The Food Institute Report articles from August 2008

The Food Institute Report archives from August 2008

Whole Foods-Wild Oats merger and the FTC: it ain't over till it's over.
August 4, 2008... Yogi Berra could not have said it better following last week's decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that reversed a District Court's decision in the matter of Whole Foods vs. the Federal Trade Commission,...

Current economic conditions take toll on casual dining.(bankrupcy cases of Metromedia Restaurant Group Inc. )(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... METROMEDIA RESTAURANT GROUP filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, resulting in the closing of nearly 200 BENNIGAN'S and STEAK AND ALE locations, as well as eliminating over 9,000 full and part time positions, according to The Wall Street Journal...

Restaurant sales growth kept pace with inflation in second quarter due to may sales peak.(Financial report)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... It looks like the economic stimulus checks issued by the U.S. government in May helped eating and drinking places keep pace with inflation better than food stores during the second quarter of 2008. During the second quarter of 2008,...

Consumers think restaurants lack green initiatives.(rank restaurant industry according to ecologically friendly practices)(Report)
August 4, 2008... Despite the industry's best efforts, consumers still rank restaurants at the bottom of their eco-friendly lists. "Greening" measures in the restaurant industry have become mainstream since being introduced decades ago, yet consumers do not see...

Kosher Vending expanding to meet consumer demand.(Report)
August 4, 2008... KOSHER VENDING INDUSTRIES (KVI), founded by Doron Fetman and Alan Cohnen, installed machines in over 100 locations the past two years and is looking to expand to meet increased demand by putting in more locations including high-volume amusement...

Organic food goes private label.(Incrising sales of organic private label offerings)(Report)
August 4, 2008... With sales increasing for private label items because money is tight for consumers, it is only logical that more retailers are increasing their organic private label offerings. Yet, while KROGER is rolling out more natural and organic products...

Pablo's Tacos.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... PABLO'S TACOS opened its second location in Muskegon, MI... MLive.com (July 12).

Italia Gardens Restaurant.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... ITALIA GARDENS RESTAURANT opened its third location in Flint, MI... MLive.com (July 13).

Wegmans.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... WEGMANS is opening a new 100,000-sq. ft. store in Henrietta, NY on Aug. 24... MPNnow.com (July 15).

Biggby Coffee.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... BIGGBY COFFEE opened its 100th location in Detroit, MI.

Pilot.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... PILOT opened a 10,860-sq. ft. convenience store, complete with a Subway restaurant in Winnemucca, NV... Convenience Store News (July 16).

Tesco's Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... TESCO'S FRESH & EASY NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET opened a store in South Los Angeles.

Daphne's Greek Cafe.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... DAPHNE'S GREEK CAFE will open two locations in Washington, one in late July and the other in the fall.

Potbelly Sandwich Works.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS opened its 200th restaurant in Reston, VA.

Nubi Yogurt.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... NUBI YOGURT opened its fourth outlet and first Northern California location in Millbrae.

Qdoba Mexican Grill.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL opened its fifth New York location in Manhattan.

Travelcenters of America LLC opened a remodeled Southington, CT location.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLC opened a remodeled Southington, CT location. The new food court includes a TACO BELL/PIZZA HUT EXPRESS combination and a POPEYES CHICKEN & BISCUITS.

Beyond Juice opened an 1,800-sq. ft. store in downtown Ann Arbor, MI and Olga's Kitchen is opening a 3,500-sq. ft. restaurant.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... BEYOND JUICE opened an 1,800-sq. ft. store in downtown Ann Arbor, MI and OLGA'S KITCHEN is opening a 3,500-sq. ft. restaurant in Ann Arbor, MI... MLive.com (July 18).

ZPizza.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... ZPIZZA is opening a 1,088-sq. ft. location in Hawaii... Pacific Business News (July 21).

Chuck E. Cheese.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... CHUCK E. CHEESE is opening a location in Fort Myers, FL... The News-Press... (July 21).

