U.S. Shoppers Shift Shopping Strategies to Brace for Recessionary Effects

A much more discerning grocery shopper is emerging in the wake of initial widespread panic-buying sparked by COVID-19 this past spring that led consumers to disregard prices and stock up on products and ingredients required to prepare the entirety of their family meals at home. Retailers and their trading partners responded as rapidly as possible to the sudden spikes in demand by pulling back on promotional efforts and focusing on their supply chains to keep up, which led to higher prices on 64% of more than 500 grocery store categories.

The short-term result? FMCG sales shot up $77.9 billion across all U.S. channels for the 52 weeks ended Sept. 12, 2020, translating to year-over-year growth of 9.3%. While this lift was astounding for the retail industry, it’s time for stakeholders to...

Papa John's Sustains Strong North America and International Comparable Sales in September

Papa John’s International, Inc. provided preliminary estimated comparable sales information for the month of September and the third quarter fiscal period. In light of the uncertainty related to the pandemic, the company has continued to provide this information on a monthly basis.

President & CEO Rob Lynch said, “Six consecutive months of double-digit comparable sales growth were made possible by the hard work of Papa John’s team members and franchisees during the global pandemic. We remain confident that our innovation pipeline, marketing and technology platforms, and strong operations will continue to...

The Consumer Confidence Index Increased in September 

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index increased in September, after declining in August. The Index now stands at 101.8 (1985=100), up from 86.3 in August. The Present Situation Index – based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions – increased from 85.8 to 98.5. The Expectations Index – based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions – increased from 86.6 in August to 104.0 this month.

The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey, based on a probability-design random sample, is conducted for The Conference Board by Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and analytics around what consumers buy and watch. The cutoff date for the preliminary results was...

Tim Ørting Jørgensen Joins Sysco as Executive VP & President, Foodservice Operations – International

Sysco announce on Wednesday that they have hired Tim Ørting Jørgensen as their new executive vice president and president, foodservice operations – international.

Jørgensen joins the team at Sysco after working with international dairy cooperative Arla for the past 30 years. He most recently served as Arla's executive vice president, international.

In his new position at Sysco, Jørgensen will be leading the company's operations in Canada, Europe, the Bahamas and Latin America, where he will be overseeing the development and execution of key strategies for growth in these geographics...

Kroger Announces New Senior Vice President of Supply Chain

The Kroger Co. announced the retirement of Robert Clark, senior vice president of supply chain, manufacturing and enterprise sourcing, after more than 35 years of service, effective February 1, 2021. Clark will be succeeded by Gabriel Arreaga, who is joining The Kroger Co. as senior vice president of supply chain, starting October 1, 2020.

Robert Clark, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Enterprise Sourcing, Announces Retirement

Clark began his career in the Fry's division as a bagger in 1985. He advanced to occupy several store, district and division leadership roles for Fry's, including being named vice president of merchandising in 2002. Clark relocated in 2010 to the Columbus division to serve as...

United Natural Foods Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Strong Full Year Fiscal 2020 Results

United Natural Foods, Inc. reported financial results for the fourth quarter (13 weeks) and fiscal year (52 weeks) ended August 1, 2020.

Fiscal 2020 Full Year Highlights

(Fiscal 2019 was a 53 week year that included the contribution from an acquisition for 41 weeks)

• Net sales increased to $26.5 billion
• Net loss of $(274) million, including $425 million pre-tax goodwill and asset impairment charges recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2020
• Adjusted EBITDA increased to $673 million
• Loss per diluted share (EPS) improved to $(5.10)
• Adjusted EPS increased to...

Panera Bread Hires Lauren Cody as Chief of Staff and Chief Customer Officer 

Panera Bread announced the appointment of Lauren Cody as Chief of Staff and Chief Customer Officer. A dynamic leader with global experience, Cody comes to the brand with more than two decades of experience in the food service industry. Cody has extensive expertise in consumer and business insights, general management and strategy creation and execution at companies within the US and globally.

“It’s an exciting time at Panera and we are very pleased to have Lauren join us as Chief of Staff and Chief Customer Officer, reporting directly to me,” said Niren Chaudhary, Panera CEO. “Panera is a brand that puts our guests first, and with Lauren driving strategy at the helm of our Customer Care division, we are excited to continue...

US Foods Publishes 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

US Foods Holding Corp. has published its 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility report. This is the company’s first expanded CSR report, and it highlights the company’s 2019 progress across its three CSR pillars: people, planet and products.

“At US Foods, our CSR platform is built on our long-standing commitment to operating with the highest levels of integrity and a respect for the greater good,” said US Foods Chairman and CEO, Pietro Satriano. “We are proud of the progress represented in this report and the hard work of our associates who contributed to these efforts. We look forward to continuing to advance...

The Hartman Group's Shelley Balanko on Consumer Buying Trends in a Pandemic

During extraordinary times, insights into consumer behaviors become more vital than ever to businesses. The Hartman Group, a food culture consultancy, provides such trends, insights, and strategic counsels to professionals in the food and beverage industry. The company conducts its own primary research with expertise in areas including sustainability and the health and wellness consumer.

In 2012, the Hartman Group developed the Eating Occasions Compass, a database that documents the who, what, when, where, and why of eating occasions in the United States...

Olymel Invests Over $30 Million in St-Damase Poultry Processing Plant 

Olymel management announced an investment of more than $31.5 million to expand its poultry slaughtering and cutting plant in St-Damase, Montérégie, in order to diversify operations and add new activities. This project will result in the creation of more than 80 new jobs and bring the total number of employees at this facility to nearly 500, spread over two shifts. This major investment is aimed in particular at equipping the plant with additional cutting, deboning and tray packing lines, as well as new high-capacity, state-of-the-art equipment. The work, which is expected to last about a year, will take place without interrupting the plant's current operations and had begun...

Blue Apron to Introduce First-Ever Thanksgiving Feast

Blue Apron is introducing its first-ever Thanksgiving feast, featuring chef-designed recipes created for an unforgettable, stress-free, and delicious Thanksgiving Day meal.

Known for its unique take on everyday recipes, Blue Apron's Thanksgiving-inspired, southern-style menu will give options to suit every holiday table for parties up to eight people. Complete with a step-by-step guide on how to organize, prepare, and cook a Thanksgiving meal, Blue Apron will also support its home cooks by sharing tips on its social channels to help make the holiday as fun as possible.

"Thanksgiving is going to be different for many families this year, and we're happy to join them in the kitchen by creating...

