The Dallas-based casual-dining restaurant company, which owns and operates the Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy chains, said the plan is part of its partnership with The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to provide on-the-job education and training to the next generation of the industry’s workforce. The plan is to offer these team members… read more

The Middleby Corporation announced the acquisition of Ve.Ma.C. The company is a leading designer and manufacturer of handling, automation and robotics solutions for protein food processing lines. The company is based in Castelnuovo Rangone, Italy and has approximately $15 million USD in annual revenues. “This acquisition extends our capabilities related to automation and robotics, providing for further opportunities to integrate our… read more

The Middleby Corporation announced the acquisition of Firex Srl. The company is a leading manufacturer of steam cooking equipment for the commercial foodservice industry. Based in Sedico, Italy, Firex has approximately $20 million USD in annual revenues. “The Firex acquisition extends our product offerings in steam and sous vide cooking, categories which continue to grow due to health benefits and… read more

Danny Meyer’s restaurant North End Grill is closing at the end of the year, more than six years after the American-French restaurant first opened in Battery Park City, the restaurant confirms. The Union Square Hospitality Group restaurant at 104 North End Avenue opened in 2012 with chef Floyd Cardoz at the helm, making it one of the few… read more

Darden Restaurants Inc. is building the first airport location of its Bahama Breeze Island Grille brand. The Orlando, Fla.-based company, which also owns the more widespread Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen concepts, is constructing the first airport version of the Caribbean-style concept in the Orlando International Airport’s Terminal B. “Bahama Breeze is… read more

America’s highway exits are littered with recognizable restaurants like Cracker Barrel, Denny’s and IHOP. But let’s face it: An awful lot of these so-called “casual dining” chains fail to deliver a tasty experience. Some are overpriced; others serve terrible food. So which of these chains are really a good deal? I set out to come… read more

Starbucks is opening up the doors of one its coffee farms to give the public a chance to see how it sources its beans. About 45 minutes from the Costa Rican capital of San Jose sits a nearly 600-acre coffee farm called Hacienda Alsacia. Starbucks purchased it in 2013, and has used it as a… read more

McDonald’s USA has begun its rollout of fresh beef that is cooked when ordered in all its Quarter Pounder and Signature Crafted Recipe burgers. The fresh beef is now available in approximately 3,500 restaurants and is set to be served in all participating restaurants in the contiguous United Stated by early May, the company said…. read more

The deal, at $4.05 per share, is 37% higher than Bravo Brio’s average price in the 90 days before the agreement. The Columbus, Ohio-based Bravo Brio owns Bravo Cucina Italiana and Brio Tuscan Grille. The two combined chains operate 110 locations in 32 states and generated $400 million in sales in 2017. The deal, expected… read more

Bloomin’ Brands and JANA Partners struck a deal heading into the casual-dining company’s annual meeting. The parent company of Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, announced Wednesday (February 28) that it has agreed to appoint Wendy A. Beck to its board of directors for a term ending at the… read more