Ready or Not, Here Comes the 2019 Holiday Shopping Season

Changing Consumer Attitudes Could Change the Game for Retail, Reports NPD

Consumers are split in their attitudes about holiday shopping. According to the 2019 Holiday Purchase Intentions Survey from The NPD Group, most consumers in the U.S. are looking forward to this holiday season, and see the holidays as a break from everything happening in the world – half even say going out shopping puts them in the holiday spirit. But almost half of consumers that said they would rather plan an outing with family or friends than exchange gifts – more than last year. More consumers also said they think preparing for the holidays may not be worth all of the work entailed.

“There is more of a divide in consumer sentiment heading into this holiday season than we have seen in years,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry advisor, The NPD Group. “There are fewer consumers planning on doing what they did last year, which means retail needs to be prepared to think differently as well...

Simmons Prepared Foods Announces Transition and Start Up On Track for New Benton County Facility

Simmons Prepared Foods announced today that operations are beginning to ramp up as scheduled at its new $300 million Benton County poultry production facility. Production began on a small scale at the facility the week of September 30 and will steadily increase to reach the first phase of full production in January 2020.

“These last few weeks have been a critical phase in preparing for the startup of operations here at Benton County. There has been a tremendous amount of work to get to this point, but there is still work to do,” says David Jackson, Chief Operating Officer, Simmons Foods.

“We’re in the midst of a staged transition and a gradual ramp up of production in a brand new environment. Every piece of equipment and each process is being assessed to ensure the highest safety and product quality. This is important work and we’re pleased to...

ANALYSIS: Weighing In On Chicken Wings

In light of the attention that chicken wings have received recently, we thought it would be a great opportunity to check in on the various factors currently impacting the market...

ANALYSIS: A Return to the Seasonal Norm

As we inch towards Thanksgiving and participants eagerly await fill-in business to develop, the return of seasonality this year has caught the attention of industry veterans who were beginning to forget what it looked like...

September Sales Grew 4.5 Percent Over Last Year 

According to the National Retail Federation, retail sales in September were down 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted from August, but up 4.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

“The pullback in September compared with August is possibly a reaction to increased fears over U.S.-China tensions,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “While uncertainty around trade policy and other issues has dampened consumer sentiment recently, consumers still have a lot going for them as evidenced by longer-term trends and factors like the tight labor market. September is a tricky month to measure because of seasonal factors like the end of summer and back-to-school spending, and this year’s...

Dunkin' Brands Announces Departure of Tony Weisman, U.S. Chief Marketing Officer

Dunkin’ Brands, the parent company of Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins, today announced that Tony Weisman, Chief Marketing Officer Dunkin’ U.S., is stepping down from his position effective December 1, 2019. The company will immediately begin a search for his replacement, and Mr. Weisman has agreed to assist in the search. Until the appointment of a new CMO, the marketing department will report to Dave Hoffmann, Dunkin’ Brands CEO and Dunkin’ U.S. President.

“Tony has played a key role in the transformation of our brand, including our widely lauded decision to drop “Donuts” from our logo, our very successful espresso relaunch, and the introduction of innovative products like our plant-based Beyond Sausage Breakfast Sandwich, currently available in Manhattan. Additionally, he has assembled...

Bell & Evans Introduces Line of Premium Chicken Meatballs

Family owned, premium chicken producer Bell & Evans just launched a line of uncooked, frozen chicken meatballs this fall that are unlike any you’ve ever tried. Flavors include Parmesan Breaded with Mozzarella, Buffalo Seasoned and a traditional, savory Chicken Meatball.

All three varieties are made from a blend of dark meat chicken and skin for full flavor and are uncooked and nitrogen frozen to lock in freshness and natural juices. How many quick meal options deliver the flavor, quality and nutrition that Bell & Evans offers in their prepared products? There’s finally a line of...

Post-Summer Back to the Grind Kept U.S. Restaurant Transactions Flat in September

The post-summer back to business and school as usual kept U.S. restaurant transactions flat in September compared to year ago, reports The NPD Group. The month started out with transactions up but flattened as the month went on, according to NPD’s CREST Performance Alerts, which provides a rapid weekly view of chain-specific transactions and share trends for 73 quick service, fast casual, midscale, and casual dining chains.

Transactions at quick service restaurant (QSR) chains, which represent the bulk of industry transactions, were flat in September compared to year ago. While the full service segments of casual dining and...

Sold-Out Global Protein Summit a Smash Hit in Chicago

Attendees raving about the first ever conference, applauding speakers, insights, and prime networking

The Global Protein Summit debuted in Chicago last week—with those in attendance hailing the program as timely, illuminating, and critically important. The sold-out event, hosted by Urner Barry, featured a hard-hitting lineup of expert presenters covering the biggest topics impacting the beef, pork, and poultry business.

Two days of packed content, 25 speakers, protein-specific breakouts and unparalleled networking opportunities defined this inaugural event, held at the InterContinental Magnificent Mile in the heart of Chicago. The show brought together common themes affecting the supply chain, including China, trade agreements, African Swine Fever, the economy, alternative protein competition, and what to expect as we look ahead...

Burger King Partners with Uber Eats for Delivery

All of your favorite flame grilled sandwiches from Burger King restaurants can now be delivered right to your doorstep through Uber Eats. BK guests nationwide can now place a food order, including the iconic Whopper Sandwich, with the tap of a button on the Uber Eats app.

