Chicago-based grocery startups Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market, which looked to carve a niche in Chicago’s competitive grocery market with upscale, small-format stores, will merge. The merged companies will be helmed by Foxtrot CEO Liz Williams under a new entity, Outfox Hospitality. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter, the companies… read more
Global Foodservice News
Lower grocery inflation is pulling consumers away from restaurants, study finds
About 1 in 4 consumers replaced restaurant meals with foodservice options from grocery stores in 2023, an increase of 17% from last year, according to new research from the retail trade association FMI. Shoppers are also cooking at home more often and creating hybrid meals that combine premade items with those made from scratch, according… read more
The Subway sale is not a done deal. And it may not be done for months
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has apparently opened an investigation into Roark Capital’s acquisition of the sandwich giant, the publication Politico reported on Tuesday, citing multiple sources. The agency is apparently concerned about the level of dominance Roark would have in acquiring Subway. Roark also owns Subway rival Jimmy John’s, through its Inspire Brands arm,… read more
Global Foodservice News – November 15, 2023 Edition
Qu, a cloud-based POS system for limited-service restaurants, has landed an investment from Enlightened Hospitality Investments (EHI), the fund run by Union Square Hospitality Group founder and Chairman Danny Meyer. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. It’s the 22nd investment for EHI, which focuses on restaurants and restaurant tech suppliers. Qu offers what it… read more
Neal Asbury Elected Chairman of the Board International Housewares Association
ROSEMONT, ILL. (Sept. 14, 2023)—William C. McHenry, president and CEO of Widgeteer, Inc., has been elected to the board of directors of the International Housewares Association (IHA), the full-service trade association for the housewares industry. His three-year term begins Oct. 1, 2023 and ends Sept. 30, 2026. Also elected were new board officers: ➢ Chairman… read more
South Korean Robotics Company Takes Root in North America
Aniai, a robotics company operating in the commercial kitchen space, has established a North American headquarters in New York City. The South Korean company also hired Eric Hansen to serve as its director of sales. Hansen’s background includes working with such restaurant industry-related tech companies as Groupon and Uber Eats. Aniai’s flagship product Alpha Grill… read more
B&G Foods Sells Green Giant Canned Vegetables Line to Seneca Foods
B&G will retain the brand trademarks, the Green Giant frozen and Canadian businesses, and the Le Sueur product line. B&G Foods Inc. has sold the Green Giant shelf-stable vegetable product line to Seneca Foods Corp., according to a company release. The transaction does not include Green Giant frozen, Green Giant Canada or Le Sueur products,… read more
Smucker’s Closes Hostess Acquisition, Announces Leadership, Structural Changes
The J.M. Smucker Co. announces a shuffling of business units and leadership changes to incorporate the new Hostess businesses and brands. Following the closing of the acquisition of Hostess Brands, The J.M. Smucker Co. has created a new business unit called “Sweet Baked Snacks” and named Dan O’Leary senior vice president and general manager of… read more
Voodoo Doughnut unveils grand opening for Dallas
Voodoo Doughnut, pioneers of the gourmet doughnut category, is thrilled to announce the official grand opening date for their eagerly awaited 21st store in Dallas, TX, set to take place on Monday, November 20, 2023. After months of meticulous planning, doors will open to the public at 8 AM on Monday, November 20th where fans… read more
YUM! Posts Positive Results
Yum Brands—parent to KFC, Taco Bell, The Habit Burger Grill and Pizza Hut—had a few positives to share during its Q3 earnings call with investors, held Wednesday, Nov. 1. For one, the company set a record on unit development, having opened 1,130 gross new units in its latest quarter, which ended Sept. 30. KFC led the… read more