Papa Bello opened its first outlet outside of a Wal-Mart in Castle Rock, CO.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... PAPA BELLO opened its first outlet outside of a WAL-MART in Castle Rock, CO. The company also expanded its franchise business into South Carolina with the sale of an area rep agreement. The first location opened on July 21 in Wal-Mart, with an...

Supertarget.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... A SUPERTARGET opened in south Fort Myers, FL... The News-Press (July 23).

A Chester's restaurant opened in a Super Stop convenience store.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... A CHESTER'S restaurant opened in a SUPER STOP convenience store in Nederland, TX... CSP Daily News (July 18).

Meanwhile, a Chester's restaurant also opened inside a Sam's Mart convenience store.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... Meanwhile, a CHESTER'S restaurant also opened inside a SAM'S MART convenience store in Charlotte, NC... CSP Daily News (July 23).

Kroger will open a 113,000-sq. ft. MarketPlace store.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 4, 2008... KROGER will open a 113,000-sq. ft. MARKETPLACE store in Farragut, TN... Farragut Press (July 24).

Coffee market growing.(Report)
August 4, 2008... In 2007, total foodservice and retail sales of coffee was up 11% to $43.9 billion from 2006 in the U.S. The total market is forecasted to reach $59.4 billion by 2012, representing a 35% increase over 2007, according to PACKAGED FACTS' Coffee in...

Sales slow at chicken chains.(Report)(Company rankings)
August 4, 2008... Competition, management shuffling, and a tight economy caused a 4% drop in dinner traffic for quick service chicken, claims a study from the NPD GROUP, as reported in Nation's Restaurant News "Top 100 chains." The pressure is building on...

Sunflower Farmers Market.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
August 4, 2008... SUNFLOWER FARMERS MARKET is in the process of expanding from its current 14 stores to some 21 locations by the end of 2008. With 50 stores planned for five years from now, Sunflower targets consumers who want to eat healthy, natural foods, but...

Ogilvyaction.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
August 4, 2008... Only 39.4% of U.S. shoppers wait until they are in the store to decide what brand to buy; about 10% change their minds about brands in the store; 29% buy from categories they did not intend to buy from; and almost 20% leave a product they had...

The 75-unit Tasti D-Lite chain is forging deals to expand nationally and internationally with new store formats, additional flavors, and new products such as energy drinks and baked goods.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... The 75-unit TASTI D-LITE chain is forging deals to expand nationally and internationally with new store formats, additional flavors, and new products such as energy drinks and baked goods. The chain recently opened two stores in Seoul, with...

World Gourmet Marketing, LLC'S healthy snack line, Sensible Portions, will be carried in ShopRite Supermarkets.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
August 4, 2008... WORLD GOURMET MARKETING, LLC'S healthy snack line, Sensible Portions, will be carried in SHOPRITE SUPERMARKETS beginning in August and 7-ELEVEN, INC. stores beginning in September.

FMC Corporation of Philadelphia, a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial and consumer markets globally, entered into an agreement to acquire Coliving Food Ingredients, Guangzhou, China.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... FMC CORPORATION of Philadelphia, a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial and consumer markets globally, entered into an agreement to acquire COLIVING FOOD INGREDIENTS, Guangzhou, China. The acquisition will enhance FMC's...

Gate Gourmet entered into agreements to acquire Inflight Logistic Services (ILS), an Australian airline services firm.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... GATE GOURMET entered into agreements to acquire INFLIGHT LOGISTIC SERVICES (ILS), an Australian airline services firm. The transaction is expected to be completed within the next six weeks. ILS provides onboard catering and other retail...

Houchens Industries Inc., Bowling Green, KY, completed its acquisition of Tampico Beverages Inc.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
August 4, 2008... HOUCHENS INDUSTRIES INC., Bowling Green, KY, completed its acquisition of TAMPICO BEVERAGES INC., a Chicago-based producer of refrigerated juice drinks and a supplier of value-added juice drink concentrates. Tampico had retail sales exceeding...