Rabobank's Poultry Quarterly Q4 2020: The Challenge of Balancing Volatile Markets 

Moving through Q4 2020 and into 2021, the global poultry industry will operate in a volatile market context, with pressure coming from foodservice and wholesale markets. Possible new waves of Covid-19 will add to the market ups and downs, and the impact of a deep economic crisis will make markets more price-driven.

“Over the whole year, we expect a slight increase in global poultry production, mostly as a result of poultry expansion in China and Vietnam, where African swine fever has reduced pork availability, and also from expansion in the US. The rest of the world will be...

Kroger and Ocado Announce Location of Customer Fulfillment Center in Michigan

The Kroger Co. and Ocado announced Romulus, MI, as the latest location for a Customer Fulfillment Center (CFC). The location confirms a previous announcement stating Kroger and Ocado would construct a CFC in the Great Lakes Region.

"Kroger is incredibly excited to develop one of our industry-leading Customer Fulfillment Centers in Michigan in relationship with Ocado to bring fresh food to our customers faster than ever before," said Robert Clark, Kroger's senior vice president of supply chain, manufacturing and sourcing. "We continue to invest in and constantly improve our e-commerce capabilities, focusing on...

China Declares War on Waste in Food Catering

Ongoing anti-food waste campaigns in China aim to reduce food loss in catering. Although China seems to have no immediate worries about food shortage, the coronavirus pandemic, the geopolitical turmoil, and the escalating trade tensions with leading exporters have the potential to restrict China’s access to edible oil and protein meals. China is highly dependent on these imports, often in the form of oilseeds, which are then domestically processed.

Based on Rabobank’s analysis, eliminating waste in food catering (including restaurants, group dining and food deliveries) could make up to 5% of the nation’s soybean imports (5m metric tons) and 6% of the palm oil imports (0.4m metric tons) unnecessary. In addition, 10m metric tons of feed grains, mostly corn, could also be ‘saved’ this way. As China’s corn is experiencing...

A New Way to Protect Your COMTELL Account

The security of your personal information is our priority at Urner Barry.  To further protect your data, we will be launching a multi-factor authentication login system for COMTELL.  This extra layer of security for your account will drastically reduce the likelihood of fraud, data loss, or any other interception of your information. 

Sysco Announces Launch of New Menu Concepts

Sysco Corporation announced the nationwide launch of ten exciting menu concepts exclusively for Sysco customers through the company’s Cutting Edge Solutions platform. These chef-tested and innovative products are being launched to help foodservice operators with on-trend dining options as they enter a new normal phase of restaurant dining amidst the global pandemic.

Designed to help Sysco’s customers stay ahead of their competition, Cutting Edge Solutions products are sourced from best-in-class suppliers at the forefront of innovation. Each offering meets important dining trends such as...

Winter Is Coming: US Restaurant Reopening Faces Next Pandemic Challenge

While outdoor seating has helped mitigate revenue losses caused by restrictions on dine-in foodservice during the COVID-19 pandemic to an extent, restaurants face an uncertain fall and winter, with further layoffs expected across the hospitality industry as temperatures fall, outdoor dining becomes uncomfortable, and the threat of COVID-19 continues to loom.

How are foodservice operators adapting to the shifting market environment and what effect are these changes having on foodservice products? US Restaurant Reopening: COVID 19 Impact on Supplies, a new study from The Freedonia Group, analyzes the reopening of restaurants in the...

U.S. Restaurant Dollar and Traffic Declines Ease in August as Consumers Gain Comfort in Dining Out

While August restaurant trends reflect an environment in which slightly less than 25% of restaurant units were under restrictions for on-premises dining during the course of the month, similar to June and July, the rate of traffic and dollar declines for the month eased slightly to  -10% and  -9%, respectively, compared to same period year ago, reports The NPD Group.

“As the summer progressed and mandated restrictions were lifted, an increasing number of consumers became more comfortable dining out based on the safety protocols restaurants put in place,” says David Portalatin, NPD food industry advisor and author of Eating Patterns in America...

Mosa Meat Raises Series B Funding to Prepare for Large-scale Cultured Meat Production

Mosa Meat, the European food technology company which introduced the world's first cultured beef hamburger in 2013, announced the first closing of $55M as part of a larger Series B funding round. 

Mosa Meat will use the funds to extend its current pilot production facility at its home in Maastricht, develop an industrial-sized production line, expand its team, and introduce delicious cultivated beef to consumers. While no date has been announced for an introduction to consumers, the company will work with regulators to demonstrate the safety of cultivated beef, in order to achieve regulatory approval to serve consumers in Europe who are craving change...

Kroger Provides Resources to Help Families Prevent Food Waste While Enjoying More Meals at Home

In September 2017, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced the launch of Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, the company's bold social impact plan aimed at ending hunger in the communities it calls home and eliminating waste across the company by 2025.

Three years later, Americans are more conscious of food waste than ever before. A recent national survey of Kroger shoppers conducted by 84.51˚, Kroger's data analytics subsidiary, revealed that food waste prevention is top of mind for many families as they continue to enjoy more meals together at home...

ANALYSIS: Record Chicken Weight a Product of the Times

Seasoned observers of the chicken industry understand that a number of factors contribute to feed conversion and weight gain among broilers...

ANALYSIS: Tidying Up Toms

It was only a few years back that the turkey industry was lamenting the state of the affairs in the whole bird market...

Agricultural Consultant Michelle Klieger Breaks Down the Needs and Wants of Today's Consumer

For decades, agriculture’s mantra has been to provide safe and affordable food. This dual-mandate resulted in a highly concentrated and specialized agricultural system that constantly improves efficiency and increases output throughout the supply chain. With this yardstick, agriculture has achieved its goal. In developed countries, food is widely available and takes up a smaller percentage of the average household budget than ever before. Yet, it’s too soon for agriculture to declare victory.

To maximize the food production system, resiliency and optimization were sacrificed...

Landlords and Retail Tenants Compromise to Emerge Stronger Post-COVID-19, says NRF and PJ SOLOMON

With close to zero revenue coming in the door for many bricks-and-mortar retail operations during the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, retailers and their landlords are working together to address outstanding rent obligations, the National Retail Federation and PJ SOLOMON said today.

“We started to see some encouraging signs for the retail industry with June’s positive sales growth and within the backdrop of a gradually reopening economy,” said David French, NRF’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations. “The influx of stimulus-driven consumer spending and negotiations with landlords has helped keep retailers afloat. As retailers look ahead to cover rent and other expenses in the coming months, more federal government relief is needed to ensure the industry can continue to rebound and fuel the economic recovery..."

