The fast-casual U.S. Taco Co. and Urban Taproom concept launched by Taco Bell Corp. last year has closed. The Huntington Beach, Calif., restaurant, which offered a simple lineup of 10 tacos based on regional flavors, thick-cut fries and shakes, saw lower-than-expected foot traffic and was never able to obtain a permanent alcohol permit after a…
All major sources of state and local tax revenues posted solid growth in the first quarter of 2015, according to the latest accounting from the Rockefeller Institute of Government. State tax revenue rose 5.8% compared with the first quarter in 2014; local tax revenues rose 1% on a four-quarter moving average, but local property-tax revenues…
The two leading measures of consumer confidence posted mixed results in September while gasoline prices continued to fall, reaching the lowest level at this time of year since 2004. The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell nearly five points to 87.2 in the final September reading, from 91.9 in August, as it careened back…
The Vollrath Co. has launched a website for its newly branded Vollrath Manufacturing Services division, formerly known as Polar Ware Contract Manufacturing. “Whether it is in the foodservice, industrial cleaning or the manufacturing industry, the Vollrath name is synonymous with outstanding quality, design and craftsmanship in manufacturing. We believe leveraging the Vollrath brand for our…
In 2012, after years of legal wrangling and legislative baby steps, Chicago opened its streets—in a highly regulated manner—to food trucks. Food carts were left out of the ordinance, but last week, the city decided it was ready for those vendors. As with food trucks, the estimated 1,500 food carts will be regulated and made…
Just a month after we reported on a Utah town setting aside a years-long ban on chain restaurants, the vox populi—and a desire for Shake Shack—has won the day in West Hollywood, Calif. A proposal by two members of the City Council would have limited the number and type of chain restaurants and stores operating…
The Worldwide Buyers Guide—FER‘s annual directory of foodservice equipment and supplies manufacturers and suppliers—is unique in the world of foodservice media. We created it in 1999 to help big chain restaurant and hotel buyers who work globally source products from all of the markets in which they were operating or planned to operate. Christine Palmer,…
The application deadline is edging nearer for the 2016 Kitchen Innovations Awards. Entries for the awards, recognizing innovative, cutting-edge equipment introduced to the marketplace in the past 24 months, are required by December 4. And they matter: Winners in the National Restaurant Association’s KI program earn kudos from the competitions and attention from buyers. The…
November in Chicago can mean rain, snow or warm, sunny skies. If you’re a FEDA member, there is a lot to keep you busy—in your office or in the Windy City. First up is the association’s Nov. 4 webinar, “Selling Has Nothing To Do with Selling; How to Sell in the Age of the Information…