2018 Holiday Sales Grew Amid Turmoil Over Trade Policy and Delay in Data Collection

Holiday retail sales during 2018 grew a lower-than-expected 2.9 percent over the same period in 2017 to $707.5 billion, the National Retail Federation said today after the Commerce Department released data that had been delayed by nearly a month because of the recent government shutdown.

“All signs during the holidays seemed to show that consumers remained confident about the economy,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “However, it appears that worries over the trade war and turmoil in the stock markets impacted consumer behavior more than we expected. There’s also a question of whether the government shutdown and resulting delay in collecting data might have made the results less reliable. It’s very disappointing that clearly avoidable actions by the government influenced consumer confidence and unnecessarily depressed December retail sales ...

Secretary Perdue Statement on President Trump’s Signing of Appropriations Bill & Declaration of National Emergency

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today issued the following statement regarding President Donald J. Trump’s signing of legislation that funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and declaration of a national emergency at the southern border:

“I am pleased that Congress has passed, and President Trump has signed, funding for USDA for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2019. We will be moving at full speed on all of our responsibilities, making good on our motto by doing right and feeding everyone. Since Congress did not act to protect our southern border, the President has also declared a national emergency, which helps him fulfill a clear promise to protect our national security interests. He is exercising his Constitutional authority, as presidents from both parties have done many times in the past.

“Even with the passage of the appropriations bill, Congress still has unfinished business in areas of... 

U.S. Food Market Outlook 2019: 4 Key Trends

What’s in store for the food industry in 2019? Market research firm Packaged Facts predicts “disruptive innovation” that will shake up years of subtle stagnation in the mature food industry and spur growth over the foreseeable future.

In U.S. Food Market Outlook 2019, the latest edition of its best-selling series, Packaged Facts examines “disruptive innovation” across 14 essential food categories: Cereal, Chocolate Candy, Cookies, Fresh Bread, Fresh Packaged Salads, Frozen Dinners/Entrees, Frozen Pizza, Ice Cream/Frozen Novelties, Meal/Snack Bars, Meat/Poultry, Natural & Specialty Cheese, Salty Snacks, Soup, and Yogurt.

Packaged Facts identifies several key disruptive trends to watch for in 2019. Four of these top trends involve...

This Week in Retail: Filet Mignon a Steal at Retail This Valentine’s Day, While Lobster Prices Soar

Beef takes the top spot for protein feature volume this week, with 30 percent of ad space. Seafood follows up with 27 percent, while pork claims 21 percent. Chicken ads make up 15 percent of total protein features.

Of course, steaks make up an overwhelming majority of beef ads for Valentine’s, accounting for 51 percent of beef buying opportunities. The top featured steak cuts for this week include ribeyes, top sirloins, and tenderloin filets.  Bone-in rib steaks average $7.54 per pound, which is up from a year ago at $6.96. Top sirloin steaks are a little more economical for the budget minded shopper, at $6.39 per pound, down nearly 8 percent from a year ago. Filets average $14.13 per pound on feature, which is down nearly $2 per pound from last year—and 15 percent lower compared to the 3-year average, making this item a relative steal for V-day dinner at home.

Pairing that steak with a succulent lobster tail? Cupid himself would be impressed, but you’ll be paying more than last year...

FDA Issues Statement on 2018 Romaine Lettuce Outbreak Investigation 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acted quickly to protect consumers from an emerging outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to romaine lettuce by issuing a public warning this past November and recommending that industry and retailers voluntarily remove the product from the market. It was critical to provide this advice because it was believed that contaminated produce was still in the food supply at a time when Americans were preparing meals to celebrate Thanksgiving. By removing potentially contaminated products from the market, health officials and industry were able to reduce additional illnesses.

Evidence at the beginning of this outbreak showed that the genetic fingerprint of the pathogen obtained from patients impacted by the 2018 outbreak was similar to ...

Kroger Introduces Kroger Pay and Kroger Rewards Debit Card

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced today it is introducing Kroger Pay, a mobile payment solution that securely combines a customer's payment and loyalty card information to create a faster checkout experience. The company is also launching a new Kroger REWARDS debit card, a rewarding payment option for customers.

"Kroger is redefining the customer experience by creating innovative ways to pay at our stores and online," said Gary Millerchip, CEO of Kroger Personal Finance and corporate strategy integration lead. "Kroger Pay and the Kroger REWARDS debit card are two more ways we are transforming our payments model to benefit our customers ...

Foodservice Celebrates Valentine’s Day with Charming Limited Time Offers 

Whether consumers are celebrating Valentine’s Day with a significant other, family, friends, coworkers, or plan to splurge on oneself, foodservice is providing exclusive limited time offers for those celebrating.

According to research from the National Restaurant Association, more than 30% of consumers will celebrate the holiday by dining out with their loved ones on February 14th, and since Valentine's Day falls on a Thursday this year, consumers will be celebrating their love well into the weekend. While the National Retail Federation reports that fewer consumers are celebrating the holiday this year, those that do are spending more than ever before. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that foodservice operators are looking to entice consumers during this commercial holiday to earn a cut of the record amount of spending expected to take place this year...

Frozen Food Market Worth $282.5 Billion by 2023 - Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets

According to the new market research report "Frozen Food Market by Product (Fruits & Vegetables, Dairy, Meat & Seafood), Type (Raw Material, Half Cooked), Consumption, Distribution Channel, and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and MEA) - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets™, the Frozen Food Market is estimated to account for about USD 219.9 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach a value of nearly USD 282.5 billion by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2018. The retail food industry has witnessed significant growth over the past few years, globally. The development of retail channels in the form of supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores has...