Darden Restaurants Reports Fiscal 2021 First Quarter Results

Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE:DRI) today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended August 30, 2020.

First Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights, Comparisons to First Quarter Last Year

• Total sales of $1.53 billion, a decrease of 28.4% driven by negative blended same-restaurant sales of 29.0% and partially offset by the addition of 14 net new restaurants
• Same-restaurant sales by segment:..

Consumers Itching for Night Out but Restaurants Limited with Winter Weather on the Horizon

As consumers grow weary of eating at home and ordering takeout or delivery, restaurants in some of the states hit the hardest by the coronavirus are beginning to allow indoor dining, providing a glimmer of hope for operators as they look for a return to normalcy.

At the same time, many restaurants are limited by occupancy regulations and lack of real estate for outdoor dining capabilities. Plus, the cooler weather will be less appealing in the coming weeks...

Jason Melbourne to Join the Board of Directors of Restaurant Brands International

The Board of Directors of Restaurant Brands International Inc. (TSX: QSR) (NYSE: QSR) (TSX: QSP) ("RBI") announced today that Jason Melbourne was appointed to join the RBI Board of Directors as an independent member.

Mr. Melbourne is currently the Managing Director and Head of Canadian Equities at Canaccord Genuity in Toronto, Ontario. He has extensive capital market experience, including his previous roles at Genuity Capital Markets and CIBC World Markets – both based in Toronto. Mr. Melbourne is a strong supporter of public service and the community, including through his current board of director roles for the Ontario...

Pilgrim’s Announces Appointment of Fabio Sandri as CEO

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (NASDAQ: PPC) today announced that interim president and CEO Fabio Sandri has been appointed by the Pilgrim’s Board of Directors as president and CEO of Pilgrim’s, effective immediately.

“I am humbled and excited to be selected by the Board to lead Pilgrim’s in our next stage of growth and opportunity for our team members,” said Sandri. “I look forward to working alongside our strong team of professionals around the globe who are committed to realizing Pilgrim’s vision to be the best and most respected company in our industry.”

The company has initiated a search process to identify a new Chief Financial Officer to replace Mr. Sandri...

Tyson Foods Poultry Plants Win 2020 Clean Water Awards

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) awarded the 2020 CLEAN WATER AWARD to Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) facilities in New Holland, Pennsylvania, and Robards, Kentucky. The annual award recognizes poultry facilities that go above and beyond in sustainable wastewater treatment and water reuse. 

“We’re committed to delivering sustainable food to a growing world,” said Dean Banks, president and incoming CEO of Tyson Foods. “Fulfilling this mission requires protecting and respecting natural resources, including the land and water that we depend on to operate..."

Gardein Debuts First-Ever Collection Of Plant-Based Meat Alternative Soups

Gardein, a brand of Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), is taking its collection of plant-based meat alternatives from the freezer case to the soup aisle with the debut of five new Gardein Soups, the first-ever line-up of soups featuring plant-based meat alternatives. Delivering "meaty" taste with 100% vegan ingredients, the soups are destined to be a cold-weather favorite for anyone seeking an alternative to traditional meat-based soups.

Walmart Sets Goal to Become a Regenerative Company

Building on more than 15 years of sustainability leadership, Walmart today announced it is doubling down on addressing the growing climate crisis by targeting zero emissions across the company’s global operations by 2040. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are also committing to help protect, manage or restore at least 50 million acres of land and one million square miles of ocean by 2030 to help combat the cascading loss of nature threatening the planet.

“We want to play an important role in transforming the world’s supply chains to be regenerative. We face a growing crisis of climate change and nature loss, and we all need to take action with urgency,” said Doug McMillon, president and chief executive officer, Walmart Inc...

John Manzella Talks Macro-economic Trends, Global Trade and What's Ahead

Leading up to Urner Barry’s Executive Conference and Global Protein Summit virtual event, Urner Barry’s Reporter sat down with keynote speaker John Manzella to highlight his upcoming presentations.

Manzella is a world-recognized speaker and author, as well as a nationally syndicated columnist on global business, trade policy, labor, and the latest economic trends. He is also the founder of both ManzellaReport.com, a premier source for global business and economic analysis, and Manzella Trade Communications, Inc., a public affairs, publishing and consulting firm...

Not Chicken: Plant-based Protein Brand daring Raises $8 Million

daring, the leader in clean plant-based chicken, announces the close of an $8 million Series A funding round led by Maveron, the prominent venture capital firm that invests in early-stage consumer brands. Additional investors include GoodFriends (from the founders of Allbirds, Harry’s and Warby Parker), Stray Dog Capital, Palm Tree Crew Investments (Kygo and Myles Shear), and private investors including Mike Smith (CFO of Stitch Fix) and Brian Swette(former Chair of Burger King). This round of funding will support daring’s mission to remove chicken from the food system and will propel the brand’s unprecedented growth through marketing, innovation and staffing...

Tofu Sales Skyrocket During the Pandemic, as Consumers Search for Affordable Meat Alternatives

American grocery store shoppers became accustomed to limits on certain household staples during the first half of 2020. The quest for toilet paper, ground beef and hand sanitizer sparked panic buying and supermarket aisle scuffles, while overzealous bread bakers desperately searched for flour and a drop in carbon dioxide supply threatened the soda industry.

But the biggest surprise of this year's COVID-19 public health crisis may be a sudden outpouring of love for tofu.

Since U.S. coronavirus shutdowns began in mid-March, tofu shortages have been reported from Seattle...

FAT Brands Completes Acquisition of Johnny Rockets, Increases Securitization Facility to $80 Million

FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Johnny Rockets from an affiliate of private equity firm Sun Capital Partners, Inc. for a purchase price of approximately $25 million. The transaction was funded with proceeds from an increase in the Company’s securitization facility. With the acquisition of Johnny Rockets, FAT Brands now franchises more than 700 restaurants around the globe in more than 30 countries with annual system-wide sales exceeding $700 million...

New York City Partners with Mercato to Equip Independent Grocers with Online Ordering & Delivery

Mercato has been selected by the City of New York to become the eCommerce marketplace that will connect underserved NYC communities to local grocery stores. Through this partnership, select stores in all five boroughs will begin offering their inventory online and via local delivery - a functionality these stores weren't previously equipped with.

"As a native New Yorker and the son of an independent grocer in Brooklyn, I am excited to work with the City to support these neighborhood grocers and to announce Mercato's commitment to improving access to quality food for residents of areas that were impacted by the COVID crisis while also providing these local retailers with a new sales channel..."

