The Food Institute Report back issues from March 2007:
Chains formulate growth by venturing into breakfast offerings.
Mar 05, 2007 ... Rather than relying on adding more restaurant locations for growth, an increasing amount of fast food chains are competing for a piece of the $77.6 billion breakfast market. For example, STARBUCKS is rolling out five hot breakfast sandwiches in about 1,200 of its stores in various areas of ...
A&P makes bid for Pathmark.(The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.)(Pathmark Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC., Montvale, NJ, is engaged in negotiations to acquire Pathmark Stores Inc., Carteret, NJ, for $625 million. The proposed acquisition would not only bolster A&P's holdings but would reshuffle the supermarket industry in New Jersey. ...
Food industry merger & acquisition activity rebounding.
Mar 05, 2007 ... In 2006, 348 mergers & acquisitions were completed in the food industry--and an additional 102 were announced, but not yet completed by the end of the year, according to The Food Institute's Food Business Mergers & Acquisitions 2006. Activity was up 7.7% from 2005, but still remains 13.6% ...
Spartan's turnaround, more acquisitions seen.(Spartan Stores Inc.)
Mar 05, 2007 ... Hiring seasoned retail executives, making acquisitions as well as divestitures and instituting operational changes were among the actions undertaken by Craig Sturken when he took the helm of nearly- bankrupt SPARTAN STORES in March 2003. Mr. Sturken, a grocery industry veteran known for ...
2007 restaurant flavor forecast.(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... Restaurants are experimenting with more daring flavor parings and are beginning to serve up bolder options, according to MINTEL MENU'S Flavor Footsteps for 2007. Five key flavor movements that are forecasted to take the foodservice industry in a new direction include: * ...
USDA sees consumers shelling out 11%-12% more for eggs.(United States. Department of Agriculture)(Statistical data)
Mar 05, 2007 ... While the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all food-at-home prices are still forecast to increase 1.5% to 2.5% in 2007, USDA projects egg prices will jump as much as 12% this year--significantly more than the 7% to 8% hike projected one month ago. During January, shell egg prices were up ...
Drug chains supersizing to battle competition.(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... While drugs and other pharmaceuticals still account for up to 70% of drugstore sales, food, detergents, clothing and other nontraditional items are increasingly making their presence known as drugstores supersize. With shrinking profit margins on pharmaceuticals and growing competition, ...
Innovative products from 2006.(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... DATAMONITOR'S Productscan online database released the findings from its 2006 Build a Better Mousetrap New Product Innovation survey. The following food and beverage products accounted for eight out of the top ten most innovative products: * Chiquita Fresh & Ready Bananas ...
IRI cites trends shaping CPG Industry.(Information Resources, Inc.)(Consumer Packaged Goods)
Mar 05, 2007 ... Total CPC (Consumer Packaged Goods) sales rose 2.5% in 2006, a marked improvement over 2005's 1.6% growth rate, outlined INFORMATION RESOURCES, INC.'S current Snapshot of Trends Shaping the CPG Industry. A combination of price increases and innovation spurred industry growth in 2006. Among ...
T.G.I. Friday's unveiled the first national program in the casual dining business that offers a variety of menu items with smaller portions--and lower prices--all day.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... T.G.I. FRIDAY'S unveiled the first national program in the casual dining business that offers a variety of menu items with smaller portions--and lower prices--all day. Right Portion, Right Price includes 10 entrees sold in portions about 30% ...
McDonald's Corp.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(McDonald's Corp. plans to add smoothies, iced coffee and other specialty coffees to its U.S. restaurants)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... MCDONALD'S CORP. may add smoothies, iced coffee and other specialty coffees to its U.S. restaurants, noted a company executive. The fast food giant is exploring those drinks and others as it seeks "destination ...
Yum! Brands Inc.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
Mar 05, 2007 ... YUM! BRANDS INC. temporarily closed several New York City restaurants owned by the franchisee that operated a Manhattan TACO BELL overrun last week by ...
Starbucks.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
Mar 05, 2007 ... STARBUCKS is boosting efforts to sell its pre-made coffee drinks, coffee beans for home brewing and other branded caffeinated products. Wider ...
