The Food Institute Report back issues from February 2008:
Food-at-home prices to hit 4.5% in '08.
Feb 04, 2008 ... The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food-at-home is forecast to increase as much as 4.5% this year by USDA, on the heel's of 2006's 4.2% jump, as retailers continue to pass on higher commodity and energy costs to consumers in the form of higher retail prices. Food-away from home prices, ...
Diners--looking for more from foodservice operators.
Feb 04, 2008 ... In 2008, foodservice operators will focus on four dining trends, including: go global, stay local; feel-good foods; easy nutrition; and casual luxury, according to Restaurants & Institutions (January 2008). Global flavors and local ingredients will be increasingly popular on menus over the ...
Indian cuisine: the new hot ethnic food.
Feb 04, 2008 ... Indian foods are becoming more prevalent on grocery store shelves and registering an uptick in sales, due in part to increasing premade options, bite-size portions and the rise of the Indian population in the U.S., reported Supermarket News (Jan. 14). Meals such as tandoori chicken and ...
New product activity up in 2007, but at less brisk pace.(REPORT)
Feb 04, 2008 ... New product introductions continued to climb last year with 35,999 products tracked in the U.S. by MINTEL Global New Products Database. While 2007's tally is impressive, the 9.3% growth represents a slightly slower pace of activity as compared to 2006's 11% increase. The total food & ...
Brand value vs. Price.
Feb 04, 2008 ... Brand value will become increasingly more important for beef and poultry producers as higher prices look to decrease consumer demand. Beef is getting the most attention since commodity prices were higher this year and sales were almost flat, even with the lift from the grilling season ....
Halal: a growing opportunity.
Feb 04, 2008 ... Halal is a growing segment in France, accounting for 3 billion [euro] of the total 10-15 billion [euro] European halal market. Halal also represents an emergent opportunity for U.S. exporters, with sodas, juices, condiments, confectionary products, and ready-to-eat items representing the ...
Top 10 flavor pairings for 2007.(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... MCCORMICK'S Flavor Forecast 2008 identified the top 10 new flavor pairings that will influence all aspects of the food industry, and spark inspiration in the kitchen. The influence of this year's grouping of tastes is due, according to the company, to "America's escalating interest in ...
Beverages are brimming with potential in '08.
Feb 04, 2008 ... Gone are the days when customers would order drinks without looking at a drink menu, claims Restaurants & Institutions (January). Customers are now looking for "craft beers, premium spirits, house-made mixers, vitamin-fortified water, food pairings, fair trade coffees, teas of all kinds, ...
Rapidly expanding Garlic Jim's famous gourmet pizza expects to have 90 outlets by the end of 2008 and 500 within five years.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... Rapidly expanding GARLIC JIM'S FAMOUS GOURMET PIZZA expects to have 90 outlets by the end of 2008 and 500 within five years. The 51-unit Everett, WA-based chain, featuring gourmet pizzas such as Nutty ...
A made in Japan Teriyaki experience franchisee plans to open eight locations in the San Francisco Bay Area by the end of the year and 40 within six years.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... A MADE IN JAPAN TERIYAKI EXPERIENCE franchisee plans to open eight locations in the San Francisco Bay Area by the end of the year and 40 within six years. The Canadian-based fast-casual chain, which opened its ...
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL INC. is preparing to make its first foray outside the U.S. by opening a restaurant in Toronto this year. Analysts predict that Chipotle could eventually have at least 3,000 U.S. locations, and more internationally ... The Globe and ...
Starbucks.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... STARBUCKS will slow the pace of its U.S. store openings, increase international store openings, and discontinue warmed breakfast sandwiches at its North American stores, according to CEO Howard Schultz's new turnaround plan. The decision regarding the breakfast sandwiches was made since ...
Ruby Tuesday, Inc. plans to open five franchised Ruby Tuesdays in U.S. airports over the next several years.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
Feb 04, 2008 ... RUBY TUESDAY, INC. plans to open five franchised Ruby Tuesdays in U.S. airports over the next several years. The restaurants will be ...
Chick-fil-A.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... CHICK-FIL-A is planning to add 88 locations this year, including 70 stand-alone restaurants, five mall/in-line locations and 13 licensed operations such as airports, colleges and hospitals. A number of menu changes will be implemented, ...
