Global Foodservice News
Kellogg Says It’s Removing Artificial Dyes From Cereals by the End of This Year
The change comes a year ahead of schedule. WK Kellogg said Thursday that it will remove artificial colors from all its cereals by the end of this year. The change comes a year ahead of schedule. Kellogg said last August that it would remove synthetic dyes from its cereals by the end of 2027. But…
Read MoreHaraz Coffee wins NRN’s Coffee Showdown
The Yemeni coffeehouse out of Dearborn, Michigan, beat Alfred Coffee in the finals to claim top honors. Haraz Coffee House has emerged victorious in Nation’s Restaurant News’ first-ever Coffee Showdown, defeating runner-up Alfred Coffee in the competition celebrating up-and-coming emerging coffee chains. The Showdown series highlighted chains that could be the next Starbucks, and finalists…
Read MoreHickory Tavern’s Growth Strategy Starts With its People
New brand president Tony Read believes better team member experiences lead to better guest experiences. When Artistry Restaurants acquired Hickory Tavern in early 2025, it wasn’t buying a turnaround project as much as it was inheriting a Carolina institution. For nearly three decades, the 20-unit chain has occupied a unique place in North and South…
Read MoreHow In-Store Audio Drives Restaurant Engagement
Restaurant operators have measured nearly every aspect of the customer journey. They track mobile app downloads, online ordering patterns, loyalty participation, email engagement, coupon redemption rates, customer sentiment, and social media interactions. Every digital touchpoint has become measurable, optimized, and increasingly personalized. Yet one important part of the guest experience inside the physical restaurant itself…
Read MoreWhat Planned 2026 Openings Reveal About Restaurant Size and Seating
Restaurant real estate is often described through one broad theme: smaller boxes, more off-premise capacity and fewer dining-room seats. Planned 2026 restaurant openings show a more varied market. Compact fast-casual and quick-service locations are expanding alongside casual/family and upscale restaurants built around substantially larger dining rooms. Planned 2026 location records do not point to one…
Read MoreIntermountain Food Equipment Makes Acquisition
The groups’ customers will have access to a test kitchen and training facility in Gilbert, Ariz., plus expanded product lines and more. Utah-based rep firm Intermountain Food Equipment acquired Arizona-based Power Rep Marketing Group, effective Aug. 1. The strategic move furthers its growth within MAFSI Region 20, and will result in expanded equipment lines, enhanced…
Read MoreEMR Names Taylor Rudolph Operations Manager
Rudolph joined the service company in 2021 and most recently served as assistant branch manager. Electric Motor Repair Co. has promoted Taylor Rudolph to operations manager. She joined the service company in 2021 and has moved through the ranks from service coordinator to assistant branch manager, and now operations manager. In her new role, Rudolph…
Read MoreCFESA Names Top Tech Throwdown Champions
Kyle Burkholder, of Clark Service Group, and Korney Sokol, of Duffy’s AIS, took home top honors. Following five regional competitions, CFESA has announced the national champions of its inaugural technician competition Top Tech Throwdown. The Hot Side Champion is Kyle Burkholder, of Clark Service Group, and the Cold Side Champion is Korney Sokol, of Duffy’s…
Read MoreAsbury Worldwide Launches Mercator™ and Merlin™, Expanding High-Value Equipment Solutions for Industry Partners
Weston, FL — August 5, 2026 — Asbury Worldwide, a global house of brands focused on delivering dependable, high-value equipment solutions, today announced the official launch of two new brands: Mercator™, serving the commercial foodservice equipment industry, and Merlin™, offering premium appliances for health-conscious consumers and modern kitchens. Backed by decades of global manufacturing expertise,…
Read MoreInside First Watch’s ‘spend more to earn more’ strategy
Despite increased marketing, food and development costs, the chain is seeing an uptick in sales, revenue and opportunities to reach new customers. For the past few years, First Watch has been on a growth tear. Not only is the breakfast chain opening restaurants at a rapid pace, but it also has posted same-store sales gains…
Read More
