This Week in Retail: Enter the Dog Days

Goodbye July—hello August. The dog days of summer are here as we enter the lazy hazy final crazy days of the season.  

August is often referred to as the “Sunday of summer” and that perspective could bode well for retail sales as consumers seek to soak up the last few weeks of sunshine and outdoor activity before the school year resumes and the weather begins to transition again.

Beef is killing the retail game in recent weeks, taking the top weekly spot for protein feature volume during the entire month of July. Currently, beef ads account for 27 percent of circular real estate, beating out second placed seafood at 23 percent. Steak features make up about half...

This Week in Retail: Outlook for the Fourth

Hard to believe it, but the 4^th of July is just around the corner. With at or near record production levels in U.S. protein, the industry is counting on good weather and hungry consumers to move some product at retail.

Urner Barry’s weekly retail beef feature index is down roughly 4% compared to the 3-year average—and is also the lowest in 6 years for the current week.  Beef has consistently stolen the top spot for overall feature volume over competing proteins recently, with few exceptions. This week, beef claims 26% of protein ad volume and is on track to be the number one category for the week of July 4^th as well.

Burgers are arguably the most popular grilling item for large Independence Day gatherings in backyards across America. The year-to-date average for 80% lean ground beef is...

This Week in Retail: Looking Ahead to Father’s Day Spending

Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday, June 16^th, and retailers are prepping for the second big grilling holiday of the summer.

According to the National Retail Federation, Father’s Day spending in 2019 is expected to reach an all-time high of $16 billion. That’s up from last year’s $15.3 billion. This monumental spending figure still, however, pales in comparison to spending for Mother’s Day, coming in at a whopping $25 billion.

Mother’s Day has long been known as a foodservice holiday, but Father’s Day tends to favor grilling at home with some quality steaks, burgers, chops or ribs. The NRF also reports that spending for Father’s Day has grown 70 percent over the last decade, with special outings playing a big part of that growth, accounting for a projected $3.3 billion. With 76 percent of...

As Grilling Season Begins, Turkey Patties Take Off

Summer is coming up, and with it comes grilling. While beef and pork have long held dominion over the summer grill, there’s been increased interest in turkey patties for grilling in recent years, as consumers lean towards more lower calorie options. Turkey has long been a go-to for burger substitutes due to its low fat content, good micronutrient profile, and a perceived “health halo”.

n the past, consumers have found turkey patties to lack sufficient flavor. Last year, unseasoned turkey patty sales fell eight percent. To remedy this situation... 

This Week in Retail: The Memorial Day Rundown

It’s finally here, the unofficial start to summer and the very official start to the grilling season. In the week leading up to Memorial Day weekend, the beef category claims the top spot for protein feature volume at 27 percent, followed by seafood at just under 26 percent.

Chicken managed to knock out pork for the number three spot with 22.5 percent of ad space, leaving pork with 18 percent. Cheaper grilling items like thighs and drumsticks helped boost chicken featuring volume this week. Meanwhile, the beef segment presents the ultimate showdown between ground beef and steak. In the pork complex, we see an increase in pork chop featuring, up nearly 8 percent week over week.

Taking a closer look at the beef complex, Urner Barry’s weekly retail beef index is right on par with the 3-year average at $5.85 per pound. This is down from the previous week’s index of $6.47 per pound. Ground beef features are modestly lower year over year at an average...

ANALYSIS: Ground Beef Pricing

Ground beef represents almost half of the beef consumption in the U.S. COMTELL tracks wholesale prices, along with everyday and retail ad prices for the category from a variety of sources. Wholesale ground beef values tend to be more volatile while... 

How Much 12 Classic Fast-Food Items Used to Cost

Find out what your favorites cost back in the day

McDonald’s Big Mac

In 1967, when McDonald’s introduced the sandwich that became iconic, it cost 45 cents. The price remained about a dollar through much of the 1970s, but it has gone up since. These days, the cost of two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, and onions on a sesame seed bun ranges around the world. In New York City in 2018, a Big Mac would set you back $5.09.

Burger King Whopper

Ten years earlier, Burger King released its flame-broiled signature sandwich in Miami. The price in 1957 ...

Impossible Foods’ Flagship Product is Now Available in About 5,000 Restaurants

The Impossible Burger is now available in about 5,000 restaurants in the United States.

Impossible Foods’ flagship product is available in restaurants in all 50 states, from Alaska to Florida -- and in stadiums, arenas, museums, corporate canteens and other locations.

The award-winning Impossible Burger is the only plant-based burger served at America’s favorite “better burger” concepts Fatburger, Wahlburgers, Umami Burger, Hopdoddy, Gott’s and The Counter, as well as the Midwest’s M-Burger and B Spot (owned by Chef Michael Symon). Additional restaurants add the Impossible Burger every day.

On Nov. 12, an Impossible Burger and Impossible Slider will debut at more than... 