Protein Industry Reacts to Latest Coronavirus Aid Package

Following the announcement from President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue regarding an additional $14 billion in potential COVID-19 aid to agriculture producers, the protein industry provided their thoughts on the news.

Find the announcement regarding Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) here.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released a statement about what CFAP 2 could mean for beef producers in the country.

“We are pleased to see that USDA is using unspent funds in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program to provide further relief to cattle producers who have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic," said NCBA Vice President Of Government Affairs Ethan Lane...

Culver's Announces the Retirement of CEO and President Joe Koss

Culver Franchising System LLC announced today the retirement of CEO and President Joe Koss at the end of 2020.

After 23 years with this growing organization, to what is now nearly 770 restaurants, Koss made the decision to retire and spend more time with his family.

"Joe has positively impacted so many facets of our company in his time with us, especially his leadership through this unprecedented set of circumstances we've successfully navigated recently," said co-founder Craig Culver. "That said, we certainly know how important family is and fully support his decision to focus there..."

USDA Releases Roadmap to Address Salmonella

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Food Safety (OFS) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have released a plan to decrease Salmonella, one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses. The Roadmap to Reducing Salmonella: Driving Change through Science-Based Policy outlines programs and policies that are science-based, data-driven, and promote innovation to reduce Salmonella in meat, poultry, and egg products.

“This roadmap represents FSIS’ commitment to lead with science and data in all that we do. It puts us on a course to aggressively target Salmonella and other foodborne pathogens,” said USDA’s Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears...

Publix Named Among Fortune’s Best Workplaces for Women

Publix has been recognized by Fortune as one of the Best Workplaces for Women, ranking No. 29 out of 100 companies on the 2020 list.

“We are honored to be recognized by Fortune as a best workplace for women,” said Publix Director of Communications Maria Brous. “Our inclusion on the 2020 list reflects Publix’s commitment to create a diverse culture that makes us stronger as a company.”

In a survey conducted by Great Place to Work, women were asked about experiences in their workplace based on their ability to reach their full potential and how their gender shapes those experiences. Great Place to Work then analyzed trends based on an organization’s size, industry and region...

USDA to Provide Additional $14 Billion to Farmers and Ranchers Impacted by the Coronavirus

President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced up to an additional $14 billion dollars for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Signup for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) will begin September 21st and run through December 11, 2020.

“America’s agriculture communities are resilient, but still face many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Trump is once again demonstrating his commitment to ensure America’s farmers and ranchers remain in business to produce the food, fuel, and fiber America needs to thrive,” said Secretary Perdue...

Papa John's Announces Plans For New Global Headquarters in Atlanta 

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) today announced plans to open a new global headquarters in the Metro Atlanta, GA region, where menu innovation; marketing; customer experience; HR; diversity, equity and inclusion; communications; and development functions will be located. IT, supply chain, and legal teams will remain in the Louisville, KY headquarters. Papa John’s also maintains a headquarters office outside of London, UK, where its international operations are managed.

Papa John’s new headquarters in Metro Atlanta is a key element of a broader reorganization of corporate functions, reflecting the company’s ongoing transformation into a brand and culture that can effectively and efficiently deliver on the company’s purpose, values and strategic business priorities...

Plant-based Protein Labeling Legal Battle Heats Up in Oklahoma

Upton’s Naturals Co, a plant-based protein producer, and the Plant Based Foods Association are suing the state of Oklahoma for its ‘Meat Consumer Protection Act’ which will come into effect on November 1 and force products to print a label the size of the brand name stating that the product is plant-based.

Upton’s argues the Act is infringing on the company’s first amendment rights, per a complaint filed to a U.S. District Court. This is the second time the parties have taken...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Slaughter--A Familiar Trend Emerges

With Q4 at our doorstep, this week we thought it would be a great opportunity to check in on the  slaughter stats to investigate how the average weights of chickens and the distribution of them relative to headcount, is stacking up to the high bar set in 2019...

Urner Barry's Reporter Fall 2020 Issue Released; Read It Online For Free Now

A brand new issue of Urner Barry's Reporter is out! Volume 15, Number 4 features a preview of Urner Barry's upcoming Executive Conference and Global Protein Summit, set to take place from October 6-9, 2020. Check out interviews with some of the speakers from our epic online event, including Scott Rasmussen, John Manzella, Fernando Machado and more! Click here to read.

Not a subscriber? Sign up for free! Click here to subscribe to Urner Barry’s Reporter, the quarterly newsmagazine for the food industry professional. 

ANALYSIS: As Temperatures Rose, So Did Turkey Export Tonnage

Following three consecutive month-over-month reductions in total turkey export tonnage, July bucked the trend with outward volume increasing by 9.5 million pounds or 25.2% above...

Good Food Institute’s Alison Rabschnuk Talks About the Growing Demand for Alternative Proteins

The plant-based food industry has not been immune to the impacts of COVID-19. Just like those in poultry, beef and seafood, the shutdown of the foodservice industry forced those in the plant-based world to shift their focus to retail. Fortunately for them, plant-based proteins have seen a significant jump in retail sales growth.

According to Alison Rabschnuk, Director of Corporate Engagement of the Good Food Institute, a non-profit that provides strategic support for companies working on plant-based and cultivated meat products...

NRF: August Retail Sales Grow as Pandemic Recovery Continues

Retail sales continued to recover from the coronavirus pandemic in August, showing a gradual improvement from July and larger gains year-over-year, the National Retail Federation said today.

“While August retail sales numbers were a bit mixed, we believe the consumer is resilient and is in good shape as we head into the holiday season,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Over the past several months, consumers have responded well to federal relief measures that have supported the recovery, so it comes as no surprise that they would take a pause on spending as some of these programs tapered off at the end of July..."

Willow Tree Poultry Farm, Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken Salad Products

Willow Tree Poultry Farm, Inc., an Attleboro, Mass. establishment is recalling approximately 6,890 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken salad products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products may contain walnuts, a known allergen, which are not declared on the product labels. 

The RTE chicken salad product labeled as “Classic Chicken Salad” may actually contain “White Meat Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad” and was produced on Sept. 2, 2020. The following product is subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)...

Study Sheds Light on U.S. Consumer Preferences on Conventional and Alternative Protein Products 

In the past six months, players within the plant-based protein industry have been dazzled by the performance of their alternative burgers, patties, nuggets, and sausages. As reported by the Good Food Institute (GFI) overall plant-based product sales increased to a peak of... 