Porky's Pride Real Pit BBQ.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
Feb 04, 2008 ... The owners of PORKY'S PRIDE REAL PIT BBQ are planning to open additional locations in the New Mexico metro area over the next six to ...
Spot Coffee plans to open locations in Williamsville, NY and Toronto in 2008.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... SPOT COFFEE plans to open locations in Williamsville, NY and Toronto in 2008. Parent company HOT SPOT HOSPITALITY CORP. plans 37 new Spot Coffee sites in the U.S. and Canada by 2012. "We are forging new relationships to expand the brand on a regional basis," noted Spot's CEO Tom Brown. It ...
Domino's Pizza.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
Feb 04, 2008 ... DOMINO'S PIZZA launched Pizza Tracker, technology that allows its customers to follow the progress of their order online ...
Pizza Inn, Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... PIZZA INN, INC. opened a new 2,200-sq. ft ....
El Pollo Loco.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... EL POLLO LOCO will open the first of a planned 15 ...
Zesto.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... ZESTO, an ice cream drive-in business, will open its third ...
Sense Gourmet, a subsidiary of Foodco Holding opened its first of four Figaro's Pizza stores planned for the Middle East in Abu Dhabi.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... SENSE GOURMET, a subsidiary of FOODCO HOLDING opened its first of four FIGARO'S PIZZA ...
Ling & Louie's Asian Bar and Grill.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... LING & LOUIE'S ASIAN BAR AND GRILL opened in Scottsdale, AZ on Jan ....
Kwik Trip Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... KWIK TRIP INC. opened a new convenience ...
Charm City Cupcakes.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... CHARM CITY CUPCAKES will open a location in ...
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC. will open its ...
Cyclone Anaya's Mexican Kitchen, a unit of Strategic Culinary Group, will open four Texas locations over the next several years.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... CYCLONE ANAYA'S MEXICAN KITCHEN, a unit of STRATEGIC CULINARY GROUP, will open ...
Zaccaro's Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... ZACCARO'S MARKET is planning to open a 6,500-sq ....
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC. will ...
Beautiful Brands International opened the first Freshberry Frozen Yogurt Cafe.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... BEAUTIFUL BRANDS INTERNATIONAL opened the first ...
California Pizza Kitchen.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN opened a ...
1-800-flowers.com.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... 1-800-FLOWERS.COM plans to open a store in Boston--the ...
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... SANSEI SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR will open a location ...
Subway.(NEW STORE NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... SUBWAY will open a 1,800-sq. ft. store in ...
Agropur, Canada's largest dairy cooperative, reached an agreement to acquire Trega Foods Inc. of Wisconsin--marking Agropur's second acquisition in the U.S., since 2002.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... AGROPUR, Canada's largest dairy cooperative, reached an agreement to acquire TREGA FOODS INC. of Wisconsin--marking ...
Bakkavor Group of Reykjavik, Iceland, an international food manufacturing company specializing in fresh prepared food and produce, acquired Two Chefs On A Roll, a fresh and frozen prepared foods provider.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... BAKKAVOR GROUP of Reykjavik, Iceland, an international food manufacturing company specializing in fresh prepared food and produce, acquired TWO CHEFS ON A ROLL, a fresh and frozen prepared foods provider. The California-based company ...
Blue Harbour Group LP, Greenwich, CT, increased its stake in Ann Arbor, MI-based Domino's Pizza Inc. to 10.9%, from 7.5%, according to an SEC filing.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... BLUE HARBOUR GROUP LP, Greenwich, CT, increased its stake in Ann Arbor, MI-based DOMINO'S ...
Carlisle Companies Incorporated of Charlotte, NC, a diversified global manufacturing company, acquired Dinex International, Inc., a Glastonbury, CT-based supplier of foodservice products to the healthcare and other institutional industries.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... CARLISLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED of Charlotte, NC, a diversified global manufacturing company, acquired DINEX INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Glastonbury, CT-based supplier of ...
Diageo entered into an agreement to acquire Rosenblum Cellars, Alameda, CA, for $105 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... DIAGEO entered into an agreement to acquire ROSENBLUM CELLARS, Alameda, CA, for $105 million, further enhancing DIAGEO CHATEAU AND ESTATE WINES' brand range in the premium wine ...
