Food & Beverage News

Drayton Martin has joined Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. as vice-president of brand stewardship for Dunkin’ Donuts. In this role, she will lead the development and implementation of Dunkin’s brand messaging across all channels, including advertising, packaging, in-store and digital. Additionally, she will oversee the company’s internal brand marketing team and external creative agency partners. Ms. Martin…

Rebecca Miller has been promoted to senior vice-president of marketing at On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina. She was most recently vice-president of marketing and digital experience for the company. In her new role, Ms. Miller will oversee all marketing initiatives for On The Border, as well as culinary innovation, guest relations and catering.…

Newly formed restaurant company FoodFirst Global Restaurants has tapped another Darden Restaurants Inc. veteran for its executive team. Columbus, Ohio-based FoodFirst, which recently acquired Brio Tuscan Grille and Bravo Cucina Italiana brands, named Mike Ellis as chief development officer. Ellis previously worked at Orlando-based Darden as head of development for the multiconcept operator, whose portfolio…

Chas Hermann has been named chief brand officer of Noodles & Co., a fast-casual restaurant chain that specializes in globally inspired, pasta-based dishes. In his new role, Mr. Hermann will develop and execute the company’s marketing, menu and culinary strategy. Mr. Hermann was most recently principal at Chas Hermann Consulting, where he partnered with the…

In the early august, consumers were losing faith in fast food, or at least that’s how John Vincent remembers it. Eric Schlosser had released his book “Fast Food Nation,” a damning look at the quick-service industry. At the same time, consumers were increasingly embracing the Mediterranean diet as a more-healthful alternative to burgers and fries.…

Tim Hortons will spend $100 million to revamp its distribution system and open two new Canadian warehouses, months after some franchisees were angered when supply deliveries from the company were delayed because of software upgrades. The fast-food giant said Wednesday that the upgrades will include a modernization of their current system, an expansion of an…

Just when product developers thought they had gained an understanding of consumers’ expectations of clean label — simple ingredients, nothing artificial and minimal processing — plant-based foods started becoming more popular. In many instances, plant-based foods defy clean label logic, as they are not minimally processed. Think of converting a solid nut into a liquid…

Montgomery County deals with about 75,000 tons of food that is thrown away each year, much of which can be used for other purposes. By reusing, donating or composting, many restaurants are working to cut down that number, but less than half track inventory, and fewer still donate. Several restaurants in the Dayton area are…

McDonald’s unveiled its new $250 million headquarters building in the Fulton Market district Monday, a move that is part of the burger giant’s years long effort to both lure new customers and attract top talent living in the heart of the city. McDonald’s, which has been based in Oak Brook since the early 1970s, spent…

Hinds-Bock is a manufacturer of solutions for filling and depositing bakery and food product, an integral part of the industrial baking and food processing line. The company is based in Bothell, Washington and has approximately $15 million in annual revenues. Middleby chairman and CEO Selim Bassoul said: “For decades, Hinds-Bock has been a leader in…