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Red Robin Reports Results for the Second Quarter
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., a full-service restaurant chain serving an innovative selection of high-quality gourmet burgers in a family-friendly atmosphere, today reported financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended July 13, 2025.
Highlights for the Fiscal Second Quarter of 2025, Compared to the Fiscal Second Quarter of 2024:
Performance Food Group Reports Strong Sales and Profit Growth Despite Decline in Net Income
One of the largest distributors in foodservice, Performance Food Group, has announced results from its fourth quarter and fiscal year.
Quarterly Highlights
The company saw case volume increase by 11.9%. Independent Foodservice case volume rose 20.4%, while Organic Independent Foodservice case volume increased 5.9%.
Net sales were $16.9 billion, rising 11.5% for the period. Gross profit for the quarter grew 14.6% to $2 billion. This growth in sales and profit can be attributed to recent acquisitions, including that...
The Retail Rundown: Beef Tops Retail Ads as Grocers Prepare for Labor Day
With Labor Day just under three weeks away, grocers are preparing for summer’s last big grilling rush. Most holiday orders have already been locked in, and meat and prepared food departments are expected to see strong traffic as shoppers savor the last days of summer.
Beef has overtaken seafood as the most advertised protein this week, representing 27.0% of retail buying opportunities. Pork is close behind at 26.6%, while seafood has eased to 23.3%. Chicken remains steady at 18%, and turkey ads inched up to 3%...
Diversified Foodservice Supply Appoints Lev Peker as Chief Executive Officer
Diversified Foodservice Supply (DFS), a leading provider of equipment, supplies, and parts to the foodservice industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lev Peker as Chief Executive Officer.
Peker brings a strong track record of leadership and growth from the automotive aftermarket industry, where he excelled as CEO of PartsID and CarParts.com. There, he successfully scaled operations, enhanced customer experience, and delivered strong financial results. His deep expertise in e-commerce, operational efficiency, and system modernization aligns closely with DFS's strategic priorities...
Armanino Foods Posts Record Sales and Profits in Q2
Armanino Foods announced record-breaking results for the second quarter of its fiscal year.
The company manufactures and markets frozen Italian specialty food items including pesto, sauces, and filled pastas for foodservice and retail markets.
In quarter two, the company accomplished record net sales of $19.9 million, an increase of more than 14% compared to the same period in 2024.
"We are proud to report another quarter of record-breaking sales and profits — a milestone that reflects both the strength of our operating model and our disciplined execution...
US Foods Delivers Strong Q2 Results, Raises 2025 Outlook
In its quarterly results, US Foods' strong performance showed steady progress across key areas of the business.
“Our second quarter performance underscores the strength of our team's continued focus on execution and delivering value to our customers. This momentum has fueled further market share gains with independent restaurant, healthcare and hospitality customers, resulting in record Adjusted EBITDA of $548 million and a 40 basis point increase in Adjusted EBITDA margin to a record 5.4%,” said Dave Flitman, CEO. “Looking ahead, we have a long runway...
UNFI Unveils Top Industry Trends to Help Retailers Plan for the Holiday and Winter Selling Season
During its second Holiday and Winter Selling Show of 2025 in Uncasville, Conn., United Natural Foods, Inc. brought together more than 3,900 attendees, connecting more than 1,400 retailers and over 750 suppliers. Exhibitors showcased thousands of unique products, spanning the natural, organic, fresh, specialty, and conventional grocery categories.
Differentiation that Drives Results
During the show, UNFI experts shared the latest industry insights and emerging growth opportunities to help grocers stand out during the upcoming holiday and winter selling...
Sysco Delivers Strong Q4 and Solid FY 2025 Results
Sysco announced its fourth-quarter and full-year results Tuesday morning.
"Sysco's Q4 results exceeded expectations, as improved financial outcomes were driven by Sysco-specific initiatives and improved restaurant industry traffic. Specific to our business, USFS local volumes improved sequentially by 200 bps, including a strong exit rate in June. Importantly, drivers of our progress accelerated during the quarter, with the momentum continuing in July, an encouraging signal as we begin the next fiscal year of profitable growth" said Kevin Hourican, Sysco’s Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer...
