executive Leadership Team.

Graff has held various finance and investor relations roles with Bloomin’ Brands during...

Dunkin' Appoints New Chief Marketing Officer 

Dunkin’ announced the appointment of marketing veteran Rafael Acevedo, 46, to the position of Dunkin’ U.S. Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective immediately. Mr. Acevedo is a brand marketing leader with deep expertise in spearheading disruptive innovation and leading high-performing teams to deliver transformational growth for the world’s leading beverages. Acevedo will report directly to Scott Murphy, Head of the Inspire Beverage-Snack Category and President of Dunkin', and will serve on the Dunkin’ leadership team.

As Dunkin’ U.S. CMO, Acevedo will lead marketing, product innovation, field marketing, advertising, as well as the brand’s digital marketing initiatives. He will be responsible for...

DoorDash and Albertsons Companies Partner to Launch Access to On-Demand Grocery Delivery

DoorDash and Albertsons Companies are announcing a new partnership to offer on-demand grocery delivery from nearly 2,000 well-known Albertsons banner stores across the country including Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, and more from the DoorDash marketplace app.

As expectations for convenience, speed and ease continue to grow, consumers can now order groceries and essentials on-demand for delivery within an hour through DoorDash's top-rated marketplace with no time slot, queues or minimum order size required. Albertsons will offer more than...

Ruby Tuesday Appoints George Evans and Kathy Buckley to Executive Team

Ruby Tuesday is welcoming two new members to the executive team with the promotion of George Evans to chief operating officer and the appointment of Kathy Buckley as chief financial officer. With a combined 55 years of retail and restaurant experience, Evans and Buckley will serve as instrumental leaders on the Ruby Tuesday team.

“We are pleased to announce the addition of George and Kathy to the Ruby Tuesday team,” said Shawn Lederman, chief executive officer for Ruby Tuesday. “They both have tremendous experience in the restaurant industry and will be...

Resorts World Las Vegas and Grubhub Team Up to Introduce Mobile Ordering Experience

Resorts World Las Vegas announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Grubhub, a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery platform, to become the first resort to offer Grubhub's advanced ordering technology. Through On The Fly at Resorts World powered by Grubhub, guests can conveniently order and charge the cost to their room or credit card via the Grubhub app from the resort's 40 food and beverage concepts and select retail shops for pickup or delivery to guest rooms as well as the resort's 5.5-acre pool complex.

"Our partnership with Grubhub further expands our goal of providing guests with first-of-its-kind experiences at the resort," said Scott Sibella, President of Resorts World Las Vegas. "Resorts World Las Vegas is proud to be the first resort to...

Red Robin Market Expansion Plan will Feature Donatos Pizza in More than 200 Restaurants by Year-End

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews continues its focus on off-premise growth announcing the expansion of its Donatos® Pizza partnership into key territories for the brand. The Ohio-based Donatos Pizza partnered with Red Robin in June 2018, offering its famous pizzas as part of Red Robin's already robust menu offerings. After much success in early launch markets, the two chains have grand plans for adding more locations this year as part of an aggressive market expansion plan.

Red Robin plans to add Donatos pizza to approximately 120 additional restaurants by the end of 2021, resulting in more than 200 locations. In Q2 of 2021, 41 Red Robin locations rolled out Donatos, including...

Cuisine Solutions Issues Voluntary Recall of Flavored Plant-Based Bites

Cuisine Solutions is initiating a voluntary recall of its JUST Egg flavored plant-based "bites" products due to undeclared allergens. A limited number of 2-pouch retail packages may contain an incorrect sealed pouch containing whole-egg and milk products. The interior plastic pouches are properly labeled to distinguish the products. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk or eggs run the risk of...

Walmart Invests in DroneUp, the Nationwide On-Demand Drone Delivery Provider

In Walmart's ongoing effort to get customers the items they want, and fast, the companys knows it will take a well-coordinated network of delivery solutions that span the streets, sidewalks and skies. Some of these solutions are still emerging, but they’re already showing encouraging results.

Last year, Walmart partnered with DroneUp, a nationwide drone services provider, to launch trial deliveries of at-home COVID-19 self-collection kits. The trial demonstrated we could offer customers delivery in minutes versus hours. Now, after safely completing hundreds of drone deliveries from Walmart stores, it is...

Yum China Releases 2020 Sustainability Report

Yum China Holdings issued its 2020 Sustainability Report, which highlights the Company's commitment to sustainability and provides an overview of progress made in 2020 towards its sustainability goals.

In 2020, Yum China engaged internal and external stakeholders to complete a comprehensive materiality review. As a result, the Company resolved to focus efforts around three pillars: Environment, Food and People. Within these, Yum China identified 23 material issues in the value chain to work on as initial sustainability priorities. In the report, progress made in 2020 has been summarized in accordance with...

RAVE Restaurant Group Names Clint Fendley CFO

RAVE Restaurant Group, the parent Company of Pizza Inn and Pie Five Pizza, announced the promotion of RAVE's Vice President of Finance, Clint Fendley, to chief financial officer, effective July 5, 2021.

Fendley was hired in January 2020 as RAVE Restaurant Group's Vice President of Finance. During this time, Fendley led the finance team and helped guide the Company during the pandemic, with a focus on cost control and cash management. Fendley also led RAVE Restaurant Group's successful efforts to regain compliance with...

SpartanNash Announces More Perks, Greater Value for Online Grocery Shoppers

As part of its commitment to make online shopping for groceries accessible, affordable and convenient, Fortune 400 grocery retailer and distributor SpartanNash Company announced expanded benefits available exclusively for its Fast Lane subscribers.

Annual Fast Lane subscriptions are available for $49 per year and include free, unlimited curbside pickup at any SpartanNash store that offers Fast Lane online grocery shopping (a $4.95-per-order savings). Now, Fast Lane subscribers can save even more with...

Starbucks Announces Leadership Promotions 

Starbucks Corporation announced several leadership appointments to advance the company's strategic business goals and position Starbucks on a clear growth path for the future. The company announced the promotions of John Culver as group president, North America and chief operating officer, Michael Conway to group president, International and Channel Development, and Michelle Burns to executive vice president, Global Coffee, Tea and Cocoa. These changes are effective as of June 28, 2021.

“As we plan for the 2022 fiscal year and beyond, Starbucks is fortunate to have a deep, talented and diverse team of senior executives we are able to tap to help lead us forward,” said Kevin Johnson, president and chief executive officer. “These appointments support our Growth at Scale agenda to bring about...