Over $22B Worth of Cargo is Stuck on Container Ships Off California

There was fleeting hope that Southern California port congestion had turned the corner. The number of container ships waiting offshore dipped to the low 60s and high 50s from a record high of 73 on Sept. 19, trans-Pacific spot rates plateaued, the Biden administration unveiled aspirations for 24/7 port ops, and electricity shortages curbed Chinese factory output.

The reality is that the port congestion crisis in Southern California is not getting any better.

The time ships are stuck waiting offshore continues to lengthen...

IRI Releases Data Detailing Availability of Key Thanksgiving Holiday Sides

IRI®, a global leader in innovative solutions and services for consumer, retail and media companies, today released new data on availability of a basket of five Thanksgiving-related grocery categories across stores nationally.

“As the holiday season approaches and widespread supply chain challenges continue to impact industries across the economy, IRI is tracking a basket of items for their availability, demand, price and promotion for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas,” said Dr. Krishnakumar (“KK”) S. Davey, president of IRI Client Engagement. “Halloween season is shaping up nicely..."

GrubMarket Expands to Canada through Acquisition of Funtech Software

GrubMarket today announced it has completed the acquisition of Vancouver-based Funtech Software, a provider of comprehensive eCommerce systems and online grocery software solutions to both online grocery companies and brick-and-mortar grocery stores, enabling them to manage their business online and reach more consumers. This marks GrubMarket's first acquisition in Canada, and the formation of GrubMarket's first overseas software technology R&D center, leveraging the rich software engineering resources in the Vancouver area.

Founded in 2017 by Sam Qi, Funtech designs, develops and supports eCommerce storefronts across platforms...

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Helps Families Celebrate Together With Care This Holiday Season

This holiday season, care is in the air and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® is the perfect one-stop-shop to help guests care for their loved ones and make this holiday season special. After more than a year of interrupted and often cancelled family gatherings, Cracker Barrel boasts a variety of seasonal offerings made with care, fully prepared meals, and holiday gift options to help guests celebrate with family and friends both in store and at home. For a limited time...

Jack in the Box Signs Seven Development Agreements in Q4 of Fiscal Year 2021 to Open 47 Stores

Jack in the Box Inc., one of the nation’s leading QSR chains, announced today it has awarded seven development agreements in Q4 of fiscal year 2021 to open 47 new restaurants. In total, Jack in the Box has awarded 23 development agreements in fiscal year 2021 to build 111 stores over the course of the next several years. The agreements will help the brand grow in existing markets including Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston, as well as new ones such as...

Mercatus Survey Reveals 75% of Online Grocery Orders To Be Fulfilled at Grocery Stores

Mercatus, the leading provider in digital commerce solutions for grocery retail, today announced findings from its annual eGrocery survey of U.S. consumers, conducted in collaboration with Incisiv. The report, titled eGrocery Transformed: 2021 market projections and insight into online grocery's elevated future, confirms that U.S. online grocery customers are predominantly oriented towards grocery pickup services with 75% of survey respondents preferring store pickup.

The number of online grocery customers who report using curbside pickup at least once in the last year increased to 61% on average...

BASF and Cargill expand partnership for the Animal Feed Industry

BASF and Cargill are expanding their partnership in the animal nutrition business, adding research and development capabilities and new markets to the partners’ existing feed enzymes distribution agreements. Together, they will develop, produce, market, and sell customer-centric enzyme products and solutions. The goal is to bring farmers feed innovations that reduce nutrient waste, improving feed efficiency, and promote animal growth and wellbeing.

“We are proud to enter this next stage of collaboration with Cargill. Through joint solutions we will further increase the value creation opportunities in the enzymes space..." 

Yum China Inaugurates Digital R&D Center to Further Implement Digital Strategy

Yum China Holdings, Inc. announced the opening of its Digital R&D Center with three sites in Shanghai, Nanjing, and Xi'an. The inauguration of the Digital R&D Center represents an important milestone for the Company's strategy to build a dynamic digital ecosystem comprised of 1) the Digital R&D Center, 2) joint venturing, and 3) third party collaboration, to provide a solid foundation for Yum China to further develop its brands and businesses, accelerate expansion and capture market opportunities.

The Digital R&D Center will consolidate and...

‘Tis the Season: Ruth’s Chris Steak House Unveils Holiday Offerings

Ruth’s Chris Steak House, known for its unmatched dining experience and steaks served on 500-degree sizzling plates, today announced its holiday offerings available soon in-restaurant or for pick-up at more than 150 locations nationwide.

Enjoy the Holidays at Ruth’s Table

Ruth’s Chris’ in-restaurant menu for Thanksgiving encompasses the following:

Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner
Single portion inclusive of the below; exclusively available in-restaurant on Nov. 25.
- Starter: Choice of Caesar Salad, Steak House Salad or Lobster Bisque
- Entrée: Sliced Oven Roasted Turkey, Ruth’s Sausage and Herb Stuffing...

Panera Bread Announces Its Goal to Become Climate Positive By 2050

Today, Panera Bread announces its commitment to become climate positive – removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits – by 2050. The first national fast casual restaurant company to set a climate positive target, Panera today updated its Food Beliefs to include climate goals, establishing an ambitious vision for its business. With approximately 25 percent of global greenhouse gases created from food production1, Panera hopes to lead and inspire its industry to address the climate crisis.

“Climate change is one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our time..."

Albertsons Sees More Inflation

Albertsons Cos. projected higher inflation for the rest of the year, driven by higher supply-chain and labor costs across the food industry.

The Boise, Idaho-based supermarket chain is passing through some price increases to shoppers but said it is also offering cheaper alternatives. Executives said consumers are still spending heavily on groceries as they stay at home and cook more than they did before the pandemic.

"We have not seen material change in customer behavior," Chief Executive Officer Vivek Sankaran said Monday during a call with analysts.

Food companies say they have been...

Taco Bell® Is Giving Fans A "Wake Up Call" With Free Burritos On October 21

Skip the snooze button because breakfast is officially back at nearly all Taco Bell restaurants nationwide. To ensure that no one is sleeping on its breakfast menu, Taco Bell is giving consumers a craveable reason to celebrate in the form of a free Toasted Breakfast Burrito at Taco Bell restaurants nationwide on October 21 from 7-11 AM (local time), while supplies last*.

Taco Bell is using their late-night influence to encourage fans to get some sleep so they can wake rested and...

