An increased focus on delivery, the elevation of vegetarian and vegan concepts, embracing automation and finding ways to operate in smaller areas are just a few predictions from several executives leading fast casual brands. Jenelle Brown, VP of operations and training, Uncle Maddio’s Predictions:   As the demands of the consumer continue to support off-premise… read more

Emerson has agreed to acquire Cooper-Atkins, a leading manufacturer of temperature management and environmental measurement devices and wireless monitoring solutions for foodservice, healthcare and industrial markets. Cooper-Atkins is a longtime technology leader in foodservice markets with a comprehensive offering of temperature management and monitoring products for spot inspection and fixed location uses, including restaurants, supermarkets… read more

G.E.T. Enterprises, a supplier of alternative tableware, and its investment partner Olympus Partners, are pleased to announce that G.E.T. has merged with Winco, a manufacturer and supplier of kitchenware and tableware to create a leading supplier to the foodservice industry. G.E.T. has been a leading supplier of high-quality dinnerware, drinkware, and displayware crafted from melamine… read more

Ramon Laguarta has been named president of PepsiCo, Inc., effective Sept. 1. Currently, Mr. Laguarta is chief executive officer of Europe Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA) for the company. In his new role, he will oversee PepsiCo’s global category groups, global operations, corporate strategy, PepsiCo Foundation and public policy and government affairs functions. “Mr. Laguarta will shape… read more

Chris Sullivan, one of Outback Steakhouse’s four co-founders, resigned from Bloomin’ Brands Inc.’s board of directors, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The move is effective immediately, and the size of the board will be reduced to seven, the company said. Bob Basham, Sullivan, Trudy Cooper, and Tim Gannon founded Outback in… read more

Food industry executive Richard L. Mazer has been elected the 19th chairman of the board of The Culinary Institute of America. He succeeds former Dunkin’ Brands CEO Jon Luther in this position. “Richard Mazer has long been a trusted consultant and leader in the food business, and played a key role in Ventura Foods’ rise to… read more

When The Cheesecake Factory announced last spring that it was launching its first Canadian location at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, customers immediately wanted to know if they could make reservations – months in advance of the opening. The news went viral as Torontonians rejoiced that they would no longer have to drive south to experience the prominent U.S. restaurant chain’s… read more

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. plans to expand its off-premise platforms along with its new Crafted Coffee offerings in the year ahead, company executives said Tuesday after reporting a 4.1 percent decline in fiscal first-quarter profit. The Lebanon, Tenn.-based family dining chain said net income for the third quarter ended Oct. 27 declined 4.1… read more

Wings. Beer. And Arby’s. Fast-food chain Arby’s Restaurant Group said that it reached a deal to acquire Buffalo Wild Wings, which promotes the slogan “wings, beer, sports” in its advertisements, for $2.8 billion in cash. The deal comes as the casual dining sector is ailing as Americans have rediscovered home meals amid low grocery prices and new… read more

The owner of Arby’s, Hardee’s and Jimmy John’s has offered to buy Buffalo Wild Wings and take it private, five months after an activist investor won strategic control of the company, the Wall Street Journal reported late. Roark Capital of Atlanta offered about $150 a share, or $2.3 billion, for Buffalo Wild Wings, the Journal… read more