Dickey's Barbecue Pit Responds to Frivolous, False Lawsuit Claims
Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. has issued a statement in response to a lawsuit filed by a former Houston franchisee, asserting that the allegations are false, without merit and misrepresent the company's franchise model.
"Our franchise model is designed to empower our partners as independent business owners," said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Pit. "We provide a proven framework for success, brand standards, and a robust business model with an ongoing support system. During the development and construction process, we provide...
The Retail Rundown: Beef Edges Out Seafood in Weekly Protein Features
Beef narrowly edged out seafood for the top spot in retail protein promotions this week, making up 25.9% of all featured items. Seafood was a close second at 25.3%, while pork and chicken each accounted for about 23%. Eggs represented roughly 2% of ads, and turkey dipped below 1%.
Beef steaks remained a premium grilling choice, averaging $14.21 per pound last week. Seafood also led on price, with fresh salmon reaching as high as $17.24 per pound in some regions...
OpenTable and KAYAK Unveil Top 100 Hotel Restaurants Amid Growing Trend of Culinary-Driven Travel
According to new insights from OpenTable and KAYAK, travelers are increasingly choosing their destinations based on where they want to eat.
An OpenTable survey reveals that 47% of Americans have planned a trip specifically to visit a restaurant. Similarly, KAYAK reported a 51% year-over-year increase in travelers using the “restaurant” filter when searching for hotels.
In response to this trend, the two companies have partnered to release their first-ever list of the "Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America...
Smashburger Expands with Seasonal, Value Menus
Smashburger, one of the nation’s leading better-burger fast casual concepts, is expanding its menu this summer as part of a broader strategy to drive traffic and increase customer engagement.
The brand has launched two new menu initiatives: the "Summer of Smash" limited-time menu and a new All-The-Time Menu aimed at price-sensitive consumers.
The Summer of Smash menu features the debut of the All-Angus Big Dog, available in four builds: Americana, Bacon Cheese, Chili Cheese, and Chili Cheese Jalapeño...
Subway Names Jonathan Fitzpatrick as Chief Executive Officer
Subway, one of the world's largest restaurant brands, today announced that Jonathan Fitzpatrick will join the company as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective July 28, 2025, following a comprehensive search.
With more than two decades of franchising and quick service restaurant experience, Fitzpatrick has a proven track record of elevating sales and operational performance across global networks. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of Driven Brands where he led a best-in-class team to 17 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth...
The Retail Rundown: Summer Travel Drives Foodservice Gains as Retailers Compete for Shoppers
Foodservice is in full swing this summer, fueled by warm weather and vacation season as consumers hit the road and dine out. This Fourth of July, AAA estimated a record 72.2 million Americans traveled domestically—a 2.4% increase from last year and 7 million more than in 2019.
“This year, we're seeing strong demand for road trips, flights, and cruises, especially with the holiday falling on a Friday,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of AAA Travel.
With so much consumer attention on travel and dining out, food...
National Restaurant Association Applauds Trump Tax Bill for Boosting Industry Jobs and Growth
President Donald Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill features tax policies that will assist the restaurant and foodservice industry, the National Restaurant Association said.
The group stated that the bill will enable restaurant owners and operators nationwide to “create jobs, invest in their business, and provide certainty for their local economies.”
“The restaurant industry is a powerful economic engine – generating over $1.4 trillion in annual economic activity and employing more than 15 million people nationwide,” said Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association...
Applebee’s Expands 2 for $25 Menu with New Entrées
Applebee’s is adding new options to its long-running 2 for $25 value menu, continuing a strategy that dates back to its original 2 for $20 deal launched in 2008. The offer aims to deliver accessible pricing amid shifting consumer demand and rising food costs.
The latest limited-time additions include two new entrees and a fan favorite:
Conagra Posts Decline in Sales and Profit for Q4 and FY2025
Conagra Brands has reported financial results for both the fiscal year and fourth quarter.
For the quarter, net sales declined 3.5%, driven by a 2.5% drop in volume and a 1.0% negative price/mix impact. Gross profit fell 12.1% to $707 million, as margins were pressured by inflation and weaker sales. Net income was $256 million ($0.53 per share), while adjusted EPS came in at $0.56. Adjusted EBITDA totaled $544 million.