Walmart Selects Spartanburg County for New High-Tech Grocery Distribution Center

Today, Walmart announced plans to build a new, high-tech distribution center for fresh and frozen groceries in Spartanburg County, set to open in 2024. The new 720,000+ square-foot facility will create more than 400 full-time regional jobs and will rely on the combination of Walmart associates, automation technology, robotics and machine learning to process grocery perishables – such as produce, eggs, dairy, flowers and frozen goods – and deliver them to nearby stores. The high-tech facility marks Walmart’s largest grocery distribution center to date and...

IHOP® Launches New Hand-Crafted Melts to All-Day Dine in and To-Go Menus

Today, IHOP® introduces its latest menu innovation of Hand-Crafted Melts, a collection of sandwiches with savory flavors, as part of the restaurant’s ongoing commitment to the prioritization of the P.M. daypart and portable menu options. Guests can choose from a lineup of seven different Hand-Crafted Melts – featuring craveable flavors and quality ingredients such as 100% Black Angus steak and all-natural roasted turkey.

The new Hand-Crafted Melts include a range of ingredients, such as signature sweet and tangy IHOP...

REPORTER: Acute Shortage of HGV Drivers Leads to Major Supply Issues in the UK

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

Critical supply chains are nearing a breaking point in the United Kingdom with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) reporting a shortage of 100,000 drivers in July.

The shortage of drivers has been a key factor in recent inflationary pressure. Delayed deliveries are mounting, and rising driver wages have led to retailers absorbing higher operating costs.

A leading retailer in the UK is offering...

Amazon Hiring for 150,000 Seasonal Jobs to Help Deliver Great Holiday Experiences

Amazon continues to provide diverse employment opportunities for people of all backgrounds and skill levels, announcing today 150,000 seasonal jobs are now available across the U.S. All Amazon jobs in the U.S., including seasonal roles, have an average starting pay of $18 per hour, sign-on bonuses up to $3,000 and an additional $3 per hour depending on shifts in many locations.

“We are proud to be offering a huge range of full-time, part-time, and now seasonal jobs with great..."

September Retail Sales Grew as Delta Variant Favored Spending on Goods Over Services

Retail sales increased again in September as worries about the COVID-19 delta variant pushed consumer spending toward merchandise rather than services like dining, entertainment or travel despite supply chain disruptions and inflation, the National Retail Federation said today.

“Today’s retail sales data confirms the sheer power of the consumer to spend, and we expect this to continue,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Despite persistent challenges related to the global pandemic, supply chain and labor shortages, retailers and their partners have shown resilience..."

Retail Sales Rise, Showing Strong Consumer Demand and Higher Inflation

Americans stepped up their spending in September, a sign of resilient demand and rising inflation as consumers head into the holiday shopping season.

Sales at retail stores, restaurants and online sellers rose a seasonally adjusted 0.7% in September from the previous month, the Commerce Department said Friday. The rise in sales reflects persistently strong demand and higher consumer prices.

Consumers, armed with stimulus payments and rising wages, have stepped up spending this year, shrugging off the Delta variant of Covid-19, the end of enhanced unemployment benefits and... 

Smithfield Foods Wins World Sustainability Award for Innovative Manure-to-Energy Programs

Smithfield Foods, Inc., a vertically integrated food company and the world's largest pork processor, is honored to receive the World Sustainability Awards' (WSA) prestigious "Profit with a Purpose" award. The company is recognized for aligning sustainability and profitability through its innovative renewable natural gas (RNG) programs, which significantly reduce carbon emissions by converting methane from hog manure into clean energy for consumers while presenting new revenue opportunities for family farmers.

Smithfield was selected following a rigorous three-stage judging process and was announced the winner during a virtual...

Publix Announces Three Officer Promotions

Today Publix CEO Todd Jones announced three officer promotions, effective Jan. 1, 2022, to support the company’s growth and expanding initiatives.

Kyle Davis, Director of Warehousing, will be promoted to Vice President of Distribution. Davis, 59, began his career in 1988 at the Miami warehouse. He worked in various positions before being promoted to Boynton Beach warehouse superintendent in 1994, Jacksonville produce warehouse superintendent and Jacksonville distribution manager in 1997 and Deerfield Beach distribution manager in 2004. He was promoted to his current position in 2007 overseeing various warehousing locations across Publix’s operating area...

REPORTER: Growing Hope Among U.S. Farmers

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

As the pandemic continues into 2021, the economic impact on the U.S. agricultural system has been well documented. News outlets— this one included—have covered everything from demand shocks, to labor shortages, to trade disruptions. But one of the lesser discussed consequences of COVID-19 is the toll it has taken on the mental well-being of U.S. farmers and farmworkers—a population already prone to heightened levels of depression and suicide...

UNFI to Expand Grocery and Delivery Service for Independent Retailers with DoorDash Relationship

United Natural Foods, Inc., today announced it has entered into a reseller agreement with DoorDash, the nation’s leading last-mile logistics platform, to bring on-demand grocery delivery solutions to independent retailers nationwide through the DoorDash marketplace.

UNFI’s arrangement with DoorDash will give local grocers the opportunity to leverage the DoorDash platform to build an ecommerce and delivery offering that meets the needs of their customer base while enabling UNFI to expand its end-to-end and last-mile-delivery services to its suite of...

Domino's Pizza® Announces Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Domino's Pizza, Inc., the largest pizza company in the world, announced results for the third quarter. Global retail sales increased 10.0% in the third quarter, or 8.5% excluding foreign currency impact. U.S. same store sales decreased 1.9% during the quarter versus the year-ago period. The international business posted strong results, with same store sales growth of 8.8% during the quarter. The third quarter marked the 111th consecutive quarter of international same store sales growth. The Company had third quarter global net store growth of 323 stores, comprised of 45 net...

Wendy's and Google Cloud Partner to Enhance the Wendy's Restaurant Experience

Wendy's® and Google Cloud today announced a partnership to enhance the Wendy's restaurant experience and unlock new customer, restaurant, and employee experiences through data-driven insights.

Wendy's intends to leverage Google Cloud's data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and hybrid cloud tools to create new ways customers can order food in the drive thru, on their mobile devices and through other touchpoints. By expanding the ways customers can engage with the brand in the future, using technology like speech-to-text and...

