The Food Institute Report articles from July 2008

The Food Institute Report archives from July 2008

Campbell to grow domestically and internationally.(Campbell Soup Co.)(Wolfgang Puck Worldwide Inc.)
July 7, 2008... Campbell Soup Company acquired the WOLFGANG PUCK soup business, with sales of approximately $22 million, from COUNTRY GOURMET FOODS. The Wolfgang Puck business features three main product lines: original "red label" ready-to-serve soups,...

Commitment to fair trade, sustainability challenged.
July 7, 2008... Going Green and Fair Trade are two related trends, each with a great deal of momentum behind it, but apparently there are skeptics as to just how strong the forward motion actually is or if they are going off in the wrong direction. Fair Trade...

Healthier adults have their children eating better, too.
July 7, 2008... As adults increasingly eat healthier, so does their desire to provide healthy food for their children. Organic consumption by adults is increasing, and they are buying similar products for their children as well, reported Food Business News...

Jelly Belly gains ground as industry remains stagnant.(Jelly Belly Candy Co.)
July 7, 2008... Despite the sluggish $29.1 billion candy industry, The Jelly Belly Candy Company is seeing success in almost every jelly bean it produces, about 300,000-lbs. a day to be exact. The company saw a 25% increase in sales since 2006, with current...

Fast food leads in consumption, fast-casual leads in industry.
July 7, 2008... In Research International USA's study "Fast Food Nation 2008: A Consumer Perspective of the Fast Food Industry," it is stated that the fast food industry appears to be one of the few food sectors that will remain profitable, even during the...

Consumers look for value.(Survey)
July 7, 2008... Restaurants must offer value and low prices in order to attract consumer spending fueled by federal stimulus checks, according to both operators and industry observers, reported Nation's Restaurant News (June 2). Businesses' biggest competitor...

Summer drinks refresh restaurant beverage sales.
July 7, 2008... Older drinks are making a comeback, according to Restaurants & Institutions, as they are often "bottom-line friendly and a lot less time- and labor-intensive," something important in the recent tough economic time (June). In Chicago's SCOOZI...

Moonstruck Chocolate Co. opened its first Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe in New Jersey in Short Hills.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 7, 2008... MOONSTRUCK CHOCOLATE CO. opened its first MOONSTRUCK CHOCOLATE CAFE in New Jersey in Short Hills. It is the company's third location on the East Coast and 14th U.S. store.

BJ's Restaurant.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 7, 2008... BJ'S RESTAURANT opened its 73rd restaurant in Torrance, CA.

Bruster's Real Ice Cream and Nathan's Famous Corporation will open a joint location in Erlanger, KY that has a walk-up window and a small dining room with seating for about 20.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 7, 2008... BRUSTER'S REAL ICE CREAM and NATHAN'S FAMOUS CORPORATION will open a joint location in Erlanger, KY that has a walk-up window and a small dining room with seating for about 20. Another BRUSTER'S REAL ICE CREAM is scheduled to open in Hebron, KY...

Quick Chek.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 7, 2008... QUICK CHEK opened a 5,000-sq. ft. unit in Hillsborough, NJ... CSP Daily News (June 25).

Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 7, 2008... FRESH & EASY NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET opened its 62nd store in Manhattan Beach, CA... Retailing Today (June 25).

Price Chopper.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 7, 2008... PRICE CHOPPER plans to open a 56,000-sq. ft. store in Warwick, NY. It will be one of the first stores in the country to meet the U.S. Green Building Council's eco-friendly standards... The Times-Herald Record (June 25).

Planet Wings and Edible Arrangements will open in Carlstadt.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 7, 2008... PLANET WINGS and EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS will open in Carlstadt, NJ this summer... The Record (June 26).

Bonefish Grill.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 7, 2008... BONEFISH GRILL opened in Newtown Square, PA... The Philadelphia Inquirer (June 26).

Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 7, 2008... ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS INC. opened its third South Carolina restaurant in Myrtle Beach. The company also opened a 5,820-sq. ft. restaurant in Morgan Hill, CA. It is the company's 63rd restaurant in the state.