McCormick & Company, Incorporated reported that the FTC granted conditional approval of McCormick's previously announced acquisition of the assets of Lawry's from Conopco, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Unilever N.V., for $604 million in cash.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... MCCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED reported that the FTC granted conditional approval of McCormick's previously announced acquisition of the assets of LAWRY'S from CONOPCO, INC., an indirect subsidiary of UNILEVER N.V., for $604 million in cash....

Sodexo signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Score Groupe, an independent provider of foodservices in France, from Abenex Capital, an independent private equity firm.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... SODEXO signed an agreement to acquire 100% of SCORE GROUPE, an independent provider of foodservices in France, from ABENEX CAPITAL, an independent private equity firm. Sodexo, a world leader in food and facilities management services with world...

Unilever signed a definitive agreement to sell its North American laundry business in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico to Vestar Capital Partners, a New York-based private equity firm.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... UNILEVER signed a definitive agreement to sell its North American laundry business in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico to VESTAR CAPITAL PARTNERS, a New York-based private equity firm. Vestar plans to merge the business with its existing...

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company is in talks to buy Socib Spa.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
August 4, 2008... COCA-COLA HELLENIC BOTTLING COMPANY is in talks to buy SOCIB SPA, an Italian bottler of Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Sprite drinks, with four plants and its own distribution network, sources stated... Reuters (July 28)

Latest financial reports (000 omitted).(Statistical table)(Financial report)
August 4, 2008... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 OMITTED) Current % Change Year Year Ago ALBERTO-CULVER CO. (MELROSE PARK, IL) Qtr. To Mar. 31: Sales ...

Government agencies can increase support in case of pandemic.(WASHINGTON)
August 4, 2008... In an attempt to assess the strength of U.S. pandemic planning, the GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO) was recently asked to 1) describe how selected states and localities are planning for an influenza pandemic and who they involved, 2)...

FTC: Marketing Food to Children and Adolescents reviewed.(WASHINGTON)(Federal Trade Commission)(Report)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... In 2006, some 44 major food and beverage marketers spent $1.6 billion to promote their products to children under 12 and adolescents ages 12 to 17 in the U.S., according FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION'S Marketing Food to Children and Adolescents: A...

FDA issues small entity compliance guide regarding nutrient terms.(WASHINGTON)(United States. Food and Drug Administration)
August 4, 2008... FDA recently announced the availability of a Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG) explaining appropriate use of the terms "high potency" and "antioxidant" in nutrient content claims for dietary supplements and conventional foods, according to...

House Committee holds meeting on hunger in America.(WASHINGTON)
August 4, 2008... On July 23, the House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing to review the short- and long-term costs of hunger in America, according to THE FOOD INSTITUTE'S counsel...

FDA issues warning letters.(WASHINGTON)
August 4, 2008... Muleshoe, TX-based J & S DAIRY FARM INC. was issued a warning letter on June 20, 2008 by FDA after an investigation of the company's dairy operation on Mar. 18 and 19, 2008. The investigation confirmed that the company offered a dairy cow for...

Food product recalls reported.(WASHINGTON)
August 4, 2008... Approximately 1,560-lbs. of beef cheek products are being recalled by BEEF PACKERS, INC., Fresno, CA. The products were distributed in California. The firm initiated recall began July 23, 2008, and is ongoing. Reason For Recall: "The products...

Orthodox Union Kosher alert.(WASHINGTON)
August 4, 2008... Jumbo Glazed Donuts, manufactured by ANNETTE'S DONUTS, is mislabeled. The product contains dairy ingredients as listed on the ingredient panel but the dairy designation was inadvertently omitted. Jewel Cut Spinach, manufactured by...

Produce.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
August 4, 2008... USDA OFFERS TO BUY FRESH PRODUCE * Shipments between Sept. 1 - Dec. 31, 2008 * Case Size Cases Fresh Apples Tray Pack 16,632 Fresh Oranges 34-39-lb. 23,598...

Canned vegetables.(MARKETS)
August 4, 2008... ASPARAGUS--Foodservice prices of 6/10 canned asparagus are between $39.50-$39.70, f.o.b. Midwest. Private label prices of 24/300 cases are between $21.40-$21.60, f.o.b. Midwest. BEETS--Foodservice 6/10 cases are between $16.00-$16.25,...