Gen Z Adults Seek Foods Fitting Their Busy, Yet Health Conscious Lifestyles

Gen Z young adults have been caught up in the change in America's food culture that has moved consumers away from three sit-down meals at fixed times and in the direction of multiple eating experiences that occur throughout the day. As a result, today's 18- to 24-year-olds are more likely than their Millennial predecessors to say they often snack between meals (74% vs. 66%). When they do slowdown to prepare a meal, Gen Z young adults are much more likely to prefer simple, easy-to-prepare meals (58% vs. 40%). The findings were published in Looking Ahead to Gen Z: Demographic Patterns and Spending Trends, a report from Packaged Facts, a leading market research company.

Data published in the report further reveal that households headed by adults under age 25 are 29% more likely to ...

Retail Imports Still Strong as Possible March Tariff Hike Approaches

Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports have dipped since peaks seen last fall but remain at higher-than-usual levels as a possible increase in tariffs on goods from China approaches in March, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“With trade talks with China still unresolved, retailers appear to be bringing spring merchandise into the country early in case tariffs go up in March,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “We are hopeful that the talks will succeed, but until the trade war is behind us, retailers need to do what they can to mitigate the higher prices that will inevitably come with tariffs ...

US Foods Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2018 Earnings 

US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE: USFD),one of the largest foodservice distributors in the United States, today announced results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2018.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2018 Highlights

• Total case volume decreased 0.8%; independent restaurant case volume increased 3.9%
• Net sales increased 0.8% to $6.0 billion
• Gross profit of $1.1 billion increased 1.6%
• Income before income taxes decreased $5 million to $132 million
• Net income decreased $156 million to $100 million ...

Restaurant Brands International Inc. Reports Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2018 Results

Restaurant Brands International Inc. (TSX/NYSE: QSR, TSX: QSP) today reported financial results for the full year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Jose Cil, Chief Executive Officer of Restaurant Brands International Inc. ("RBI") commented, "I am pleased to report that our business continued to deliver strong system-wide sales growth in 2018, driven by acceleration of net restaurant growth at Burger King and Popeyes and improved momentum in comparable sales at Tim Hortons through our 'Winning Together' plan. We have demonstrated our increased focus on technology and made notable progress against many of our initiatives including delivery, kiosks, and mobile app development. Throughout the year, we continued to maintain a balanced approach to capital allocation through our increased dividend, share repurchases, and reinvestment in our brands, illustrating our confidence in ...

PODCAST: Pork Possibilities: Diving into 2019

This week, we sit down with Director Russell Barton to discuss the Pork Market. We cover African Swine Fever, outbreak locations, market conditions, price impact, and more...

New Acosta Report Finds Nearly Half of Manufacturers Processed a Price Increase in 2018

Pricing Conundrum report explores rising costs in grocery industry, impact on pricing decisions and best practices for price increase acceptance

Grocery prices have steadily increased for the past five years, alongside a recent spike in manufacturing and transportation costs. At the same time, both manufacturers and retailers feel pressure to drive sales at the lowest possible prices in a very competitive marketplace where shoppers have a wide range of options on what, where and how to buy. These factors combined have created a “perfect storm” for manufacturers and retailers, forcing the two parties to work together to mitigate the negative impact of price increases. The Pricing Conundrum, a new report from Acosta — a leading full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods industry — investigates this topic and reveals...

UNFI Announces Plans to Optimize Pacific Northwest Distribution Center Network

UNFI (NYSE: UNFI) today announced plans to optimize its distribution center network in the Pacific Northwest. This plan includes building a new facility and expanding another to enhance customer product offerings, create more efficient inventory management, streamline operations and incorporate best in class technology to deliver a better customer experience. The optimization of the Pacific Northwest distribution network will also help deliver meaningful synergies contemplated in the acquisition of SUPERVALU in October 2018.

The company has entered into a long-term lease agreement with a developer in Centralia to construct a 1.2 million square-foot distribution center exclusively for UNFI on approximately 77 acres at 4002 Galvin Road in Centralia, Washington. The Centralia distribution center is located in close proximity to two existing UNFI DCs in Tacoma and Portland ...

This Week in Retail: Falling into the February Funk

Super Bowl spending was exceptional this past weekend—and now grocers return to another period of lackluster retail action following the conclusion of the second biggest food holiday of the year (Thanksgiving is number one).  

February is quite the doldrums at retail, lacking any real buying occasions. Valentine’s Day is traditionally a foodservice holiday, benefitting fine dining establishments—and the steak and lobster markets, of course. However, the outlook for V-day in 2019 has been questioned by some, given that the date falls on a weekday. This could delay romantic dinner dates until the weekend, which may boost retail spending for a quiet dinner at home for those struck with Cupid’s arrow next Thursday.  

Additionally, the Christian Lenten season began on February 14 in 2018, but with a late Easter in store for 2019, Lent is not set to begin until March 6^th this year. That’s a three-week difference for the start of a period of time that has a lot of impact in the food industry...

Taco Bell Announces Nationwide Delivery 

Taco Bell fans have been wishing for delivery for years and now it's coming true. Today, Taco Bell is announcing nationwide delivery available via Grubhub, uniquely designed for an even faster experience. And for a limited time, all Taco Bell orders over $12.00 come with free delivery excluding tax.

To ensure faster delivery, Taco Bell has integrated its point-of-sale system directly into the Grubhub app, which means pickup is timed to the moment an order is ready, helping precious cargo like Bean Burritos and Crunchwrap Supremes® make it to the doorstep hot, fresh and Fire Sauce-ready. Grubhub is also bringing more drivers to areas with Taco Bell restaurants so more fans can satisfy their cravings from home ...

Pizza Hut's NFL Partnership Generates Record Sales 

Prior to the start of the 2018 National Football League season, Pizza Hut became the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL, capitalizing on a fumble by competitor Papa John's. This multi-year agreement offered Pizza Hut a wide range of exclusive marketing rights, benefits, and designations that will connect the brand to the NFL's teams, players, events, partners, properties, and experiences. 

Since the 2018 NFL season has recently come to an end, Pizza Hut is now celebrating a record year in sales because of the partnership. Marianne Radley, chief brand officer for Pizza Hut said, "Throughout the entire NFL season, our fans proved ...

