Dunkin’ Donuts completed the conversion of a simplified menu in 100% of its U.S. units in the first quarter ended March 31. The menu change should increase afternoon sales and make value campaigns more effective, said David L. Hoffman, president of Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. and Canada. “This massive undertaking resulted in a 10% reduction of… read more

Kent Taylor stuffed the proposal into an envelope and scootered his way to Ross Perot’s Bermuda vacation home. The billionaire and former presidential candidate was staying in a home tucked behind a gated community, but Taylor, the founder and CEO of Texas Roadhouse, has never been one to reverse course in the face of resistance…. read more

California institution In-N-Out Burger is going down under in its latest attempt to protect its world-known trademarks. In the latest challenge, the Irvine, Calif.-based operator has accused an Australian burger brand with trademark infringement. The fast-food burger joint Down N’ Out, with two locations in Sydney, bills itself as selling “American style burgers, done right.”… read more

White Castle will debut the Impossible Slider — a variation on its iconic mini-sandwiches using the plant-based Impossible Burger — at 140 locations in New York, New Jersey and Chicagoland. The move makes the 400-unit hamburger chain, based in Columbus, Ohio, the largest restaurant group to serve the meat alternative. “Innovation has been core to everything we’ve… read more

Farmwise, L.L.C., maker of fries, rings and tots made with vegetables, has closed a $4.5 million financing round led by Cleveland Avenue L.L.C., the venture capital firm founded by former McDonald’s Corp. chief executive officer Don Thompson. Founded in 2014, Boston-based Farmwise uses a blend of vegetables, legumes and potatoes to produce its Veggie Fries,… read more

Marfrig Global Foods, one of the world’s largest animal protein producers, has reached an agreement to acquire a 51% stake in National Beef Packing Co., L.L.C. for $969 million. Based in Kansas City, National Beef is the fourth-largest beef processor in the United States with slaughtering capacity of 12,000 heads of cattle per day and… read more

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