More than two years ago the way in which the world’s population worked and lived changed forever. The coronavirus pandemic that began in China and began to spread rapidly, globally, was first identified as a “contagious virus”. Quickly mandates from CDC, WHO, and national governments were issued to control the spread by wearing masks, distancing… read more

Electrolux Professional and Middleby Corp. (NASDAQ: MIDD) are said to be bidding about $1.2B for Welbillt’s (NYSE:WBT) Manitowoc ice business as part of Ali Group’s attempt to gain regulatory approval for its planned purchase of Welbilt. Electrolux and Middleby are on the shortlist of bidders for the ice-making unit, according to traders, who cited a… read more

Fast-food menu prices soared 8% in December, according to new federal data released Wednesday, as the industry continues to pass on higher costs for food and labor onto customers. Prices for full-service menu items were not far behind, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, rising 6.6% annually. Overall, food-away-from-home inflation rose 0.6% monthly… read more

As 2021 draws to a close, food and restaurant experts are making their predictions for the trends that will shape the way we eat in the coming year. This past year was another difficult one for restaurants as the pandemic continues to stir up uncertainty around everything from safety protocols to supply chains. Some of… read more

In June, Taco Bell locations in California offered “a free seasoned beef Nacho Cheese Doritos® Locos Tacos” to anyone who provided proof of vaccination. The company said it was offering the promotion because there are “still plenty of young people who need to get vaccinated.” The company said that it was important to “increase vaccinations”… read more

Restaurant traffic has begun to bounce back compared to the swift drop-off in early 2020, but the pandemic is having lasting effects on how consumers purchase and consume food away from home, according to Acosta’s The Why? Behind the Dine Report. Decreased motivation to cook at home is driving consumers to turn to foodservice outlets,… read more

President Joe Biden signed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill into law Monday that ends the employee retention tax credit retroactive to after September 30. The ERTC provides a tax credit equal to 50 percent of qualified wages paid, up to $10,000 per employee, after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021. The National Restaurant… read more

In the current day and age, how do we define what is or isn’t a restaurant? It is a straightforward question, yet difficult to answer. Industry professionals and consumers alike could debate this for days and never arrive at a consensus; a point proven by looking at definitions from several dictionaries. When I turn to… read more