Performance Food Group Company Reports Second-Quarter and First-Half Fiscal 2019 Results

Performance Food Group Company  today announced its second-quarter and first-half fiscal 2019 business results.

“Our second quarter results were strong driven by Vistar’s robust top-line results,” said George Holm, PFG’s Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer. “Vistar is having an outstanding year and grew its EBITDA by over 30% in the second quarter. We are also pleased to have experienced sequential improvement in our Foodservice segment as our strategic investments continue to be on track to support our long-term growth objectives. We are on track for another year of strong growth across our Company...

FAO Food Price Index Rises in January

Global food prices began the year on a buoyant note, as the FAO Food Price Index averaged 164.8 points in January 2019, up 1.8 percent from the previous month.

A sharp rebound in dairy price quotations and firmer prices of palm and soy oils drove the increase, the United Nations agency said today. The Food Price Index, an indicator of the monthly changes in international prices of a basket of food commodities, was still 2.2 percent below its January 2018 level.

The FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 168.1 points in January, up marginally from December. Prices of the major grains were generally firm amid tightening export supplies and robust world demand.

International soy oil prices also rose on the back of...

Grubhub Reports Record Fourth Quarter And Full Year 2018 Results

Grubhub Inc. (NYSE: GRUB), the nation's leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2018. The Company posted revenues of $288 million, which is a 40% year-over-year increase from $205 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Gross Food Sales grew 21% year-over-year to $1.4 billion, up from $1.1 billion in the same period last year.

"2018 was a transformational year for Grubhub. We made great progress connecting hungry takeout diners with the restaurants they want, further positioning ourselves to continue to ...

Dunkin' Brands Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2018 Results

Fiscal year 2018 highlights include:

• Dunkin' U.S. comparable store sales growth of 0.6%
• Baskin-Robbins U.S. comparable store sales decline of 0.6%
• Added 392 net new restaurants worldwide, including 278 net new Dunkin' locations in the U.S.
• Revenues increased 3.6%
• Diluted EPS of $2.71, a decrease of 7.8% driven by the impact of tax reform in the prior year
• Diluted adjusted EPS increased 40.1% to $2.90

Fourth quarter highlights include:

• Flat Dunkin' U.S. comparable store sales
• Baskin-Robbins U.S. comparable store sales decline of 3.7%
• Added 148 net new Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins locations globally, including ...

Kroger and Home Chef Expand Nationwide Retail Rollout and Launch Meal Kit Feature for Online Orders

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) and Home Chef announced today the introduction of retail meal kits to new cities, bringing the weekly rotating meal solution to 500 additional Kroger Family of Stores across the country. Additionally, homechef.com has launched a customizable meal kit feature for online orders, allowing customers to have more flexibility in deciding what's for dinner by providing the choice to change and upgrade recipe ingredients. The feature—the first among leading meal kit brands—offers unprecedented variety for customers.

"Kroger continues to redefine the customer experience and provide new ways to shop for, prep and cook meals through exciting brick-and-mortar and digital experiences," said Robert Clark, Kroger's senior vice president of merchandising. "Last October, Kroger introduced Home Chef retail meal kits, and ...

Industry Reacts to President Trump's State of the Union Address

President Donald Trump delivered the annual State of the Union Address to the American people in the House Chamber last night. Now, the industry is reacting to the speech, with responses being produced by the USDA, the National Retail Federation, and the National Cattleman's Beef Association.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue mentioned that President Trump highlighted Administration accomplishments and the booming economy, but also optimistically stated that even greater achievements lie ahead. Perdue stated that, "The President's policies have been beneficial to American agriculture in the short term, but have also laid the foundation for long-term prosperity. Our trade agreements with other nations are getting stronger, and the strategies that the President has employed will lead to new and expanded markets for ...

British Foodservice Industry Falls as Consumers Increasingly Prefer ‘Off-Premise’ Dining Options

Based on recent NPD research, after reaching its peak of 11.35 billion visits in 2017, we’re expecting the out-of-home or eat-out foodservice market will fall over the next two years in Britain. The pressures affecting on-premise eating and drinking is a big theme in British foodservice. The old habit of going shopping and finding a place to sit down is waning as more people shop online and opt for faster and more convenient ways of dining.

All of the meaningful growth in foodservice will be ‘off-premise’, which is where the industry will address the decline on the high street. The modest growth in the large takeaway and grab ‘n’ go channel, supported by the continuing delivery revolution, is enough to provide a significant majority of the growth in spend over the next two years for the entire British foodservice industry ...

NRF Says ‘State of the Economy is Sound’ and Forecasts Retail Sales will Grow 

The National Retail Federation today forecast that retail sales during 2019 will increase between 3.8 percent and 4.4 percent to more than $3.8 trillion despite threats from an ongoing trade war, the volatile stock market and the effects of the government shutdown.

“We believe the underlying state of the economy is sound,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “More people are working, they’re making more money, their taxes are lower and their confidence remains high. The biggest priority is to ensure that our economy continues to grow and to avoid self-inflicted wounds. It’s time for artificial problems like trade wars and shutdowns to end, and to focus on prosperity not politics ...

Half of Canadians Believe It's Healthier to Snack Than Eat Three Large Meals

It seems the traditional three meals a day are facing an evolution in Canada, as new research from Mintel reveals that nearly half (46%) of better-for-you (BFY) snackers* feel that it is healthier to snack throughout the day than to eat three large meals. In need of constant fuel, many Canadians have snacks at the ready with two-thirds (65%) of BFY snackers believing it’s important to always keep healthy snacks on hand.

Keeping up with their interest in snacking throughout the day, more than half (51%) of Canadians agree that they’d like to see more healthy snacks packaged for eating on the go. What’s more, it seems there’s potential for anything to be considered a snack among younger consumers, as 45% of Canadians aged 18-24 are interested in snack-sized portions of regular foods as compared to...

