Foodservice Equip & Supplies News

Last year, the James Beard Foundation (JBF) announced its multi-year Waste Not initiative, which encourages chefs and home cooks alike to adopt more full-use cooking methods. “Around the world, we waste more than 40 percent of the food we produce,” says Katherine Miller, vice president of Impact for JBF. “This means we also waste the…

The quick-service restaurant made the commitment in 2014 and arrived at the mark early, serving no antibiotics chicken since May 2019. Packaging at more than 2,400 restaurants will change in October to reflect the commitment to customers. “We know consumers care about how their food is made and where it comes from, including the use…

As of today, it’s announcing that it’s buying Apprente, a startup building conversational agents that can automate voice-based ordering in multiple languages. If that sounds like a good fit for fast-food drive thru, that’s exactly what McDonald’s leadership has in mind. In fact, the company has already been testing Apprente’s technology in select locations, creating voice-activated…

Huddle House Inc. agreed to buy 342 Perkins Restaurant & Bakery locations, the company said. The Atlanta-based family-dining brand said it expected the deal to close on Oct. 21. Terms were not disclosed. In early August, Perkins & Marie Callender’s Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection and closed 29 Perkins Restaurant & Bakery and Marie Callender’s…

New York state regulators have called for capping the commissions paid by full-service restaurants to third-party deliverers at 10%, a major first step in regulating the fees charged by the services. The New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA) issued what’s called an advisory to its leadership, asking them to take up the matter during a…

Boston Market said that it has closed 45 stores, or about 10% of its 454-unit system, due to store underperformance, according to a letter circulated by CEO Frances Allen to employees. The Golden, Colo.-based chain owned by Sun Capital Partners Inc., closed six restaurants on June 30, while the remaining 39 closed on July 7.…

Subway and its vendors are expected to provide franchisees with more than $100 million in grants to help fund remodels to about 40% of the chain’s units over the next year and a half, the company said. The Milford, Conn.-based sandwich giant, along with its vendors, is providing operators with $10,000 grants to help spur remodels.…

Startups offer shared industrial kitchens and warehouses to lure restaurateurs. Honest Burger at work in Deliveroo’s shared industrial-kitchen space in Swiss Cottage, London. The British food-delivery company operates about 30 shared kitchens in several countries. As food delivery expands across major U.S. cities, a handful of startup companies are trying to use the latest e-commerce technology…

Brands ranked below the category average in alphabetical order: Applebee’s, Bahama Breeze, Benihana, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Dave & Buster’s, Denny’s, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Italian Restaurant, Ruby Tuesday, Shoney’s, TGI Fridays​. TEXAS ROADHOUSE: Casual dining: The heartbeat of the American consumer.…

In a surprise announcement, family dining chain Cracker Barrel revealed July 23 it has entered into a strategic partnership with Denver-based Punch Bowl Social. Cracker Barrel plans on investing as much as $140 million and taking on a non-controlling position in the eatertainment brand. The agreement allows Cracker Barrel to acquire a controlling position or full…