Global Foodservice News

Consumers going out to restaurants are finding higher prices these days as operators charge more for their menu items in a bid to make up for rising labor costs. Menu prices, or food away from home prices, rose 0.6% between April and May, according to the latest consumer price index data from the U.S. Dept.…

New baked foods and faster drive-thrus boosted breakfast business at McDonald’s during 2020 and the first part of 2021, helping the quick-service restaurant chain turn the corner in an important daypart. In a June 2 presentation at the virtual Sanford C. Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, Christopher J. Kempczinski, president and chief executive officer of Chicago-based…

After only a little more than a month Jack in the Box Inc. chief information officer Carlson Choi has exited the company, officials said Friday. No reason for his departure was given. Darin Harris, Jack in the Box’s CEO, said in a statement that Choi and the company mutually decided to part ways.  “We wish…

Italy’s Ali Group makes $3.3B cash bid for US rival Welbilt Italian foodservice equipment maker Ali Group has made a $3.3 billion cash offer for U.S. rival Welbilt, a source close to the matter said on Friday, surpassing an offer made for the company last month. The source added that Ali Group is offering $23…

Few industries were hit harder than restaurants by the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, the restaurant sector lost over five million jobs during the early days of the crisis, as businesses across the country boarded up shop and temporarily or permanently closed operations. Over the past three months, starting in February, there have been employment increases…

Last summer, Blaze Pizza’s buzzword was agility. At that point, the 340-unit cult favorite was only a few months removed from a global pandemic that rocked the entire world. Its 80 percent dine-in business plummeted to zero overnight. Franchisee security, family bundle deals, and digital innovation were among the countless pivots. The journey was tough,…

When George Floyd was murdered at the hands of police one year ago, the nation had enough, and protests led by the Black Lives Matter movement broke out across the country. Goals of these protests included protecting Black men and women from police violence and achieving equity in the world. The social-justice movement quickly expanded…

Yum Brands Inc. has agreed to acquire technology company Dragontail Systems Limited for 93.5 million Australian dollars (around $72.6 million), with plans to scale Dragontail’s artificial intelligence kitchen order management and delivery technology globally, the two companies said Wednesday. Dragontail, based in Perth, Australia, said its technology integrates the process of getting food to customers…

Strain has 20 years of experience in retail development. He is a founding partner of RDE, LLC, a consulting firm providing store development advice to multi-unit restaurants around the country. He has also held real estate and store development positions with McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Brands, and Starbucks. “I am thrilled to join the Potbelly family and…