Dunkin' Delivery with DoorDash Now Available at 3,500 Restaurants Nationwide

Dunkin' and DoorDash have teamed up to make delivery available at approximately 3,500 Dunkin' restaurants across the country, with further expansion planned over the coming months. To officially kick off the relationship, DoorDash is treating guests with a special offer. Starting September 15 through September 21, consumers that spend $10 or more on Dunkin' through DoorDash will be eligible for a free 25-count box of Munchkins and a $0 delivery fee.

According to Brandy Blackwell, Director of New Business, Delivery & Catering, for Dunkin' U.S., "Dunkin' guests know they can count on us to offer the most convenient ways to enjoy their favorite coffee and...

Cracker Barrel Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Fiscal 2020 Results

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 ended July 31, 2020 and provided an update regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2020 Highlights

• Dining room service gradually returned during the first two months of the quarter, and by the end of June, substantially all dining rooms were open at varying levels of reduced capacity.
• Comparable store restaurant and retail sales both improved sequentially each month during the quarter. Comparable store restaurant sales decreased...

PODCAST: Go With the Grain – Glenn Smith on Feed Ingredients

Glenn Smith, Director of Feed Ingredient Procurement at Wayne Farms, returns this week to Market Digest! Laura and Glenn discuss the increased demand for protein items as...

Adapt and Move Fast: A Q&A with Restaurant Brands International CMO Fernando Machado

We caught up with Fernando Machado, Global CMO at Restaurant Brands International, to talk about his perspective on the pandemic and foodservice impacts ahead of his much-anticipated appearance at Urner Barry’s upcoming Executive Conference and Global Protein Summit, broadcasting exclusively online October 6-9, 2020. Fernando’s focus is infusing Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons with purpose, improving product quality, overall sustainability, modernizing design, and inspiring the organization around tech, digital and brand development...

SpartanNash Announces New President and CEO

SpartanNash Company announced that it has hired Tony B. Sarsam as President and Chief Executive Officer. Sarsam will assume that role and join the Board of Directors, effective September 21, 2020. Interim President and CEO Dennis Eidson will continue in his role as Chairman of the Board and will serve as Executive Chairman for a period of thirty days to ensure a smooth transition with Sarsam.

Sarsam is an accomplished CEO who has a unique blend of consumer products and supply chain expertise in the food industry, which positions him especially well to lead SpartanNash Company. Sarsam most recently served as CEO of Borden Dairy Company, Inc. where he led business growth and positive trends in a challenging industry. He successfully led Borden through its recent restructuring and...

PepsiCo Announces Senior Leadership Appointment

PepsiCo, Inc. announced that Athina Kanioura has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer. She will report to Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta.

In this new role, Kanioura will lead PepsiCo's end-to-end strategy to win both as a total company and in key markets, including the company's digitalization and data strategy. She will also lead company-wide transformation—ensuring that PepsiCo's scale is leveraged as the company focuses on accelerating growth and identifying areas of cost efficiency and optimization.

"Athina is a highly talented leader who will bring a cross-functional, technology-driven approach to...

NAMI Responds to Washington Post Article on OSHA Citations 

The Washington Post article discussed below was not featured on Urner Barry's sites. 

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today said the Washington Post missed the real story regarding the Occupational and Safety Health Administration’s (OSHA) citations of two meat packing companies related to COVID-19:

Kim Kindy of the Washington Post has written a story critical of OSHA’s citations of two meat packing plants. We agree OSHA deserves criticism, but for different reasons. OSHA’s citations against Smithfield Foods and JBS Foods are both confusing and revisionist.

Kindy neglects to look at the timeline. Let us review...

100,000 Restaurants Closed Six Months into Pandemic

Six months following the first shutdown of restaurants for the coronavirus pandemic, the restaurant industry is in limbo. According to a new survey released by the National Restaurant Association, nearly 1 in 6 restaurants (representing nearly 100,000 restaurants) is closed either permanently or long-term; nearly 3 million employees are still out of work; and the industry is on track to lose $240 billion in sales by the end of the year.

The survey, which asked restaurant operators about the six-month impact of the pandemic on their businesses, found that overwhelmingly, most restaurants are still struggling to survive and don't expect their position to improve over the next six months. The findings include...

US Foods Fall Scoop Helps Restaurant Operators Stay On Point With Evolving Off-Premise Trends

US Foods Holding Corp. announced the launch of Fall Scoop 2020, titled “On Point With Off-Premise – Designed To Make It.” This special edition of Scoop features 14 products designed to address trends within off-premise dining such as labor-saving products perfect for DIY meal kits and products that will help ease diner safety and hygiene worries, including tamper-evident packaging and sanitation items.

“The restaurant environment has changed immensely with the surge in off-premise dining, and the ability for restaurant operators to adapt with creativity, labor savings and safety in mind is...

White Castle Introduces the Crave Clutch

White Castle is once again disrupting how customers transport its famous Sliders. The restaurant is adding yet another unique container – the Crave Clutch – to its lineup of iconic packaging. The colorful clutch makes its debut in all White Castle restaurants and will be available for a limited time. It's the first new package since White Castle introduced the 100-count Crave Crate in 2004.

Holding 20 Sliders of any variety, the Crave Clutch sits nicely between the classic 10 Sack and the 30-Slider Crave Case, making it the perfect choice for family meals and small gatherings. That's especially helpful now as people spend more time at home or outdoors in response to...

Amazon Hiring 100,000 New Employees Across the U.S. and Canada 

Amazon continues to provide opportunities for regular full-time and part-time jobs in its fulfillment and logistics network as it expands its footprint to better serve customers in communities where they live. The company announced that it is hiring an additional 100,000 regular employment opportunities throughout the U.S. and Canada on top of the 33,000 Corporate and Technology jobs announced last week. The roles offer a starting wage of at least $15 per hour, and in select cities Amazon is offering sign-on bonuses up to $1,000 to new hires. On top of Amazon’s minimum $15 wage, the company offers full-time employees industry-leading benefits, which include health, vision and...

NAMI Issues Statement on OSHA Citation Related to COVID-19

The North American Meat Institute released the following statement from Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts regarding an Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) citation related to COVID-19.

“While the meat and poultry industry remains vigilant working with many government agencies to stop the spread of COVID-19, OSHA engages in revisionism.

“The meat and poultry industry’s first priority is the safety of the men and women who work in their facilities. Notwithstanding inconsistent and sometimes...

Sysco Introduces ‘Foodie Solutions’ to Help Customers Approach Foodservice During COVID-19 Pandemic

As foodservice operators continue to navigate the coronavirus pandemic and states begin to lift restrictions like indoor dining, Sysco has launched Foodie Solutions, a platform created to support foodservice operates during this time.