“At Burger King restaurants, delivery is a major priority to ensure our food is available to anyone, anywhere,” said Chris Finazzo, President, North America, Burger King Corporation. “We know our guests value convenience and adding the Burger King brand to Uber Eats is another way we will meet the demands of millions of people on this platform.”

“We’re thrilled to team up with Burger King restaurants to offer their beloved menu items to...

Walmart's InHome Delivery Service Officially Launches in Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Vero Beach

Early this summer, Walmart announced InHome Delivery, its latest innovation aimed toward giving time back to families by delivering fresh groceries and everyday essentials directly into their kitchen or garage fridges. Today, for the first time ever, Walmart is thrilled to launch this new service for over 1 million customers in Pittsburgh, Kansas City (Missouri and Kansas) and Vero Beach.

The company is obsessed with simplifying grocery shopping and finding ways to make customers’ lives easier. That’s why InHome goes the extra step so that customers can live their lives without worrying about making it to the store or being home to accept a delivery.

All it takes to use the service is three simple steps...

Cracker Barrel Acquires Maple Street Biscuit Company

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. announced it has acquired Maple Street Biscuit Company in an all-cash transaction for $36 million. Maple Street Biscuit Company was founded by Scott Moore and Gus Evans in Jacksonville, FL in 2012. It currently has 28 company-owned and five franchised fast casual locations across seven states. Maple Street Biscuit Company has targeted AUVs of $1.0+ million and targeted store-level EBITDA of 17%+ of net sales. The Company plans to convert its Holler & Dash Biscuit House units into Maple Street Biscuit Company locations in the coming months. Scott Moore will remain CEO of Maple Street Biscuit Company and will report directly to Sandra B. Cochran, President and CEO of Cracker Barrel.

“The breakfast and lunch-focused fast casual category is an attractive segment, and our experience with Holler & Dash has reinforced this belief. We have long admired Maple Street Biscuit Company with...

Online Grocery Shows Global Growth 

According to ResearchandMarkets, the online grocery market is projected to grow by $354.2 billion, with the potential to grow at over 17.4%. The shifting dynamics supporting this growth makes it critical for businesses in this space to keep abreast of the changing pulse of the market. Poised to reach over $524.5 billion by the year 2025, online grocery will bring in gains adding significant momentum to global growth.

The United States is expected to maintain an 18.7% growth momentum. In Europe, Germany is projected to add over $13.6 billion to the region's size and clout in the next...

Retailers Welcome Progress on Trade, say Administration has Listened to Concerns

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French after the Trump administration announced that a scheduled tariff hike from 25 percent to 30 percent on $250 billion worth of goods from China will not take place next week as negotiators finalize a tentative trade deal.

“Retailers are encouraged by the progress made between the United States and China and are pleased that the administration has listened to the concerns of the business community as the trade war takes an increasing toll on the American economy. The decision to delay planned tariff hikes is...

YOUBITE, LLC Recalls Pork Sausage and Turkey Sausage Products Due to Mislabeling

YOUBITE, LLC, a Camarillo, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 7,197 pounds of raw and ready-to-eat, pork sausage and turkey sausage products that contain either natural sheep or natural pork casings that were not declared on the product label, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The raw and fully cooked, ready-to-eat, pork sausage and turkey sausage items were produced on various dates from Oct. 9, 2018 to Oct. 9, 2019. The following products are subject to recall...

Walmart Names John Furner President & CEO of Walmart U.S.

Today, Walmart announced that John Furner will become the President and Chief Executive Officer of Walmart U.S., following a successful five years for the business segment under Greg Foran. Furner will report directly to Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon, and the move will be effective November 1. Foran, who is taking a role as CEO at Air New Zealand Limited, will stay on with Walmart through January 31 to ensure a smooth transition.

“John has done a fantastic job at Sam’s Club, and he will continue the momentum we have in Walmart U.S.,” said McMillon. “John knows our business well, having held many different jobs in the company over more than 25 years, and he is helping transform it for the future. He has the experience and judgment to know what we should continue doing and what we should...

Cargill Collaborates to Bring Cost-Effective Global GHG Reductions to Shipping

Cargill, Maersk Tankers and Mitsui & Co. have established a strategic collaboration to accelerate the reduction of global greenhouse gases (GHGs) within shipping. All three parties recognize the urgency required to tackle the global issue of climate change and are continually driving progress in their respective lines of business. Today, they are joining forces to accelerate these efforts and propel the maritime industry towards a more sustainable future.

Together, the companies will work towards lowering maritime GHG emissions by fully exploiting existing fuel-saving technologies and exploring new technical solutions. The aim is to prove that it can make economic sense for both owners and charterers if they work more closely together to make vessels more fuel efficient, thus demonstrating that sustainable shipping can also be...

ANALYSIS: All Eyes on Chicken Production

As chicken market participants navigate through the final quarter of 2019, they turn to the stats in an effort to better assess the various market influences that they face within the current trade environment...

KFC Introduces Fried Wings 

Kentucky Fried Chicken is delivering a touchdown this football season with the introduction of its new Kentucky Fried Wings™. The chicken expert's new, always hot and fresh wings are available in participating KFC U.S. restaurants today as part of the permanent menu. Making this even hotter, fans can try them out from the comfort of their own home with free delivery* on kfc.com, the fried chicken chain's new online delivery platform, Grubhub and Seamless.