For fiscal year 2025, net sales declined...
Burger King Invites Guests to Shape the Menu with New “Whopper by You” Platform
Staying true to its promise, Burger King is giving guests the chance to quite literally “Have it [Their] Way” all summer long.
Beginning July 15 and for a limited time, fans can submit their dream Whopper builds via the brand’s new interactive “Whopper by You” platform.
To kick off the campaign, BK is rolling out its first guest-inspired creation: the BBQ Brisket Whopper and BBQ Brisket Whopper Jr.
The BBQ Brisket Whopper features slow-cooked BBQ brisket, crispy onions, American cheese...
The Retail Rundown: Retailers Push Value to Maintain Protein Momentum
Retail meat clearance over the Independence Day holiday was generally strong, with consumers stocking up on grilling staples for the summer’s flagship cookout occasion.
With few major buying events remaining this summer, grocers will likely push aggressive features and highlight value finds to sustain shopper engagement through the dog days of summer.
Post-holiday protein advertisements show seafood maintaining the lead at 33.1% of retail features, followed by beef at 25.1% and pork at 21.5%. Chicken accounted for 16.2%, while turkey fell to just 2%—half of the previous week's...
Wendy’s Names Interim CEO Amid Leadership Changes
Wendy’s announced the appointment of its Interim CEO Tuesday, following reports of its current President and CEO, Kirk Tanner's resignation. Tanner will depart for The Hershey Company effective July 18.
In response, the Wendy’s Board of Directors has launched a comprehensive search process to identify a permanent CEO.
Meanwhile, Chief Financial Officer Ken Cook has been appointed by the Board to serve as Interim CEO until Tanner’s successor is in place.
"It has been a privilege to lead Wendy's, an iconic brand, and I leave with a sense of gratitude...
White Castle Debuts New Chicken Slider
There's a new Slider in town — and it's bringing a whole new flavor to America's favorite fast-food menu. White Castle, the family-owned fast-food pioneer that's been serving up steamy, craveable Sliders since 1921, is proud to debut its newest permanent menu item: the Crispy Chicken Slider. Bigger. Crispier. Cravier. And absolutely worthy of its own crown.
Made with tender, juicy all-white meat chicken, coated in a crispy buttermilk breading and drizzled with White Castle's flavorful new honeycomb mustard sauce, the Crispy Chicken Slider is sandwiched between the brand's signature...
QDOBA Accelerates Growth with Opening of 800th Restaurant, Surpasses 500 New Development Commitments
On the heels of a record-breaking year of growth and franchise development, QDOBA, America's rapidly growing #2 restaurant brand in the Mexican fast-casual category, today announced that the company has opened its 800th restaurant in Miami, Florida. The new restaurant, located in North Miami Beach at 14583 Biscayne Blvd, marks a significant milestone for the company, which is on track to expand to 1,600 restaurants by 2032.
"QDOBA is the best-kept secret in the restaurant industry and one of the...
Datassential Lists Chick-fil-A as America's Favorite Chain Restaurant
On June 12, 2025, food and beverage intelligence platform Datassential announced the winners of the first-ever Datassential 500 Awards, showcasing the most dynamic foodservice brands in the United States. Notable winners include Chick-fil-A (favorite chain), Crumbl (most unique restaurant menu), and CAVA (best healthy chain).
Founded in 2001, Datassential has been providing food and beverage brands with intelligence tools and consumer insights for more than two decades, including quintessential companies like Starbucks, General Mills, Land O' Lakes, Pepsi, Burger King, and Target...
Circana’s ‘Eat Play Love’ Report Shows Consumer Indulgence Despite Conservative Daily Spending
On June 12, 2025, Circana released its latest report on consumer spending trends, titled “Eat Play Love,” revealing how European consumers are turning to comfort despite ongoing economic pressures, climate concerns, and global conflicts that continually shape daily life.
According to the report, despite exercising frugality with everyday purchases, European consumers are currently prioritizing food retail, foodservice, prestige beauty, and toy purchases, thus indicating a shift towards “self-soothing consumption” and “mini moments of bliss.”
The report leverages Circana's extensive coverage of European consumer goods across hundreds of...
