Dear Loyal Readers: Here it is the middle of October, fall is officially here and here in Chicago we have had our first frost. Baseball is still trying to figure out who will play in the World Series (not as interested as my Cubs went quietly into the night) but my Bears are looking up…. read more

Chick-fil-A’s new test locations won’t have a drive thru or dining room. Chick-fil-A has no issue driving customers into its restaurants and through its drive thru. In fact, QSR’s 2018 Drive-through Study showed six or more cars crowding the lane 40 percent of the time. And the 2,200-plus-unit brand’s average-unit volumes of $4.1 million are tops… read more

Changes in how consumers search for and acquire consumer packaged goods are forcing companies like the J.M. Smucker Co., Orrville, Ohio, to rethink how they develop and market new products. Smucker, in particular, is investing in its brand building model in an effort to become more granular and agile. “…We enjoy strong positions in great… read more

Offering training materials in multiple languages can help break down language barriers in foodservice, and language learning opportunities can assist with employee retention and promote cultural awareness that can strengthen a restaurant’s entire team. To bridge the gap between languages, a glossary of 50 or so common words and their translations can offer a strong… read more

If the National Restaurant Association’s apprentice program is any indication, in the future, restaurant managers will defy the industry’s high turnover rate. The program, run by the NRA’s Educational Foundation (NRAEF), boasts a 94 percent retention rate. As it turns out, plenty of restaurant workers see themselves on the managerial track. While most apprentice programs… read more

Nekter Juice Bar has signed its largest area development agreement with 2ndHarvest LLC to open 30 restaurants during the next few years in existing markets of Florida and Tennessee and in two new markets, Maryland and Washington, D.C., according to a company press release. Based in Miami, 2ndHarvest LLC plans to open its first Nekter… read more

Mr. Martin was most recently the Sam’s team lead for Quaker products at PepsiCo, Inc. Previously, he was the Walmart director of customer management and the Sam’s director of customer management for the Frito-Lay division at PepsiCo. Before that, he held a variety of senior sales and general management roles at PepsiCo. “Tom is an… read more

Ms. Nooyi will remain chairman of the board until early 2019 to ensure a smooth transition, according to the company. Mr. Laguarta has been with the company for 22 years. Since September 2017, he has served as president of PepsiCo, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. Previously, Mr. Laguarta served as… read more

Kona Grill Inc. has promoted Jim Kuhn as president and CEO to succeed Berke Bakay, who was appointed executive chairman of the casual-dining chain’s board, the company said. Kuhn most recently served as chief operating officer of the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based grill and sushi bar brand, a position he assumed in December. Bakay succeeds Jim Jundt, who is… read more

The celebrity chef is teaming up with Planet Hollywood founder and chairman Robert Earl with a new restaurant concept, Chicken Guy!, and the first location is opening up at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs this summer. According to a press release, Fieri and Earl are teaming up yet again after the successful launch of Fieri’s sandwich… read more