Something New: Chef Christian Morrish from Century Harvest Farms Foundation

This week we invited an outsider, accomplished chef and philanthropist Christian Morrish. We covered what he is up to at Century Harvest Farms Foundation and exactly who it benefits. Have you heard of this farm? If not, check it out.

Mobile Apps Now Represent the Bulk of Restaurant Digital Orders and Restaurant Branded Apps Dominate

Restaurant digital orders have grown at an average annual rate of 23 percent since 2013 and will triple in volume by the end of 2020, and the majority of digital orders, 6 out of 10, are by mobile apps, reports The NPD Group. A restaurant’s app or website represents 70 percent of digital orders and the remaining orders are through third-party apps or other types of apps or websites, according to the findings of NPD’s recently released Delivering Digital Convenience report.

Among the reasons why restaurant branded apps are accessed the most is that customers of some of these brands are more drawn to rewards and savings, while other restaurant brands appeal to consumers who want to customize their order or ...

Papa John’s Announces Strategic Investment from Starboard and Appointment of Three New Directors

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) today announced that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with Starboard Value LP pursuant to which Starboard is making a $200 million strategic investment in the Company with the option to make an additional $50 million investment through March 29, 2019, as described below.

In connection with the investment, the Papa John’s Board of Directors is expanding to include two new independent directors, including Jeffrey C. Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Starboard, who has been appointed Chairman of the Papa John’s Board, and Anthony M. Sanfilippo, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. These directors bring substantial experience in the restaurant, retail and hospitality industries, with skill sets spanning operational turnarounds, corporate finance and corporate governance. Their expertise and new perspectives will help support ...

Sysco Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2019 Results

The Company delivered results in line with expectations

Sysco Corporation (NYSE: SYY) today announced financial results for its 13-week second fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2018.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2019 Highlights

• Sales increased 2.5% to $14.8 billion
• Gross profit increased 2.7% to $2.8 billion; gross margin increased 4 basis points
• Operating income decreased 14.5% to $451.9 million; adjusted¹ operating income increased 4.8% to $603.3 million
• EPS decreased $0.03 to $0.51; adjusted¹ EPS decreased $0.03 to $0.75

First Half Fiscal 2019 Highlights

• Sales increased 3.2% to $30.0 billion ...

Hormel Foods Announces the Advancement Of James N. Sheehan 

Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a global branded food company, announced today that James N. Sheehan has advanced to executive vice president and chief financial officer. The advancement was effective January 29, 2019. Sheehan previously held the role of senior vice president and chief financial officer for the company. As executive vice president and chief financial officer for Hormel Foods, Sheehan oversees the company's financial enterprise including accounting, information technology, internal audit, investor relations, corporate tax and treasury.

"With more than forty years of experience, Jim is highly regarded in the industry for his strategic financial leadership and his deep knowledge of the markets, industries and ...

Amazon.com Announces Fourth Quarter Sales up 20% to $72.4 Billion

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Operating cash flow increased 67% to $30.7 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $18.4 billion for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Free cash flow increased to $19.4 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $8.3 billion for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Free cash flow less lease principal repayments increased to $11.6 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $3.3 billion for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Free cash flow less finance lease principal repayments and assets acquired under capital leases increased to ...

Restaurant Performance Index Remained Relatively Steady in December

With restaurant operators continuing to report positive sales and traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) was essentially unchanged in December. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 101.6 in December, down slightly from a level of 101.8 in November. The RPI continued to be supported by positive readings in the same-store sales and customer traffic indicators, which both came in similar to their November levels. Looking ahead, although restaurant operators are generally optimistic about sales growth in the months ahead, their outlook for the overall economy remains uncertain. The RPI is constructed so that the health of the restaurant industry is measured in relation to a neutral level of 100. Index values above 100 indicate that key industry indicators are ...

This Week in Retail: Staggering Super Bowl Spending

Wings Steal the Show as Ad Prices Fall 15% from the Three-year Average

After a stale and uneventful retail month in January, we have finally made it to the first major buying occasion of 2019: The Super Bowl—and grocers can’t wait.

Americans intend to spend an average $14.8 billion this year for the Super Bowl, according to the National Retail Federation. The total amount is down from last year’s $15.3 billion, primarily because fewer people plan to watch the game – 182.5 million this year compared with 188.5 million last year. The overall spending is still the third-highest on record. Even more impressive considering this figure was just $8.9 billion in 2010.

“Spending is expected to be at one the highest levels we’ve seen. And retailers are ready whether you need food...

USDA Awards Agricultural Trade Promotion Program Funding

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $200 million to 57 organizations through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) to help U.S. farmers and ranchers identify and access new export markets. The ATP is one of three USDA programs created to mitigate the effects of unjustified trade retaliation against U.S. farmers and exporters. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) accepted ATP applications between September 4 and November 2 – totaling nearly $600 million – from U.S. trade associations, cooperatives, and other industry-affiliated organizations. USDA has released a list of the ATP funding recipients.

President Donald J. Trump authorized up to $12 billion in programs to provide assistance to U.S. agriculture through a trade mitigation package announced by Secretary Perdue on September 4, 2018. In addition to the $200 million allocated to the ATP, the package also ...

Brinker International Reports Second Quarter Results

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today announced results for the fiscal second quarter ended December 26, 2018.

"Brinker delivered our fifth consecutive quarter of sequential sales improvement, posting positive sales and industry leading traffic," said Wyman Roberts, Chief Executive Officer and President. "Our sustained momentum is being driven by several key factors including operational execution, takeout, and value."

Highlights include the following...

Urner Barry Appoints New Vice President and Expands Seafood Reporting Division

Urner Barry, the leading provider of protein market news and information in the food industry, has appointed veteran team member Gary Morrison to the position of Vice President.  

Morrison had previously served as Director and lead Market Analyst at Urner Barry. During his 10+ year tenure with the company, Morrison has reported on the pork and boxed beef markets. He has also managed various departments within the organization, while overseeing recruitment initiatives and HR functions.  