The Human Bean.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
Mar 05, 2007 ... Specialty coffee drive-thru franchise, THE HUMAN BEAN, signed development agreements for 110 locations in the U.S ....
Native New Yorker.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(plans for 35 new franchised stores)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... NATIVE NEW YORKER, a Gilbert, AZ-based restaurant chain, plans to have agreements for 35 new franchised stores in at least 15 markets by the end of this year, with agreements to operate in almost 60 cities by the end of ...
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
Mar 05, 2007 ... CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC. plans to open 12 restaurants in the New York metro area this year, double ...
Lenny's Franchisor, LLC announced that franchisee group Samstorm Subs plans to open 28 Lenny's Sub Shops restaurants.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
Mar 05, 2007 ... LENNY'S FRANCHISOR, LLC announced that franchisee group SAMSTORM ...
Sonic Corp., America's fourth-largest burger chain, entered Central Ohio and expects to open 25 to 35 restaurants in that market by yearend.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... SONIC CORP., America's fourth-largest burger chain, entered Central Ohio and expects to open 25 to 35 restaurants in that market by yearend. Although the planned restaurants would amount to a fraction of the 97 MCDONALD'S and 78 WENDY'S restaurants in the region, reaching its development ...
Taco Del Mar.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(plans expansion)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... TACO DEL MAR, the Seattle-based chain of Mexican restaurants, is expanding eastward. Plans call for 100 new locations by year's end, stretching as far as Toronto and possibly ...
Marsh Supermarkets rolled out beef nutrition labeling to all its stores, after a 16-week test run by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association was seen to lift beef sales and increase customer loyalty.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
Mar 05, 2007 ... MARSH SUPERMARKETS rolled out beef nutrition labeling to all its stores, after a 16-week test run by the NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S BEEF ASSOCIATION was seen to ...
Cargill and The J. M. Smucker Company reached an agreement in which Cargill will be licensed to manufacture and market a set of foodservice oils and shortenings under the Crisco Professional line of "zero grams trans fat per serving" oils and shortenings.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Cargill Inc.)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... CARGILL and THE J. M. SMUCKER COMPANY reached an agreement in which Cargill will be licensed to manufacture and market a set of foodservice oils and shortenings under the Crisco Professional line of "zero ...
Nature's First Law, the San Diego-based raw foods pioneer, has changed its name to Sunfood Nutrition.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
Mar 05, 2007 ... NATURE'S FIRST LAW, the San Diego-based raw foods pioneer, has changed its name to SUNFOOD NUTRITION. In the near future, ...
Sunnooibos.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(SunnRooibos Inc. to launch ReddRox after resolving lawsuits)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... SUNNROOIBOS, Eagle, ID is launching ReddRox, a new sports drink, after resolving lawsuits from two businessmen who say they were misled into lending the company more than $80,000 with inaccurate information about the company's financial condition. The two ...
Kraft Foods Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Kraft Foods Inc. plans to set up its first-ever retail store in Chicago)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... KRAFT FOODS INC. plans to set up its first-ever retail store in Chicago for just three days in March. It will open a temporary pizzeria in an effort to generate interest over the unveiling of its newest frozen pizza--DiGiorno Ultimate frozen pizza. The ...
Cadbury Schweppes PLC and Mastercard Inc. are testing 750 beverage vending machines that accept credit cards in the Dallas area, New York and Chicago.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... CADBURY SCHWEPPES PLC and MASTERCARD INC. are testing 750 beverage vending machines that accept credit cards in the Dallas area, New York and Chicago. Some of the ...
Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
Mar 05, 2007 ... ANHEUSER-BUSCH COS. INC. launched 180 Red, a new energy drink containing Goji, a small, red berry ...
Pepsi and Coca-Cola are competing be the sole beverage supplier to more than 2,300 vending machines on Illinois state property.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
Mar 05, 2007 ... PEPSI and COCA-COLA are competing be the sole beverage supplier to more than 2,300 vending machines on Illinois state ...