Lamar's Donuts and Dunn Bros Coffee will open their first co-branded location in Omaha.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 7, 2008... LAMAR'S DONUTS and DUNN BROS COFFEE will open their first co-branded location in Omaha, NE on July 31.

Appalachian Oil Company, a unit of Richardson, TX-based Titan Global Holdings, Inc., reached an agreement to acquire two additional convenience and fuel distribution locations in Virginia.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... APPALACHIAN OIL COMPANY, a unit of Richardson, TX-based TITAN GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC., reached an agreement to acquire two additional convenience and fuel distribution locations in Virginia. The acquisitions raise the total number of convenience...

Brigham's Ice Cream Inc., Arlington, MA, agreed to sell its product lines to a subsidiary of Lynnfield, MA-based HP Hood LLC.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... BRIGHAM'S ICE CREAM INC., Arlington, MA, agreed to sell its product lines to a subsidiary of Lynnfield, MA-based HP HOOD LLC. Hood will acquire the Brigham's brand name and all products, proprietary flavors and recipes. In a separate deal,...

Bunge Limited, a global agribusiness and food company based in White Plains, NY, agreed to acquire the international sugar trading and marketing division of London-based Tate & Lyle PLC.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
July 7, 2008... BUNGE LIMITED, a global agribusiness and food company based in White Plains, NY, agreed to acquire the international sugar trading and marketing division of London-based TATE & LYLE PLC, expanding its international trading and marketing...

Dineequity, Inc., Glendale, CA-based franchisor and operator of Applebee's and IHOP restaurants.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
July 7, 2008... DINEEQUITY, INC., Glendale, CA-based franchisor and operator of APPLEBEE'S and IHOP restaurants, completed the sale of 26 company-operated Applebee's restaurants in Southern California to APPLE AMERICAN GROUP LLC, generating approximately $27...

Independent Brewers United, Inc., the parent of Burlington, VT-based Magic Hat Brewing Company & Performing Arts Center, Inc., and Pyramid Breweries Inc. announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement that contemplates, among other things, a tender offer to purchase all of Pyramid's outstanding common stock for $2.75 per share in cash, or approximately $25.7 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... INDEPENDENT BREWERS UNITED, INC., the parent of Burlington, VT-based MAGIC HAT BREWING COMPANY & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, INC., and PYRAMID BREWERIES INC. announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement that contemplates, among other...

The Kellogg Company, Battlecreek, MI, acquired substantially all of the assets of Zhenghang Food Company Ltd., (Navigable Foods) a manufacturer of cookies and crackers in China.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... THE KELLOGG COMPANY, Battlecreek, MI, acquired substantially all of the assets of ZHENGHANG FOOD COMPANY LTD., (NAVIGABLE FOODS) a manufacturer of cookies and crackers in China. Navigable Foods' 2007 net sales were approximately US$50 million....

Kraft Foods Inc. began its exchange offer related to the split-off transaction of its post cereals business.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Ralcorp Holdings Inc.)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... KRAFT FOODS INC. began its exchange offer related to the split-off transaction of its POST cereals business. The split-off transaction is in connection with the merger of CABLE HOLDCO, INC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kraft that will own...

MGL Asset Management Group LLC, a Charlotte, NC-based private equity group, offered to buy Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
July 7, 2008... MGL ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP LLC, a Charlotte, NC-based private equity group, offered to buy KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS INC., Winston-Salem, NC, for more than $477.5 million... Forbes (July 1)

Sabmiller PLC and Molson Coors Brewing Company closed on the transaction to combine their U.S. and Puerto Rico operations to create Millercoors, which began operating as a combined entity on July 1.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
July 7, 2008... SABMILLER PLC and MOLSON COORS BREWING COMPANY closed on the transaction to combine their U.S. and Puerto Rico operations to create MILLERCOORS, which began operating as a combined entity on July 1. For prior news, see FOOD INSTITUTE REPORT...

