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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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.

Weekly roundup of news that's worthy of a second glance: Knapp-Track shows weak casual dining sales – again; decline in U.S. restaurants; restaurant redesigns pay off in higher sales; old automats reincarnated; and the Attempt to Revive Naugles.

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.

Weekly news that’s worth another look: While retail sales declined in August, restaurants were a bright spot; The NPD Group says higher menu prices are a factor in slowing lunch traffic; the spread between grocery store prices and foodservice prices continues; consumers may be shifting from major chains to smaller chains and independents.

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.

Here’s what caught my eye to be worthy of a second look this week: Deloitte talks about the restaurant of the future (it’s closer than we might think); The Food Institute says food-away-from-home spending climbed significantly in 2014; Sam Fox to introduce concept No.16 – Doughbird; and Chipotle makes the news with three different stories.

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.

Weekly news worth another look: National Restaurant Association data shows a slight improvement in industry performance in July; foodservice hiring shot up in August; One Wall Street analyst says naysayers are missing the entire picture; The NPD Group reports restaurant traffic flat and the union targeting McDonald’s has its own labor problems.

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)

Here’s what caught my eye to be worthy of a second look this week: major foodservice industry supplier’s P&Ls; soft chain sales ?  with increased menu prices getting the blame; the NRA’s 5 reasons why they are bullish on the restaurant business; and YUM! Brands application for federal trademark registrations on 2 food safety slogans.

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.

Restaurants are No.1 with U.S. consumers. Technomic predicts foodservice sales will grow 4.8 percent. Prices for food away from home continue to outpace grocery prices. Different generations have different perceptions of the dinner meal occasion according to The NPD Group. These stories and a whole lot more This Week In Foodservice.

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.

Restaurants are No.1 with U.S. consumers. Technomic predicts foodservice sales will grow 4.8 percent. Prices for food away from home continue to outpace grocery prices. Different generations have different perceptions of the dinner meal occasion according to The NPD Group. 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.

Retail sales were disappointing in July. Wendy’s chief says restaurant prices are out of line compared to eating at home. Sysco reported substantial increases in both sales and profits. Knapp-Track shows casual dining sales were weak again in July. 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.

Bloomberg columnist says pizza chains will do well if a recession hits. Foodservice operators increase hiring in July. The NRA believes a recession is unlikely. Prediction – self-driving cars will mean billions in revenue for bars and restaurants. Zika virus fears are reducing restaurant sales in Miami. These stories and a whole lot more This Week Foodservice.

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.

Restaurant performance slides again. Chipotle to launch a burger operation. As internet sales pull brick and mortar stores out of shopping centers, landlords turn to restaurants. Stock analyst predicts a restaurant recession. McDonald’s continues to roll out their new style store. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

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