Tomato products.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
August 4, 2008... TOMATO PRODUCT IMPORTS MARKETING YEAR 2007/08 JUNE 1-JUNE 1 Pounds % Chg. (1,000) Last Yr. Sauce, Containers 1.4 kg or more Canda 7,588 -27.6%...

Frozen vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
August 4, 2008... SELECTED FROZEN VEGETABLE IMPORTS JAN. 1 - JUNE 1, 2008 Pounds % Chg. Dollars % Chg. (1,000) Last Yr. ($1,000) Last Yr. Peas 26,436 ...

Canned fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
August 4, 2008... USDA OFFERS TO BUY CANNED FRUIT * Deliveries between Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, 2008 * Case Size No. Cases Canned Apple Slices 6/10 178,078 Canned...

Processed fish.(MARKETS)
August 4, 2008... CATFISH--Commercial catfish operations in the four major producing States (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi) had 279 million foodsize fish on hand on July 1, 2008, up 7% from the July 1, 2007 total of 260 million foodsize fish. The...

Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
August 4, 2008... USDA OFFERS TO BUY DRIED VEGETABLES * Shipments between Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 2008* Case Size Cases Dehydrated Potatoes 12/1-lb. 117,500 Dry Blackeye Beans 12/2-lb. ...

Dried fruits & nuts.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
August 4, 2008... U.S. IMPORTS OF NUTS AND NUTMEATS, JAN. 1-JUNE 1, 2008 Pounds % Chge. (1,000) Last Yr. Coconuts, Desiccated 24,084 -31.0% Philippines 22,403 ...

Frozen fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
August 4, 2008... U.S. IMPORTS OF SELECTED FROZEN FRUITS, JAN. 1 - JUNE 1, 2008 % Pounds % Chge. Dollars Chge. (1,000) ...

Juices & concentrates.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
August 4, 2008... ORANGE JUICE--Imports of FCOJ as of June 1 totaled 27.6 million concentrate gallons, an increase of 5% over last year. Value of FCOJ imports were down from last year to total $171.6 million, a 3% decrease for the same time last year. FCOJ...

Butter.(MARKETS)
August 4, 2008... BUTTER MARKET, JULY 30 Cents Per Pound: 7/30/08 7/24/08 Chge. Grade AA 1.54 1.54 N.C.

Cheese.(MARKETS)
August 4, 2008... CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET JULY 30 Cents Per Pound: 7/30/08 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 1.6500 -0.2800 Blocks (40-lbs.) 1.9700 -0.1125

Eggs.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS July 31 Wk. Ending Wk. Ending Cents per dozen: 31-Jul 24-Jul Chge. Extra Large-NY 105-109 95-99 10 Large-NY 103-107 93-97 10...

Chicken.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF JULY 25 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 74-77 79-82 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too Few Too Few Los...

Futures prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... FUTURES PRICES Cash August December As of July 30, 2008: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $5.52 6.02 (Sept) $6.21 Soybeans, bu....

Commodity prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
August 4, 2008... COMMODITY PRICES Week Week Ended Ended 30-Jul 23-Jul Steers, Tex.-Okl. avg. cwt. ...

Economic downturn hurts Whole Foods.(Whole Foods Market Inc.)(Financial report)
August 11, 2008... Proving that even high-end food retailers are far from immune to the struggling U.S. economy, the 272-unit Whole Foods Market supermarket chain saw its comparable store sales rise just 2.6% in the 12 weeks ended July 6, and identical store...

Processors challenge packagers to get eco-friendly.
August 11, 2008... Packaging manufacturers are bending over backwards to satisfy processors' demands for environmentally friendly, sustainable containers and cartons, and are deploying new materials, improved designs and greater scientific innovation in doing so....

Companies maintain media spending despite higher food costs: report.(Statistical table)
August 11, 2008... Food companies, such as KRAFT, GENERAL MILLS, and KELLOGG, are not decreasing their advertising budgets to reduce the impact of higher food and energy prices, according to BRANDWEEK'S 2008 Superbrands report. In fact, companies realize that in...