Del Taco Amplifies Delivery Reach through Partnership with REEF

Del Taco Restaurants, Inc., the nation’s second largest Mexican quick service restaurant*, today announced a delivery-only partnership with REEF to help expand guest access to the brand. Through REEF’s successful delivery restaurant model, the collaboration will initially kick off this month by expanding Del Taco’s reach to the dense urban Mid City area of Los Angeles, the first of several planned delivery-only locations.

“Our partnership with REEF is an efficient, scalable way to provide even more access and convenience to our loyal Del Taco fan base,” said Del Taco...

This Week in Retail: Spread Between Food at Home vs Away from Home Narrows

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), showed the food index up 0.9 percent last month after gaining 0.4 percent in August. The Food at Home (FAH) index showed a 1.2 percent over the month increase with gains across all six major food group indices. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs demonstrated a 2.2 percent over the month increase. The index for dairy and related products posted the smallest increase at 0.7 percent. 

The BLS defines the CPI as the change in prices paid by consumers for goods and services. Overall, the CPI rose by 0.4 percent in September. Notably, gains in the indices for food and shelter contributed to more than half of the monthly all items increase. Over the last 12 months, the all items index rose 5.4 percent before seasonal adjustment. 

The BLS reports that the index for Food Away From Home (FAFH), which was up 0.4 percent in August, gained 0.5 percent in September. Over the last year, the FAFH index rose 4.7 percent. Increases for limited and full-service meals offset a decline in the index for food at employee sites and schools...

REPORTER: Here's What's Happening with Urner Barry's COMTELL

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

Urner Barry is continually pushing limits and exceeding expectations when it comes to providing the highest quality of service to customers. The team has been making some exciting headway on some powerful new tools coming soon to COMTELL.

As far as progress on the COMTELL product roadmap goes, one of the main focuses throughout the last few months has been the development of an Excel Add-In. The Add-In will allow access to the COMTELL historical...

REPORTER: Urner Barry to Host Global Protein Summit In-Person This November

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

Urner Barry’s Global Protein Summit is making its return this November.

Urner Barry’s Global Protein Summit will be held in Chicago on November 1-3, 2021. Specifically designed for those in the beef, pork, and poultry industry, this three-day agenda is packed with intel from the foremost experts on economics and agribusiness.

As the last 18 months have proven—over and over, again and again—producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and the foodservice...

DoorDash Establishes $1,000,000 Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund

DoorDash, the nation's leading last-mile logistics platform, today announced at the second annual Main Street Strong Restaurant Conference a $1,000,000 Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund to provide relief grants to local restaurants across the United States affected by state- or federally-declared natural disasters throughout the next year in partnership with Hello Alice.

Small businesses are the center of local economies, yet nearly 40% of small businesses are unable to reopen following a disaster according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Disaster can occur at a moment's notice and access...

REPORTER: Sugar Prices on the Rise Despite Consumption Normalizing and No Projected Demand Growth 

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

Historically, sugar consumption has been resilient through economic disasters, and we’ve seen the same through the COVID-19 global pandemic. While overall consumption levels were maintained, however, we did see changes in consumption patterns: As foodservice, beverage, and even confectionery consumption fell immediately following shelter-in-place policies, increased retail demand offset much of the declines as consumers took up new hobbies such as cooking and baking...

NRF Statement on White House Supply Chain Summit

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay following NRF’s participation in today’s White House meeting with the business community, carriers, as well as labor and port representatives in order to find solutions to address supply chain challenges.

“We thank President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Buttigieg, Director Deese and Port Envoy John Porcari for their leadership to address the ongoing global supply chain disruption. It is critically important that we all come together – business, labor and government – to address the current issue..."

Stop & Shop and Instacart Team Up to Offer 30-Minute Convenience Delivery Service In the Northeast

Committed to providing customers with convenient ways to shop, Stop & Shop is taking convenience to a new level, partnering with Instacart, the leading online grocery platform in North America, to launch Stop & Shop Express. Stop & Shop Express allows customers to shop for groceries, convenience items, and other household essentials delivered to them in as fast as 30 minutes. Stop & Shop is the first grocery retailer in the Northeast to make this service available with Instacart.

Perfect for when you forget the key ingredient in...

REPORTER: Plant Protein Manufacturers Attempt to Get the Next Generation to Jump Aboard

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

Can you remember sitting at the dinner table staring at those vegetables growing up—perhaps hoping they would just disappear?

Well, those vegetables now come in the form of every child’s favorite: chicken nuggets or a hamburger patty.

Plant protein continues to make headlines with new product launches and partnerships with major restaurant and retail brands. Among them are products geared towards kids...

Fresh Del Monte Further Commits to Sustainable Agriculture Practices

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, distributors, and marketers of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, announced today its participation at this year’s World Biodiversity Summit, occurring alongside the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). Fresh Del Monte’s Chief Sustainability Officer Hans Sauter will join industry leaders in a panel discussion on “Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture at the Center of Development Strategies - Challenges and Opportunities,” – a conversation centered around how to transition the industry toward more...

Kroger Delivery Expands with New Fulfillment Centers

The Kroger Co., America's largest grocery retailer, today announced it will offer more customers Kroger Delivery through the addition of new Kroger fulfillment centers powered by the Ocado Group, combining vertical integration, machine learning, and robotics to provide an affordable, friendly, and fast fresh food delivery service.

"Kroger Delivery is a thriving part of our dynamic ecosystem and is transforming grocery e-commerce and meeting a range of customer needs through the introduction of first-of-its-kind technology in the U.S. developed by Ocado," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO...

Freshly names former Amazon executive Anna Fabrega as Chief Executive Officer

Freshly Inc., the leading fresh-prepared meal delivery service in the U.S., today announced that Anna Fabrega, Freshly's Chief Commercialization Officer, has been named CEO effective today. The appointment comes as Mike Wystrach, Freshly Founder and CEO, has decided to step down from his position and transition to an advisory role to the Freshly Board.

"From small beginnings hand-delivering meals to consumers, to building standard-setting technology and a nationwide network that delivers more than one million meals per week and helps make eating..."

U.S. Fast Casual Restaurant Visits Rebound After Steep Declines in 2020

U.S. fast casual restaurants didn’t fare as well as traditional quick service restaurants early in the pandemic, but their customers are returning, reports The NPD Group. Online and physical visits to fast casual restaurants in the year ending August 2021 were up +8% compared to a year ago, which keeps traffic on par or flat to pre-pandemic visits in August 2019. In the quarter ending June 2020, at the height of pandemic lockdowns and restaurant restrictions, fast casual visits were down -23% compared to the prior year...