Pepsico Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
Mar 05, 2007 ... PEPSICO INC. plans to launch Diet Pepsi Max, an energized version of Diet ...
Dean Foods.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
Mar 05, 2007 ... Dairy product manufacturer, DEAN FOODS, will refuse milk from cloned cows. The company cited several surveys that showed ...
The WM. Wrigley Jr. Company.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
Mar 05, 2007 ... THE WM. WRIGLEY JR. COMPANY launched Orbit Mint Mojito and Orbit Raspberry ...
Mintel.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(growth in the smoothie market in USA)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... The U.S. smoothie market earned more than $2 billion from made-to-order and packaged smoothies, up more than 80% in the last five years, according to MINTEL. Smoothie companies have remained on track with current ...
Girl Scouts.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Girl Scout cookies to remove trns fat in all varieties)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... The GIRL SCOUTS are removing most of the trans fat in all varieties of their cookies. The first "zero trans" Girl Scout cookies were introduced in the fall of 2005, including a reformulated version of the top-selling ...
Kettle Foods.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
Mar 05, 2007 ... KETTLE FOODS, Salem, OR, rolled out five new varieties for its Kettle brand tortilla chips: Black Bean, Chili Lime, Blue ...
Wooten Oil Co., Goldsboro, NC, is selling its 12 company-operated Kwik Mart convenience stores, including two sites less than two years old.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... WOOTEN OIL CO., Goldsboro, NC, is selling its 12 company-operated KWIK MART convenience stores, including two sites less than two years old. An auction for the ...
Procter & Gamble signed an agreement with Dunkin' Brands Inc. to sell Dunkin' Donuts packaged coffee to grocery and club stores, mass merchandisers and other consumer retail channels in the U.S.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... PROCTER & GAMBLE signed an agreement with DUNKIN' BRANDS INC. to sell DUNKIN' DONUTS packaged coffee to grocery and club stores, mass merchandisers and other consumer retail channels in the U.S. Dunkin ...
A number of food companies received Kosher certification for certain products from the Orthodox Union recently.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
Mar 05, 2007 ... A number of food companies received Kosher certification for certain products from the ORTHODOX ...
Absolut vodka is about to be offered for sale with its parent company V&S Vin & Sprit, along with five other companies in which Sweden holds significant stakes.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Absolut Spirits Company Inc., V&S Vin and Spirit AB)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... ABSOLUT vodka is about to be offered for sale with its parent company V&S VIN & SPRIT, along with five other companies in which Sweden holds significant stakes. The Swedish government will seek parliamentary ...
Dietz & Watson Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
Mar 05, 2007 ... DIETZ & WATSON INC., the Philadelphia-based deli meat producer, is opening a distribution center in Delanco, NJ. The company had been renting ...
Subway.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Subway Restaurants opened new restaurant)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... The SUBWAY restaurant chain opened a second North American kosher restaurant, this time in the New York City area. The new Subway in Brooklyn keeps with Jewish tradition by closing on Friday at sundown and ...
Bruegger's Enterprises, Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Mar 05, 2007 ... BRUEGGER'S ENTERPRISES, INC. opened a new location in Alexandria, VA, the first of several planned for ...
B&G Foods, Inc.'s subsidiaries completed the purchase of the Cream of Wheat and Cream of Rice brands from Kraft Foods Global, Inc.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
Mar 05, 2007 ... B&G FOODS, INC.'S subsidiaries completed the purchase of the Cream of Wheat and CREAM OF RICE brands from KRAFT ...
BKT Enterprises, operator of three Wisconsin area Sentry Foods stores, purchased two Jewel-Osco stores from Supervalu, and will reopen them under the Sentry banner this spring.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
Mar 05, 2007 ... BKT ENTERPRISES, operator of three Wisconsin area SENTRY FOODS stores, purchased two JEWEL-OSCO stores from SUPERVALU, and will reopen ...