Through perspective from supporting restaurants and operators across the U.S. Sysco identified essential tools to help customers respond quickly to the changing environment and new trends that have developed during COVID-19 shutdowns.

“Foodie Solutions’ comprehensive suite of toolkits is designed to help operators drive traffic..."

Kroger Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results and Updates Full-Year 2020 Guidance

The Kroger Co. reported its second quarter 2020 results, provided a Restock Kroger progress update on the three-year transformation plan, and shared a COVID-19 response update.

Comments from Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen

"Each day I'm inspired by the work our incredible associates do to bring to life our purpose, to Feed the Human Spirit. I am proud of our dedicated associates who are serving our customers when they need us most. Our top priority is to provide a safe environment for associates and customers and as the pandemic continues, we will continue to rise to meet the challenge.

Customers are at the center of everything we do and, as a result, we are...

Foodservice Focus Shifts With No Tailgating, Spectators as Football Season Kicks Off

Most NFL fans won’t be firing up their grills in the parking lots or purchasing sandwiches while cheering their favorite teams this year.

At the same time, fans who typically head out to their favorite sports bar or restaurant to catch the game, may not have the opportunity or feel safe due to COVID-19 restrictions and concerns.

Early in the pandemic, family deals and other large portioned offerings were popular among restaurants. Similar deals are being revived as favorite...

ANALYSIS: Q4 Wing and Tender Performance Dependent on Price and Seasonality

It is certainly a relief to have our daily lives slowly returning to something we might recognize as normal. There is no doubt that is the case for...

Imports Spike as Economy Continues Recovery and Retailers Stock Up for Holidays

Imports surged to unexpected high levels this summer and may have hit a new record as the U.S. economy continues to reopen and retailers stock up for the holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“It’s important to be careful how much to read into these numbers after all we’ve seen this year, but retailers are importing far more merchandise for the holidays than we expected even a month ago,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Some of these imports are helping replenish inventories that started to run low after...

White Castle Launches Craver Nation Loyalty Program 

White Castle has launched its first loyalty program, Craver Nation. The program will provide valuable discounts and special offers to customers based on their individual purchase history at White Castle restaurants. Members will receive a free combo meal with four Original Sliders, a small order of fries and a small soft drink when they sign up.

"No two customers are quite alike, which is why we're offering a personalized experience that's not based on points or the number of purchases, but instead on their individual preferences at White Castle," said Lisa Ingram, president and CEO of White Castle and fourth generation family member. "We're looking forward to providing these special offers and...

Postmates Becomes Official On-Demand Food Delivery Partner of The NFL

The National Football League and Postmates, have entered into a multi-year sponsorship agreement making Postmates the first official on-demand food delivery partner of the NFL. Postmates is also an official sponsor of NFL premier events including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl and Draft, to name a few.

"People across the country aren't just ready to order their favorite gameday foods, they are eagerly awaiting the return of football. While most fans won't be able to physically go to the game, this partnership with the NFL allows us to bring the gameday experience, and...

Weekly Unemployment Claims Remain Elevated

The U.S. Labor Department reported 884,000 first-time filings for unemployment claims, unchanged from the previous week's revised level. For the week ending August 29, the advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 9.2%, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the unrevised rate the week before. Continuing claims from those filing for at least two weeks rose from the week prior, reaching 13.385 million. That is an increase of 93,000 from last week's report and an indicator that job improvement through the summer may be tailing off as fall begins.

For the week ending September 5, the 4-week moving average was 970,750, a decrease of 21,750 from the previous week's revised average. Claims under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program continued to rise, increasing more than...

Bell & Evans Begins Construction On an Organic Chicken Facility

Premium poultry producer Bell & Evans began construction on a new 411,500 square foot, Organic-Certified Chicken Harvesting Facility in Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania. The first precast walls were placed in July, and the facility will be operational by late 2021. The project will cost the company approximately $330 million and double its current production capacity.

Bell & Evans produces 100% premium Raised Without Antibiotics chicken and Organic chicken, approximately 60% and 40% of its business, respectively. The additional capacity will allow Bell & Evans to continue expanding...

McDonald's to Test Reusable Cup Model for Hot Beverages 

McDonald’s Corporation has announced a global partnership with TerraCycle’s circular packaging service, Loop, to test a new reusable cup model for hot beverages. The initiative, which will first be trialed in 2021 across select McDonald’s restaurants in the UK, helps customers enjoy their favorite McDonald’s hot drink in a reusable cup, while cutting down on packaging waste. The model marks significant progress toward innovative circular packaging solutions that help protect the planet for communities today, and in the future.

This unique new partnership will conveniently allow customers to reduce waste by choosing a durable Loop-created cup, for a small deposit. The deposit can then be redeemed by returning the cup to participating McDonald’s UK restaurants in order to be...

Planterra Foods Launches Plant-Based Offerings for Foodservice Operators 

At a time when foodservice operators are pivoting to counteract the world's health pandemic, menu innovation, and addressing consumer's evolving demands are more vital than ever. Innovative Colorado-based start-up Planterra Foods is answering the call and launching a line of OZO plant-based protein products for foodservice. The OZO foodservice line is now available in four plant-based offerings: burgers, ground, nuggets and breakfast sausage patties, catering to all dayparts.

The debut of OZO will elevate the protein possibilities that foodservice operators can feature on their menu to attract new customers and increase check averages. To support its partners during this recovery period and...

Walmart Now Piloting On-Demand Drone Delivery

Walmart's latest initiative has the company exploring how drones can deliver items in a way that is convenient, safe, and fast. Walmart is taking the next step in the exploration of on-demand delivery by announcing a new pilot with Flytrex, an end-to-end drone delivery company.

The pilot is launching in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and focuses on delivering select grocery and household essential items from Walmart stores using Flytrex's automated drones. The drones, which are controlled over the cloud using a smart and easy control dashboard, will help...

The Impact Virtual School Will Have on Daytime Meals  

With the pandemic still uncontrolled, “back to school” is a lot more complex for parents these days. On top of the usual routine, many parents are now faced with figuring out childcare, financial burdens, and how to balance this with a full-time job. With kids at home, meal preparation will continue to be among their many demands, and parents will need help with finding convenient options.

The coronavirus pandemic also has many still working from home. Daytime meals and snacks that were often purchased at restaurants and convenience stores during the workday have now moved into the home. Going out to get food is now viewed as less convenient and too expensive since the refrigerator is so close. However, restaurants can be...

Burger King Launches Plant-Based Chicken Nuggets in Germany 

Burger King has added plant-based chicken nuggets to the menu at locations in Germany. The nuggets were created by The Vegetarian Butcher, a Holland-based brand that was acquired by Unilever in 2018. Burger King stated that the launch was in reaction to the trend of a growing number of consumers looking for plant-based options when dining out.