Blue Apron Announces Commencement of Fully Backstopped $45 Million Rights Offering

Blue Apron Holdings, Inc. announced today that it has commenced a $45.0 million rights offering as part of its planned $78.0 million capital raise, each as previously disclosed in the Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on September 15, 2021.

Under the terms of the rights offering, the company is distributing non-transferable subscription rights to each holder of its Class A common stock (as well as the holders of certain warrants issued to the company’s lenders) held as...

McDonald’s Accelerating Climate Action to Reach Net Zero Emissions by 2050

Today, McDonald’s Corporation is announcing its commitment to achieve net zero emissions across its global operations by 2050. As part of this initiative, the Company is joining the United Nations Race to Zero campaign and signing on to the Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign. In pursuit of a 1.5°C future, McDonald’s will increase the emissions reduction levels in its existing 2030 science-based target across all scopes of emissions in line with developing SBTi best practices and will set a...

How Walmart is Navigating the Supply Chain To Deliver This Holiday Season

We have all seen and heard a lot in recent months about supply chain issues across the retail industry. With so many news stories about port delays, increased consumer demand and holiday season forecasting, it’s natural to wonder whether items will make it to store shelves and how this might affect holiday preparations.

But increased demand for the products customers want is nothing new for this time of year, and it’s certainly nothing new for Walmart. We’ve been delivering the holidays for over 50 years. This year, we’re...

REPORTER: AEB, UEP Join Forces to Develop a Unified Strategy for the Egg Industry

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

In October 2022, UEP and the AEB will cohost our Executive Conferences and annual board meetings in Charleston, SC. Over the past 12 months, we’ve vigorously sought opportunities to drive efficiencies and exponential value from collaboration wherever possible and appropriate, and to extend those collaborations to additional partners. For example, we were pleased to announce recently that UEP and the AEB have jointly undertaken an industry-wide Lifecycle Assessment (LCA)...

Retail Imports Remain High, But Could Be Higher Without Port Congestion

Imports at the nation’s largest retail container ports should remain at near-record levels this month but could see a slight dip from last year’s unusually high numbers as congestion slows the movement of backed-up cargo, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“The cargo is there for larger gains at several ports but congestion issues are impacting fluid operations,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said...

Instacart Acquires FoodStorm 

Instacart, the leading online grocery platform in North America, today announced its acquisition of FoodStorm, a SaaS order management system (OMS) that powers end-to-end order-ahead and catering experiences for grocery retailers. With this acquisition, Instacart is expanding its enterprise technology portfolio to further support its retail partners' ecommerce needs, investing in more innovative technology solutions that help retailers grow, compete, and better meet the evolving needs of their customers.

The process for ordering prepared foods from grocers typically requires customers to call the store or place an order in-person - a labor-intensive and...

This Week in Retail: Seafood Reigns Number One in Retail Ads This Week

Grocers' protein promotions this week included more seafood, which claimed the top spot in retail buying opportunities at about 30%. This is up from 27.3% the week prior and 25% this time last year.

The uptick in seafood featuring might be attributed to increased marketing campaigns for National Seafood Month. Organizations such as NOAA Fisheries utilize this month as a time to educate consumers about the U.S. seafood industry while sharing creative recipes to integrate fish, shrimp, and more into mealtimes and even tailgating parties. 

Retailers widely featured 16-20 raw shrimp this week at an average of $7.78 per pound. Down 7.5% from the week prior, this attractive price point could draw more consumers to the seafood case. 

The regional price spread for Atlantic Salmon boneless fillet ranged from $7.66 per pound to $8.86 per pound, generally down from week-ago levels but up on average from 2020. In the fresh/frozen fillets complex, tilapia averaged $4.99 per pound, down 8.6% from the week prior and 6.2% below 2020... 

Grubhub And Restaurant Strong Fund to Give $4 Million to Restaurants

Today, Grubhub, a leading global online food delivery marketplace, and The Greg Hill Foundation's Restaurant Strong Fund, announced they will be giving $4 million in grants to support restaurants across the country that have been working hard to survive the pandemic. Ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, the grants are part of the Restaurant Strong Fund's All Day campaign and will help restaurant owners fund indoor and outdoor dining improvements, equipment and technology maintenance and upgrades, marketing and promotion efforts, staff hiring and training, Covid-19...

Subway® Continues Eat Fresh Refresh™ with New Fall Menu Updates

Subway® restaurants today announced the latest updates to its menu as part of the brand's Eat Fresh Refresh™, which began in July and continues to elevate the entire guest experience. Joining the Subway menu are craveable new items and reimagined fan favorites that perfectly capture the best parts of fall in every bite.

Headlined by the all-new Baja Steak & Jack sandwich, Subway unveiled new Baja Chipotle and Peppercorn Ranch sauces, more flavorful twists on two of its most popular sandwich add-ons...

REPORTER: Taking a Look Back at the Development of the USDA’s National School Lunch Program

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

The USDA’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted initiative where participating schools provide free or reduced-price nutritious lunches to children in low-income households.

NSLP was created under the Richard B. Russell National School Act. In 1946, it was signed into law under President Harry Truman. This program has become the Nation’s second largest food and nutrition assistance program...

Cargill Launches Poultry Feed with Essential Oils for Healthy Flocks and Maximized Egg Production

Backyard poultry owners want natural, wholesome feeds that help their birds thrive, keep their eggs strong and keep coops fresh. Cargill is delivering on this demand by adding essential oils to its Nutrena® Naturewise® poultry feeds. The natural* essential oils contribute to the promotion of egg weight, size and production, enhanced palatability and a fresh aroma direct from the bag.

"We listened to what poultry owners and soon-to-become owners want most and expect from their poultry feed," said Stephanie Poupart, poultry strategic...

Del Taco Expands Southeast Footprint with First North Carolina Deal

Del Taco Restaurants, Inc., the nation’s second largest Mexican quick service restaurant*, has signed a deal with successful North Carolina-based franchise group, Ram Restaurants Inc. (“Ram Restaurants”) to open five units within the Raleigh and Durham areas. The deal, expected to bring Del Taco restaurants to North Carolina for the first time, comes only weeks after Del Taco announced a development agreement for Southern Virginia.

“On the heels of a great run of multi-year same store sales growth and a stated desire to penetrate the Southeastern US..."

New COMTELL Feature: "Manage Quote Days" Button in My Items & Databuilder

COMTELL users can now specify exactly which weekdays they would prefer to see in their MyItems and Databuilder groups!

