Uncategorized

May 29, 2012

Chains Form Coalition Opposing High Swipe Fees

More than half a dozen restaurant and convenience-store chains have jointly filed an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit against the Federal Reserve regarding high swipe fees charged by major banks. CKE, parent of Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., joins Auntie Anne’s, Burger King, International Dairy Queen, Jack in the Box, Starbucks Corp., The Wendy’s Co., and…

May 29, 2012

Chipotle Hiring Practices Get New Scrutiny

May 29, 2012

Chains Await Action On Utah’s Liquor License Shortage

National restaurant chains have been saying for more than a year that Utah’s lack of liquor licenses is keeping them from opening units in the state. In May, Utah had only one liquor license to grant to a full-service operation. That shortage and the lack of expansion by multiunit chains has finally hit home for…

May 29, 2012

Better-Off Consumers Also Restrain Foodservice Growth

A recent study by The NPD Group’s restaurant analyst Bonnie Riggs adds to the fascinating body of data and analyses about how consumers at different income levels use foodservice and how the Great Recession has changed those behaviors. The report, titled The Growing Divide: Restaurant Behaviors of the Financially Comfortable and Financially Strained, finds that…

May 29, 2012

Food And Menu Prices Rise Moderately, Gas Prices Fall

Overall wholesale food prices and operator menu prices continued their moderate gains in April, with wholesale prices up 0.2% and menu prices climbing 0.3%.  Meanwhile, gasoline prices fell again in April and during the four weeks of May, after peaking in early April. The April increase for wholesale foods followed a 0.6% increase in March…

May 29, 2012

Consumer Sentiment Hits Highest Point Since October 2007

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index reached 79.3 in the final April reading released May 25, its ninth consecutive monthly gain. It was the highest point for the widely followed index since October 2007. The U.M. Surveys of Consumers also reported increases in the Expectations and Current Situation Indexes. All three indices are…

May 29, 2012

NRA’s Performance Index Shows April Sales Up 0.4%

The National Restaurant Association released its monthly Restaurant Performance Index data for April on May 30. To check out the trends, click

May 29, 2012

Potential CFSP Overview And Exam In Minneapolis

Based in the Midwest and hoping to enhance your professional qualifications or those of your employees? Minneapolis-based

May 29, 2012

Bring A Customer To FER’s E&S Forecast July 24

Foodservice Equipment Reports’ 2013 E&S Market Forecast President’s Preview will be held Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at the Westin O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Ill. This annual one-day, comprehensive look at data and trends driving the foodservice equipment and supplies market into ’13 and beyond features a new benefit this year: Suppliers paying the full seminar…

May 29, 2012

Walters To Head Up Sales For NRA

The ServSafe program; he’ll focus on sales strategies for diversifying that portfolio, leveraging partner products, and expanding restaurant- chain programs. Walters also will be responsible for creating the strategic direction and executing a comprehensive sales program for non-traditional channels, including grocery stores, convenience stores, and hotel and lodging operations. Previously, Walters was client services manager/food…