This Week In Foodservice

The editorial team aggregates key industry information and provides brief analysis to help foodservice professionals navigate the data.

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Sysco reports sales increased. The use of local sourcing and organic ingredients increases food safety risks. The number of c-stores grew last year but at a very slow rate. Fast-food restaurant traffic was flat last year while traffic at other restaurants declined. Technology investment pays off for Panera Bread.

Stories worth another look: Consumers ate out on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. The Department of Labor’s new rules on overtime pay were put on hold by a federal judge. Dunkin’ Donuts to de-emphasize food sales and push beverages.

The National Restaurant Association reports December restaurant performance remained modest. Foodservice operators kept hiring in January. Walmart introduces another C-store concept. Technomic says takeout food meal sales are continuing to grow.

Stories worth another look: U.S. retail sales were up in October but restaurant sales fell. Initial jobless claims hit a 40-year low. Home delivery could drive millions in restaurant sales. McDonald’s newly designed operations are up and running.

A cautionary tale about mobile apps. Despite strong sales, rising expenses force some New York City restaurants to close. Danny Meyer invests in two new concepts. McDonald’s CEO looks to technology to drive business improvements. These stories and a whole lot more This Week In Foodservice.

Stories worth a second look: Fresh perspective on the “restaurant recession.” Starbucks isn’t worried about the impact of people forsaking brick and mortar retailers. Starbuck’s Roastery is enjoying success. C-stores future is in foodservice. Burger King makes a commitment to grow in Canada.

The National Restaurant Association says restaurant performance showed slight improvement in November. A research firm predicts a lean year for restaurants. McDonald’s new HQ will lease space to suppliers. Chains will work with the National Retail Federation to train employees. McFlurry lovers are frequently out of luck.

Stories worth a second look: Boston Globe columnist takes a look at effects of minimum wage; the foodservice industry added over 9,000 employees in October; Buffalo Wild Wings has major expansion plans for its taco chain; YUM’s China operation is officially a separate company; and the NFL’s declining TV ratings are getting the blame for soft sales at some chains. Plus, we have the latest comp store sales for over a dozen chains.

Retail sales were up last month but restaurants saw a sales decline. Hiring foodservice employees is getting tougher. McDonald’s plans to franchise its China operation and now wants to do the same for Japan. Applebee’s and IHOP are planning major overseas expansion.

This Week In Foodservice: Restaurants Meet Customer Demands (Minus Noise); Obamacare Impacting Restaurant Sales (Says One); and Chipotle Abandons Asian Concept (in Favor of Burgers and Pizza)

The No. 1 foodservice chain will be … Starbucks? Operators continued to hire in December. The NPD Group sees restaurant traffic stalled this year. Prediction is that menu prices will remain high but restaurants will offer deals and promotions. Well known Wall Street analyst Mark Kalinowski predicts that Starbucks will increase its restaurant count by 8.4 percent and same-store sales by +5.0 percent in 2017. Further, he believes some time in the future Starbucks will have the industry’s largest market capitalization, bypassing current leader McDonald’s.

  

Stories worth a second look this week: How Americans really feel about cooking; menu prices continue to climb; research indicates a $15 an hour wage will hurt those it is supposed to help; Millennials are the biggest spenders when it comes to eating out; and McDonald’s surprises Wall Street.

The Food Institute sets “real sales” at restaurants higher than other projections; Worldwide restaurant traffic rose in the third quarter and Technomic believes foodservice sales will improve in 2017.

News worthy of a second take:Restaurant sales continued to roll on in September according to the Commerce Department. Knapp-Track continues to show weak sales at casual dining chains. Amazon is going the brick-and-mortar route with the internet giant announcing they are moving into the c-store business and opening drive-in locations for the pickup of groceries ordered online. A study shows that noise can make food taste bad.

U.S. retail sales were almost flat in November but restaurants sales increased. One source speculates that consumers are still going to restaurants but avoiding major chains. Knapp-Track sales data remains consistently negative. Menu prices continue to increase.

News that’s worth a second look: Nielson examines eating out around the world; restaurants add 30,000 new workers in September; robots reshape – not replace – foodservice employees; and Red Robin cancels fast-casual concept.

Foodservice executive picked for Trump’s cabinet. Foodservice traffic goes negative in the third quarter. Chipotle will try and restore good service as move to recover. McDonald’s will reintroduce their McCafe concept next year. These stories and a whole lot more this week in foodservice.

News that’s worth a second look: Nielson examines eating out around the world; restaurants add 30,000 new workers in September; robots reshape – not replace – foodservice employees; and Red Robin cancels fast-casual concept.

Are healthier fast-food chains the wave of the future? Technomic reduces its estimated restaurant sales growth in 2016 and 2017. Foodservice operators doubled the number of people hired in November from October. Technology isn’t going to save restaurants.

Weekly news that’s worth another look: The National Restaurant Association’s Performance Index fell into negative territory; Starbucks reports low-income neighborhood stores make money; and a new reflection on impact of Howard Johnson’s.

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