Urner Barry has added a “Manage Quote Days” button to the menus of My Items and Databuilder! This highly requested feature can be particularly productive for users who price their proteins off of one or two specific weekdays.  By clicking on the Manage Quote Days button, users can choose which days of the week they would like to see their items quoted...

REPORTER: Quick Bites: What’s New and Interesting in Foodservice

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

THE VEGAN TREND CONTINUES

Grubhub released their third annual “State of the Plate” report, a mid-year report that analyzes what Grubhub users ordered from the platform between January and June 2021. It should come as no surprise that vegan options continue to be a hot trend for diners. According to the global online food delivery marketplace, so far this year vegan orders have increased by 17%, with plant-based burgers specifically increasing by 28%...

The Kroger Family of Companies to Hire 20,000 Associates

The Kroger Co. today announced its Family of Companies' second nationwide hybrid hiring event, including virtual and on-site interviews, will take place from 2-5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 13. The organization's mission is to hire 20,000 associates by finding talent for retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, supply chain, merchandising, logistics, corporate, and pharmacy and healthcare roles.

"The Kroger Family of Companies is eager to welcome 20,000 associates to our organization as we prepare for an incredible holiday season where customers are planning to return to larger family gatherings and..."

Do Good Foods Launches Infrastructure Platform That Combats Climate Change 

The Kamine Family, an established pioneer with a 40-year history of building large-scale infrastructure projects nationwide, today announced the launch of Do Good Foods. Backed by a $169M investment from Nuveen, Do Good Foods is the first scalable solution to eliminating the 48 billion pounds of food waste generated by grocery stores each year. The company’s closed loop system collects foods such as fruits, vegetables, and meats after human donations can occur, and upcycles them into a nutrient-dense animal feed to create sustainable animal protein...

NRF Statement on Biden Administration’s China Trade Policy

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French in response to United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s announcement on the Biden administration’s China trade policy.

“American businesses across the country continue to be severely impacted by the tariffs put into place by the previous administration. Today’s long-awaited announcement proved the Biden administration’s trade strategy on China to be lackluster at most, and will further inflict unnecessary damage to the American economy and retail supply chains.

“The continuation of these harmful..."

REPORTER: With Commodity Prices Surging Higher, is this the Next Supercycle?

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

Inflationary pressures have been discussed ad nauseam in 2021 as a reviving U.S. economy and a cash infusion by the government pushed many items higher. But as the effects have spilled over to reach Main Street, there has been growing concern. Many CEOs of the largest companies have discussed the impact inflation has had on their business as it is top of mind for many...

On The Border Launches Major Menu Enhancements with New Bold Offerings

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, the world’s largest Mexican casual dining brand, has introduced more than 20 new menu items this past year, including the following that launch today:

- Honey-Chipotle Shrimp Tacos – Crispy-fried shrimp, hand-tossed in honey-chipotle sauce with cilantro, spicy avocado ranch and shredded cabbage.
- Tacos Al Pastor – Braised and seasoned carnitas with pineapple salsa.
- Tacos Al Carbon – Corn tortillas with fajita chicken or steak, served with Jack cheese, pico de gallo, fresh guacamole and roasted red chile-tomatillo salsa.
- Smokehouse Fajitas...

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. Announces Strategic Investment in New Egg Products Manufacturing Company

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. today announced the Company’s Board of Directors has approved a strategic investment that will specialize in high value commercial product solutions targeting specific needs in the food
industry. The initial focus will include hard-cooked and extended shelf-life egg product lines. The new entity, located in Neosho, Missouri, will operate as MeadowCreek Foods, LLC (“MeadowCreek”).

Cal-Maine Foods will capitalize MeadowCreek with up to $18.5 million in debt and equity to purchase property and equipment and to fund...

Del Monte Foods, Inc. Publishes 2021 Sustainability Report

Del Monte Foods, Inc. today published its fiscal year 2021 Sustainability Report, highlighting progress toward its sustainability goals and reaffirming the company's mission to nourish families with earth's goodness to create a healthier tomorrow where nutritious foods are more accessible to all.

"At Del Monte, we're growers of good. This past fiscal year, we extended this ethos not only to growing what's good, but also to taking care of what's good: our team members, our growers, our customers and our communities," said Greg Longstreet, President and CEO of Del Monte Foods...

Publix to Hire 30,000 Associates in Fourth Quarter of 2021

Publix plans to hire approximately 30,000 associates across the company’s seven-state operating area through the remainder of the year. The company will hire associates to work in stores, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities for nonseasonal positions.

“As we continue to grow, having a dedicated team ready to meet our needs is vitally important,” said Publix Vice President of Human Resources Marcy Benton. “Whether associates are new to the workforce or making a career change, Publix provides great benefits and a strong culture in which its associates build long..."

Kraft Heinz Completes Purchase of Assan Foods, Expanding Presence in Key Growth Markets

The Kraft Heinz Company announced today that it has completed the purchase of Assan Foods from privately held Turkish conglomerate Kibar Holding. The proposed deal was first announced on June 11, 2021.

Assan Foods, headquartered in Istanbul, is a rapidly growing sauces-focused business with local manufacturing facilities in Balikesir and Izmir, Turkey. Assan Foods has been a certified Kraft Heinz production partner since 2019 and offers Kraft Heinz the opportunity to further build its retail and foodservice businesses across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa...

NRF Economist: ‘Watch What Consumers Do, Not What They Say’ as Recovery Continues

Despite falling consumer confidence numbers amid the recent rise in COVID-19 infections, shoppers are continuing to spend, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today.

“With consumer spending accounting for roughly two-thirds of U.S. gross domestic product, all eyes are closely watching shoppers’ ability to drive the economy,” Kleinhenz said. “If consumer finances are any indication, there’s reason to be optimistic: Households remain in good shape, with consumers in the aggregate actually underspending relative to current income. Even though enhanced unemployment benefits have expired..."

Blue Apron Brings Back Thanksgiving Offering in Time for Holiday Planning

Blue Apron is bringing back its popular Thanksgiving menu available to order starting on October 11, just in time for the holiday season. The offering includes a wide variety of options for customers to build a dinner experience that fits their holiday plans and dietary needs, whether it’s a cozy dinner for two or a friendsgiving for up to eight, all with the ease and convenience that comes from cooking with Blue Apron.

“Thanksgiving is a holiday that can be filled with great traditions and delicious meals..."