Urner Barry COO Jim Kenny noted, “Gary has become a central member of the management team, and in the position of Vice President, will be critical to operational development.”

In addition to his appointment to the role of Vice President, Morrison will also be extending his duties to include reporting on the seafood market...

Menu Price Increases Help Boost McDonald's Q4 Sales Up 2.3% in U.S.

McDonald's Corporation today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.

"Our performance in 2018 was strong, driven by the Velocity Growth Plan with broad-based momentum across each of our global segments. We continued to transform our business by making substantial progress on modernising our restaurants and offering more convenience, choice and value to our customers," said McDonald's President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Easterbrook. "We've now achieved 14 consecutive quarters of positive global comparable sales and our customers rewarded us with more visits in 2018, helping us to achieve two consecutive years of global guest count growth for the first time since 2012...

Kroger Promotes Stuart W. Aitken to Senior Vice President, Alternative Business

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced a key promotion in support of Restock Kroger and beyond with the appointment of Stuart W. Aitken to the newly-created role of Senior Vice President, Alternative Business, effective February 3, 2019.

In this role, Mr. Aitken will assume oversight for Kroger's successful existing alternative profit businesses, including 84.51° and Kroger Personal Finance (KPF), and also lead the development of a full portfolio of alternative businesses to support the transformation of Kroger's growth model. Mr. Aitken will continue to serve as chief executive officer of 84.51° and ...

Retail Feedback Group Study Finds Shoppers Score Supermarkets Highest in Quality and Variety

The Retail Feedback Group (RFG), a leader in providing actionable stakeholder feedback, today released the 2019 U.S. Supermarket Experience Study. The research found that supermarkets continue to maintain the strongest overall satisfaction score (4.31 on a five-point scale), when compared to Aldi (4.27) and Walmart (3.93). Supermarkets also have the highest scores in quality and variety. However, considering value for money spent, Aldi receives the top score, as well as garners the highest overall satisfaction during the peak traffic hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (4.30) versus supermarkets (4.27) and Walmart (3.98).

Supermarkets Strong in Quality, Cleanliness and Variety but Score Moderate to Low in Service Supermarket shoppers rated quality/freshness of the food and groceries...

Dishing Out the Trends: Jamie Chadwick-Lee is Back!

This week our guest, Jamie Chadwick-Lee came by to discuss what's on everyone's mind: the Superbowl. We also covered other delicious topics like wings, bacon, cheese and the newly revamped FoodMarket.com. 

How U.S. Millennials Are Shaping Online FMCG Shopping Trends

There’s no denying the impact and influence that digital technologies have on our lives, particularly among younger generations. But even in a world that is steadily heading online, it’s important for manufacturers, brands and retailers to understand that brick-and-mortar environments are not fading in importance—even among Millennials.

According to the latest Nielsen Category Shopping Fundamentals study, as detailed in our recent Millennials on Millennials report, 60% of U.S. consumers’ FMCG decisions are still made at the shelf. This is a key insight for retailers, but so is understanding the influence that digital has on influencing consumers on their way to the shelf. Not surprisingly, Millennials are more active on social media than older generations, and this affects the way they look for information as they shop. For example...

Sysco to Acquire Waugh Foods, Inc.

Sysco Corporation, the leading global foodservice distribution company, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Waugh Foods, Inc., a leading Illinois broadline distributor with approximately $40 million in annual sales.

Waugh Foods Inc., headquartered in East Peoria, Ill. has been in business for 70 years. Joseph A. Waugh, Sr. founded Waugh Frozen Food Company in 1948, and in 1966, after additions to the company’s product lines, the name was changed to Waugh Foods, Inc. Today, the company provides a wide variety of products to customers throughout Central Illinois.

“Waugh Foods has a long, rich history in the Central Illinois area, which includes strong relationships with local independent operators,” said Greg Bertrand, executive vice president, U.S. foodservice operations. “We are excited to... 

Perdue Selects Three Senior Leaders at USDA

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today selected three highly-qualified individuals for senior leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Perdue named Dr. Mindy Brashears as Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety, Naomi Earp as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, and Dr. Scott Hutchins as Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics. These positions do not require Senate confirmation.

The three previously had been nominated by President Donald Trump for Senate-confirmed positions at USDA. While the Senate Agriculture Committee favorably reported all three nominees, their nominations expired without receiving confirmation votes by the end of the 115th Congress in early January. The President has resubmitted their nominations to ...

Bojangles’ Becomes a Private Company with New Executive Appointments 

Bojangles’, Inc. (“Bojangles’” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: BOJA) announced that its all-cash acquisition by Durational Capital Management LP and The Jordan Company, L.P. is complete, effective today. The acquisition was previously announced on November 6, 2018.

Bojangles’ will operate as an independent, privately-held company and will remain based in Charlotte, N.C.

“We are pleased to have successfully completed this transaction in partnership with Bojangles’ and The Jordan Company,” said Eric Sobotka, Managing Partner at Durational Capital Management. “We are excited to begin working with ...

Yum! Brands Promotes David Gibbs to President and Chief Operating Officer

Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM) today announced the promotion of David Gibbs, 55, to President and Chief Operating Officer, reporting to Chief Executive Officer Greg Creed. Gibbs, a 29-year veteran of the Company, has served as President and Chief Financial Officer for the last two years. In his expanded role as President and COO, Gibbs will assume operating leadership of global KFC Division as well as the U.S. and international businesses of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, with the respective brand leaders reporting to him. Gibbs will retain his current Yum! Brands CFO role, title and responsibilities overseeing corporate strategy, finance, supply chain and information technology, while the Company conducts a search to identify a successor CFO.

“I’m happy to announce our promotion of David Gibbs to President and Chief Operating Officer. David is an extraordinarily talented commercial leader with a strong track record of results and deep experience in all three of ...

