The formation of Cosmic Wings, Applebee’s new delivery-only concept, is the confluence of three opportunities, says Scott Gladstone, vice president of strategy and development. The rise of delivery and growth of the wing category are no-brainers. But the third one, an exclusive partnership with Cheetos, is where Cosmic Wings most plants its flag. The virtual… read more

Cracker Barrel’s culture is rooted in heritage, but that doesn’t mean tradition can’t be reimagined. The commitment to innovation was on full display in 2020 as the 663-unit brand released a revamped dinner menu, diversified its family meal deals, and introduced alcohol for the first time in its 51-year history. Cammie Spillyards-Schaefer, vice president of… read more

National Restaurant Association and NRAEF Announce Board of Directors The National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) announced their 2021 board officers and directors. Brian Casey, president of Oak Hill Tavern and the Company Picnic Company, will serve as chair of the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors, and Susan Adzick,… read more

Food Safety Top of Mind for the US, other Consumers According to a new study from the Beijing-based Mars Global Food Safety Center that surveyed more than 1,750 people in the US, UK and China, more than half of respondents (52%) feel that food safety is a top-three global issue – and 77% think it’s… read more

A team of Kansas State University researchers is using a $1 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture – and an additional grant from the State of Kansas – to study how to effectively control the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in the nation’s meat and poultry processing facilities. The study,… read more

When Dog Haus launched in 2010, its concept made a lot of sense…for the year 2010. Its mission was to elevate stadium food into a culinary masterwork, and it did so by selling dogs and sausages decorated with ingredients such as bacon, pastrami, caramelized onions, and arugula. The three founders, Hagop Giragossian, Quasim Riaz, and… read more

The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed an amendment to the budget Thursday calling for direct relief to the restaurant industry in a 90-10 vote. The Restaurant Rescue Plan which was initially proposed in a bipartisan effort by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Sen. Krysten Sinema (D-Ariz.), was based on the original RESTAURANTS Act that was put… read more

Christopher J. Kempczinski, president and chief executive officer of McDonald’s Corp., laid out the fast-food company’s priorities during a Jan. 28 conference call. “Our significant marketing investment remains a true growth driver,” he said. “We’re improving creative effectiveness and leaning into social and digital to drive customer engagement. Teams remain focused on the right balance… read more

The startup’s initial lineup features a pancake and waffle mix, a brownie mix, and a chocolate muffin and cake mix, along with a zero-calorie sweetener made from monk fruit and corn-based erythritol. The plant-based, diabetic-friendly products are gluten-free and contain no added sugars. Launched in January, TruEats is the culmination of a multi-generational journey to… read more