Sure to be the MVP of this season's tailgate parties and more, Kentucky Fried Wings are available classic (unsauced) or tossed in your choice of three sauces: Nashville Hot, Buffalo or Honey BBQ – all so finger lickin' good, you won't even need a Wet-Nap.

Thanks to Kentucky Fried Wings, gone are the days of waiting for hot and fresh wings, or needing to call ahead with an order. Kentucky Fried Wings are...

Mercato Introduces Same-Day Grocery Delivery with Mercato Green

Mercato, the online grocery eCommerce platform for independently owned grocery and specialty food stores, announced today the launch of Mercato Green. The delivery membership program allows consumers in more than 25 states across the U.S. to receive unlimited free, same-day deliveries from their favorite local grocers. Mercato will also plant a tree for every order placed by a Mercato Green member.

There are two Mercato Green membership plans - both come with a 14-day free, unlimited trial. The Neighborhood plan covers deliveries up to three miles from the store, and the City plan covers up to 10 miles. Both plans provide a deep discount for consumers who are looking for the convenience and reliability of same-day delivery from their favorite neighborhood grocers.

Online grocery sales, estimated to reach $29.7 billion by 2021, continue to climb as many people find traditional grocery shopping - parking, waiting in checkout lines, and loading groceries - a hassle. With Mercato, consumers conveniently order...

Corn Futures Tumble, After US Makes Surprise Yield Upgrade

Corn futures tumbled, after the US unexpectedly raised its yield forecast for this year’s crop, but soybean prices gained, with the estimate for output of the oilseed cut by more than investors had expected.

Chicago corn futures for December, which had stood a little lower ahead of the US Department of Agriculture’s Wasde crop briefing, extended those losses sharply afterwards, chalking up a 3.7% loss at one stage.

The contract, one hour after the report, stood at $3.81 ½ a bushel, a drop of 3.2% on the day.

The declines reflected a surprise upgrade in the Wasde to the USDA’s forecast for the domestic corn yield this year, by 0.2 bushels per acre to 168.4 bushels per acre, while lowering expectations for consumption of the grain...

Natural Grocers Expands Meat and Seafood Department

Natural Grocers recently refreshed its Meat and Seafood Department selections in all its grocery stores across 19 states. The new and improved Meat and Seafood Department features high-quality and exotic varieties of grass-fed meat, pork, poultry, fish and seafood. Customers can expect a wide variety of offerings including, bison, beef, yak, wild boar, elk, venison, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, ostrich, cod, mahi mahi, salmon, scallops, shrimp, tuna, pollock, rockfish and sole.

"Our standards ensure that all of our meat is naturally and humanely raised and our seafood is sustainably sourced, which we believe is the best for...

ANALYSIS: Tallying Up Turkey Export Tonnage

With August marking the fifth consecutive month of YoY advancements in total turkey export volume, it’s safe to say that, so far, 2019 has proven to be...

Chipotle Enhances Animal Welfare Standards in Canada and Europe 

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced that it's signing the European Chicken Commitment, a venture that will apply even higher animal welfare standards to its entire European supply chain by 2026. Priding itself on serving food with integrity, Chipotle was an early participant in the U.S., supporting the Better Chicken Commitment since 2017 and has now extended this U.S. Broiler commitment to its operations in Canada as well.

Chipotle is committed to cultivating a better world, which means sourcing responsibly raised ingredients. For over 25 years, Chipotle has been an industry leader in exceptional animal welfare standards in the fast-casual space. As a brand started by a classically trained chef with a passion for real food, Chipotle has pioneered...

Retail Imports to See Surge Ahead of December Tariffs

Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to hit their highest level of the year again next month just before more tariffs take effect in December, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“This is the last chance to bring merchandise into the country before virtually everything the United States imports from China comes under tariffs,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Retailers are doing all they can to mitigate the impact of tariffs on their customers. The effect on prices will vary by retailer and product during the holiday season, but ultimately...

Subway Restaurants Names New Chief Marketing Officer

The Subway brand is proud to name Carrie Walsh as Chief Marketing Officer, North America, where she will be responsible for driving the brand's North America marketing and advertising strategy, as well as defining global brand standards and marketing strategies throughout Subway's international markets.

A seasoned marketing professional, Walsh joins Subway with more than 15 years of experience building brands across the restaurant, retail and CPG industries. Most recently, Walsh led marketing for Michaels Stores, the largest arts & crafts retailer in North America. Walsh also previously held the Chief Marketing Officer role for YUM! Brands Pizza Hut, where she led teams across marketing disciplines including calendar planning, menu insights and...

Butterball Debuts Inaugural Social Responsibility Report

Today, Butterball launched its inaugural corporate social responsibility report, “The Butterball Way,” which showcases how Butterball delivered responsible, sustainable food and agriculture practices in 2018. This first report also outlines goals for continued growth in the years ahead.

“We’ve seen an increasing demand for greater transparency in sustainable business practices from those who serve, sell and consume Butterball products. Publishing this first public-facing corporate social responsibility report underscores our commitment to responsible food production and agricultural practices,” says Butterball President and CEO, Jay Jandrain. “We hold ourselves to a high standard of excellence for how we do business, from our commitment to our people and the care and well-being of our turkeys to our stewardship of the environment and...

Domino's Pizza Announces Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results

Domino's Pizza, Inc., the largest pizza company in the world based on global retail sales, announced results for the third quarter, comprised of growth in global retail sales and earnings per share. Global retail sales increased 5.8% in the third quarter, or 7.5% without the negative impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. U.S. same store sales grew 2.4% during the quarter versus the prior year quarter, continuing the positive sales momentum in the Company's U.S. business.