Taco Bell Builds on Crispy Chicken Momentum with New Lineup
After the sell-out success of its tortilla-coated Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Taco Bell is expanding into strips, the next phase in what’s shaping up to be a full-fledged crispy chicken platform.
Starting June 17, the brand debuts Crispy Chicken Strips across tacos and burritos. Made with all-white meat chicken, the strips are marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk and breaded in a blend of tortilla chips and breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Each build is layered with shredded cheddar, pico de...
Convenience Store M&A Activity Suggests More Consolidation is Coming
The pace of merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. convenience store sector is accelerating with recent trends suggesting the nation’s c-store landscape is ripe for more change. While most of the transactions in 2024 involved smaller chains or single-store operators, several larger operators inked deals to significantly expand their footprints into new regions.
According to a new research brief from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, c-store consolidation stands to disproportionally affect rural communities, many of which lack a grocery store or access...
KFC Relaunches $7 Fill Ups Nationwide, Partners with F1® THE MOVIE for Summer Campaign
KFC is bringing back its popular $7 Fill Ups, offering four complete meal options at a strong value price point. The return aligns with a nationwide marketing partnership with F1® THE MOVIE, positioning KFC as a go-to stop for quick, satisfying meals this summer.
$7 Fill Ups – Available Now Nationwide:Each Fill Up includes an entrée, mashed potatoes with gravy, a biscuit, two pie poppers, and a medium drink.
McDonald's Snack Wraps are Officially Coming Back: Here's When
The wait is almost over.
McDonald's confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that the Snack Wrap will officially be coming back to restaurants permanently beginning Thursday, July 10.
The Snack Wrap features one of McDonald's new McCrispy Strips – a juicy chicken strip made with all white meat – topped with crisp shredded lettuce and shredded cheese, all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, according to the chain.
The item will be available in two flavors:
Mastering Market Volatility: 5 Minutes with Little Caesars’ Derek Nelson
In today’s volatile market, where shifts in agrifood commodity prices can significantly impact your bottom line, understanding and managing risk is paramount. Derek Nelson, Director of Commodity Risk & Analytics at Little Caesars, exemplifies this proactive approach in his role leading hedging operations for this global restaurant chain.
Ahead of his participation at Expana’s Agri-Food Americas event in September, Derek spoke with us to share insights into how a global brand navigates the complexities of dairy, grains, protein and energy markets...
Dave's Hot Chicken Entering Next Phase of Growth & Innovation with Roark
From a parking lot in 2017, to a global sensation which expects to end the year with more than 400 restaurants across the globe; Dave's Hot Chicken has chosen an investment from Roark, entering its next phase of growth and innovation.
Dave's Hot Chicken has had years of incredible unit and sales growth and leading guest satisfaction metrics. The company remains committed to delivering an exceptional experience for its guests, team members and its franchise partners around the globe...
Domino's Launches Weeklong Carryout Special
Domino’s is starting the month with a new promotion: from June 2–8, customers can carry out large two-topping pizzas for just $6.99 each.
This weeklong carryout special applies to any large pizza with two toppings, including specialty crusts like Hand Tossed, Crunchy Thin, and New York Style. For an additional $3, customers can upgrade to Domino’s new Parmesan Stuffed Crust pizza.
The promotion comes as Domino’s ramps up rewards and deals to boost consumer demand.
The company reported a 0.5% decline...
Popeyes Rolls Out All-New Chicken Wraps
Popeyes is heating up the summer with the launch of an all-new menu category. Introducing the Popeyes Chicken Wrap — a bold, grab-and-go option packed with flavor and value, available for a limited time.
Each wrap features a hand-breaded, crispy chicken tender, crisp lettuce, shredded cheese, crunchy pickles, and your choice of Classic, Spicy, or Honey Mustard spread — all wrapped in a soft, warm tortilla inspired by our famous biscuits.
The Chicken Wraps come in three crave-worthy variations, each available for just $3.99...
Firehouse Subs Accelerates Global Growth with Entry into Mexico
Firehouse Subs has signed a significant development agreement with Foodplay to open 100 restaurants across Mexico over the next five years, marking its latest strategic move in international expansion. This initiative is expected to generate hundreds of jobs locally while strengthening brand presence across Latin America.
