Pastries were unavailable “due to a manufacturing error.” OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Dunkin’ dropped the “Donuts” from its brand name years ago. Now — at least across Nebraska, New Mexico and some other states — it doesn’t have doughnuts on the shelves either. Dunkin’ stores in Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island in Nebraska all had… read more
Foodservice Equipment Hoshizaki Updates Representation in Midwest Hoshizaki America has announced that Professional Reps will serve as its rep group in the Midwest region, effective January 1. The group will represent the manufacturer in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. “We are thrilled to join forces with Professional Reps as we continue to grow in… read more
In-store card purchases outstrip digital sales in 2024, reversing trends and indicating post-COVID confidence Restaurant gift card sales peaked earlier in the 2024 Thanksgiving weekend with shoppers buying 13.2% more in dollars per card on Black Friday and 17.7% more spent over the weekend, while Cyber Monday sales remained flat vs. those same days in… read more
New items and limited-time offers flooded restaurant menus in 2024, but these winners surged to the top in more ways than one. Menu innovation accelerated in 2024, as chains competed to tempt customers with food and drink offerings. Restaurant Business sister company, Technomic, reports that menu launches have been steadily increasing year over year, reaching… read more
The chain hopes to reach around 275 restaurants by the end of 2029. For basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, chicken is personal. Many chains wanted him to do endorsements and it never felt right. “It felt unauthentic, and he’s one of the most authentic human beings you’ll ever meet,” said Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken,… read more
The walkout would affect a host of restaurants in the market, including local units of The Cheesecake Factory, Jersey Mike’s, Jimmy John’s, Pappas Restaurants and the Buc-ee’s c-store chain, according to the local Teamsters chapter planning the strike. Restaurants in the Houston area could see a disruption in supplies over the holidays if employees of… read more
Many sit-down chains struggled. There were bankruptcies, closures and plenty of soul-searching. But there were some clear winners, too. Bankruptcies. Mass closures. Activist investors. These were a few of the unfortunate trends that defined the full-service restaurant sector in 2024 as operators battled shifting consumer habits and pandemic aftershocks. Three large full-service chains—Red Lobster, TGI… read more
You can improve your customer experience by making your digital content accessible. Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) are known for their fast and convenient service. For blind and low-vision customers, however, accessibility challenges can turn convenience into frustration. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires restaurants and other public-facing businesses to provide accessible environments for people with… read more
Everyone has a conviction about what’s ahead for the industry in the New Year. But it’s the uncertainties—the what-ifs—that should be top of mind. If every prediction for the restaurant business brought a dollar to the trade, operators could shut down Jan. 1 and still declare 2025 a gangbuster year. Apparently, anyone who so much… read more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the latest risk management rules for trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) under the bipartisan 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) amendments, marking another major milestone for chemical safety after decades of inadequate protections and serious delays. TCE is an extremely toxic chemical known to cause liver cancer, kidney… read more