The surge in gasoline and food prices and the resulting dampening of consumer confidence (see article below) led Technomic Inc. to revise downward its forecast for operator sales in 2011. The Chicago-based research firm also revised upward its estimate of menu price inflation.The result is that Technomic now forecasts higher nominal operator sales and lower…
One of the reasons Technomic cut its forecast for operator sales in May is because its consumer research showed a distinct deterioration of consumer confidence and expectations in April, as well as dining out intentions, as compared with last December. The firm presented those findings at its annual Restaurant Trends & Directions Conference, held June…
Gas prices have continued to fall since early May, when the national average neared $4 a gallon. According to the latest read from the Energy Information Administration covering the week ended July 4, prices averaged $3.579 or more than 40 cents a gallon less than early May. Still, average prices remain more than 85 cents…
Welcome to this month’s roundup featuring the latest innovations in frying.
Less energy, less oil, more safety—what’s not to like?
Mama Fu’s finds good fortune—and new growth—with a new, smaller prototype that chops building costs by 10% and keeps store revenues healthy.
"The more things change, the more they remain the same,” is a useful old saw, because it’s often true. But some things do change and it’s critical to know what they are. I did a fun presentation this past Saturday at PRIDE Marketing’s summer PING/PIKE Forum at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare near Chicago. PING/PIKE is…
Foodservice Equipment Reports’ E&S Market Forecast President’s Preview meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 27, at the Hotel Orrington, in Evanston, Ill. This annual meeting offers dealers, manufacturers, operators and others in the industry an early look at the foodservice equipment and supplies industry next year and beyond, in time for planning and budgeting. It…
Spaces in this fall’s AutoQuotes’ 2011 Roadshow Training Sessions, offered in conjunction with the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry, are filling up. Five cities will host sessions focusing on time-saving and efficiency-boosting features in AutoQuotes 360. Dates and locations are:
Webb Design, the Tustin, Calif., foodservice design firm, has formed a strategic alliance with San Diego-based DM&A Inc., the largest healthcare foodservice consulting firm in North America. The alliance, in a company known as DM&A/Webb Design, will see the two companies collaborating as one team on healthcare and educational foodservice design projects. A new website,…