"We believe Firehouse Subs has tremendous potential in Mexico's growing sandwich market," said Duncan Montero, LAC President of Restaurant Brands International (RBI), parent company of Firehouse Subs. "We're excited to bring Firehouse premium subs, heartfelt service...
Layne's Chicken Fingers Celebrates Multiple Six-Figure Opening Weeks
Layne's Chicken Fingers, the Soon to be FamousTM chicken finger franchise, continues to see remarkable results at the restaurant level as it expands nationwide. With growing brand awareness, unbeatable brand loyalty and streamlined operations to ensure a smooth opening period, Layne's restaurants are far exceeding expectations.
"We continue to be blown away by the numbers our franchisees are reaching in their first days and weeks of operations," said Samir Wattar, chief operating officer. "We used to be ecstatic when a franchisee had a six-figure opening...
Applebee’s Reintroduces “All You Can Eat” to Drive Seasonal Traffic
Applebee’s has reintroduced its popular “All You Can Eat” promotion, an LTO strategy the brand consistently deploys during high-traffic periods to drive guest visits.
This season’s lineup features three proven guest favorites and legacy menu items: Chicken Tenders, Riblets, and Double Crunch Shrimp—offering broad consumer appeal.
US Foods Achieves Solid Q1 Results with Gains Across Key Segments
US Foods has released its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, highlighting strong performance driven by a focused strategy and the company's ability to manage controllable factors while adapting to broader macroeconomic conditions.
“During the first quarter we outperformed the industry and again delivered strong profitability, with Adjusted EBITDA growing 9% and Adjusted Diluted EPS increasing 26%, despite the challenging operating environment and weather-related headwinds. Our results speak to the strength of our customer value proposition and relentless execution of our strategy,”...
49th Executive Conference Highlights Resilience and Future Outlook of Animal Protein Sector
This year’s Executive Conference held in Las Vegas from May 5–7 for senior leaders in the animal protein sector, was an informative show of the industry’s and what we can expect from the protein sector in the coming years.
“We feed the ever-growing needs of the entire population,” said Russ Whitman, Expana’s Director of Market Reporting, in his opening remarks.
Despite challenges related to animal health, regulatory shifts, and geopolitical tensions, the industry has demonstrated remarkable perseverance.
The Retail Rundown: Grocers Take on Foodservice for a Slice of Mother’s Day Spending
Grocers are gearing up to win a slice of Mother’s Day sales, which are traditionally dominated by restaurants and dining out. While foodservice still captures the lion’s share of spending, supermarkets are making strategic plays to compete for consumers' dollars.
According to the National Retail Federation, Mother’s Day spending is projected to hit $34.1 billion this year—up from $33.5 billion in 2024 and just shy of the 2023 record of $35.7 billion. About 84% of US adults are expected to celebrate, spending an average of $259.04 on gifts and festivities...
ANALYSIS: US Egg Market Defies Seasonal Trends with Post-Easter Stability
The US egg market is showing surprising resilience in the wake of Easter, holding firm at price levels that are typically subject to sharp seasonal declines. Midwest large has remained unchanged at $3.77 per dozen for three consecutive weeks—a stark contrast to the five-year average, which shows April prices falling by roughly 30% during the same period. While there were signs of mounting pressure in the lead-up to the holiday, the market has since stabilized, buoyed by a modest improvement in retail demand and continued strength in cross-border movement to Canada...
Sysco Corporation Delivers Q3 Financial Results
Sysco Corporation released its financial results for the third quarter of its fiscal year, highlighting some growth despite a challenging operating environment. Unfavorable foreign exchange movements, disruptive weather events, wildfires, and softening consumer confidence have all impacted results for the period.
Total Sysco
Sysco Corporation reported a 1.1% increase in sales for the third quarter, despite a 2.0% decline in U.S. Foodservice volume. Gross profit edged down 0.8% to $3.6 billion, while operating income fell 5.7% to $681 million. Adjusted operating income declined 3.3% to $773...
FEATURED STORIES
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ANALYSIS: US 2025 Cash Cattle Surge, Margins Collapse, and Slaughter Hits Record Lows
ANALYSIS: Mexican Beef Market Weakens as Brazilian Imports Surge