Baskin-Robbins expands through franchises.
August 11, 2008... In 2007, many top restaurant chains grew their sales through signing more franchisees, instead of relying on same-store sales increase, according to TECHNOMIC. In the current market, "expansion through franchising transfers some of the downside...

Foodservice operators offer lighter options.
August 11, 2008... In response to New York City's recent law requiring chain restaurants to post calorie counts on menus, some operators are introducing lighter fare, according to The Wall Street Journal (July 29). COSI, for example, switched to low-fat mayo,...

Sandwich sales on the rise.
August 11, 2008... Most of the restaurant industry is suffering a downturn, with sales showing a steady four-month decline, according to a report from the NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION. However, Fast Casual and Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) are not only...

Mix It Up!(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 11, 2008... MIX IT UP! opened in West Chester Township, OH... The Cincinnati Enquirer (July 24)...

D'Agostino.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 11, 2008... D'AGOSTINO is reopening its remodeled Rye Brook, NY store... Progressive Grocer (July 25)...

Rutter's Farm Store.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 11, 2008... RUTTER'S FARM STORE reopened a newly renovated 5,200-sq. ft. unit in York, PA... York Daily Record (July 25)...

Papa Murphy's.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 11, 2008... PAPA MURPHY'S is opening its seventh Yakima Valley location next month... The Yakima Herald-Republic (July 28)...

Fresh Seasons.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 11, 2008... Independent operator FRESH SEASONS is planning to open its second location, a 25,000-sq. ft. unit in Victoria, MN... Supermarket News (July 29)...

Little Caesars.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 11, 2008... LITTLE CAESARS opened a store in Aiea, HI...

Costco.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 11, 2008... COSTCO is reportedly opening its first store in Manhattan, NY on the Upper West Side... wcbstv.com (July 30)...

Sonoma Chicken Coop.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 11, 2008... SONOMA CHICKEN COOP will open its first East Coast restaurants in northern New Jersey... The Record (July 31)...

Kum & Go, LC.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 11, 2008... KUM & GO, LC opened a new 3,400-sq. ft. convenience store in Omaha, NE...

Whole Foods Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 11, 2008... WHOLE FOODS MARKET is relocating its store in Rochester Hills, CA to a new 55,000-sq. ft. location that will open in early August... The Oakland Press (Aug. 4)...

Whole Foods.(NEW STORE NEWS)
August 11, 2008... WHOLE FOODS signed a lease to open its eighth New York City store on the East Side... Crain's New York Business (Aug. 5).

The power of cheese's versatility.
August 11, 2008... As consumers look to cut back on spending, the cheese industry is making even its basic items more affordable, according to Private Label. Both premium and economy brands are pushing their processed cheese in shredded and deli sliced forms....

Pabst Brewing Co.(BEVERAGE BRIEFS)(Brief article)
August 11, 2008... Schlitz beer is back on shelves in bottles of its original formula after decades of dormancy. Schlitz owner, PABST BREWING CO., is recreating the old formula, using notes and interviews with old brew masters to concoct the pilsner again. In...

Coca-Cola Co.(BEVERAGE BRIEFS)(Brief article)
August 11, 2008... COCA-COLA CO. plans to expand locally run distribution centers in Africa by up to 2,000 over the next three years, an effort executives say would help the company secure hard-to-reach markets. The centers will be established in Nigeria,...

Cody's Convenience Stores.(BEVERAGE BRIEFS)(Brief article)
August 11, 2008... The alternative beverage category is growing, as consumers demand more variety and healthier options. As a result, the packaged beverage department is changing as the market shifts from traditional carbonated soft drinks toward other segments,...

Starbucks Corp.(BEVERAGE BRIEFS)(Brief article)
August 11, 2008... STARBUCKS CORP. is offering its morning customers any iced grande beverage for $2 after 2 p.m. through Sept. 2. To get the discount, customers must present a receipt from their morning visit. The promotion was previously only offered in...