Technomic’s Latest TIndex Release Reveals Reasons for Softening of Foodservice Industry Growth

Technomic’s August TIndex, Technomic’s index on the total foodservice industry, showed decelerated growth. The number dropped to 98.1 in August from 101.1 in July, meaning the industry declined 1.9% over a two-year basis but has grown by 28% compared to the same month in 2020.

“There are a few clear reasons for this softening,” explains Joe Pawlak, managing principal at Technomic. “First, of course, is due to increased fears of the delta variant. This deceleration is also seen mostly within the travel and leisure segments..."

REPORTER: Egg Retailers Shift Focus as They Adjust Through Effects of the Pandemic

The retail landscape has changed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only are consumers shopping more online for groceries than ever before, but issues relating to higher costs, labor shortages, and resurgent foodservice demand appear to be impacting the way retailers operate and what they feature. Eggs have long been used as a loss-leader—an item that is promoted close to or below cost in order to get people into a store. Not only do eggs have over a 90% market penetration...

REPORTER: Transportation Faces an Ongoing Struggle with No End in Sight

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

Players have had their fair share of obstacles and sleepless nights when it comes to anything transportation-related this year.

In the early days of the pandemic, all of the attention was on the plants themselves and the struggles happening within their walls—and rightly so. But as time has gone on and adjustments were made, the bigger problem that many were facing came after the plants were done and the product needed...

National Taco Day Means Big Deals on Mini Tacos at 7-Eleven

Calling all taco-lovers! National Taco Day is Monday, Oct. 4, and participating 7-Eleven® stores are celebrating with "grande" deals on their popular mini tacos, because even the smallest things should be celebrated.

The world's largest convenience retailer is offering separate mini taco deals for in-store purchase and delivery orders. No matter if you're throwing a fiesta from home or grabbing delicious mini tacos on the way to wherever Monday takes you, 7-Eleven mini tacos fit every occasion. The one-day deals include...

This Week in Retail: Looking Ahead to October

Don’t blink—it’s nearly October. Corn and soybean harvests are underway, sweater weather is approaching, and grocers are seeing additional opportunities to promote protein sales. Pork and seafood are receiving special accolades next month, as October is recognized as National Pork and Seafood Month.

Both campaigns are aimed at supporting farmers and encouraging household consumption by showcasing creative ways to incorporate pork and seafood into mealtimes. Whether it's for back-to-school lunches or family-time dinners, there are no shortages of pork and seafood-centric recipes to celebrate October and fall time festivities. 

Traditionally, hogs were marketed in October. These days, specialized facilities allow for year-round production. While every...

The Popularity of Golf Throughout the Pandemic is Driving Increases in Foodservice Shipments

As an outdoor sport that enables players to socially distance themselves from one another, golf has proven to be the perfect pandemic sport. Golf equipment dollar sales grew by +37% from January through August 2021 compared to the same period a year ago, reports The NPD Group. Often indicative of new players, year-over-year sales of golf club sets and balls grew by +37% and +27%, respectively. In addition to golf equipment manufacturers, foodservice operators at country clubs and golf courses...

Canada’s Foodservice Industry Recovery Overall Is Steady in August, But Has Some Declines

Canada’s commercial foodservice industry remained on a stable course to recovery in August, reports The NPD Group. In August, online and physical visits to restaurants and other foodservice outlets increased by +16% compared to August 2020 and were down -4% compared to the pre-pandemic level in August 2019. Consumer spending increased by +23% in August compared to the same month year ago and is up +1% from August 2019.

While total foodservice traffic and consumer spending continued to improve in August, the...

Walmart to Hire 150,000 Associates to Serve Customers for Holidays (and Beyond)

As the most wonderful time of the year approaches, we’re planning to hire approximately 150,000 new U.S. store associates, most of them permanent, full-time positions across the country. This will ensure we’re ready to help customers shop however they want, whether they’re in a store, using curbside pickup or shopping online.

We’re always looking to add great talent to our incredible team of dedicated associates – the every day heroes who have been a constant force for good in their communities amidst the uncertainty of...

Sanderson Farms Releases 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report

Sanderson Farms, Inc. has released its 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report detailing the company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility. In this report, the company was able to estimate the percentage of feed grains sourced from regions under high or extremely high water stress during fiscal year 2020, which is a metric under the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board’s reporting standards that the company was unable to estimate in prior years. Additionally, this report includes the Human Rights Statement adopted by the company’s Board of Directors in October 2020, and incorporates the most recently...

Portillo's Announces Filing of Registration Statement for Proposed Initial Public Offering

Portillo's Inc. ("Portillo's") today announced that it has publicly filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") relating to a proposed initial public offering of shares of its Class A common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. Portillo's has applied to list its shares of Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "PTLO." The offering is subject to...

The GIANT Company Partners With Instacart To Launch “Instant Delivery” From All Stores

As part of its omnichannel growth, The GIANT CompanyThe Giant Company together with Instacart, the leading online grocery platform in North America, announced today the launch of GIANT Instant Delivery and MARTIN’S Instant Delivery, providing customers with convenience delivery chainwide. With convenience as one of the most popular categories on Instacart, GIANT Instant Delivery provides customers with fresh groceries, convenience items, and household essentials from early morning to late at night in as fast as 30 minutes.

“While no two families’ grocery experiences are alike..."

Cécilia Manget Joins The NPD Group as Head of Foodservice Europe

The NPD Group today announced that Cécilia Manget has joined the company as Head of Foodservice Europe. In her new role, Cecilia will oversee the continuing development of the company’s foodservice practice, and the expansion of NPD’s ongoing tracking of the foodservice markets throughout Europe. NPD offers its services in 19 countries worldwide, with operations spanning the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Prior to joining NPD, Cécilia spent 18 years at Nielsen, which included 15 years in the global fast-moving consumer goods industry. In her last...

Capt. Florent Groberg: "We’re Americans, and when we get knocked down, we get back up.”

Day two of Urner Barry’s Executive Conference kicked off Tuesday with an extraordinarily moving keynote address from Medal of Honor Recipient Capt. Florent Groberg.

His session on Leading through Adversity was truly a heroic message felt deeply by all conference attendees. Whether leading a military outfit or a corporation, navigating complicated and unstable situations is something that is extremely relatable to all those individuals that took on the responsibility of leading their organizations through the last 18 months.

Groberg is a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military honor, for his extraordinary gallantry, intrepidity and heroism while serving in combat operations in Afghanistan in 2012...

