Food & Beverage News
Mixing Tech Improves Sanitation
Sanitation will always be top-of-mind for bakers to ensure the food coming out of their facilities is safe. Although most batter-based products go through a kill step, bakers must still keep the mixer as sanitary as possible. It’s reassuring to have all bases covered, especially for aerated products that don’t travel through the oven. “What is…
Read MoreJack in the Box Exploring Sale
Jack in the Box Inc. said it is exploring a range of financial strategies to maximize shareholder value, including a possible sale of the San Diego-based burger company. In a brief regulatory filing, Jack in the Box said it “has had discussions with potential buyers; however, it noted that there can be no assurance that…
Read MoreChipotle Adds Two to Leadership Team
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has filled out its leadership team with the addition of two executives. Roger E. Theodoredis joins the company as chief legal officer, and Tabassum Zalotrawala has been named chief development officer. Both will report to Brian R. Niccol, chief executive officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill. Mr. Theodoredis most recently was general…
Read MoreThe Culinary Institute of America Launches First Premium Membership Service
Members receive VIP access to: The CIA’s library of hundreds of technique videos, filled with tips and instructions to help hone your skills or learn new ones. Achieve professional results in the comfort of your own home. Archived interviews and cooking demonstrations with world-famous chefs of yesterday and today as they showcase their craft in…
Read MoreThe Cheesecake Factory Opens New Restaurants in Texas and Tennessee
The Cheesecake Factory, known for its extensive menu, generous portions and legendary desserts, today announced the opening of its newest restaurants in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Lubbock, Texas. With more than 250 menu selections including Skinny Licious dishes with 590 calories or less and Saturday and Sunday Brunch—handmade, in-house with fresh ingredients—and more than 50 signature cheesecakes and desserts, The Cheesecake…
Read MoreJollibee Foods Corp. Acquires Final Stake in Smashburger. Jollibee’s Pursuit of Smashburger is Complete
After taking big stakes in Smashburger over the course of three years, Asia’s largest restaurant operator, Jollibee Foods Corp., said it has acquired the remaining 15 percent stake in the Denver-based better burger chain. Jollibee, based in the Philippines, operates more than 4,300 restaurants around the world under various banners including its namesake fried chicken…
Read MoreApplebee’s no Longer Fully Franchised After 69-Unit Buyout
Applebee’s has taken a step back into restaurant ownership with the purchase of 69 locations from a North Carolina franchisee, marking the first company-owned restaurants in the Applebee’s system in three years. The company said Friday it had closed on a deal to buy 69 Applebee’s from Raleigh, N.C., franchisee Apple Gold Group. The restaurants,…
Read MoreBloomin’ Brands is Killing Discounting and Boosting Profitability
Bloomin’ Brands reinvigoration of Outback has, rightfully so, grabbed headlines in recent months. If you look back to the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the company shuttered 14 restaurants and followed by refranchising 54 corporate stores to longtime franchisee partners. In Q3 of this year—the most recent report for the legacy steakhouse—same-store sales rose 4.6…
Read MoreCAVA’s Purchase of Zoes Kitchen Becomes Official
Cava Group Inc. completed its acquisition Wednesday of Zoes Kitchen, creating a privately held Mediterranean fast-casual company with some 340 units and more than 8,000 employees. The $300 million deal, first announced in August, was financed by a “significant equity investment” from Act III Holdings, the emerging brand-accelerator financing group created by former Panera Bread CEO…
Read MoreConsumers’ Personal Definitions of Health Dictating Decisions at Restaurants
Forty per cent of consumers say their definition of health has changed over the past two years — and that definition is driving their choices of food and beverage, according to Technomic Inc.’s 2018 Healthy Eating Consumer Trend Report. Consumers are increasingly ordering menu items that meet that personal definition of health, such as food…
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