KFC has tapped its first woman to play the rotating role of Colonel Harland Sanders. Country singer Reba McEntire will fill the role to promote the fried chicken chain’s latest flavor, Smoky Mountian BBQ. Ads featuring McEntire will premiere on Jan. 28, one day before the chicken flavor becomes available nationwide. “We are absolutely thrilled… read more
Food & Beverage News
New Flavor of Dippin’ Dots
US-based Dippin’ Dots, a flash frozen beaded ice cream and frozen treats company, has launched a new Frozeti Confetti flavor. Fresh off a year of momentum where the brand announced $300 million in gross annual retail sales and introduced Dippin’ Dots Cryogenics to expand its technology to other industries, Dippin’ Dots is inviting everyone to… read more
Nestle Japan Unveils Ruby Chocolate KitKat
Nestle Japan is all set to commercialize the first ever natural pink ruby-flavored chocolate by introducing the new KitKat Chocolatory Sublime Ruby bars in Japan and South Korea. The ruby chocolate used in the new KitKat product, dubbed Sublime Ruby, was developed by Swiss cocoa producer Barry Callebaut as a new variety to be added to… read more
JAB Holding Co. to Acquire Dr Pepper Snapple Group
JAB Holding Co. through its Keurig Green Mountain business unit has entered into an agreement to acquire the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Plano, Texas. Once the transaction is completed, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Keurig Green Mountain will merge to form Keurig Dr Pepper. The new business will have annual revenues of approximately $11 billion…. read more
Jody Macedonio Named COO of Dean Foods Co.
Ms. Macedonio joins Dean Foods from Henkel AG, where she was most recently senior vice-president of finance for the North America Laundry and Beauty divisions. Before Henkel acquired Sun Products Corp., she was treasurer and senior vice-president of finance and planning for Sun Products. Prior to that, Ms. Macedonio held several roles at PepsiCo, Inc.,… read more
Ruby Tuesday Names Turnaround Expert New CEO
Ruby Tuesday is eager to get its turnaround started. Just a few weeks after naming Aziz Hashim interim CEO of the struggling casual dining chain, the brand handed Ray Blanchette the permanent tag Tuesday. Announced during the ICR Conference in Orlando, Florida, Ruby Tuesday said Blanchette’s history of revitalizing fledging brands makes him an ideal… read more
Dunkin’ Donuts US Names Scott Murphy COO
Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. has promoted Scott Murphy to chief operating officer of Dunkin’ Donuts U.S., the parent company said Monday. Previously, he was senior vice president of operations for the U.S. and Canada. Murphy will continue to report to Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. president David Hoffmann. The Canton, Mass.-based company has also moved responsibility for… read more
Steak ‘N Shake is Planning its First Chicago Restaurant
Steak ‘n Shake, the fast-food chain many University of Illinois transplants are familiar with from their days in Champaign, is planning to open its first Chicago location. While the Indianapolis-based chain has restaurants in the surrounding suburbs, it hasn’t opened within the city’s limits. An opening timeframe hasn’t been shared, but Steak ‘n Shake is… read more
El Pollo Loco Franchisee Acquires Wendy’s Franchisee
WKS Restaurant Group, the largest El Pollo Loco franchisee, has acquired Pennant Foods Corp. and its 52 Wendy’s in Southern California, the company said this week. Lakewood, Calif.-based WKS, which now owns more than 180 franchise restaurants that include such other brands as Blaze Pizza, Corner Bakery Café, Denny’s and Krispy Kreme, purchased Pennant from… read more
Ampex Brands is Continuing its Rapid Expansion
Fast-growing North Texas franchisee Ampex Brands is continuing its rapid expansion with the acquisition of 77 Pizza Hut units. The company purchased the pizza restaurants, all located in North Texas, from Pizza Hut’s corporate office last month. The deal adds $88 million to Ampex’s top line and makes it Plano-based Pizza Hut’s largest franchisee in North… read more