Bugaboo Creek Acquisition LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Charlie Brown's Acquisition Corp., inked a definitive agreement with Rare Hospitality International, Inc., Atlanta, to purchase Rare's Bugaboo Creek concept for $28 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... BUGABOO CREEK ACQUISITION LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CHARLIE BROWN'S ACQUISITION CORP., inked a definitive agreement with RARE HOSPITALITY INTERNATIONAL, INC., Atlanta, to purchase RARE's BUGABOO CREEK concept for $28 million. Charlie Brown's Acquisition Corp. is owned by ...
Countryside Foods, LLC acquired all the operating assets of I&K Distributors, Inc. of Delphos, OH, a regional specialty food distributor with locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... COUNTRYSIDE FOODS, LLC acquired all the operating assets of I&K DISTRIBUTORS, INC. of Delphos, OH, a regional specialty food distributor with locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West ...
GE Capital Solutions Franchise Finance, Scottsdale, AZ, purchased 15 Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers restaurant properties in southeast Wisconsin from Bridgeman Foods Inc. for $11.3 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... GE CAPITAL SOLUTIONS FRANCHISE FINANCE, Scottsdale, AZ, purchased 15 WENDY'S OLD FASHIONED HAMBURGERS restaurant properties in southeast Wisconsin from BRIDGEMAN FOODS INC. for $11.3 million. GE ...
ICBS Limited, a business development, financial and management consulting firm located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, acquired 40% ownership of DNA Distribution Inc., makers of the Go-Ji Plus nutritional beverage line.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
Mar 05, 2007 ... ICBS LIMITED, a business development, financial and management consulting firm located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, acquired 40% ownership of DNA DISTRIBUTION INC., makers ...
Save Mart Supermarkets, Modesto, CA, completed the acquisition of Albertson's LLC Northern California Division, which includes 130 Albertson's stores in Northern California and Northern Nevada, the Roseville and Vacaville distribution centers, as well as the division office in Dublin, CA.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... SAVE MART SUPERMARKETS, Modesto, CA, completed the acquisition of ALBERTSON'S LLC Northern California Division, which includes 130 Albertson's stores in Northern California and Northern Nevada, the Roseville and ...
The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group, Inc., New York, agreed to be acquired by Patina Restaurant Group, LLC, New York, in an all-cash merger at a price of $9.25 per share.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... THE SMITH & WOLLENSKY RESTAURANT GROUP, INC., New York, agreed to be acquired by PATINA RESTAURANT GROUP, LLC, New York, in an all-cash merger at a price of $9.25 per share. As part of the ...
Champs Entertainment, Inc. announced the letter of intent it entered into last month with Kinderhook Industries, LLC to sell substantially all of its assets to an investment entity to be sponsored by Kinderhook expired--see Food Institute Report Jan. 15, pg. 5.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... CHAMPPS ENTERTAINMENT, INC. announced the letter of intent it entered into last month with KINDERHOOK INDUSTRIES, LLC to sell substantially all of its assets to an investment entity to be sponsored by ...
Global Beverage Solutions, Inc. completed the acquisition of beverage distributor Xstream Beverage Network of Maryland, Inc.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
Mar 05, 2007 ... GLOBAL BEVERAGE SOLUTIONS, INC. completed the acquisition of beverage distributor XSTREAM BEVERAGE NETWORK OF ...
The Herbst Corp.'s Terrible Herbst convenience chain agreed to acquire Berry-Hinckley Industries, Reno, NV, and 33 of its Winner's Corner convenience stores and gas stations in Nevada.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... THE HERBST CORP.'S TERRIBLE HERBST convenience chain agreed to acquire BERRY-HINCKLEY INDUSTRIES, Reno, NV, and 33 of its WINNER'S CORNER convenience stores and gas stations in Nevada. Terrible Herbst, a Las Vegas operator of 125 c-stores in the Western U.S., will also have an option to ...
Philadelphia Macaroni Co., a grain-based food processor, acquired Pasta USA, a Spokane, WA-based manufacturer of dry pasta products.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... PHILADELPHIA MACARONI CO., a grain-based food processor, acquired PASTA USA, a Spokane, WA-based manufacturer of dry pasta products. Pasta USA markets products under its own labels, Italian Chef and Betty Baker ...