The international division also posted positive results, with same store sales growth of 1.7% during the quarter. The third quarter marked the 103rd consecutive quarter of international same store sales growth and the 34th consecutive quarter of...

Sysco’s Cutting Edge Solutions Announces Additional Product Offerings

Sysco Corporation, the leading global foodservice distribution company, announced the availability of nine new products exclusively for customers through its Cutting Edge Solutions platform.

Designed to enable customers to succeed by differentiating themselves in an evolving and competitive business environment, Cutting Edge Solutions products are sourced from leading and up-and-coming suppliers and assists customers with refreshing their menus, driving increased traffic and streamlining back-of-house operations. Since its inception in October 2015, Cutting Edge Solutions has delivered...

The Road to New COMTELL: Development Blog #2

Urner Barry is making strides in its COMTELL redesign. COMTELL is receiving a complete overhaul with changes geared towards providing an improved and streamlined user experience.

After a thorough assessment of our staple product, we found that user customization, intuitive navigation and ease of access to market prices and data are top priorities.

We believe these improvements to our homepage, navigation, charting and more will be a hit for both long-time and new users...

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews Unveils Latest Fall Menu Items 

At Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews beginning today through January 26, guests can satisfy their burger cravings with the all-new French Onion Ringer, a flavor-packed burger with Swiss cheese, crispy onion straws, French Onion spread and tomatoes on a melted provolone-capped onion bun, topped off with three golden-fried onion rings. The Gourmet Burger Authority is also bringing back a fan favorite, the El Ranchero Burger, which is topped with American cheese, candied bacon, crispy onion straws, house-made jalapeño ranch, barbecue ketchup, tomatoes and shredded romaine.

"At Red Robin, we are excited to introduce these new, unique burgers with ingredients that guests can only experience at...

EPA, USDA Announce Agreement on Promoting Biofuels

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue issued the following statements after President Donald J. Trump successfully negotiated an agreement on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS):

“President Trump’s leadership has led to an agreement that continues to promote domestic ethanol and biodiesel production, supporting our Nation’s farmers and providing greater energy security,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Today’s agreement is the latest in a series of steps we have taken to expand domestic energy production and improve the RFS program that will result in sustained biofuel production to...

Mintel: Affluent Brits Flock to Chicken Shops and Restaurants as Sales Increase

Well-heeled Brits are joining the nation’s chicken shop obsession, according to latest research from Mintel. Over the last year alone, the number of affluent Brits visiting chicken outlets and restaurants has shot up from 40% in 2018 to 45% in 2019.

Meanwhile, those who have stable household finances are also now more likely to be enjoying the nation’s chicken shops and restaurants. Almost half (47%) of those describing their financial situation as ‘OK’ visited a chicken shop in 2019, compared to 41% a year earlier. This comes as the chicken segment has seen some worse-off consumers exiting the market. The number of Brits with a challenging financial situation visiting chicken shops dropped from...

The Cheesecake Factory Completes Acquisitions of North Italia and Fox Restaurant Concepts

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated announced that it has closed the acquisitions of North Italia and Fox Restaurant Concepts (“FRC”), including Flower Child.

The transactions were completed for $308 million in consideration at closing, including $12 million earmarked for customary post-closing adjustments. An additional $45 million will be due ratably over the next four years, and the FRC transaction also includes an earn-out provision based on the financial performance of the FRC brands outside of North Italia and Flower Child. The Company previously invested...

Mintel: Organic Food and Drink Products Gain Popularity 

According to Mintel Global New Products Database, in the last 10 years, the total number of new food and drink product launches globally with an organic claim has risen from 6% to 10% between August 2009 and July 2019.

Mintel research finds that Europe is leading the way in terms of organic food and drink innovation, with almost a fifth of all food and drink products launched in Europe carrying an organic claim. In the 10 years to July 2019, the number of European food and drink launches with an organic claim has shot up from 9% to 17%, satisfying Europe’s hunger for organics. Current leading innovators include...

National Chicken Council Unveils New Sustainability Resources

With the help of technology, modern breeding, nutrient management, feed conversion and improved animal husbandry practices, chicken producers in the U.S. have significantly reduced the use of water, farmland, electricity, greenhouse gas emissions, and other valuable natural resources.

In fact, producing the same amount of chicken today as 1965 has 50% less impact on the environment. Many factors have contributed to the reduced environmental impact of producing chicken, including...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Production Tug of War

As we enter Q4, and without any significant hurdles between now and Thanksgiving, marketers of retail packaged turkeys are gearing up for a seasonally hectic pace associated with fulfilling and delivering voluminous holiday orders...

Mighty Spark Continues Rapid Growth with Launch of All-Natural Poultry at Walmart and CVS

Mighty Spark, an independent company that donates a meal with each purchase consumers make of their all-natural premium poultry, is expanding its assortment and presence at retailers nationwide with the launch of patties and ground blends at select Walmart stores, and chicken snack sticks at 2,500 CVS locations.

"In addition to launching at Walmart and CVS stores, Mighty Spark's rapid expansion includes recent launches at Giant Landover, United Supermarkets, Save Mart, Lucky, Rouses and more, expanding our nationwide presence to thousands of additional stores to bring more consumers healthy, delicious protein," said Nick Beste, CEO and Founder, Mighty Spark. "With our expanded distribution comes...

