6 trends that reshaped the restaurant industry in 2023

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New challenges emerged, especially downtown, while many operators looked back wistfully at bygone times, their hands held out for help on costs. After the upheaval of the pandemic, the year drawing to a close might’ve felt like a ho-hum stretch, a time for just chugging along in the warmth of normalcy. But the business continued… read more

Two Novolex Brands Garner Packaging Awards

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Two of Hartsville, South Carolina-based Novolex’s brands, Eco-Products and Vegware, have received awards for solutions in compostable packaging. Eco-Products and Vegware were each honored with the Foodservice Packaging Award for “Innovation in Manufacturing,” tying for first place. “We are extraordinarily proud of our brands for their tireless commitment to innovation, creating new products that redefine… read more

Simmons Recalls Chicken Bites Containing Plastic

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Consumers complained that clear, hard plastic was found under the breading. WASHINGTON — Simmons Prepared Foods Inc., a Van Buren, Arkansas, establishment, is recalling approximately 26,550 pounds of TGI Fridays boneless chicken bites products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of clear, hard plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and… read more

What’s impacting menus in the year ahead

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Lizzy Freier, director of menu research and insights for Technomic, digs into 2024’s top trends and predictions. Towards the end of every year, Technomic releases its annual predictions for the year ahead. Lizzy Freier, director of menu research and insights, worked with her team of researchers and analysts to compile Technomic’s report, “What’s in Store… read more

How Bar Louie is putting a culinary focus on lunch and dinner without losing its bar vibe

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As new VP of culinary, Joel Reynders is creating chef-driven entrees, sides and bar bites that cover every daypart. Joel Reynders was named VP of culinary and executive chef at Bar Louie just last May, and he hit the ground running. The 67-unit chain has long been a popular happy hour destination, but guests would… read more

Panera’s caffeinated lemonade blamed for another death, second lawsuit alleges

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The family of Florida man Dennis Brown filed a lawsuit when he suffered from a fatal cardiac arrest incident after drinking three Charged Lemonade drinks Panera Bread faces a second lawsuit following the death of Dennis Brown of Fleming Island, Fla. who suffered from a fatal cardiac arrest after he drank three caffeinated Charged Lemonade… read more

AI on the Menu: Using AI for Restaurant Operations

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To streamline back-office and kitchen operations, many restaurants are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) technologies National Restaurant Association: While customers may not see what takes place behind the scenes, they certainly experience the result. When it comes to success, the priority for staff is speed and efficiency without sacrificing quality. From managing inventory to ensuring… read more

Restaurants Ready for the Holiday Rush with More Consumers Planning to Dine Out

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Consumers Are Choosing to Let Restaurants Do the Cooking to Spend Quality Time with Family and Friends Consumers are choosing restaurants this holiday season, according to a new National Restaurant Association survey showing two-thirds (63 percent) of adults plan to eat out during the next several weeks and half (48 percent) plan to order takeout… read more

Danone the first corporation to join Global Methane Hub to reduce Emissions

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Danone SA is the first corporation to join the Global Methane Hub’s Enteric Fermentation R&D Accelerator, a research project to create practical solutions for dairy farmers to reduce methane emissions. The globally coordinated research effort on enteric methane is coordinated by GMH and supported by an alliance of philanthropic organizations and governments. It’s already raised… read more

Lower grocery inflation is pulling consumers away from restaurants, study finds

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About 1 in 4 consumers replaced restaurant meals with foodservice options from grocery stores in 2023, an increase of 17% from last year, according to new research from the retail trade association FMI. Shoppers are also cooking at home more often and creating hybrid meals that combine premade items with those made from scratch, according… read more