The Evolution of Super Bowl Consumption

To many football fans, the Super Bowl may feel like Groundhog Day (which, coincidentally falls one day before the NFL championship on Feb. 3), as the year’s biggest sporting event brings another round of family and friends gathering together to eat wings, drink beer, engage with ads and watch the New England Patriots vie for the championship (yet again).

And while that remains true to some extent, today’s viewing experience is far different from the one you enjoyed with your parents while you were growing up.

Yes, beer and wings are a staple of any Super Bowl, but a range of other categories are joining the party due to evolving tastes and the growth of the female football fan base...

Secretary Perdue Statement on Reopening the Federal Government

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today issued the following statement in response to President Donald J. Trump’s announcement of reopening the federal government:

“President Trump’s announcement of the reopening of the federal government is welcome news, as it will bring thousands of our employees back to work and return us to our mission of providing our customers with the services they rely upon. I extend my sincere thanks to the thousands of USDA workers who stayed on the job during the shutdown to offer as many of ...

Starbucks Reports Q1 Fiscal 2019 Results

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) today reported financial results for its 13-week fiscal first quarter ended December 30, 2018. GAAP results in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 include items which are excluded from non-GAAP results. Please refer to the reconciliation of GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures at the end of this release for more information.

“Starbucks delivered solid operating results in the first quarter, demonstrating continued momentum in our business, as we drive our growth-at-scale agenda with focus and discipline,” said Kevin Johnson, president and ceo. “We are particularly pleased with the sequential improvement in quarterly comparable store transactions in the U.S., underpinned by our digital initiatives and improved execution of our in-store experience. With this solid start to the fiscal year, we are on track to deliver on our full-year commitments ...

This Week in Retail: Proteins Ads Plentiful and Sporting Attractive YOY Prices

While major buying occasions may be few and far between this time of year, there is no shortage of protein features in grocery circulars.

Representatives from nearly all protein categories grace the front pages of ads this week, with retailers putting special emphasis on roasts and other cold weather cooking applications—you know, the kind that pairs nicely with a root vegetable of sorts. The deep-freeze has set in throughout the Midwest and the Northeast as of late, motivating consumers to stock up on hearty proteins and comfort foods.

Buying opportunities for beef have dominated...

Maggiano’s Named America’s Favorite Casual-Dining Chain

The passion of Maggiano’s Little Italy Teammates is simple – make every Guest feel special. From made-from-scratch, classic Italian-American dishes served family style to its welcoming, family atmosphere, Maggiano’s sets the bar high.

Maggiano’s Guests agree.

According to an annual restaurant industry study from Market Force Information – one of the most cited in the industry – Maggiano’s is America’s Favorite Casual-Dining Chain, winning this year’s title with a composite loyalty index score of 64 percent.

The study polled more than 6,000 consumers to understand America’s favorite casual brands in seven categories, such as pizza, breakfast, steakhouse, Italian and ...

Cargill Invests Digital Engineering to Support Hyperledger Grid 

In a nod to its open-first technology principle to help address the world’s most significant food challenges, Cargill is investing its own digital engineering to aid the success and adoption of Hyperledger Grid. The latest project in Hyperledger’s portfolio of open-source frameworks and tools, Hyperledger Grid is created to accelerate development of blockchain and other digital solutions for the global food and agriculture supply chains.

“Hyperledger Grid is another way to help make food and agricultural supply chains more inclusive – creating new markets for farmers and developing economies,” said Keith Narr, vice president, Cargill Digital Labs. “With our wide set of food and agricultural supply chain data, Cargill is leading the industry to work together and improve traceability, trade, food safety, nutrition, farmer livelihoods and ...

U.S. Realizes Double-Digit Growth in Case Shipments of Plant-Based Proteins to Foodservice Operators

Case shipments of plant-based protein from broadline foodservice distributors to foodservice operators increased by 20 percent in the year ending November 2018 compared to year ago with all Census regions showing double-digit growth, reports The NPD Group. The West Census Region represents the most plant-based protein volume and case shipment growth followed closely by the South Census region, according to NPD’s SupplyTrack®.

About a quarter of the U.S. population, many of whom aren’t vegan or vegetarian, say that they eat and drink plant-based beverages and foods as well as animal protein on a regular basis. Among the reasons why plant-based proteins have ...

Ahold Delhaize Reports Strong Sales Growth in the Fourth Quarter

Following the introduction of our Leading Together strategy at our Capital Markets Day in November, Ahold Delhaize today announced consolidated net sales of €16.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2018, an increase of 3.0% at constant exchange rates compared to the fourth quarter of last year.

Overall the business delivered another strong sales performance in the fourth quarter and for the full year 2018. For the full year, net sales reached €62.8 billion, up 2.5% at constant exchange rates.

Sales performance in the United States continued to show good momentum with 2.7% comparable sales growth excluding gasoline in the fourth quarter, including a slightly favorable weather impact. In our markets we saw a lower level of inflation compared to the previous quarter. Online sales growth accelerated to ...

Reinvented Truck Driver Orientation Helps Add New Hires to Walmart’s Fleet

With more than 1,400 new Walmart truck drivers added in 2018, hundreds more are slated to join the fleet in 2019.

Assessments, mentorship and a faster hiring process are all a part of new onboarding events that are filling critical new jobs created by Walmart’s business growth during an industry-wide shortage.

The revamped orientation initiatives have already cut in half the time between a candidate’s initial interview and a mandatory driving assessment, expediting the time it takes to complete a new hire.

“These hiring events are both improving the skill level of our candidates and enriching their onboarding experience,” said Lori Furnell, Walmart’s director of ...

Restaurant Brands International Announces Exciting Leadership Changes 

Restaurant Brands International Inc. ("RBI" or the "Company") (TSX/NYSE:QSR, TSX:QSP) today announced three leadership promotions that strengthen the Company's focus on accelerating its global growth. In addition, the Company pre-released comparable sales and net restaurant growth results, demonstrating the continued growth and performance in these key operational metrics.