United Natural Foods, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2019 Results

United Natural Foods, Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended August 3, 2019.

Highlights

• Fourth Quarter Net Sales Increased to $6.41 billion, or 2.8% when excluding the contribution from SUPERVALU and the additional week in the quarter compared to last year's fourth quarter
• Fourth Quarter Net income of $18.9 million
• Fourth Quarter Earnings Per Diluted Share (EPS) of $0.36; Adjusted EPS of $0.44
• Net outstanding debt decreased by $166 million since the end of the third quarter and...

NPFDA Selects Fourth Honorary Lifetime Member Award

The National Poultry and Food Distributors Association’s Board of Directors is honored to award Kristin McWhorter, CAE, NPFDA’s immediate past Executive Director the Honorary Lifetime Member Award.

At their Fall Meeting in Nashville, the Board unanimously voted to honor Kristin with this prestigious award. It is only on very rare occasions that NPFDA presents the Honorary Lifetime Member. This award was created to honor a member upon retirement who has been an integral part of the organization. Although she was not formally a member of the organization, her countless hours and steadfast leadership of the organization over the past 27 years have earned her that distinction.

“NPFDA is very fortunate to have had Kristin for the years that it did. The Association would certainly not...

Mike Hits the (Ara)mark: Reliable Data Sources, Aramark's Innovation, and ASF

This week Laura interviews Mike Banas, Global Cost Forecasting Manager at Aramark. They discuss Aramark's new offerings at sports stadiums, how he selects reliable data, African swine fever, and Laura's favorite - french fries...

Tip Top Poultry, Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Poultry Products

Tip Top Poultry, Inc, a Rockmart, Ga., establishment, is recalling an undetermined amount of ready-to-eat (RTE) poultry products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The frozen cooked, diced or shredded, RTE chicken products were produced between January 21, 2019 and September 24, 2019. The products subject to recall can be found in this spreadsheet.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “Est. P-17453” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to...

MarketsandMarkets: Plant-Based Protein Market Worth $40.6 Billion by 2025

According to MarketsandMarkets, the plant-based protein market is currently estimated at $18.5 billion, and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14% by 2025. This projection totals a value of $40.6 billion by 2025. As demand for plant-based protein products increases, food and beverage manufacturers will be driven to create such products.

During the forecast period, the pea segment is expected to be the fastest growing in the alternative protein market. Pea protein is gaining popularity among plant-based protein manufacturers at a global level due to...

Burger King Announces Agreement to Launch in the Baltics

Burger King today announced a new agreement to open restaurants in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The three Baltic states are among the few remaining countries in Europe where Burger King currently does not have restaurants.

"We are excited to develop beautiful new Burger King restaurants and introduce guests in the Baltics to our iconic brand featuring our great-tasting food with Tallink Grupp" said David Shear, President, Burger King and Popeyes EMEA. "We are confident that guests will enjoy our world-famous flame-grilled flavor, including our iconic WHOPPER® sandwich, and experience our brand their way through personalized digital innovation."

Tallink Grupp, which launched the first floating Burger King restaurant on board a cruise ship in 2016, has now acquired the exclusive development rights for...

NCC Applauds Signing of US-Japan Trade Deal

The United States and Japan outlined initial details of a trade deal as the countries work on details of a broader agreement in the coming months.

Under the agreement, frozen U.S. poultry will be among the agricultural products that will benefit from staged tariff elimination.

“Under the U.S.- Japan Trade Agreement, frozen chicken products will receive favorable tariff reductions enabling our products to compete more effectively with those countries in...

ANALYSIS: Checking in on Chicken in Cold Storage

Monday’s release of the USDA’s Cold Storage Report helps to reinforce many of the key market observations which we reported on throughout the month of August...

Kroger Opens Two-Level Store with First-Ever Food Hall

The Kroger Co. opened a new, 52,000-square-foot urban format store today in downtown Cincinnati, offering the grocer's first-ever food hall, named On The Rhine Eatery. The experience features Cincinnati eateries Django Western Taco, DOPE! Asian Street Fare, Eli's BBQ and Queen City Whip, as well as Kitchen 1883 Café and Bar, Kroger's American food restaurant concept.

"Kroger is thrilled to introduce our first food hall and offer a one-of-its-kind shopping experience in our hometown of Cincinnati, providing a convenient location to experience delicious, quality meals and foods. This innovative destination highlights Kroger's food-first culture," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Kroger's new store offers...

Conagra Brands Reports First Quarter Results

Today Conagra Brands, Inc. reported results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, which ended on August 25, 2019. All comparisons are against the prior-year fiscal period, unless otherwise noted. Certain terms used in this release, including "Organic net sales," "EBITDA," "Free cash flow," "Legacy Conagra," "Legacy Pinnacle," and certain "adjusted" results, are defined under the section entitled "Definitions." Effective as of the first quarter, the Company allocated the business components comprising the previous Pinnacle Foods reporting segment to the four Legacy Conagra reporting segments.

Highlights

• First quarter net sales grew 30.3%, and organic net sales decreased 1.7%.
• Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (EPS) was $0.36 in the quarter; adjusted EPS of $0.43 benefitted from double-digit growth in...

Cargill Reports Fiscal 2020 First-Quarter Results

Cargill today reported results for the fiscal 2020 first quarter ended Aug. 31, 2019. Key measures include:

• Adjusted operating earnings were $908 million, up 3% from $883 million last year.
• Net earnings on a U.S. GAAP basis were $915 million, a 10% decrease from last year’s strong comparative of $1.02 billion.
• First-quarter revenues rose 1% to $29 billion.

