Global Foodservice News
The Tech that Keeps World Central Kitchen Cooking in Times of Disaster
Whatever business-travel problems you’ve encountered in the past, World Central Kitchen’s have almost certainly been worse. This Washington, D.C., nonprofit founded by chef José Andrés in 2010 has spent the past decade cooking for disaster survivors in some of the least convenient places on Earth. And since last winter, it’s had to deal with a…
Read More28 mergers and acquisitions in the restaurant industry in 2020
In addition to so many other things, 2020 brought one of the largest merger-and-acquisition deals in the restaurant space with the marriage of Dunkin’ Brands with multi-concept group Inspire Brands. We also saw a number of companies filing bankruptcy because of COVID, which resulted in a number of changes in ownership, particularly in the latter…
Read MoreSaladworks parent company acquires Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and Frutta Bowls to form Woworks
Centre Lane Partners – the parent company of Conshohocken, Penn.-based salad chain Saladworks — has acquired fast-casual Mediterranean brand Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and fast-casual smoothie/bowl concept Frutta Bowls, to form new holding company, Woworks, the company announced. The Saladworks team will be taking over both brands’ infrastructure and operations to drive growth. Garbanzo CEO James…
Read MoreDarden CEO Gene Lee Named Chairman of the Board
The Darden Restaurants Board of Directors has elected Chief Executive Officer Eugene (Gene) I. Lee, Jr. as Chairman of the Board, succeeding Charles (Chuck) M. Sonsteby, effective January 4, 2021. Sonsteby will become the Board’s Lead Independent Director. “At a time of unprecedented change in our industry, the Board concluded that it is in the…
Read MoreWalk-On’s to Open First Non-Traditional Location on Purdue’s Campus
Walk-On’s will anchor the all-new “Purdue Marketplace” set to enhance dining offerings for Purdue’s West Lafayette campus and community. Construction of this new, world-class food hall in the Purdue Memorial Union began this fall and is anticipated to be completed in January of 2022. The 4,800-plus square foot Walk-On’s will feature a condensed menu with…
Read MoreApplebee’s, IHOP CFO Thomas Song Resigns
Applebee’s and IHOP parent Dine Brands announced Tuesday that Thomas Song resigned as CFO. The move is effective January 22. The move marks another leadership shakeup for the company, which announced in May that CEO Stephen Joyce’s contract wouldn’t be renewed on February 1. In November, the brand hired John Peyton, CEO, and president of…
Read MoreIndependent Restaurants: New $900 Billion Stimulus ‘Falls Woefully Short’
Independent Restaurants: New $900 Billion Stimulus ‘Falls Woefully Short’ Sunday’s news lawmakers reached a final deal to distribute a fresh $900 billion COVID-19 relief package was met with trepidation by at least one corner of the restaurant industry. The Independent Restaurant Coalition, formed by chefs and independent restaurant owners, said in a statement the bill…
Read MoreRestaurants Adapt to Covid with Virtual Locations and Off-Premise Services
Restaurants Adapt to Covid with Virtual Locations and Off-Premise Services Legacy pizza chains have done off-premise right for decades, from proper food preservation to a brand-friendly last-mile experience. In our current reality, the rest of the industry is in a quick rush to catch up and adapt to optimize their brand experience from end to…
Read MoreInspire Brands Chief Information Officer Raghu Sagi on New Technology Innovations at Buffalo Wild Wings, Arby’s
Throughout the pandemic, Inspire Brands began rolling out new technologies to help ease digital customer convenience, from contactless payment which began testing at Buffalo Wild Wings in September, to an order-ahead platform with mobile app capabilities, which will roll out to all Arby’s restaurants in the first quarter of 2021 after a pilot test, which…
Read MoreMiddleby Acquires Wild Goose Filling
Middleby Acquires Wild Goose Filling. The company brands are Wild Goose, Inline Filling Systems, and Meheen which together generate $35 million in annual revenues. “Wild Goose Filling is the domestic market leader in craft beverage filling and canning. The company has industry-leading technology serving the fast-growing craft beverage market which includes beer, seltzer, cold brew,…
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