Red Robin Debuts New Can-Crafted Cocktails
Red Robin restaurants are continuing to embrace the brand’s heritage of innovative mixology this summer by expanding its exclusive line of Can-Crafted Cocktails, a unique combination of beer and liquor served in a first-to-market, reusable beer can, with two new flavors: Wildbeer-y Can-Crafted Cocktail – a berry-licious mix featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Redd’s Strawberry Ale, Red Robin’s strawberry-raspberry purée and Minute Maid Lemonade MORE>>
Restaurant Job Growth Remains Broad Based
The national labor market continued to heat up in June, with restaurants remaining among the strongest growth sectors. According to preliminary figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national economy added a net 288,000 jobs in June on a seasonally-adjusted basis, the fifth consecutive month with gains of at least 200,000 jobs. MORE>>
2014 Top100: Top 10 Growth Chains
Even the concepts with the healthiest domestic systemwide sales growth in this year’s Top 100 report were not immune to the slowed growth that beset the industry in 2013. Nearly all of the top 10 growth chains on this year’s roster experienced a contraction in the rate at which their sales grew in the Latest Year.. MORE>>
At Midyear, Technomic Sees Six Trends Emerging
Technomic, the nation’s leading foodservice research and consulting firm, has identified trends emerging for the second half of 2014, including hot peppers and sauces beyond Sriracha, barbecue flavors in QSR handhelds, and classic snack brands incorporated into new menu offerings. MORE>>
International Trade May Factor into Fiber Definition
The Food and Drug Administration might look elsewhere in the world, especially Canada, as it prepares a dietary fiber definition, according to a June 27 webinar put on by AACC International. To avoid trade difficulties, an F.D.A. fiber definition might need to harmonize with other definitions. The F.D.A. said it planned to define dietary fiber when it listed proposed changes to the Nutrition Facts Panel in the March 3 Federal Register. MORE>>
As Commodity and Labor Prices Rise, Operators Up Menu Prices
Prices of poultry, pork, and beef are all on rise, and restaurant operators are starting to respond with price hikes for the latter half of the year, according to new research from supply chain support firm SpenDifference. “In the pork industry, we’ve got the [Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea] virus that’s impacting supply,” says DeWayne Dove, vice president of purchasing for SpenDifference. MORE>>
Diageo Gains Majority Control of India's USL, Ups Lead in Global Spirits Market
After a lengthy struggle, Diageo has succeeded in taking majority control of Indian spirits giant United Spirits Ltd. (USL). Through an open offer to shareholders last month, Diageo added a 26% stake in USL at a cost of £1.1 billion ($1.89b), bringing its total interest in the company to 54.78%. In all, Diageo paid £1.8 billion ($3.1b) to gain its majority share. MORE>>
Why Grocery Shopper Pain May Be Restaurants' Gain
Due in part to a pig virus, historically small cattle herds and a Brazilian drought, grocery shoppers everywhere have been feeling pain at the checkout. But there could be a silver lining, at least for the restaurant industry, according to one firm. The reason? When grocery prices rise faster than the cost of food elsewhere, restaurants typically benefit as their relative value improves modestly, according to Bernstein Research. MORE>>
PepsiCo follows Coke, sinks cash into Egyptian juice
PepsiCo will use its joint venture agreement with Saudi Arabian dairy giant Almarai Company to help fund a new juice factory in Egypt and other facilities over the next five years. MORE>>