“Our year started on a good note as we continued to help our customers navigate an unpredictable business environment,” said Dave MacLennan, Cargill’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Right now, we are focused on modernizing all aspects of our operations so we can...

ANALYSIS: Keeping Tabs on Frozen Turkey Inventory

Monday’s release of the USDA’s Cold Storage Report for the period ending August 31^st marks the fifth consecutive month of YoY reductions of total frozen turkey holdings...

National Turkey Federation Testifies on Capitol Hill 

Today, Ron Kardel, Vice Chairman of the National Turkey Federation, testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee on Capitol Hill. Kardel updated the Committee on the state of the turkey industry, including topics such as exports, disease prevention and response, immigration, and research concerns. Kardel began with thanking the Committee for the opportunity, informing those at the hearing that there were more than 244 million turkeys raised in the United States last year. Kardel added that the USDA projects 5.8 billion pounds of turkey production to take place this year. The turkey industry generates 441,000 jobs, and in order to support these jobs, Kardel explained that policies coming out of Washington must maintain America's ability to thrive. Kardel spoke on behalf of the turkey industry when he expressed the anticipation of working with Congress and the Committee to address these issues.

Kardel mentioned the importance of exports to the turkey industry, stating that expanded trade would lead to significant growth and reducing uncertainty is imperative. Therefore, Kardel strongly urged Congress to pass the USMCA this fall, as this should not be a partisan issue. Kardel mentioned that the turkey industry has a fantastic relationship with...

Inspire Brands to Acquire Jimmy John’s

Inspire Brands (“Inspire”) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Jimmy John’s Sandwiches (“Jimmy John’s”). The agreement was unanimously approved by the Jimmy John’s Board of Directors, including Founder and Chairman Jimmy John Liautaud. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 8,300 Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, SONIC Drive-In and Rusty Taco locations worldwide.Following the completion of the transaction, Inspire will be the fourth-largest restaurant company in the United States with more than $14 billion in annual system sales and more than 11,200 restaurants across 16 countries.

“Jimmy John’s has found the ideal home at Inspire,” Liautaud said. “Inspire’s long-term approach, culture of innovation and commitment to...

North American Meat Institute Releases Revised Edition of Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today released its latest science-based animal care guidelines and audit for the meat industry. The guidelines and audit were authored by Colorado State University Professor of Animal Behavior Temple Grandin, Ph.D., working with the Meat Institute’s Animal Welfare Committee.

“The meat and poultry industry is always looking for ways to improve humane animal handling for both the welfare of the animal and the safety of our workforce,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “The new Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit are the product of member company participation with the guidance of the Meat Institute’s veterinarian Dr. Tiffany Lee and...

Mintel: Nearly Three in 10 Americans say Technology is Ruining the Hospitality Industry

Technology plays a prominent role in nearly every aspect of US consumers’ lives and the dining out experience is no exception. But it seems that for some Americans, the spread of mobile, digital and artificial intelligence (AI) technology is unwanted as new research from Mintel reveals that 28% of US consumers agree that technology is ruining hospitality.

However, it may be the fear of the unknown that’s influencing these perceptions as a large minority of Americans have not only never used certain types of technology when dining out, but they are not interested in trying them. For example, two in five consumers have not used and are not interested in trying a restaurant mobile app (44%) or kiosk (40%) to pay. Nearly half (48%) of diners have not used and are not interested in trying...

The Consumer Confidence Index Declined in September

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index decreased in September, following a slight decline in August. The Index now stands at 125.1 (1985=100), down from 134.2 in August. The Present Situation Index – based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions – decreased from 176.0 to 169.0. The Expectations Index – based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions – declined from 106.4 last month to 95.8 this month.

“Consumer confidence declined in September, following a moderate decrease in August,” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “Consumers were less positive in their assessment of current conditions and their expectations regarding the short-term outlook also weakened. The escalation in trade and tariff tensions in late August appears to have rattled consumers. However, this pattern of...

Papa John’s International Expands Into Portugal

Papa John's International, Inc. continues to expand its global presence, opening a new restaurant in Portugal. It is located in Lisbon, in the Amoreiras zone.

Papa John’s new restaurant in Portugal is being opened by Drake Food Service International, the master franchisee in the Iberian Peninsula, Chile, Panamá, and Costa Rica.

“We are committed to developing the Papa John’s brand in Latin America and Europe. We look forward to becoming the most...

Dunkin Rolls Out Two Major Mobile App and DD Perks Enhancements

Running on Dunkin' is getting faster for all this fall, as the brand today announced that the quickest and most convenient way to order – On-The-Go Mobile Ordering – is becoming available to all of its customers. Previously available exclusively to DD Perks® Rewards Program members paying with an enrolled Dunkin' gift card, the new Guest Order feature allows any customer to place an On-The-Go Mobile Order through the Dunkin' App and pick it up by either walking in-store or going through the drive-thru.

To place an order, guests simply select 'Guest Order' on the redesigned Dunkin' App home screen, select their menu items and then pay using the debit or credit card of their choice, with other payment options coming later this year. The new On-The-Go Guest Order feature has started...

Astrochef LLC Recalls Chicken Pub Style Entrees

Astrochef LLC., a Rockwall, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 11,475 pounds of frozen chicken pub style entrees labeled as beef pub style entrees due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains soy, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

The frozen pub style entrees were produced on June 18, 2019. The following products are subject to recall...