Muscle Maker Grill Introduces New Healthier Burger Menu

Muscle Maker Grill, the fast-casual restaurant brand, which promotes a healthy lifestyle by offering nutritious alternatives to traditional dishes, today announced the addition of a build it yourself burger bar menu available at participating locations for a limited time.

Muscle Maker Grill’s new healthier burger bar menu is a great option for those looking to indulge in a burger without the guilt. True to its mission of delivering healthier menu items without sacrificing taste, Muscle Maker Grill’s new burger menu has something for everybody. Guests can choose from four nutritionally packed protein options, grass-fed beef, turkey, all natural chicken breast or a veggie burger. The burgers are offered in five styles: Mushroom Supreme, California Club, Classic, Jalapeno and the Recovery burger. All burgers are served on whole wheat buns and come with a side of our baked sweet potato fries. Burger toppings include healthier options such as avocado, reduced fat mayo, turkey bacon and reduced fat cheeses. Burger bar styles are listed below...

Aramark Heats Up Arenas with 25 New Menu Items for the NHL and NBA Seasons

To kick off arena season, Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) -- the food and beverage provider at nine NHL and NBA arenas, who will serve nearly eight million fans attending NHL and NBA games -- is heating up the ice and hardwood with new menus stocked with everything from hometown hot dogs to vegetarian poke bowls.

Some of the new menu items Aramark is introducing at the arenas it serves include...

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews Rings in the Holiday Season with New Menu Items

'Tis the season for YUMMM(R) at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews! The Gourmet Burger Authority(TM) is lighting up its menu with new additions and limited-time offerings for the holidays. Beginning today, Red Robin guests can savor The Master Cheese, a new Black Angus burger with a duo of melted extra-sharp Cheddar and Provolone cheeses, Bistro Sauce, dill pickle planks, shredded romaine and tomatoes on a toasted brioche bun and served with Bottomless Steak Fries(R) , which means free refills. Red Robin is also unwrapping a fire-grilled Haystack Tavern Double burger. The newest everyday value offering is topped with American cheese, Campfire Sauce and onion straws, along with a side of Bottomless Steak Fries(R) all for $6.99.

"We're excited to unwrap a new lineup of seasonal flavors and innovations this holiday season," said Dana Benfield, senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "From the savory Haystack Tavern Double and... 

Wendy’s Adds a S’Awesome Twist to Its Classic Bacon Cheeseburger

Wendy’s® adds a S’Awesome new addition to its fresh, never frozen* hamburger lineup. Introducing the S’Awesome Bacon Classic, a smoky, tangy twist on your favorite Wendy’s bacon cheeseburger. Topped with Wendy’s savory Side of S’Awesome™ Sauce, this is the burger mashup you’ve been waiting for.

The S’Awesome Bacon Classic is loaded with fresh, never frozen beef, three strips of Applewood smoked bacon, melty American cheese, crinkle cut pickles, sweet onion, and crisp lettuce – all between two warm, toasted buns. Slathered with Wendy’s savory Side of S’Awesome™ sauce, this cheeseburger packs smoky, tangy flavor in every juicy, mouthwatering bite.

“The S’Awesome Bacon Classic was created out of our customer’s love for this smoky, tangy sauce,” said Kurt Kane, Wendy’s executive vice president, chief concept and marketing officer. “We originally offered the sauce as a...

McDonald’s USA Reveals Changes to its Classic Burgers

Announcement marks next major milestone in company’s journey to build a better McDonald’s

McDonald’s USA announced on Wednesday that its classic burgers have no artificial preservatives, no artificial flavors and no added colors from artificial sources. The pickle contains an artificial preservative, and customers are able to skip it if they prefer. These ingredient changes affect all 14,000 U.S. restaurants, marking this the next major milestone in McDonald’s food journey and another way the company is helping customers feel good about the food they're enjoying.

The classic burgers include the hamburger, cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, McDouble, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, double Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Big Mac.

“From switching to 100% fresh beef* in our quarter-pound burgers, cooked right when ordered, to removing artificial preservatives in our Chicken McNuggets, and committing to cage-free eggs by 2025, we have made significant strides in evolving the quality of our food,” said Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s USA President. “We know quality choices are important to our customers, and...

This Week in Retail: September Support for the Meat Case

Post-Labor Day, the retail landscape undergoes a gradual transition from summer themes to cooler weather cooking. However, while the heat lingers in many parts of the country this month, grilling cuts manage to hold onto their spots in the meat case alongside returning fall favorites.

It’s really an ideal time for the protein industry, with converging seasons supporting consumer purchases of a wide range of products. In addition, the National Football League kicks off today! Football season initiates a whole new slew of reasons for consumers to get together and eat—indulging in often protein-eccentric meal items like wings, burgers, sausage, hot dogs, ribs, tacos and more.

For game time this week, we have chicken wings on feature for $2.46 per pound, which is down 12.8 percent from a year ago at this time. Wholesale wing prices have fallen 36 percent this year, allowing for retailers and foodservice to offer attractive promotions. In addition, boneless breasts are also at record lows, which means...