Dillon Stores, Hutchinson, KS, reached an agreement with HAC, Inc., a subsidiary of Associated Wholesale Grocers, to acquire three Homeland Stores in Wichita, KS.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... DILLON STORES, Hutchinson, KS, reached an agreement with HAC, INC., a subsidiary of ASSOCIATED WHOLESALE GROCERS, to acquire three HOMELAND STORES in Wichita, KS. The newly acquired locations will allow for the relocation of several smaller Dillons stores to these more modern facilities in ...
Houchens Industries, Bowling Green, KY, signed a letter of intent to purchase 14 stores from Browning Oil.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... HOUCHENS INDUSTRIES, Bowling Green, KY, signed a letter of intent to purchase 14 stores from BROWNING OIL. Houchens is the operator of 40 JR. FOODS convenience stores, ...
Landry's Restaurants, Inc. chairman, president and CEO, Tilman J. Fertitta, offered to acquire all of the company's outstanding common stock for approximately $1.3 billion.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... LANDRY'S RESTAURANTS, INC. chairman, president and CEO, TILMAN J. FERTITTA, offered to acquire all of the company's outstanding common stock for approximately $1.3 billion. Houston-based Landry's, a ...
Mistral Equity Partners, a New York-based private equity firm, acquired Shearer's Foods, Inc.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... MISTRAL EQUITY PARTNERS, a New York-based private equity firm, acquired SHEARER'S FOODS, INC., a Brewster, ...
Nexcen Brands, Inc., New York, acquired the Great American Cookie Company from Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC for $93.7 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... NEXCEN BRANDS, INC., New York, acquired the GREAT AMERICAN COOKIE COMPANY from MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC for $93.7 million. NexCen Brands, Inc., a vertically integrated global brand management ...
NuCO2 Inc., Stuart, FL, signed a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Aurora Capital Group, in a transaction valued at approximately $487 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... NUCO2 INC., Stuart, FL, signed a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of AURORA CAPITAL GROUP, in a transaction ...
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Red Robin International, Inc., agreed to acquire the assets of 11 existing Red Robin franchised restaurants for a total of $20.9 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC., a wholly-owned subsidiary of RED ROBIN INTERNATIONAL, INC., agreed to acquire the assets of 11 existing RED ROBIN ...
Reddy Ice Holdings, Inc. is terminating a merger agreement with Frozen, Llc, Hockey Parent Inc., and Hockey Mergersub, Inc., affiliates of GSO Capital Partners LP.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... REDDY ICE HOLDINGS, INC. is terminating a merger agreement with FROZEN, LLC, HOCKEY PARENT INC., and HOCKEY ...
Republic National Distributing Co., the second largest distributor of premium wine and spirits in the nation, became the majority investor in Nebraska Wine & Spirits.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... REPUBLIC NATIONAL DISTRIBUTING CO., the second largest distributor of premium wine and spirits in the nation, became the majority investor in NEBRASKA WINE & SPIRITS. In addition, Republic National Distributing ...
Saputo Inc., Montreal, entered into an agreement to acquire the activities of Alto Dairy Cooperative, Waupun, WI for U.S. $160 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... SAPUTO INC., Montreal, entered into an agreement to acquire the activities of ALTO DAIRY Cooperative, Waupun, WI for U.S. $160 million. Alto produces Italian-style cheeses and American-style cheeses, as well as whey products, which are marketed ...
Vistar Corporation, a Centennial, CO-based foodservice distributor to the vending-related and independent restaurant market segments, purchased The Marjack Company, Inc.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... VISTAR CORPORATION, a Centennial, CO-based foodservice distributor to the vending-related and independent restaurant market segments, ...
Bakkavor Group acquired Yantai Longshun Foods.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... BAKKAVOR GROUP acquired YANTAI LONGSHUN FOODS, which supplies ...
Western Refining is no longer pursuing the acquisition of the Howdy's convenience store chain.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
Feb 04, 2008 ... WESTERN REFINING is no longer pursuing the acquisition of the ...