PODCAST: Navigating the Chicken Market - Football Season, GPS, and more!

This week Laura interviews the Director of Editorial Jamie Chadwick, and Senior Vice President Russ Whitman. They discuss the chicken market, Urner Barry's Global Protein Summit and much more. See you in Chicago, October 6-8th!

Former Agriculture Secretaries Announce Support for USMCA

All former U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture since President Reagan’s Administration announced support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In a letter to Congressional leaders, former Secretaries John Block (Reagan), Mike Espy (Clinton), Dan Glickman (Clinton), Ann Veneman (W. Bush), Mike Johanns (W. Bush), Ed Shafer (W. Bush), and Tom Vilsack (Obama) underscored the importance of passing USMCA saying, “We need a strong and reliable trade deal with our top two customers for U.S. agriculture products. USMCA will provide certainty in the North American market for the U.S. farm sector and rural economy. We strongly support ratification of USMCA.” Following the announcement, Secretary Perdue issued this statement:

“President Trump has fulfilled a promise, which many said couldn’t be done, to renegotiate NAFTA and improve the standing of the entire American economy, including...

Cultured Meat Market Forecast to Grow by 2032

According to MarketsandMarkets, the cultured meat market size is estimated to be valued at $214 million by 2025, and projected to reach $593 million by 2032. This projection will lead to a compound annual growth rate of 15.7% from 2025 to 2032. The rising consumption of meat along with increasing demand for nutritional meat are a few of the key factors driving the growth of the industry. When considering the categories of poultry, beef, seafood, pork, and duck, the poultry segment is projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast. This is due to the availability of poultry when compared to other meat sources such as beef, and also the consumer preference for poultry and poultry products.

The increasing popularity of poultry products in many quick service restaurants has encouraged manufacturers to develop innovative alternative products to meet consumer demand. Additionally, the rising demand for chicken, due to...

Rabobank: Poultry Q4 2019 Outlook 

Global poultry markets are expected to see some recovery in the coming months. However, this will be under fragile conditions. Key concerns are the ongoing oversupply situations in many global markets, like the EU, US and South Africa. Actually, only disease-affected China and Mexico, and Brazil (due to the combination of supply reduction and improved export demand), are performing relatively well. Other markets are suffering from oversupply.

Therefore, more disciplined supply should be the key to returning to profitability for the global poultry industry in 2H 2019. Notable positives are the expected ASF-related strength in pork prices, and the limited feed price upside risks, given the relatively good feed grain supply position expected in...

The Golden Growth Opportunity for U.S. Drugstores 

The self-care movement is playing a key role in reshaping health care in a way that drug store retailers and manufacturers can’t afford to ignore. Recent data from The Conference Board Global Consumer Confidence Survey, in collaboration with Nielsen, shows that 18% of Americans reported health as a top concern, next only to the economy (22%) and immigration (19%). With the threat of rising health care costs, consumers are prioritizing wellness and taking a more active role in managing their own health.

Today’s health-minded consumers are looking beyond medicine to manage their health—and opting for healthier food is a big part of this mindset. Increasingly for drugstores, the way to consumer wallets is through their diet. However, Nielsen’s 2019 Health Care study showed that only 24% of consumers are satisfied with the health food selection in drugstores, compared with 75% who expressed satisfaction of...

Panera Bread Launches New Category of Warm Grain Bowls

Just in time for fall, Panera is launching hearty, warm Grain Bowls featuring a medley of whole grains, crisp greens, vibrant vegetables and lean protein infused with bold, internationally-inspired flavors and sauces. The new Baja warm Grain Bowl and Mediterranean warm Grain Bowl--both available with or without chicken--mark Panera's entry into the grain bowl category. The introduction of grain bowls is the next step in Panera's evolving mission to offer more grains, plants and proteins on its menu, with a focus on delivering craveable food that makes you feel not just full, but fulfilled. This "Full of Good" philosophy leans into the notion that consumers shouldn't have to compromise between...

Darden Restaurants Reports Fiscal 2020 First Quarter Results

Darden Restaurants, Inc., today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended August 25, 2019.

First Quarter 2020 Financial Highlights, Comparisons Versus Same Fiscal Quarter Last Year

Total sales increased 3.5% to $2.13 billion driven by the addition of 40 net new restaurants and a blended same-restaurant sales increase of 0.9%
Same-restaurant sales by brand...

The Makers of Hormel Mary Kitchen Hash Announce New Frozen Varieties

The makers of Hormel Mary Kitchen hash, America's No. 1 selling hash, announced today the launch of an innovative meal solution for the frozen breakfast foods aisle – the brand's first offering outside of the can since first coming off the production line 70 years ago.

The new items include two varieties of frozen hash – corned beef hash and turkey sausage sweet potato – and include more than 9 grams of protein in each serving. Made with a hearty blend of quality meats, roasted potatoes, onions, red bell peppers and a touch of select seasonings, Hormel Mary Kitchen frozen hash is sure to satisfy your craving for breakfast.

"Our new Hormel Mary Kitchen frozen hash products are a perfect way to...

Shop on Amazon, Pay in Cash

Amazon is making it even easier for customers to pay with cash. Amazon PayCode, already available in 19 countries around the world, launches today in the U.S. and allows customers to choose Amazon PayCode at checkout and then pay for their purchase in cash at one of 15,000 Western Union locations. Items ship once customers pay for their purchase in person at a participating Western Union location. Amazon PayCode will be rolling out to customers over the coming weeks.

