The Food Institute Report articles from June 2008

The Food Institute Report archives from June 2008

Real sales report: inflation negatively impacting restaurants more than supermarkets.(Statistical table)
June 2, 2008... In our first look in 2008 at so-called "real" (deflated) sales at the nation's grocery stores and eating & drinking places, it is apparent that higher prices have had a substantial impact. In addition, downward revisions in sales data from the...

Student learning service program rolled out.
June 2, 2008... THE FOOD INSTITUTE and THE NATIONAL GROCERS ASSOCIATION (N.G.A.), in cooperation with KRAFT FOODS, launched the Student Learning Service, a program designed to assist students pursuing a food industry career. The Student Learning Service will...

Frozen yogurt makes a comeback.(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... Despite declining sales of frozen yogurt between 1998 and 2003, and the demise of the industry's first wave of popularity during the 1980s, the once popular desert is being reenergized thanks to several new brands including BERRY CHILL, SNO:LA...

Safeway, Wal-Mart following Tesco's small-store lead.
June 2, 2008... Safeway Stores Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. are testing out small-store grocery formats to rival FRESH & EASY NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET, pioneered by Tesco. "Both ventures look to be in direct competition with Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, the...

Consumers craving more variety in their sandwiches.(Survey)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... Consumers are looking for a greater variety from limited and full service restaurants when it comes to sandwiches. In a survey of over 1,500 consumers, over one third of those eating at limited service restaurants and 51% of those eating at...

Dunkin' Donuts expands nationally.(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... Dunkin' Donuts is in the process of expanding nationally by increasing its franchise locations throughout the U.S. The company is planning to open more than 142 new units in Alabama over the next several years. Target markets include:...

Heinz plans for future.(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... In fiscal 2008, H.J. Heinz Company annual sales exceed $10 billion, driven by 14% growth in Heinz branded products, 26% growth in Weight Watchers and Weight Watchers Smart Ones brands and 25% growth in emerging markets. The company's growth...

Quick Chek.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... QUICK CHEK will opened a 7,260-sq. ft. prototype store in Lake Katrine, NY that includes a coffee bar, sub shop, soup bar, and bakery items made fresh daily... Progressive Grocer (May 13).

Whole Foods.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... WHOLE FOODS opened a store in Medford, MA. The location features a burrito bar... Medford Transcript (May 12).

Whole Foods Market will open a store in a converted Minyard supermarket in Dallas, TX.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... WHOLE FOODS MARKET will open a store in a converted MINYARD supermarket in Dallas, TX in January 2009... The Dallas Morning News (May 13).

Whole Foods Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... WHOLE FOODS MARKET will open a 41,000-sq. ft. store in Closter, NJ by late 2009. The Record... (May 15).

Noodles Development, LP opened its 18th nothing but noodles restaurant in South Burlington, VT.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... NOODLES DEVELOPMENT, LP opened its 18th NOTHING BUT NOODLES restaurant in South Burlington, VT. The company plans to open four more restaurants within the next six months.

Aldi.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... ALDI is opening a 17,000sq. ft. store in Ann Arbor, MI in early 2009... MLive.com (May 13).

Luna Azul Hastings LLC opened a 3,600-sq. ft. Blue Moon Mexican Cafe.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... LUNA AZUL HASTINGS LLC opened a 3,600-sq. ft. BLUE MOON MEXICAN CAFE in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY.

Wawa Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... WAWA INC. opened an "old-fashioned" drive-in foodservice station in Yorktown, VA, with plans to open a second in June... CSP Daily News (May 15)

Costco Wholesale Corp.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP. opened a store in San Dimas, CA... Pasadena Star-News (May 15).

Chuck E. Cheese's.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... CHUCK E. CHEESE'S opened in Fort Myers... The News-Press (May 15)

Wal-Mart opened a Supercenter in Leominster.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... WAL-MART opened a SUPERCENTER in Leominster, MA... A 183,000-sq. ft.

Wal-Mart Supercenter.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... WAL-MART SUPERCENTER will open in Colerain Township, OH... The Cincinnati Enquirer (May 16)

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... WAL-MART STORES INC. plans to convert an existing store in Sarasota, FL to a supercenter by 2010... Brandenton Herald (May 29).

J.P. Licks.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... J.P. LICKS plans to open its eighth ice cream cafe in Harvard Square in late June... The Boston Globe (May 16).

Plum Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... PLUM MARKET is opening a 37,000sq. ft. store in West Bloomfield, MI... MLive.com (May 22).

Healthy Fast Food, Inc. will open an Evos Feel Great Fast Food.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... HEALTHY FAST FOOD, INC. will open an EVOS FEEL GREAT FAST FOOD location in Las Vegas.

Rutter's Farm Stores.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... RUTTER'S FARM STORES opened a 5,200-sq. ft. store in Springettsbury Township, PA, the first of 10 new units that features an environmentally friendly design... CSP Daily News (May 27).

