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
Food & Beverage News
This Is the Best Restaurant Chain in America
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
Coffee Plant Open to the Public
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 Begins Fresh Beef Rollout
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
Spice Private Equity has Aagreed to Aacquire Bravo Brio Restaurant Group for $100 Million in Cash
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 Adds Norwegian Cruise Line Exec to Board
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
CLABO Strengthens its Presence in the US
Clabo S.p.a., the worldwide leading company in the business of the refrigerated display showcases for Gelateria, Confectioneries, Cafés and Hotel, listed on the AIM Italia segment of the Italian Stock Exchange, organized and managed by Borsa Italiana, informs that today has entered a preliminary binding agreement for the purchase of the 51% of the Class… read more
TriMark USA Announces Acquisition of Chefs’ Toys
TriMark USA, LLC President & CEO, Jerry Hyman, announced the acquisition of Chefs’ Toys. Chefs’ Toys is an award winning, industry-leading foodservice equipment and supplies distributor in Southern California with seven superstores and a range of services including design, installation, construction and ecommerce. Chefs’ Toys President, Steve Dickler, and Vice President, Mike Krepistman, along with… read more
Restaurants Re-Work the Food-Cost Equation
First, the good news: Food prices, with a few exceptions, have stabilized over the past few years. Now, the bad news: The price of pretty much everything else has gone up. “Food cost used to be your highest cost,” said Kelley Jones (left), president and COO of Hospitality Alliance, a restaurant consulting, operations and management… read more
When Restaurants Should Beware of Debt Financing
Debt financing has become widely available to restaurant companies in recent years, and many operators have taken advantage of this source of capital to fund development. This is a big difference compared with 30 years ago, when banks and other lenders shunned the industry and many companies had to grow within the limits of their cash… read more