The sandwich giant says its restaurants’ same-store sales rose 8.4% in the third quarter, with September particularly strong Subway’s second straight menu overhaul is apparently paying more dividends. The sandwich giant on Wednesday said that its same-store sales rose 8.4% in the third quarter, including a nearly 11% increase in the month of September… read more
Food and beverage makers are zeroing in on snacking occasions to drive sales in the convenience channel. From mid-morning treats to the afternoon- pick-me-ups, new products geared toward key dayparts were trending at the 2022 NACS Show, presented by the National Association of Convenience Retailers. Held Oct. 2-4 in Las Vegas, the event saw more… read more
Darden CEO: Olive Garden is Doing Just Fine Darden CEO Rick Cardenas could sense a common theme as analysts peppered him and CFO Raj Vennam with inquiries during the company’s recent Q1 earnings call. “We’re getting a lot of questions on traffic at Olive Garden,” the chief executive pointed out. There’s a reason why. Olive… read more
With declines in customer traffic, fewer dining-out occasions, and “trading down” to cheaper alternative meals, owners and operators may need to dig deep to uncover additional top-line sales opportunities. By now, you’ve tried online ordering, 3rd-party delivery, in-house takeout, curbside-to-go, catering, or all of the above. Now is the time to review what’s worked… read more
Bolay to Open First Drive-thru Unit in Tampa, Fla. Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen, known for its gluten-free signature bowls or “bols,” plans to open its first drive-thru location in Tampa, Fla., and to expand to Virginia in September, the company said. Wellington, Fla.-based Bolay was created in 2016 by Chris Gannon and his father Tim… read more
Eureka backers plan to import La Popular to California, Nevada, and Texas . . . . Mexico City-based Grupo Carolo and the backers of the Eureka casual-dining concept plan to bring the upscale La Popular to the United States, with plans for California this year and Nevada and Texas next. The first U.S. La Popular… read more
New Products from Krispy Kreme, Auntie Anne’s and Baskin-Robbins With foodservice brands leaning into fall flavors, recent menu Krispy Kreme launched its fall-inspired Autumn Orchard Collection, which features five donuts, including a salted caramel brownie donut. The sweet-and-salty donut is topped with salted caramel brownie batter flavored frosting, a salted caramel drizzle and brownie bits…. read more
Bringing back the “theater of retail” is a priority for Jason Buechel, the new chief executive officer of Whole Foods Market, Austin, Texas, a business unit of Amazon.com, Inc., who spoke at the Groceryshop conference held Sept. 19-22 in Las Vegas. He assumed leadership of the supermarket chain from founding CEO John Mackey on Sept…. read more
MTY Food Group Inc. announced that it has completed the acquisition of BBQ Holdings, Inc. through the consummation of a merger of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Grill Merger Sub, Inc., with and into BBQ Holdings without a vote of the BBQ Holdings stockholders in accordance with Section 302A.613(4) of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act (the “MBCA”)…. read more
Cracker Barrel’s Push for Youthful Traffic is Working While the chain has experienced a lower visitation from guests 65 and older for months now, the company saw increased traffic from younger customers in the fourth quarter (ending July 29), especially millennials between 25 and 34 and customers between 44 and 55. “Although it will take… read more