We’re out in California this week for our annual utilities forecast tour. Along with Richard Young, director of education for Food Service Technology Center, we make forecast presentations for Pacific Gas & Electric Tuesday at the FSTC in San Ramon; in San Diego on Wednesday at San Diego Gas & Electric; and on Thursday at…

The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index took an unexpected nose-dive in the December survey. The index dropped 1.6 points and ended at 99.7, below the 100 level that separates expansion from contraction, not only in the overall Index, but in all its components. It was the first time the Index has fallen below 100…

Last issue, we analyzed what impact the steep recent decline of equities markets in the U.S. and worldwide might have on foodservice and equipment and supplies sales. One possible scenario is that the drumbeat of negative market news will depress consumer confidence, slowing foodservice sales. Not so far. Both the University of Michigan and The…

Food prices at both the wholesale and consumer grocery- store levels continued to fall sharply in December as gasoline prices dropped below $1.80 a gallon for regular gas on a national average basis. Wholesale food prices fell at all three levels of demand in December, including a strong 1.3% decline at the key final demand…

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline fell below $1.80 at the beginning of this week and stood at $1.79 Feb. 2. And according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the outlook through the spring “maintenance” season, when refiners convert to summer blends, continues to suggest falling prices. U.S. consumers are saving $1…

Sterno Products has crossed the T’s and dotted the I’s on its acquisition of Northern International, a maker of flameless candles and outdoor lighting products for the retail market. Headquartered in Coquitlam, BC, Canada, Northern will operate as a division of Sterno Products. This acquisition by Corona, Calif.-based Sterno strengthens its current position in the…

The Homer Laughlin China Co. has elevated Katie McIlvain to the position of Foodservice and General Marketing Manager. A six-year veteran of HLC, McIlvain takes responsibility for end-user commercial and non-commercial foodservice communications and comprehensive support of the largest dealer community in the professional dinnerware category. HLC comprises Homer Laughlin China, Kenilworth, and Hall China.…

Glacier Restaurant Group is buying the 51-unit Max & Erma’s restaurant chain from American Blue Ribbon Holdings. The casual-dining concept has a presence in 10 states, primarily in the Midwest. The sale was announced in January, not long after ABRH announced the closing of 13 underperforming Max & Erma locations. ABRH, among the largest full-service…

Dunkin’ Brands will develop its two brands in South Africa under a new master franchise agreement with Grand Parade Investments Ltd. GPI will develop more than 250 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants and more than 70 Baskin-Robbins shops, with an initial focus on Cape Town and Johannesburg. The multiyear agreement also includes the introduction of Baskin-Robbins ice…

Donald E. King, longtime NAFEM member and chairman of AyrKing Corp., Louisville, Ky., has died. He was 76. King, a mechanical engineer, founded AyrKing in 1972. He would go on to earn patents in the U.S. and Canada. His first innovative designs were for ventilation, but he expanded the company’s product line to drive-thru windows,…