Lawmakers Ask USDA, DOJ to re-Examine Pork Line Speed Ruling

A group of 70 congressional lawmakers, led by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Representatives Jim Hagedorn (R-Minn.) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD), penned a letter recently that urged the US Department of Agriculture and the Department of Justice to pursue legal action and push back on a recent federal court ruling regarding US pork processing plants’…

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Ballyhoo Hospitality’s Ryan O’Donnell on the Confidence that Comes from Surviving a Crisis

There’s a certain confidence that comes from surviving a crisis. At least that’s how Ryan O’Donnell sees it, as he prepares to open two new Chicago-area restaurants this year. O’Donnell is co-founder of Ballyhoo Hospitality with his wife Anna O’Donnell. The group operates five independent concepts, including two that opened during the pandemic shutdown. Coming…

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Biden Issues Executive Order Encouraging Federal Action to Limit or Ban Non-Compete Agreements

On July 9, 2021, President Biden signed the Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, which encourages the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) to employ its statutory rulemaking authority “to curtail the unfair use of non-compete clauses and other clauses or agreements that may unfairly limit worker mobility.”  Executive Order, Section 5(g).  While the…

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The new CMO replaces Rani Yadav, who Left in March

Union Square Hospitality Group has named Marissa Freeman its new chief marketing officer, replacing Rani Yadav. Freeman most recently was a chief brand officer at Hewlett Packard Enterprises, spearheading the launch of that brand as one of the companies that were created when Hewlett Packard split in two in 2015 (the other was HP Inc.)…

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Ribs Chain Tony Roma’s has New Owner with Plans for Growth

Hoping to become the world’s leading American rib brand, the parent of Tony Roma’s on Tuesday announced it has been acquired by Equity Investors of New England Inc. Terms were not disclosed. In addition, Orlando, Fla.-based Romacorp Inc. named Ramon Bourgeois to the role of chief operating officer and acting CEO. Bourgeois is an industry…

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Ruby Tuesday Brings Virtual Concept to In-Store Menu

Ruby Tuesday announced the addition of Libby’s BBQ with a new feature menu this summer. Originally crafted in the Ruby Tuesday kitchen as a delivery-only concept, Libby’s BBQ offers smoky, tender, saucy BBQ entrees and is now available to order at all Ruby Tuesday locations for dine-in, Ruby TueGO and delivery for a limited time…

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