Many observers of the foodservice market are concerned about the potential impact of rising food and other commodity prices on the nascent recovery in foodservice operator sales. As Joe Pawlak, v.p. at Technomic Inc., told us... »

And now for the long-term picture. As we reported last issue, the consensus forecast for real growth of gross domestic product in the U.S. next year, according to the economists surveyed monthly by Blue Chip Economic Indicators,... »

The Business Barometer maintained by the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry improved again in the third quarter, posting a modest 1.5% decline versus the third quarter 2009. While the index recorded... »

A number of restaurant-activity indicators released during the past couple weeks show a pronounced positive trend for commercial foodservice. Data from The NPD Group on restaurant traffic, First Data, which tracks credit- and... »

The forecasts for continued slow growth of the U.S. economy and for a painfully slow recovery of employment are holding. The more than 50 macroeconomic forecasting groups surveyed monthly by Blue Chip Economic Indicators left... »

Landry’s Restaurants has completed two major acquisitions since CEO Tilman J. Fertitta took the company private in October. After approval from a bankruptcy court, the Houston company acquired Claim Jumper Restaurants for an... »

Steve Easterbrook has been named president of McDonald’s Europe. Easterbrook, who currently serves as executive v.p. and global chief brand officer, will assume his new post Dec. 1. The 16-year company veteran became CEO of... »

Burger King Corp., which was acquired by 3G Capital earlier this fall, has announced a number of executive appointments, most prominently Jose Cil as president of its Europe, Middle East & Africa region. Cil will be based in... »

Want a look at the future, including how the Great Foodservice Recession, energy efficiency, sustainability initiatives and other forces are changing foodservice and the foodservice equipment market? Engineers from the Food... »

IHOP, the all-day breakfast and late-night dining concept sometimes frequented by diners in pajama pants, is perhaps uniquely suited to college campuses. IHOP and Aramark, which have already found success with one college... »

Two international shows loom on the horizon. Internorga 2011 is set for March 18-23, 2011 in Hamburg, Germany. The 85th annual international trade show for the hotel, catering, foodservice, bakery and confectionary trades is... »

The nuts-and-bolts of equipment design and engineering is getting a boost at Kold-Draft, which has added 10 certified engineers during the past year. Timothy W. Bethuy, v.p.-engineering and technical services, is spearheading... »

With prices for key metals and other commodities running 25% to 35% higher than a year ago, many suppliers of foodservice equipment and supplies have told FER Fortnightly they want to or will raise prices late this year and early... »

“Everyone at every level of the materials supply chain is trying to raise prices,” says Tom Stundza, senior analyst in the Pricing and Purchasing Group at IHS/Global Insight. “The problem is there’s a lot of buyer resistance.” He... »

While many foodservice equipment and supplies manufacturers have told FER Fortnightly they plan to raise prices later this year or early next, Kent Motes, CEO at AutoQuotes Inc., says most have yet to make formal... »

Improved sales and traffic and a significant increase in operator optimism pushed the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index back into positive territory in September. From May through August, the index... »

The U.S. economy managed 2% real growth of gross domestic product in the third quarter, according to the advance estimate from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, a division of the Commerce Department, released last Friday.... »

Frank D. Stella, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Detroit-based F.D. Stella Products Co., passed away Oct. 3 at age 91. In addition to his eponymously-named E&S dealership, he was also the chairman and CEO of Stella Int’l.,... »

Standex Int’l. has acquired Tri-Star Manufacturing Co., the Santa Ana, Calif., maker of ranges, fryers, griddles, convection ovens, salamanders, charbroilers and hot plates. The acquisition boosts Standex Food Service Equipment... »

For all suppliers and service providers, here’s some real news to share with operator customers. The North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers wants everyone to make operators aware that they might be eligible... »

Darden Restaurants and Americana Group are joining forces to develop and operate Darden’s Red Lobster, Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse brands in the Middle East. An agreement announced Oct. 19 between the Orlando, Fla.-based... »

The Leggett & Platt Storage Products Group has new ownership and a new name. Now conducting business as a private entity under the name SPG International LLC, the company was purchased in September by its management team and... »

Its name alone should give you a clue that Genghis Grill takes conquering new territory seriously. The Dallas chain, already the largest Mongolian grill chain in the United States, is expanding its exhibition cooking style with... »

Equipment manufacturers—and everyone else, for that matter—watch your calendar. Enhanced testing and new verification requirements for equipment wearing the Energy Star label go into effect Jan. 1. As many of you probably... »

There’s just a little more than a year for operators to reap the benefits of the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010. The bill, signed by President Obama at the end of September, gives restaurants an extra incentive to... »