Smithfield Foods, Inc., Smithfield, VA, announced that Groupe Smithfield Holdings, S.L., its 50/50 joint venture with funds controlled by Oaktree Capital Management LLC, agreed to merge with Campofrio Alimentacion, S.A., a processed meats company in Spain.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC., Smithfield, VA, announced that GROUPE SMITHFIELD HOLDINGS, S.L., its 50/50 joint venture with funds controlled by OAKTREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC, agreed to merge with CAMPOFRIO ALIMENTACION, S.A., a processed meats...

Separately, Smithfield Foods, Inc. entered into an agreement with Cofco Limited for the sale of 4.95% of its common stock.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
July 7, 2008... Separately, SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC. entered into an agreement with COFCO LIMITED for the sale of 4.95% of its common stock. COFCO Limited is owned by the government of the People's Republic of China and is an agricultural trading and processing...

Tyson Foods, Inc., Springdale, AR, signed a letter of intent to sell the packing, feedyard and fertilizer assets of Brooks, Alberta-based Lakeside Farm Industries Ltd and its subsidiary Lakeside Packers, to XL Foods Inc., a Canadian-owned beef processing business, in a C$107 million transaction.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... TYSON FOODS, INC., Springdale, AR, signed a letter of intent to sell the packing, feedyard and fertilizer assets of Brooks, Alberta-based LAKESIDE FARM INDUSTRIES LTD and its subsidiary LAKESIDE PACKERS, to XL FOODS INC., a Canadian-owned beef...

In other news, Tyson Foods, Inc. purchased 51% ownership of Godrej Foods, Ltd., a Mumbai-based subsidiary of Godrej Agrovet, Ltd., one of India's leading agribusinesses.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... In other news, TYSON FOODS, INC. purchased 51% ownership of GODREJ FOODS, LTD., a Mumbai-based subsidiary of GODREJ AGROVET, LTD., one of India's leading agribusinesses. The joint venture between Godrej Agrovet and Tyson will be called GODREJ...

Widmer Brothers Brewing Company, Portland, OR, and Redhook Ale Brewery, Incorporated, Woodinville, WA, completed their merger, renaming the combined company Craft Brewers Alliance, Inc.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... WIDMER BROTHERS BREWING COMPANY, Portland, OR, and REDHOOK ALE BREWERY, INCORPORATED, Woodinville, WA, completed their merger, renaming the combined company CRAFT BREWERS ALLIANCE, INC. The merger resulted in existing Widmer Brothers and...

Ahold completed the sale of its 73.2% interest in Schuitema N.V.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
July 7, 2008... AHOLD completed the sale of its 73.2% interest in SCHUITEMA N.V. to private equity firm CVC CAPITAL PARTNERS.

Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. completed a transaction with The Coca-Cola Company to acquire its Refrigerantes Minas Gerais Ltda.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
July 7, 2008... COCA-COLA FEMSA, S.A.B. DE C.V. completed a transaction with THE COCA-COLA COMPANY to acquire its REFRIGERANTES MINAS GERAIS LTDA. franchise territory in Brazil, in a transaction valued at $364.1 million.

New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra and National Foods held talks about a possible joint bid for Australia's Dairy Farmers.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
July 7, 2008... New Zealand dairy cooperative FONTERRA and NATIONAL FOODS held talks about a possible joint bid for Australia's DAIRY FARMERS, which is valued at up to $961.5 million, claims a source familiar with the situation... Reuters (June 27)

Mars-Wrigley merger forces Hershey Co. to re-evaluate.(Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.)
July 7, 2008... With a looming merger of Mars and Wrigley on the horizon, HERSHEY is starting to re-think its business plan. But as The Wall Street Journal (June 18) asks: "Can Hershey survive candy wars?" Hershey explained that it was planning to change its...

Latest financial reports (000 omitted).(Statistical table)(Financial report)
July 7, 2008... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 OMITTED) Current % Change Year Year Ago CASTLE BRANDS INC. (NEW YORK, NY) Year To Mar. 31: Sales ...