Reflecting its confidence in the long-term outlook for the Company, the RBI Board of Directors has declared a dividend increase to $0.50 per common share and partnership exchangeable unit for the first quarter of 2019 and the Company also announced it is targeting $2.00 in dividends per common share and partnership exchangeable unit in 2019, compared to ...

Amazon Introduces New Delivery System 

At Amazon, we continually invest in new technologies to benefit customers. We’ve been hard at work developing a new, fully-electric delivery system – Amazon Scout – designed to safely get packages to customers using autonomous delivery devices. These devices were created by Amazon, are the size of a small cooler, and roll along sidewalks at a walking pace. Starting today, these devices will begin delivering packages to customers in a neighborhood in Snohomish County, Washington.

How will delivery by Amazon Scout work? Customers in Snohomish County order just as they normally would and their Amazon packages will be delivered either by one of our trusted partner carriers or by Amazon Scout. Customers can shop on the Amazon App or amazon.com and ...

Marvin Boakye Named Chief People Officer for Papa John’s

Papa John’s International, Inc., (NASDAQ: PZZA) announced today the appointment of Marvin Boakye as its first Chief People Officer. He will serve as a member of the Papa John’s Executive Leadership Team and report to President and CEO Steve Ritchie.

Boakye has more than 20 years of human resources experience, as well as expertise in change management and culture transformation. He has held human resources leadership roles for organizations across the United States, Canada and Latin America. Boakye joins Papa John’s after serving as vice president of human resources at petroleum company Andeavor in San Antonio, Texas, which was recently acquired by ...

Niche Brand Positionings can Help Canadian Restaurants Combat Traffic Challenges

Canadian consumers are visiting full-service restaurants slightly less frequently now than they were two years ago, Technomic reveals in the 2019 Canadian Future of FSR Consumer Trend Report. Likewise, sales growth for leading family-style and casual-dining chains is trailing the Top 200 chain average. To drive traffic and sales, FSR operators may want to look internally to pinpoint unique offerings and points of differentiation that will help them stand out from the competition.

“With fast casuals still growing quickly and newer channels like food halls and retail foodservice emerging, full-service operators are facing higher levels of competition ...

Starbucks Delivers Expands in U.S. Powered by Uber Eats

Today, Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) announced the expansion of its successful Starbucks Delivers pilot to an additional six cities across the United States. The expansion, in partnership with Uber Eats, begins today in San Francisco, the first of six new markets to offer the service to customers. Following an initial test in Miami, the company remains on track to bring Starbucks Delivers to nearly one-quarter of U.S. company-operated stores, with planned expansion to select stores in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., in the coming weeks. In total, Starbucks Delivers will be available in seven U.S. cities this spring.

The U.S. expansion of Starbucks Delivers follows success of the test in Miami that began in fall of 2018. The test, also powered by Uber Eats, saw strong demand, including repeat business throughout the day and...

Buckle Up: Amanda's Back!

This week's segment features the freshly graduated from the National Fisheries Institute’s Future Leaders Program Amanda Buckle. Urner Barry's shining star just returned from the Global Seafood Market Conference with a ton of things to discuss.

USDA Confirms Virulent Newcastle Disease in Backyard Exhibition Birds in Utah

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of virulent Newcastle disease in a small flock of backyard exhibition chickens in Utah County, Utah. This is the first case of virulent Newcastle disease in Utah. This case is believed to be connected to the current outbreak of virulent Newcastle disease in California, as three of the birds at the premises were recently moved to Utah from Los Angeles County, California. Since May 2018, 299 cases of Newcastle disease have been confirmed in Southern California, primarily in backyard exhibition birds.

Virulent Newcastle disease is not a food safety concern. No human cases of Newcastle disease have ever occurred from eating poultry products. Properly cooked poultry products are safe to eat. In very rare instances people working directly with sick birds can become infected. Symptoms are ...

Technomic's Take: 4 Global Trends for 2019

In order to keep up in foodservice, it’s important to always be forward-thinking. What will be the next big trend? What flavors are on the rise? What’s the next packaging enemy after plastic straws? Technomic recently released the top seven flavor trends to keep an eye out for in 2019, but we decided to take our predictive abilities beyond that, looking at what’s in store for restaurants on a global level this year.

Consumers’ lifestyles across the world are becoming busier and their needs are more demanding. From functional menu items to eco-friendly packaging, let’s look at the broader view of foodservice trends. Explore four key trends we predict will be showcased within restaurant menus, service strategies and best practices in 2019 ...

Walmart Expands its Grocery Delivery Service Providers

Walmart Teams up with Point Pickup, Skipcart, AxleHire and Roadie to expand Grocery Delivery

Walmart today announced the addition of four delivery companies to its team to help expand the retailer’s popular Online Grocery Delivery option. Point Pickup, Skipcart, AxleHire and Roadie will help power Walmart’s Online Grocery Delivery in metro areas across four states with further expansion planned in the coming weeks. Today, Walmart Grocery Delivery is available in more than 800 stores with another 800 being adding this year.

“Customers love our Grocery Delivery service. As they are busy managing jobs, soccer practice, dance lessons and social schedules we are on a mission to ...

Cargill to Grow Pakistan Business with US$200 Million Investment

Cargill renewed its long standing commitment to Pakistan by announcing plans to invest more than US$200 million in the next three-to-five years. The announcement was made in the meeting when Cargill’s global executive team, led by Marcel Smits, head of Global Strategy and Chairman, Cargill Asia Pacific region, and Gert-Jan van den Akker, president, Cargill Agricultural Supply Chain, met with the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan and other senior government officials to discuss the company’s future investment plans.

Being a global food and agriculture producer with a strong focus on Asia, Cargill aims to partner in Pakistan’s growth by bringing its global expertise and investment into the country. The company’s strategy includes expansion across its agricultural trading and supply chain, edible oils, dairy, meat and ...