You scream, I scream ... for frozen desserts.(Industry overview)
Feb 04, 2008 ... The U.S. market for frozen desserts, which includes, among other things, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and frozen novelties, is an ever-changing market ebbing and flowing on the American palate. The U.S. frozen dessert market claimed $23.3 billion in 2007, up 4% from the previous year, ...
C-stores focus on indulgent products.(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... The world of convenience stores appears to run opposite to that of traditional supermarkets, according to Convenience Store News (Jan. 14). C-stores are focusing on "portable and indulgent," and most have "abandoned going large with healthier options." Healthier options like frozen yogurt ...
Costco to shake up the beer market, expand and continue eco-friendly push.(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... The 531-store warehouse club chain is gearing up to enter the beer market with its first line of private-label beers. Costco filed label applications with the federal TAX AND TRADE BUREAU for a Kirkland Signature Hefeweizen, amber ale and pale ale, reported Advertising Age (Jan. 30). Craft ...
FDA faces difficult future.(WASHINGTON)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... With the release of testimony from the GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO), the facts and implications about FDA are quite concerning. "FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety of roughly 80% of the U.S. food supply, including $417 billion worth of domestic food and $49 billion in ...
FOIA changes made by Congress.(WASHINGTON)(Freedom of Information Act)(OPEN Government Act of 2007 )
Feb 04, 2008 ... Congress recently passed the OPEN Government Act of 2007 (OPEN), amending the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The amendments made some significant changes to the procedures federal agencies must follow when responding to information requests under FOIA. * Shorter time periods ...
FTC submits staff comments on alcholic beverage labels.(WASHINGTON)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... The Federal Trade Commission submitted a staff comment to the Department of the Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) concerning a proposed rulemaking on alcohol labeling. TTB proposed to adopt a mandatory Serving Facts panel, to include the serving size, ...
Dietary supplement marketers violated court order in some ads.(WASHINGTON)
Feb 04, 2008 ... Dietary supplement marketers must run more frequent and prominent advertising disclosures after violating a court order entered against them two years ago. The original order settled FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION charges that the defendants deceptively marketed their dietary supplements, ...
Food product recalls reported.(WASHINGTON)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... Zebra brand sweetened coconut and sweetened lotus root seed is being recalled by DOMEGA INTERNATIONAL LTD. INC., Brooklyn, NY. Both products were distributed nationwide. The firm initiated recall began on Jan. 25, 2008, and is ongoing. Reason For Recall: "The products contain undeclared ...
FDA issues warning letters.(WASHINGTON)
Feb 04, 2008 ... DELICIAS DE ESPANA, INC., Miami, FL, was issued a warning letter on Jan. 7, 2008 by FDA following an investigation of the company's seafood importer establishment on Nov. 26-28, 2007. The company had serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, and section ...
A class-action lawsuit claims U.S. Sugar Corp.'s management hid a lucrative buyout offer that would have allowed employees to sell their company shares at a much higher value.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... A class-action lawsuit claims U.S. Sugar Corp.'s management hid a lucrative buyout offer that would have allowed employees to sell their company shares at a much higher value. The lawsuit, which seeks more than $150 million in damages, alleges that U.S. Sugar's chairman, William S ....
The New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) filed suit in federal district court challenging a New York City health department regulation scheduled to go into effect on Mar. 31, which dictates how restaurants must provide information to their customers.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... The New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) filed suit in federal district court challenging a New York City health department regulation scheduled to go into effect on Mar. 31, which dictates ...
A new bill on milk labeling standards up for consideration in the Indiana House of Representatives has come under criticism by some organizations and producers, which claim it would prevent informed consumer choice if passed.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)(Brief article)
Feb 04, 2008 ... A new bill on milk labeling standards up for consideration in the Indiana House of Representatives has come under criticism by some organizations and producers, which claim it would prevent informed consumer choice ...
CDC investigators named the mysterious illness reported by pork plant workers in Minnesota and Indiana.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)
Feb 04, 2008 ... CDC investigators named the mysterious illness reported by pork plant workers in Minnesota and Indiana. The rare condition, ...
USDA is examining videotapes that allegedly show Hallmark Meat Packing Co. workers mistreating sick dairy cows.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)
Feb 04, 2008 ... USDA is examining videotapes that allegedly show Hallmark Meat Packing Co. workers mistreating sick dairy ...