FTC addresses alcohol advertising.(WASHINGTON)(Federal Trade Commission)
July 7, 2008... Underage alcohol use is a widespread problem with significant health and safety consequences. In 2007, 16% of eight graders, 33% of tenth graders and 44% of twelfth graders reported drinking in the past thirty days. Moreover in the U.S.,...

Inspection in the spotlight as salmonella spreads.(WASHINGTON)(Food and Drug Administration)
July 7, 2008... U.S. food safety inspectors are struggling with increasing volumes of imports at the country's 300 ports of entry, reported The Dallas Morning News (June 30). For example, at a busy inspection station in Laredo, TX, CUSTOMS AND BORDER...

The House Appropriations Committee approved $780,000 for research on Colony Collapse Disorder and $10 million for bee research.(YOU SHOULD KNOW)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE approved $780,000 for research on Colony Collapse Disorder and $10 million for bee research. Farmers and businessmen told the House Agriculture subcommittee that food prices could rise even more unless the...

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) filed separate lawsuits against the Ohio Department of Agriculture.(YOU SHOULD KNOW)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... THE ORGANIC TRADE ASSOCIATION (OTA) and the INTERNATIONAL DAIRY FOODS ASSOCIATION (IDFA) filed separate lawsuits against the OHIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. However, both trade groups are suing over a new state rule that reportedly restricts...

Agricultural Research Service.(YOU SHOULD KNOW)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE scientists developed a hide-washing tool that significantly improved the safety of U.S. beef while saving the industry millions of dollars each year. An estimated 50% of U.S. feedlot-raised beef cattle undergo the...

FDA issues warning letters.(WASHINGTON)(Food and Drug Administration)(Green's Fresh Fruit Salad Corporation)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... Rotterdam, NY-based GOLUB CORPORATION was issued a warning letter on May 27, 2008 by FDA after an investigation of the company's seafood processing facility on Feb. 26 and 27, 2008. The investigation found serious violations of the seafood...

Food product recalls reported.(WASHINGTON)(Paradise Locker Meats, Inc.)
July 7, 2008... Approximately 120-lbs. of fresh cattle heads are being recalled by PARADISE LOCKER MEATS, Trimble, MO. The products were distributed in Kansas. The firm initiated recall began on June 26, 2008, and is ongoing. Reason For Recall: "The tonsils...

DELLMART & Company.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)
July 7, 2008... DELLMART & Company is a general management consulting firm assisting Manufacturers, Retailers, Wholesalers and Distributors in strategy, organization, operations, logistics, marketing/merchandising and technology. Stamford, CT-based DELLMART...

Old Fashioned Kitchen, Inc.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Lakewood, NJ, Old Fashioned Kitchen is the world's leading producer of frozen blintzes, potato pancakes and crepes, and is home to the GOLDEN brand of Kosher products. Old Fashioned Kitchen products are...

Little Crow Foods.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... Now in the fourth generation of family ownership, Warsaw, IN-based Little Crow Foods still believes in building long-term relationships with their customers and consumers by providing quality, taste and value in every package opened. For over a...

Market Day.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... Market Day's mission is raising funds for education and since its inception 30 years ago has raised over $350 million for America's schools. Itasca, IL-based Market Day offers a Family of Fundraisers, including its flagship monthly food program...

S. Kamberg & Company Ltd.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... Founded by Stephen Kamberg in 1965, S. Kamberg & Company Ltd. has become one of the leading food ingredient brokers in the Northeast. S. Kamberg concentrates its efforts by working with food processors in the Baking, Confectionery, Candy and...

Produce.(MARKETS)
July 7, 2008... HIGHLIGHTS--Rain returned to the Midwest, although excessive totals were confined to scattered locations in the Ohio and mid-Mississippi Valleys. Nevertheless, Midwestern showers hampered efforts to complete summer-crop planting and locally...

Canned vegetables.(MARKETS)
July 7, 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)
July 7, 2008... TOMATO PRODUCT IMPORTS MARKETING YEAR 2007/08 JUNE 1-MAY 1 Pounds % Chg. (1,000) Last Yr. Sauce, Containers 1.4 kg or more Canda 6,277 ...