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen Outlines Five Exciting Predictions for the Future of Retail

The Kroger Co. Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen provided his outlook on the future of retail at the NRF 2019: Retail's Big Show in New York City during a dynamic keynote presentation themed Restocking the future: Kroger's insatiable appetite to play and win the long game. CNBC "Squawk on the Street" and "Closing Bell" Anchor Sara Eisen moderated the 30-minute conversation on Sunday.

Here are Mr. McMullen's five predictions for the future of retail. 

Retail Won't Go Away

The industry experiences disruption and transformation every few years, but it's happening at a more rapid speed than ever before...

Legislation Expanding Executive Power Over Tariffs is Not what Congress Should Focus on, Says NRF

The National Retail Federation issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French on the United States Reciprocal Trade Act, legislation expected to be introduced today by Representative Sean Duffy, R-Wis., that would give the executive branch unilateral authority to raise U.S. tariffs on any foreign country.

“At a time when American businesses and families are suffering under unilateral tariffs imposed by the administration, Congress should be working to protect local communities from an escalated trade war. This misguided legislation would do the exact opposite, giving the executive branch limitless power to raise taxes in the form of tariffs. Congress has already ceded far too much ...

BFREPA Finds Gross Imbalance in Egg Supply Contracts

The British Free Range Egg Producers Association is seeking to reform supply contracts between farmers and packers after lawyers found terms of agreements are grossly imbalanced in favour of buyers.

A team of legal experts from Birketts LLP examined contracts provided by producers and found numerous areas requiring improvement.

They include pricing and payment terms – which vary massively between agreements – and termination which, in some cases, is weighted entirely towards packers.

BFREPA chief executive Robert Gooch has today opened up a dialog with 41 packers outlining the organisation’s areas of concern and asking for ...

USDA to Reopen FSA Offices for Limited Services During Government Shutdown

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that many Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will reopen temporarily in the coming days to perform certain limited services for farmers and ranchers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recalled about 2,500 FSA employees to open offices on Thursday, January 17 and Friday, January 18, in addition to Tuesday, January 22, during normal business hours. The offices will be closed for the federal Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, January 21.

In almost half of FSA locations, FSA staff will be available to assist agricultural producers with existing farm loans and to ensure the agency provides 1099 tax documents to borrowers by the Internal Revenue Service’s deadline ...

DoorDash becomes First On-Demand Destination to Offer Delivery in All 50 States

DoorDash, the last-mile logistics company connecting customers with their favorite restaurants through door-to-door delivery, today announced it is the first on-demand platform to operate in all 50 U.S. states across more than 3,300 cities across North America.

DoorDash is now live in its 48th, 49th and 50th states with food delivery operations underway in Alaska, Montana, and South Dakota. The company is also launching in several new cities across North Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming. To celebrate its entry into all 50 states, DoorDash is offering 50 cent deliveries for customers in all 50 states. The promotion is valid for ...

Stop & Shop Brings On-Demand, Self-Driving Grocery Stores to Consumers

Today, Stop & Shop announced that it will launch driverless grocery vehicles in the Greater Boston area beginning in Spring 2019. The vehicles will bring a selection of Stop & Shop produce as well as meal kits and convenience items directly to consumers, so they can shop right at their doorsteps. Part of an engagement with San Francisco-based startup Robomart, the vehicles will address consumers’ desires to select their own fresh produce when shopping via online or mobile and will deliver an even more convenient grocery shopping experience for Stop & Shop customers in the Boston area. The engagement will also offer the potential for Stop & Shop to expand beyond its existing brick-and-mortar footprint.

“This is one way in which we’re leveraging new technology to make shopping easier for our customers - by essentially bringing the store to them,” said Mark McGowan, Stop & Shop President. “We also recognize that many of our customers want the opportunity to ...

Tyson Foods and EDF Launch Partnership to Accelerate Sustainable Food Production

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) today announced a new partnership to develop and deploy initiatives that support Tyson’s sustainability strategy and help meet increasing consumer demand for more sustainably grown food.

The partnership’s first project focuses on land stewardship and aims to pilot and scale agriculture practices on 500,000 acres of corn that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), improve water quality and maximize farmer profitability. This effort will also help Tyson meet its land stewardship goal of ...

Jon Nash to Lead Cargill’s North American Protein Business 

Cargill has selected Jon Nash to lead its North American protein business. He will report to Brian Sikes, who was recently appointed to the executive team as leader of the company’s global protein and salt businesses.

Nash began his career at Cargill in 1998. Most recently, he was the president of Cargill’s Protein foodservice business, where he strengthened and built strategic customer relationships. He brings a diverse mix of commercial, operations and finance experience. Nash has served as vice president of operations and was the general manager and controller of the ...

GrubMarket Continues its Sizzling Growth Across the West Coast with the Acquisition of Chasin Foods

rubMarket today announced it has completed the acquisition of Chasin Foods, a leading wholesale distributor of quality produce, dairy, meats, seafood, and provisions. Chasin Foods was formally an independent, family owned distributor with a portfolio of clients including markets, manufacturers, jobbers, schools, chain restaurants, single unit restaurants and large institutional accounts across the Southern California region. This acquisition follows in the footsteps of GrubMarket's recent acquisition of So Cal Farm Network last year, which has proven to be highly successful. Chasin Foods will now be able to leverage GrubMarket's robust produce supply chain network to quickly expand its offerings to even more ...

Mintel Announces Four U.S. Foodservice Trends for 2019

Mintel, the world’s leading market intelligence agency, has today (January 14, 2019) announced four trends set to impact the US restaurant industry in 2019. In the year ahead, the foodservice landscape will evolve, driven by increased awareness around social and environmental responsibility and innovation in technology-enabled customer service.

You Are Where You Eat

Where you choose to dine says more about you than just your food preferences; it’s a reflection of who you are. With more restaurants extending their reach beyond the dining table, diners are supporting restaurants with cultures and values that align with...