Hugo Verkuil, CEO of The Vegetarian Butcher, said, "The nuggets are soft and meat-like on the inside, crispy and golden on the outside and offer a delicious vegetable-based alternative for...

Accident Kills Tyson Foods Worker at Georgia Plant 

A Tyson Foods worker at a poultry processing plant in Vienna, Georgia, died in an industrial accident. The accident occurred at a loading dock and the 58-year old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tyson Foods released a statement that read, “We're investigating the tragic death of a maintenance team member at our Vienna poultry plant. We've notified local authorities as well as OSHA about the accident but...

Industry Veteran Debbie Roberts Joins Panera As Chief Operations Officer

Panera Bread announced the appointment of Debbie Roberts as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer effective September 8. A well-known restaurant industry leader, Roberts brings nearly 30 years of restaurant experience and will be a collaborative leader for all Panera operations and operations support functions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Debbie to Panera and looking forward to her bringing her strong record of cross-functional partnership, results-driven engagement, and especially, her focus on people as the core of operational excellence,” said Niren Chaudhary, Panera CEO. “As the brand continues to...

Bojangles Names Monica Sauls as the Company’s First Chief People Officer

Bojangles, Inc. announced that leading human resources and change management strategist Monica Sauls will join the company as Chief People Officer, effective Sept. 15. In this newly defined position that goes beyond the traditional human resources role, Sauls will drive the company’s culture, developing current team members and attracting new talent to support the company’s growth.

Reporting directly to Bojangles CEO Jose Armario, Sauls will lead talent acquisition, talent development, employee relations, diversity and inclusion and culture stewardship. She is the first African American to serve on Bojangles’ senior leadership team in the company’s...

Kentucky Fried Chicken Announces Partnership with DoorDash

Kentucky Fried Chicken announced that its world-famous fried chicken is now available for order and on-demand delivery through DoorDash. To celebrate the new partnership, KFC and DoorDash are offering fried chicken fans across the U.S. an irresistible deal: Beginning September 8, through Thursday, September 17, customers will receive 12 free chicken tenders with the purchase of select KFC bucket meals on orders placed through the DoorDash website or app with promo code KFC12.

To sweeten the deal, customers will also receive $0 delivery fees alongside their select bucket meal purchase, available from more than 3,000 KFC restaurant locations through September 17.

Since 1952, KFC has helped families enjoy a bucket of fried chicken practically anywhere, traveling easily while staying fresh and ready-to-eat. Some might even say...

Scott Rasmussen Talks Politics and What You Need to Know

Long recognized as one of the world’s leading public opinion pollsters, Scott Rasmussen is constantly measuring and analyzing the mood of the nation. That’s why when it came time for Urner Barry to create a lineup of dynamic speakers for the upcoming online Executive Conference and Global Protein Summit, Scott was a must-have headliner.

This exclusive online event is set to take place October 6-9, 2020 and will feature live and on-demand sessions exploring the biggest issues facing the food industry today. Being an election year...

Beyond Meat Announces Agreement to Begin Production in China 

Beyond Meat has signed an agreement with Jiaxing Economic & Technological Development Zone to design and develop manufacturing facilities in the JXEDZ, including a state-of-the-art production facility to manufacture plant-based meat products including beef, pork and chicken under the Beyond Meat brand in China. The production facilities will be located in the JXEDZ, a historic and commercially important development zone with ready access to Shanghai.

Beyond Meat, Inc. will be the first multinational company focused solely on plant-based meat production to bring its own major production facility into...

Sami Siddiqui Appointed President of Popeyes Americas

Restaurant Brands International Inc. announced that Sami Siddiqui has been appointed President of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen for the Americas.

Sami has most recently served as President of Asia-Pacific for RBI, leading the growth of Popeyes, Burger King and Tim Hortons throughout the region, including introducing the Popeyes brand in China and the Philippines.

Jose Cil, Chief Executive Officer of RBI commented, "I'm very proud to announce that Sami will be leading Popeyes through our exciting next phase of growth across the Americas. Popeyes is a brand with...

Costco Wholesale Reports August Sales Results 

Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $13.56 billion for the retail month of August, the four weeks ended August 30, 2020, an increase of 15.0 percent from $11.79 billion last year.

For the 16-week fourth quarter ended August 30, 2020, the Company reported net sales of $52.3 billion, an increase of 12.7 percent compared to net sales of $46.4 billion during the similar period last year.

For the 52-week fiscal year ended August 30, 2020, the Company reported...

Yum China Announces Pricing of Global Offering

Yum China Holdings, Inc., China's largest restaurant company in terms of 2019 system sales, announced the pricing of its global offering of 41,910,700 new shares of common stock, which comprises an international offering and a Hong Kong public offering. The final offer price for both the international offering and the Hong Kong public offering has been set at HK$412.00 per Share (or approximately US$53.16 per Share).

The Company has set the Offer Price by taking into consideration, among other factors, the closing trading price of the shares on the New York Stock Exchange on September 3, 2020 (the last trading day before pricing). Subject to approval from The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, the Shares are expected to begin trading on the Main Board of...

Sanderson Farms Releases 2019 Corporate Responsibility Report

Sanderson Farms, Inc. has released its 2019 Corporate Responsibility Report detailing the company's commitment to social and environmental responsibility. This year, Sanderson Farms introduced reporting using the standards set forth by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) for the meat, poultry, and dairy sector.

"At Sanderson Farms, we believe strongly that we cannot fulfill our corporate purpose without conducting ourselves with total integrity," said Joe F. Sanderson Jr., chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Sanderson Farms. "We hope these disclosures will provide decision-useful information to...

Donnie King Named President of Tyson Foods’ Poultry Business

Donnie King has been named president of Tyson Foods’ poultry business, effective September 3, 2020, the company announced.

King has over 35 years of experience working in the poultry business, both domestically and globally. He will once again lead the company’s chicken unit, guiding and mentoring members of its leadership team, including Chad Martin, who will take on the new role of chief operating officer of poultry.

“Donnie is a recognized leader who will work with the team to accelerate our strategic growth plans for the chicken segment,” said Dean Banks, president and incoming CEO of Tyson Foods. “We are confident that his knowledge and experience will...

ANALYSIS: Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hit The Scale

When it comes to boneless breast valuation, most players would agree that, other than finicky demand, the seasonal ebb and flow of bird weights is perhaps...