Frozen vegetables.(MARKETS)
July 7, 2008... ASPARAGUS--Foodservice 6/2.5-lb. cuts are priced between $1.90-2.00, and 6/2.5-lb. spears are around $2.75, f.o.b. Northwest. Retail spears in 12/12-oz. poly bags are between $18.65-18.75, f.o.b. Northwest. BROCCOLI--Foodservice packs of...

Canned fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
July 7, 2008... SELECTED U.S. EXPORTS OF CANNED FRUIT JAN. 1-MAY 1, 2008 % Pounds Chge. (1,000) Last Yr. Citrus, NESOI ...

NMFS implemented approved measures contained in Amendment 9 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.(IN THE NEWS ...)(National Marine Fisheries Service)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... NMFS implemented approved measures contained in Amendment 9 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. Amendment 9 establishes multi-year specifications for all four species managed under the Fishery Management...

Processed fish.(MARKETS)
July 7, 2008... TUNA--Skipjack raw material sales are currently priced around $1950 per metric ton and there has been talk among packers about prices as high as $2000. The yellowfin percentage of the catch has been in decline and prices are starting to...

Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)
July 7, 2008... SELECTED IMPORTS OF DRIED VEGETABLES JAN. 1-MAY 1, 2008 Pounds % Chg. Dollars % Chg. (1,000) Last Yr. ($1,000) Last Yr. Onion Powder 1,297 ...

Dried fruits & nuts.(MARKETS)
July 7, 2008... ALMONDS--California's 2008 almond production is forecast at a record 1.50 billion meat pounds, up 3% from May's subjective forecast and 8% above last year's crop. The forecast is based on 660 thousand bearing acres. Production for the Nonpareil...

Frozen fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
July 7, 2008... U.S. IMPORTS OF SELECTED FROZEN FRUITS, JAN. 1 - MAY 1, 2008 % Pounds % Chge. Dollars Chge. (1,000) ...

Juices & concentrates.(MARKETS)
July 7, 2008... ORANGE JUICE--Orange Juice prices out of Florida are currently at $1.35 per pound solid, whereas juice from Mexico is closer to $1.30 per pound solid. GRAPEFRUIT--Prices of 58 Brix pink grapefruit juice concentrate prices remain firm and...

Cereals & grains.(MARKETS)(farm stocks)(Statistical data)
July 7, 2008... Despite the recent flooding in the Midwest, U.S. farmers expect to harvest nearly 79 million acres of corn and more than 72 million acres of soybeans in 2008, according to the Acreage Report released by NASS. The report shows U.S. farmers...

Farm prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
July 7, 2008... WHAT FARMERS WERE PAID FOR FARM PRODUCTS--JUNE % Chg. % Chg. Commodity & Unit June Last Mo. Last Yr. Beans, Dry Edible, Cwt. 38.600 8.1% ...

Butter.(MARKETS)
July 7, 2008... BUTTER MARKET, JULY 2 Cents Per Pound: 7/2/2008 6/26/08 Chge. Grade AA 1.55 1.55 N.C.

Cheese.(MARKETS)
July 7, 2008... CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET JULY 2 Cents Per Pound: 7/2/2008 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 1.8775 -0.0025 Blocks (40-lbs.) 1.9225 -0.0025

Eggs.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS JULY 2 Wk. Ending Wk. Ending Cents per dozen: 2-Jul 26-Jun Chge. Extra Large-NY 122-126 131-135 9 Large-NY 120-124 ...

Chicken.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
July 7, 2008... PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF JUNE 27 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 76-79 76-79 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too Few Too Few Los...

Futures prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... FUTURES PRICES Cash July September As of July 2, 2008: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $7.03 $7.49 $7.61 Soybeans, bu. $16.15 ...

Commodity prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... COMMODITY PRICES Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last 2-Jul 26-Jun Year Steers,...

