The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index record a surprising mid-month drop in October, falling more than three points to 87.9 from 91.2 in September’s final reading. It was the index’s lowest reading in 13 months and the second lowest mark in two years.The preliminary reading on the research group’s Expectations Index plunged more than…

Michael Lister has been appointed to replace Adam Wright as CEO as Famous Dave’s of America; he also been named Chief Operating Officer. Wright has left the company and resigned from the board of directors. Lister is a 19-year veteran of the Minneapolis chain; he has been a Famous Dave’s franchisee since 2001, after serving…

This is the last FER Fortnightly before Election Day on November 8. So, during what could prove a long two weeks, we offer readers a quick glance at some ongoing issues that anyone working in any sector of commercial or non-commercial foodservice might want to consider when they head to the polls. Labor Regulations In…

In an event focused on regulatory challenges in HVACR industry, St. Louis-based Emerson hosted its tenth day-long E360 Forum in Newark, N.J., in August. More than 100 commercial refrigeration industry stakeholders attended and garnered insights on food retail and foodservice regulatory concerns and emerging trends. The E360 Forum featured a keynote session from Jon Melchi,…

The growth of tax receipts at the state and local level has slowed dramatically since the second quarter of 2015, according to Census Bureau data compiled by the Rockefeller Institute of Government at the State University of New York-Albany. Total major state taxes for the first quarter 2016 rose only 1.6% versus the year prior…

Phil Keiser, Culver’s president and CEO and a veteran of 20 years at the chain, passed away on October 15. Co-founder Craig Culver will assume the role of interim CEO until a successor is named. “Culver’s would not be what it is today without Phil’s influence,” Craig said. “Yet as great a loss as this…

AutoQuotes Inc. has named Susannah Albright as CEO. She succeeds AutoQuotes founder Kent Motes, who takes on the title of Chairman Emeritus. In addition, the Jacksonville, Fla., company has named Motes’s three children, Kate (Motes) Schmidt; Kent Motes Jr.; and Alex Motes to the board of directors; Schmidt will succeed her father as the board’s chair.…

Bob O’Brien, senior v.p. of global foodservice for The NPD Group, caught our attention with a recent blog post about restaurant traffic in the United Kingdom. Traffic growth continued positive in the second quarter 2016 in the U.K. (the Brexit vote was June 23), following equally strong growth in the first quarter of this year.…

In the second quarter of 2016, restaurant traffic counts were strongest in the United Kingdom, even as it was voting to leave the European Union, and weakest in Brazil, despite the impending Summer Olympics, according to the latest CREST data from The NPD Group, a U.S.-based research practice. Traffic in the other 10 major foodservice markets…

After ending its collaboration with Subway and Franchise Brands following the death of Subway founder Fred DeLuca a year ago, New Zealand-based BurgerFuel is moving ahead with plans to launch in the U.S. The chain is eyeing the Midwest for its first store. BurgerFuel has 47 domestic outlets and more than 80 outlets in six…