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Announces New CMO and VP of Brand Marketing 

Leading fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers announced today that it has named Laura Rueckel as Chief Marketing Officer and Erin Walter as Vice President of Brand Marketing. Bringing decades of marketing and franchise industry experience, these appointments will further fuel Freddy's accelerated growth strategy as part of the brand's ongoing efforts to invest in its executive leadership and franchise development teams. Additionally, Freddy's has also promoted Jill Tinsley, who joined Freddy's in 2019 as Public Relations Manager, to Director of Communications. Under the leadership...

Indeed and OpenTable Join Together to Accelerate US Restaurant Recovery

According to the National Restaurant Association, the restaurant industry is 1 million jobs below where it should be before the pandemic. That’s why, Indeed, the world’s number one job site, and OpenTable, the world's leading provider of online restaurant reservations, announced today the launch of Interview Days: Restaurant Jobs. This month-long U.S. hiring initiative, which begins on October 1st, aims to accelerate the recovery of the food and beverage industry by providing free hiring tools to help businesses and restaurateurs source, screen and host interviews. A new dedicated portal...

Vincent "Bo" Jackson's Keynote Address Wows Crowd in Las Vegas

The 45^th annual Executive Conference is underway at The Venetian in Las Vegas this week.

Urner Barry is proud to host executives and industry professionals from all areas of the supply chain for three days of networking, insightful programming, and a little bit of fun. Day One kicked off on Monday with the keynote address from the one and only Vincent “Bo” Jackson.

Bo was welcomed to the stage amidst a roar of applause by Conference Chair, Russ Whitman, VP at Urner Barry.

Everyone knows Bo (and we know that Bo Knows). But in his keynote speech, Bo offered attendees a chance to get to know the real Vincent Jackson...

Urner Barry Presents Historic Poultry and Egg Person of the Year Awards

The 45^th annual Executive Conference is underway at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Urner Barry is proud to host industry executives from far and wide once again in 2021. Day one kicked off with opening remarks from Urner Barry Vice President Russ Whitman, followed by the one and only Bo Jackson as the morning’s keynote speaker.

Each year, Urner Barry recognizes two exceptional individuals for their work and service to the industry—the Poultry Person of the Year and the Egg Person of the Year. The award ceremony took place on the heels of the keynote address as colleagues and associates applauded the honorees.

The 2021 Egg Person of the Year was awarded to...

New Supply Chain Program Offers Training in Critical, Growing Area for Retailers

The NRF Foundation and the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) Foundation today announced the launch of a new Warehouse, Inventory and Logistics certificate for retail employees. The program will be offered as the newest credential as part of the NRF Foundation’s RISE Up skills training portfolio.

“Ecommerce and supply chains are increasingly essential to our economy,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “The Warehouse, Inventory and Logistics credential will give job seekers and employees the training they need to navigate the complex..."

Amazon Prime Members will Soon Pay Fee for All Whole Foods Deliveries

Amazon is phasing out free deliveries from Whole Foods Market for Amazon Prime members.

Free online deliveries from Whole Foods are coming to an end for members of the Amazon Prime paid loyalty program.

Starting Monday, Oct. 25, 2021, all online delivery orders placed through the Amazon Prime membership service will carry a $9.95 delivery fee. Amazon Prime members, who up until now received free delivery for Whole Foods orders over $35, have been paying the fee in the for Whole Foods delivery orders in the...

Friendly's Restaurants Introduce New Comfort Classics To Its Menu

With the weather cooling down and kids returning to school, Friendly's Restaurants are bringing families together around the table, by adding hearty comfort food entrees and festive ice cream sundaes to the menu for a limited time.

From September 27th to March 13th, the iconic restaurant chain is serving up flavor-packed Aloha stir-frys and bringing a jazzy taste to the menu with the new Cajun Jazz Pasta. Fan Favorite Vermonter burger is back on the menu too as well as new spooky themed ice cream sundaes...

JBT Corporation Appoints Robert Petrie as Executive Vice President and President, Protein

JBT Corporation, a global technology solutions provider to high-value segments of the food and beverage industry, announced today the promotion of Robert "Bob" Petrie effective October 7th to the position of Executive Vice President and President, Protein. He succeeds Paul Sternlieb, who provided notice of his resignation from JBT in connection with his acceptance of the Chief Executive Officer position at an industrial public company, that is not competitive to JBT.

Since 2016, Bob has led JBT's Protein EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) business, and

Sysco Offers New and Innovative Products For Fall 2021 Through Cutting Edge Solutions Platform

Sysco Corporation, the leading global foodservice distribution company, announced today the nationwide launch of eight innovative concepts exclusively for Sysco customers through the company’s Cutting Edge Solutions platform. These chef-tested and exclusive products provide foodservice operators with on-trend menu options such as plant-based ingredients as well as innovative to-go solutions that will help them stand out in the ever-evolving foodservice environment.

“Our Cutting Edge Solutions platform helps our customers stay on-trend and ahead of the competition with new and..."

Walmart Announces Closing of Inaugural $2 Billion Green Bond Issuance

Walmart Inc. today announced that it has closed its previously announced $2 billion inaugural green bond offering. Net proceeds will be allocated to fund current and prospective projects to advance Walmart’s sustainability goals.

The green bond is Walmart’s first offering under the company’s Green Financing Framework, published August 2021, which details the company’s alignment with the 2021 Green Bond Principles, administered by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA).

“The closing of our first-ever green bond offering directs capital toward projects that will advance our environmental sustainability goals...

White Castle Inducts 68 Into Its 25-Year Club

White Castle, the creator of the beloved Sliders sold at eponymous restaurants and in grocery aisles nationwide, has been celebrating its 100th birthday throughout 2021. The family-owned business has thrown star-studded virtual parties and showered customers with giveaways galore. This month, White Castle shines a light on the people powering the "Crave" — its team members — by continuing a time-honored tradition.

On Sept. 23, White Castle will add 68 team members to its 25-Year Club, an honor reserved for those who have worked for White Castle for...

Metapack Launches New Shipping Plans for Retailers

Metapack, the global leader in ecommerce delivery technology, today announced that it has launched new shipping plans for retailers around the world. From small and medium businesses to large global enterprises, the new transparent pricing models from Metapack have been launched to help retailers expand their business by providing quick and direct access to its Delivery Manager platform.

As the shift to ecommerce becomes more prevalent, it’s essential for all retailers to have access to the right scalable shipping technology and infrastructure to meet the growing delivery experience demands from consumers...