USDA will spend more on processing fruits & vegetables.(United States. Department of Agriculture)(United States. Food and Nutrition Service)
July 14, 2008... As a result of the Farm Bill being approved by Congress on June 18, substantial amounts of additional funding for the procurement of fruits, vegetable, and specialty crops for Federal nutrition programs were provided. The Farm Bill increased...

Food costs impacting child nutrition programs.(WASHINGTON)
July 14, 2008... Two significant events occurred last week regarding child nutrition: The House Committee on Education and Labor held a hearing entitled, "The Rising Cost of Food and Its Impact on Federal Child Nutrition Programs," featuring witnesses from...

NRF names top 100 retailers.(National Retail Federation )(Statistical data)
July 14, 2008... WAL-MART is once again the No. 1 retailer on STORES magazine's annual Top 100 Retailers List, a position it has maintained since the publication, put out by the National Retail Federation (NRF), began compiling the list in 1991. The list...

Top 400 chains reveal that consumers demand value.(Statistical data)
July 14, 2008... The top 400 food chain-restaurant brands were ranked in the 2008 Restaurants & Institutions Top 400 Chains, which was based on 2007 sales, as well as the strength of the brand, not of the company. Aggregate systemwide sales for this year's 400...

Shoppers willing to pay more for locally produced foods: study.
July 14, 2008... The average shopper is willing to pay more for food they consider to be locally produced, suggests recent research. This in turn creates an attractive option for farmers to start selling their products at farmers markets for greater revenue...

Companies attempt to make money off their garbage.
July 14, 2008... A growing number of companies are becoming more interested in reducing their environmental impact. Taping into this new market is Trenton, NJ-based TERRACYCLE INC., makers of organic fertilizer, who is now signing deals with companies like...

Desserts get healthier.
July 14, 2008... In an effort to deal with the never-ending dessert dilemma--indulgence vs. better for you, more companies are meeting consumers halfway with healthier new products designed for portion control, according to Frozen Food Age (May). "Our research...

The Cheesecake Factory.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 14, 2008... THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY opened its 142nd and 143rd restaurants in Allen, TX and Columbus, OH...

Kum & Go LC.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 14, 2008... KUM & GO LC opened a 3,400-sq. ft. convenience store in Craig, CO... CSP Daily News (July 1)...

Pinkberry.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 14, 2008... PINKBERRY opened its 59th location in San Diego, CA. A second location in the city will open in Hillcrest later this summer...

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 14, 2008... RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC. opened a 5,820-sq. ft. restaurant in Morgan Hill, CA. It is the company's 63rd restaurant in the state. The company will open its third Kentucky restaurant in Louisville on July 14 and its fifth Massachusetts...

Famous Uncle Al's Hot Dogs & Grille, Inc. will open a Famous Uncle Al's Dogs & Grille restaurant in Norfolk, VA on July 8.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
July 14, 2008... FAMOUS UNCLE AL'S HOT DOGS & GRILLE, INC. will open a FAMOUS UNCLE AL'S DOGS & GRILLE restaurant in Norfolk, VA on July 8. Six original Famous Uncle Al's Hot Dogs and three franchised Famous Uncle Al's Hot Dogs & Grille restaurants operate in...

Town & Country Convenience Store.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 14, 2008... A TOWN & COUNTRY CONVENIENCE STORE will open in Andrews, TX... CBS 7 West Texas (July 2)...

Granite City Food & Brewery Ltd.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 14, 2008... GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY LTD. will open its 28th location and first Michigan outlet in Troy... Crain's Detroit Business (July 2)...

Au Bon Pain.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 14, 2008... AU BON PAIN will open in Philadelphia... The Philadelphia Inquirer (July 3)...

Sunflower Farmers Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 14, 2008... SUNFLOWER FARMERS MARKET will open a store in Old East Dallas, TX next year... The Dallas Morning News (July 7)...

Whole Foods Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)
July 14, 2008... WHOLE FOODS MARKET will open a 69,000-sq. ft. unit in Manhattan, NY... Supermarket News (July 8)...