Campbell Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2020 Results

Campbell Soup Company reported results for its fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2020. Fiscal 2020 was a 53-week year, with the extra week falling in the fourth quarter. The benefit of the additional week in both the fourth-quarter and full-year results is estimated to be $0.04 per share.

• Fourth-quarter Net Sales increased 18%; Organic Net Sales increased 12% reflecting continued increased demand for our products
• Fourth-quarter Earnings Per Share (EPS) from Continuing Operations of $0.28 increased from a loss of $0.02; Adjusted EPS of $0.63 increased 50%
• Full-year Net Sales and Organic Net Sales increased 7% and EPS from Continuing Operations of...

Taco Bell Completes 2020 Menu Revamp

Taco Bell is putting the finishing touches on its new streamlined menu in order to make room for new innovations. It is also dedicated to creating a faster and more seamless restaurant experience than ever before, which means evolving the menu, restaurant designs, and operations to better serve both guests and team members alike.

“We’re constantly evaluating ways to provide a more efficient restaurant experience, and have already begun to see progress from streamlining our menu,” said Mike Grams, Taco Bell President, Global COO. “While we know fans may be understandably sad to see some of their favorites go, this evolution...

Global Food Prices Rise in August

Global food prices rose for the third consecutive month in August, influenced by generally firmer demand and a weaker U.S. dollar, according to a report released today by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks the international prices of the most commonly traded food commodities, averaged 96.1 points in August, up 2.0 percent from the previous month and reaching its highest level since February 2020.

The FAO Cereal Price Index rose by 1.9 percent from July, averaging 7.0 percent above its value in August 2019, with coarse grains leading the rise. Sorghum prices rose 8.6 percent - and stood at 33.4 percent above their year-ago level, mostly on the back of strong import demand by...

Instacart Adds 7-Eleven as First National Convenience Store Partner

Instacart and 7-Eleven announced a new collaboration that brings same-day delivery to customers, often in as fast as 30 minutes. Together, Instacart and 7-Eleven now offer delivery of thousands of convenience, alcohol, and grocery items from the store to customers' doors in participating pilot markets. The multi-phased launch is live in more than 750 stores in Dallas, Miami, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas, with plans to expand nationally to more than 7,000 7-Eleven stores across the U.S.

"We're excited to introduce 7-Eleven as Instacart's first national convenience store partner. 7-Eleven is a beloved, generational brand with a deep legacy. Most of us grew up with a 7-Eleven in our neighborhood and probably remember...

Burger King Unveils New Restaurant Concept 

Burger King has unveiled two new restaurant designs that provide guests with a touchless experience, complete with solar panels and conveyor belts that deliver orders to customers and outdoor seating. Burger King is the latest chain to announce changes to its restaurant concept since the pandemic caused a shift in consumer behavior. According to the NPD Group, drive-thru visits increased about 26% during April, May, and June.

“In March our in-house design and tech team accelerated new restaurant design plans and pushed the limits of what a Burger King restaurant could be,” said Restaurant Brands’ Chief Operating Officer Josh Kobzar.

Designed by Restaurant Brands International's in-house group, the new concept boasts an enhanced dining experience. For drive-in, customers will be able to...

Technomic Analyzes Wendy's Breakfast Performance 

In a recent analysis, Technomic used its Ignite Consumer tool to look at how Wendy's breakfast performed amid several challenges. Wendy's has had a long experience with testing breakfast menu items, dating back to the 1980s. From adding and removing breakfast items at different locations and trying out omelets on the menu, this daypart has represented an ongoing battle for the quick service chain.

In March 2020, Wendy's launched a new campaign focused on breakfast and started to spread the word with a Twitter war. The breakfast battle started with a tweet calling out McDonald's, who did not respond. Wendy's then followed up...

Tyson Foods to Pilot Clinics to Promote Culture of Health

As part of efforts to boost the overall health and wellness of its workforce, Tyson Foods, Inc. is partnering with Marathon Health to pilot seven health clinics near company production facilities. The clinics will give Tyson team members and their families easier access to high-quality healthcare and, in most cases, at no cost.

The clinics, which will be operated by Marathon Health, will provide primary and preventive care, including health screenings, lifestyle coaching and health education, as well as behavioral health counseling. They will also collaborate with plant community health providers, including...

ANALYSIS: Tension In the Turkey White Meat Complex

In keeping with this year’s unusual and often precarious set of market conditions, a large differential has begun to...

Urner Barry's Coronavirus Special Report - Volume IV

The global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted consumer behavior, distribution, production, and market prices in a way we have never seen before. 

Now, as reopening efforts are underway, the latest business environment is a completely new venture for the food industry with its own learning curve. Both retail and foodservice have been forced to make sweeping changes in their respective sectors and adaptability remains key. Production setbacks were arguably one of the biggest challenges the meat industry faced in the last few months of the pandemic, but capacity has since largely returned to normal.

As we near the end of summer, seasonal shifts are also in play...

Retailer Introduces ‘Dark Store’ Focusing Solely on Online Grocery Shopping

Whole Foods is launching its first ‘dark store’ a facility that will solely operate to fulfill the Amazon-owned grocer’s online orders.

The store will not be open to the public, so customers cannot stroll in like a traditional grocery store. This new experiment follows the COVID-19 pandemic where online grocery ordering witnessed a significant uptick as customers were unwilling to risk a trip to pick up food.

According to USA TODAY, the new concept was in the works pre-COVID...

NRF Chief Economist Says Coronavirus 'Continues As a Shock' for Small Businesses

Data indicating that small business owners are increasingly pessimistic about the coronavirus shows the need for continued economic stimulus measures, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today.

“The coronavirus continues as a shock to America’s small employers,” Kleinhenz said. “Small businesses are the backbone of American ingenuity and impact local economies in cities and towns across the country, but responses to recent surveys highlight the fragility of many small business enterprises and the importance of the need for well-tailored economic policy.”

“Just as a physician checks a patient’s pulse to measure the rhythm and strength of the heartbeat, small business is...

U.S. Restaurant Drive-Thrus are Proving Their Value During the Pandemic and Beyond 

Drive-thru restaurants have always been the ultimate in convenience and speed but during the pandemic, especially during the mandated dine-in closures, they were also a lifeline for the restaurants that had them, reports The NPD Group. Drive-thru restaurant visits increased by 26% in the April, May, and June quarter and represented 42% of all restaurant visits.

In July when more restaurants were reopened, drive-thru visits still increased by 13%, the highest visit increase among the service modes of on-premises, carry-out, and delivery, according to NPD’s daily tracking of U.S. consumers’ use of restaurants and...