Halloween Spending Soars as Celebrations Near Pre-Pandemic Levels

Consumer spending on Halloween-related items is expected to reach an all-time high of $10.14 billion, up from $8.05 billion in 2020, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. Plans to celebrate Halloween are up this year compared with last and are close to pre-pandemic levels.

“Americans plan to spend more than ever to make this Halloween a memorable one,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Retailers have implemented a number of measures, such as bringing in Halloween..."

This Week in Retail: Tight Cold Storage Stocks Keep Prices Elevated for Many Meat Items

Pumpkin spice lovers, rejoice! Yesterday marked the first day of autumn and consumers are gearing up for cooler temperatures and hearty home-cooked meals. As we approach the fourth quarter, retailers are optimistic that fall-oriented demand will help maintain a strong consumer pull for meat and poultry products.  

For hog producers, autumn typically signals a period of seasonal expansion in supplies. Buying interest among packers who purchase hogs in the open market has slowed considerably in recent weeks, according to livestock dealers. This suggests that hog supplies overall are adequate for packers’ needs and current processing capacity, which continues to be strained by labor challenges...

Sabir Sami Promoted to KFC Division CEO, Effective January 1, 2022

Yum! Brands, Inc. today announced the promotion of Sabir Sami, 54, to KFC Division Chief Executive Officer, reporting to Yum! Brands Chief Executive Officer David Gibbs, effective January 1, 2022. Sami, a 12-year veteran of the Company, who currently serves as KFC Division Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of KFC Asia, will succeed Tony Lowings, who is stepping down as CEO at the end of 2021 in advance of his retirement in early 2022. In this role, Sami will assume global responsibility for driving the brand strategy...

Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen Delivers Opening Keynote at Groceryshop

The Kroger Co. Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen took the stage in Las Vegas at Groceryshop, a leading U.S. event for the retail, grocery, and consumer packaged goods industries, for its annual conference during the opening keynote themed Kroger Delivers the Future of Grocery Shopping Now.

McMullen shared the company's continued focus on leading with fresh and accelerating with digital by leveraging its complementary assets to create innovative solutions for customers, a continually improving workplace for associates, and a more sustainable operation for the planet...

McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys Go More Sustainable

For more than 40 years, kids and families have delighted in Happy Meals for delicious food and great fun. Many of us have fond memories of playtime fueled by a toy found inside that magical box.

Today we’re taking a step to keep the fun going while helping to build a more resilient planet for the next generation.

Starting now, and phased in across the globe by the end of 2025, our ambition is that every toy sold in a Happy Meal will be sustainable, made from more renewable, recycled, or certified materials...

Hormel Foods Shares Food Journey Progress in 15th Annual Corporate Responsibility Report

Hormel Foods Corporation today announced the launch of its 15th annual corporate responsibility (CR) report. The report contains in-depth information about the company's CR progress in fiscal 2020. In addition, the company has launched a new set of CR goals to guide its programs through 2030.

"Our commitment to making the world in which we live a better place has never wavered. We're proud that we surpassed our 2020 nonrenewable energy use, water use, solid waste sent to landfills and product packaging reduction goals, and achieved..."

Giant Eagle Partners with RangeMe to Boost Online Product Assortment

Giant Eagle, Inc. announced the launch of a new initiative to grow its Giant Eagle Marketplace eCommerce channel with a greater assortment of new and emerging products. As one of the nation's largest retailers, Giant Eagle will look to accelerate and scale product sourcing for this initiative by partnering with RangeMe, the industry standard online product discovery platform for retailers and suppliers.

"Giant Eagle Marketplace allows us to extend our aisles and assortments in our established online platform to offer brands and products that previously may not have been..."

Denny's Seasonal Fall Menu Returns

Just in time for fall, Denny's is launching its new limited-time fall menu today, featuring a selection of new and returning favorites, all packed full of seasonal flavors. Whether guests are looking to enjoy traditional autumn spice flavors, chocolatey goodness or classic breakfast dishes, Denny's has options for everyone.

The Pumpkin Pecan Pancake Breakfast is making its autumnal comeback for a limited time as this fall's Spotlight Stack, featuring pumpkin pancakes made with real pumpkin and cooked with pecans, then drizzled with a pecan pie sauce. The meal is served with fresh eggs...

Urner Barry’s Consulting Division to Launch Egg Market Forecasting Report

Urner Barry, the leading provider of protein market news and information in the food industry, is pleased to announce the much-anticipated release of the Egg Market Forecast report.

Brought to you exclusively through Urner Barry Consulting, the report will provide forward-looking data and market intelligence on the egg market—allowing subscribers to identify trends before they happen.

UB Consulting’s Egg Market Forecast will be a subscription-based, bi-weekly report (every two weeks) that projects market conditions six months into the future. The report will feature historical and forecasted data, confidence intervals, charts, and...

General Mills Reports Fiscal 2022 First-Quarter Results

General Mills today reported results for the first quarter ended August 29, 2021.

“I’m proud of the way our team is performing in a dynamic and challenging operating environment,” said General Mills Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Harmening. “Our strong execution in the first quarter enabled us to deliver top- and bottom-line results ahead of our expectations. We delivered these good results while continuing to advance our Accelerate strategy, including making important progress on portfolio reshaping in the quarter.”

General Mills is executing its Accelerate strategy to drive sustainable, profitable...

U.S. Restaurant Industry Continues Gradual Recovery in August While Dine-in Visits Remain Low

Despite bad weather and the delta variant spread, consumer online and physical restaurant visits in August continued to recover from last year’s steep declines, reports The NPD Group. U.S. restaurant traffic increased by +5% over the -10% decline in August 2020 and declined by -5% compared to the pre-pandemic level in August 2019. Larger average check sizes drove a +13% increase in dollars compared to a year ago and a +3% gain in dollars over the same month two years ago, according...

Subway® Restaurants' Historic Brand Refresh Results in Positive Sales Momentum

Subway® fan brand love is stronger than ever following the launch of Eat Fresh Refresh™, a campaign debuting the biggest menu changes in the brand's history.

Sales momentum has steadily been building since the beginning of 2021, including positive same store sales in Q2 of 2021, versus Q2 of 2019, and the Eat Fresh Refresh launch accelerated this momentum, with August sales the strongest Subway has experienced since 2013.

Overall U.S. restaurants sales in August are up more than 4%, compared to the same period in 2019...