Global Foodservice News
Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken Begins Franchising in a Big Way
NBA great’s sandwich brand rolls out broadly, including virtual outlets in Walmart to outlets on cruise ships and in arenas. Big Chicken, with the creative and financial backing of Shaquille O’Neal, is starting to cast a franchise-concept shadow as long as the basketball great’s 7-foot-1 frame. The Las Vegas, Nev.-based brand, with three stand-alone locations,…
Read MoreMiddleby Acquires Imperial Commercial Cooking Equipment
Based in Corona, Calif., the company manufactures ranges, fryers, ovens, countertop equipment and other specialty cooking products for the commercial kitchen. Imperial has annual revenues of approximately $40 million. “Imperial is a leading, highly-respected commercial foodservice brand with products that complement the existing Middleby core cooking category. While we are enhancing our current brand portfolio,…
Read MorePIZZAREV Acquired for $1.1M by Amergent Hospitality
Struggling fast-casual chain PizzaRev has been sold to multi-concept operator Amergent Hospitality Group for $1.1 million, the company announced. Five years ago, PizzaRev had 44 locations. It has since closed all but 12 units—three company-owned stores and nine franchised locations. Amergent purchased them for $100,000 in cash and a secured convertible promissory note for $1…
Read MoreDarden Restaurants Provides $2 Million Grant to Feeding America
Darden Restaurants is helping Feeding America add refrigerated trucks for 10 member food banks to support mobile pantry programs and food distribution in communities with the highest need. Through a $2 million grant from the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation, and support from partners Penske Truck Leasing and Lineage Logistics, each food bank will receive a 26-foot…
Read MoreMaggiano’s Mixes Tradition and Evolution in New Remodeling Initiative
Maggiano’s Little Italy was founded 30 years ago by Lettuce Entertain You’s Richard Melman, and since that time, the chain has not only won awards but has been praised for its atmosphere in the dining and banquet rooms. Brand President Steve Provost says the company convinced itself that it was the rare, timeless restaurant concept.…
Read MoreSmartSummit: Schools Grapple with Supply Chain Issues and other Challenges as New Year Begins
The pandemic has forced schools to adapt in countless ways, including reinventing meal programs to ensure students have access to nutritious food whether they are learning from the classroom or the kitchen table. Last school year, as teachers transitioned to online instruction, school foodservice operators just as quickly shifted to serving grab-and-go meals and even…
Read MoreThe Labor Crisis
Yum Brands’ CEO: Culture Is What Will Get You Through a Tight Labor Market That labor crisis, by the way, has yielded an all-time high quit rate for restaurant workers. It has also driven operators to hike their wages in response, and average pay in the industry is now above $15 an hour for the first…
Read MoreAuntie Anne’s Hits the Pavement, and New Audiences Nationwide
Auntie Anne’s has long been a staple in malls and airports across the U.S. The smell of warm, salty pretzels enticed travelers and shoppers alike from the brand’s storefront and kiosk locations for more than 30 years. But what about the customers craving a doughy snack who aren’t traveling or strolling through the mall? Where…
Read MoreGeneral Managers Make a Median Base Salary of $90,129 including Bonuses, says Black Box Intelligence Report
General Managers Make a Median Base Salary of $90,129 Including Bonuses, says Black Box Intelligence Report The median hourly wage in limited-service restaurants was up 10% in the second quarter year-over-year, and up 6% among full-service line cooks, according to a Black Box Intelligence webinar. Hourly workers in limited-service restaurants made a median of $11…
Read MoreDenver Looks to Offer Restaurant Owners and Workers Grants
The Denver City Council is set to vote on a new grant program that could make city and county restaurant owners eligible for $10,000 and workers up to $1,500. The council will vote on a $1 million grant to the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Colorado Restaurant Association, and $500,000 to the…
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