The World's 10 Best-Selling Spirits Brands
According to recent figures by the IWSR, the global spirits market experienced a “dramatic” dip in 2013 due to a slowdown in consumption of local Indian and Chinese brands. Despite this, a large number of the world’s best-selling spirits brands are from the Indian whisky sector – without doubt one of the largest spirits categories in the world, boasting huge volumes. MORE>>
Tapping into Adult Beverage Trends for Differentiation
Strolling through the bustling neighborhood of restaurants and bars in Long Island’s Huntington, NY, Saturday evening, I found my attention captured by a sidewalk sandwich board boasting “12 Wines on Tap.” The restaurant’s windows were open, revealing a warm, inviting and fairly busy bar. Intrigued by the wines on tap and reassured by the number of patrons, we stepped inside Osteria da Nino for the first time, found seats at the bar and were quickly greeted by the bartender. MORE>>
Can Natural Sweeteners Pull Diet Soda Out of its Funk?
Is diet soda in the doldrums because shoppers are suspicious of aspartame, or because they are just bored of Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi? And will naturally-sweetened products such as Coca-Cola Life restore the category’s flagging fortunes? MORE>>
Higher Starting Wage Means for Restaurants
Seattle enacted a $15 starting-wage mandate, New York is looking at $13, and a Chicago task force recently recommended a $13 starting wage. Congress hasn’t acted, but is weighing bills to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 from $7.25, and the minimum cash wage for tipped employees to $7.07 from $2.13.Accommodating labor-cost increases can be tough – especially in restaurants. Labor costs today account for about a third of restaurant sales, according to the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Operations Report. MORE>>
Arooga's Grille House & Sports Bar Set For 6th Anniversary Blowout
Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar, the Harrisburg-born, Harrisburg-based award-winning full-service casual dining restaurant, is set to celebrate its 6th anniversary beginning Friday, July 25 by doing two things that you’d expect the region’s best sports bar to do: make new beer and give away free beer. Arooga’s has collaborated with Enola-based Pizza Boy Brewing Co. to create Arooga’s “Wingstinguisher IPA” for the bash. MORE>>
Bar Louie Opening New Location in Bensalem, PA with Free Food
Bar Louie announced today the opening of their newest location in Bensalem, PA. When Bar Louie opens its doors on July 21st, it will be the first Philadelphia area location for the Addison, TX-based brand and the 4th Bar Louie location in Pennsylvania. Bar Louie Bensalem is conveniently situated across from Neshaminy Mall, just off Lincoln Highway and Pennsylvania Turnpike. To celebrate their grand opening, Bar Louie will be hosting a 4-day blowout bash from July 24th – 27th. MORE>>
House Strengthens Tax Breaks for Charitable Giving
Nonprofit organizations and business groups praised the House for passing a package of tax breaks designed to encourage charitable contributions. The House passed the America Gives More Act on a 277-130 vote Thursday. The legislation would make three tax breaks permanent: the charitable deduction for contributions of food inventory by businesses, the deduction for contributions of conservation easements, and a provision that allows senior citizens to tap their IRAs for charitable donations without incurring a tax penalty. MORE>>
DRH on Track for 20% Unit Growth in 2014
Diversified Restaurant Holdings, Inc., the creator, developer, and operator of Bagger Dave's Burger Tavern and one of the largest franchisees for Buffalo Wild Wings, continues its restaurant growth plan with the recent opening of a new BWW in Pinellas Park, Florida, on Sunday, July 13, 2014. Designed as a standalone, Stadia prototype restaurant near the intersection of Park Boulevard North and 66th Street North in the Greater St. Petersburg area, the restaurant is easily accessible for an area that has over 270,000 residents. MORE>>
2014 Top 100: Why Buffalo Wild Wings is the No. 9 Fastest-Growing Chain
Minneapolis-based Buffalo Wild Wings does not keep its sales or unit growth drivers a secret. The $2.8 billion casual-dining chain’s slogan is “Wings. Beer. Sports.” Over the past two years, No. 9 Growth Chain Buffalo Wild Wings has sought to make those three elements work even better together inside its stores, with décor and technology upgrades to generate the best possible sports-viewing experience. MORE>>
The Melting Pot Seeks Franchisee to Open New Restaurant in Greensboro, N.C.
The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., the world's premier fondue restaurant and a leading polished casual dining franchise, announced today that it is actively seeking franchisees to open a new restaurant in Greensboro, N.C. Currently, The Melting Pot has six locations in North Carolina, including an existing restaurant in northern Greensboro. MORE>>