Texas Pacific Group Ventures Inc., a private equity firm, sold its remaining stake in airline catering company Gate Gourmet To Merrill Lynch and Co. Inc., sources familiar with the situation told Reuters (Mar. 1).(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... TEXAS PACIFIC GROUP VENTURES INC., a private equity firm, sold its remaining stake in airline catering company GATE GOURMET TO MERRILL LYNCH AND CO. INC., sources familiar with the situation told Reuters ...
Latest financial reports (in $000).(Statistical table)(Financial report)
Mar 05, 2007 ... <Pre> LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (in $000) Current % Change Year Year Ago COCA-COLA BOTTLING CO. CONSOLIDATED (CHARLOTTE, NC) 13 Wks. To Dec. 31: Sales $340,576-2.1% ...
Children's Hunger Fund.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... As a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, Children's Hunger Fund (CHF) is focused on providing real solutions to the expanding problems of hunger and poverty in the U.S. and around the world. CHF receives products from premiere national food, clothing, toy, hygiene retailers and ...
Domex Superfresh Growers.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... Yakima, WA-based Domex Superfresh Growers are fresh produce experts singularly focused on making and managing their commitments for the success and satisfaction of their customers. One of those commitments is creating great eating experiences for consumers with their apples, pears, ...
Pacific Star Holding.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... Pacific Star Holding is a leading logistics provider based in Mexico, which specializes in combined logistics services for food and non-food articles through all temperature zones. Pacific Star is responsible for the distribution of goods for Quick-Service Restaurants, Casual Dining ...
Food inspections an issue at house budget hearings.(WASHINGTON)
Mar 05, 2007 ... The House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing to discuss the FDA's FY 2008 Budget Proposal on Feb. 28. Attending the hearing were Chair DeLauro (D-CT) and Ranking Member ...
CFSAN releases ALERT program.(WASHINGTON)(Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition launches food defense awarness )(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... A recent letter from the Chief Medical Officer and Director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition introduced the organization's new food defense awareness initiative, ALERT. The ALERT initiative is intended to raise awareness of state and local government agencies and the ...
Senate Committee discusses Fiscal 2008 FDA and USDA Budgets.(WASHINGTON)(US Department of Agriculture, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development )
Mar 05, 2007 ... On Feb. 27, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA and related agencies held a hearing entitled "Fiscal 2008 FDA and USDA Budgets." This meeting was summarized by Food Institute Counsel, OLSSON, FRANK & WEEDA, PC. Opening ...
USDA examines FAS' trade promotion operations.(WASHINGTON )(US Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service)
Mar 05, 2007 ... In response to a request from three Members of Congress, USDA conducted an audit of the Foreign Agricultural Service's (FAS) performance in expanding trade activities in the exporting of U.S. agriculture products. Specifically, the department evaluated information to answer questions on ...
Food inspection decline reported.(WASHINGTON)(Report)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... Despite several high-profile food recalls over the past few months, FDA is conducting half as many food safety inspections it did three years ago. In fact, these inspections dropped 47% between 2003 and 2006, according to database analysis of federal records by The Associated Press. During ...
Americas Kitchen.(FDA RECALLS AND SAFETY ALERTS)(green bean product recalled)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... Wellsley Farms Green Bean Casserole 32-oz. packages are being recalled by AMERICAS KITCHEN, Alpharetta, GA. The product was distributed nationwide in BJ's Wholesale Club ...
DAIEI Trading-Chicago-Co., Inc.(FDA RECALLS AND SAFETY ALERTS)(peanuts product recalled)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... Bean Cracker Itomo Mame Mix 8.8-oz. packages are being recalled by DAIEI TRADING-CHICAGO-CO., INC., Carol Stream, IL. The product was distributed in retail stores in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, ...
Castle Produce.(FDA RECALLS AND SAFETY ALERTS)(Castle Produce announces the recall of cantaloupe melons due to salmonella contamination)(Brief article)
Mar 05, 2007 ... Cantaloupes are being recalled by CASTLE PRODUCE, a subsidiary of Tropical Produce, Inc. Approximately 2,560 cartons of cantaloupes were distributed to wholesalers in Los Angeles and San Francisco for ...