Separately, Amazon Cash, which enables customers to load cash into their Amazon Balance for making online Amazon purchases, is now available in over 100,000 cash-loading locations nationwide. Customers in the U.S. who prefer to use cash are now...

ANALYSIS: Checking In On The Turkey Hatch

When it comes to turkey poult placements, 2019 has consistently trended below 2018 levels and August was no exception...

Tyson Foods Launches Pact Brand Refrigerated Snack Bites with Functional Benefits

Tyson Foods, Inc. has launched a new line of functional refrigerated protein snacks under its new brand, Pact, created to help people harness the natural benefits of food.

Developed by the company’s team of nutrition and culinary experts, Pact Snack Bites are expected to tap into a growing functional food market projected to reach $100 billion in the U.S. by 2025. Functional foods have potential to offer positive effects on health and wellness and can help people fill gaps in nutrition.

Pact Snack Bites are literally packed with nutrition. Made with real fruits and nuts, they have 10-plus wholesome ingredients per serving and contain ingredients like kombucha, matcha and...

Cracker Barrel Reports Strong Fourth Quarter And Full Year Fiscal 2019 Results

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 ended August 2, 2019.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2019 Highlights

• Comparable store restaurant sales growth of 3.8% and traffic growth of 0.2% outperformed the casual dining industry.
• Earnings per diluted share were $2.70 compared to prior year fourth quarter GAAP earnings per diluted share of $2.55, or $2.19 per share when adjusting for the impact of the prior year 53rd week.
• As previously announced, the Company entered into a strategic relationship with Punch Bowl Social ("PBS") on July 18, 2019 by acquiring a...

Perdue Foods Recalls Simply Smart Organics Frozen Chicken Ready-to-Eat Products

Perdue Foods, LLC, a Perry, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 495 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat chicken products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains wheat, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

The frozen ready-to-eat chicken products are labeled as gluten free chicken breast tenders but contain chicken nugget products. The items were produced on August 30, 2019. The following products are subject to recall...

Chipotle Launches Carne Asada Nationwide

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced that it's introducing a brand-new steak option, Carne Asada, nationally on September 19, 2019. CHIPOTLE REWARDS members were the first to learn of the new menu item today. To showcase the importance of its Rewards members and the exclusive access the program provides, Chipotle invited its top steak lovers in New York and Los Angeles to attend early VIP tasting events.

This premium protein is cut into tender slices, seasoned with fresh squeezed lime and finished with hand-chopped cilantro and a blend of signature spices. Chipotle's Carne Asada has been officially approved for the Whole30® program, and is compliant with a Paleo diet.

Additionally, Chipotle teamed up with...

Fresh and Focused: The U.S. Retailer Path to Winning Brick and Mortar

Despite the explosion in online shopping in the U.S., physical stores haven’t gone by the wayside. Why? In a word: fresh.

Although e-commerce represents just 4% of grocery sales today, it accounts for nearly one-third of total growth. And Americans are increasingly heading online to shop for nonperishables, household items and pet products, making the concept of stock up grocery trips a thing of the past for many shoppers.

Yet the fresh departments (bakery, deli, meat, produce and seafood) still lure people into physical stores; in fact, online grocery shoppers spend 1.5% more in-store on fresh food than the average consumer does. As more category sales continue to...

August Retail Sales Grew 4.1 Percent Over Last Year but New Tariffs Present 'Downside Risk'

Retail sales were up 0.4 percent in August seasonally adjusted from July and up 4.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year, the National Retail Federation said today. The numbers exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants.

“While consumer attitudes about the economy indicate some retreating optimism, the bottom line is that consumer spending remained resilient in August and continued to be a key contributor to U.S. economic growth,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “Trends remain strong, but August grew somewhat slower than July, which could reflect consumers’ concerns about the unpredictability of trade policy. It is too early to assess the impact of the new tariffs that took effect at the beginning of this month, but...

US Foods Delivers a World of Authentic, Global Flavors with Fall Scoop 2019

US Foods Holding Corp. announced today the launch of Fall Scoop 2019, which focuses on “Global Discovery Made Easy” and showcases products with Latin American, Asian and Middle Eastern influences. With 54 percent of consumers saying they have gone out of their way to try a novel global food, today’s diners are hungry to explore new flavors from all over the world.1

To help restaurant operators stay competitive and meet this growing demand, US Foods collaborated with nationally recognized chefs, Chef Diana Dávila, Chef Thai Dang and Chef Sameh Wadi to advise on many of the...

Starbucks Announces Three New Appointments to Board of Directors

Starbucks Corporation announced today the appointment of Richard (Ritch) E. Allison, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Domino’s; Andrew (Andy) Campion, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of NIKE; and Isabel Ge Mahe, Apple’s Vice President and Managing Director of Greater China, to the Starbucks Board of Directors. These appointments increase Starbucks Board of Directors to 13.

“As we pursue our goal of building an enduring company, I couldn’t be more excited to have Ritch, Andy and Isabel join our world-class board of directors,” said Kevin Johnson, Starbucks president and chief executive officer. “Their expertise across global technology, retail and customer experience at scale will accelerate our drive to innovate in a way that’s relevant to our customers and inspiring to our partners.”

All three joined the Starbucks Board of Directors effective Sept. 11, 2019. Other members of the Starbucks Board of Directors include...