Omaha Steaks.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... OMAHA STEAKS will open a location in Collierville, TN on July 1. The company plans to open nine new stores this year... Memphis Business Journal (May 23).

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc. added a Chester's chicken location.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... LOVE'S TRAVEL STOPS & COUNTRY STORES INC. added a CHESTER'S chicken location in its new facility in Hubbard, OH... CSP Daily News (May 29).

Tastykake Thrift Outlet Store.(NEW STORE NEWS)
June 2, 2008... TASTYKAKE THRIFT OUTLET STORE opened in Philadelphia.

Census revision lowers 2007 results for food stores ...(Statistical table)
June 2, 2008... Retail sales data was recently revised by the U.S. Census Bureau for 2007, 2006 and prior years, a typical occurrence at this time of year, and the bottom line is that although the dollar amounts were lifted for both 2007 and 2006, year over...

... But restaurant gains were little changed.(Statistical table)
June 2, 2008... Based on the newly revised Census Bureau data, the nation's foodservice and drinking places rang up sales of $442.2 billion in 2007--5.2% more than in 2006. Dollar sales for both 2007 and 2006 were revised upward, resulting in the same...

Only minor changes in club/supercenter, drug store data but big change in e-sales.(Statistical table)
June 2, 2008... Census made only minor revisions in the data for clubs and supercenters, and drug stores, with club/supercenter sales now posting an 8.9% increase over 2006, (it had been 9.1% in preliminary data). Drug store sales meanwhile were up 4.9% from...

Affiliates of The Blackstone Group and Wellspring Capital Management completed the acquisition of Performance Food Group in a transaction valued at approximately $1.4 billion.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... Affiliates of THE BLACKSTONE GROUP and WELLSPRING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT completed the acquisition of PERFORMANCE FOOD GROUP in a transaction valued at approximately $1.4 billion. Performance Food Group is being merged with a wholly owned...

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) closed its acquisition of a 49.9% voting interest and a 75% economic interest in the Whitehall Group, an importer of premium spirits and wines in Russia.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... CENTRAL EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION (CEDC) closed its acquisition of a 49.9% voting interest and a 75% economic interest in the WHITEHALL GROUP, an importer of premium spirits and wines in Russia. The terms also include a call option for...

Core-Mark Holding Company, Inc., South San Francisco, agreed to acquire substantially all of the assets of Auburn Merchandise Distributors, Inc. for approximately $28 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
June 2, 2008... CORE-MARK HOLDING COMPANY, INC., South San Francisco, agreed to acquire substantially all of the assets of AUBURN MERCHANDISE DISTRIBUTORS, INC. for approximately $28 million. The assets being purchased include primarily accounts receivable,...

Crescendo Partners, a New York-based hedge fund, purchased an 8.7% stake in Cott Corp.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
June 2, 2008... CRESCENDO PARTNERS, a New York-based hedge fund, purchased an 8.7% stake in COTT CORP. and is seeking changes in its operations and management... The Canadian Press

Francisco Foods will sell its seven California Burger King outlets to Strategic Restaurants Acquisition Corp., a division of Cerberus Capital Management.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
June 2, 2008... FRANCISCO FOODS will sell its seven California BURGER KING outlets to STRATEGIC RESTAURANTS ACQUISITION CORP., a division of CERBERUS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT. The deal is expected to close in June... The Press Democrat

Fransynergy Inc., an Alabama-based franchise support and consulting firm, acquired all the corporate stock of Cuppy's Coffee & More.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
June 2, 2008... FRANSYNERGY INC., an Alabama-based franchise support and consulting firm, acquired all the corporate stock of CUPPY'S COFFEE & MORE, a specialty coffee and smoothie franchise based in Fort Walton Beach, FL.

Old World Provisions Inc., Albany, NY, acquired Fritz Helmbold Inc., a Troy, NY-based hot dog and sausage maker.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
June 2, 2008... OLD WORLD PROVISIONS INC., Albany, NY, acquired FRITZ HELMBOLD INC., a Troy, NY-based hot dog and sausage maker. Old World has sales of about $11 million annually; at Helmbold, about $2 million... The Times Union

Starbucks Coffee Company subsidiary Starbucks Coffee Canada, Inc. reached an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets, including development and operating rights, from Coffee Vision, Inc. and Coffee Vision Atlantic, Inc., its licensee in Quebec and Atlantic Canada.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY subsidiary STARBUCKS COFFEE CANADA, INC. reached an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets, including development and operating rights, from COFFEE VISION, INC. and COFFEE VISION ATLANTIC, INC., its...

Worsley Operating Corp., an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., acquired Li'l Cricket Food Stores, Inc. and its affiliates, which operate 88 convenience stores in South Carolina under the LI'L Cricket name.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... WORSLEY OPERATING CORP., an affiliate of SUN CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC., acquired LI'L CRICKET FOOD STORES, INC. and its affiliates, which operate 88 convenience stores in South Carolina under the LI'L CRICKET name. Wilmington, NC-based Worsley...

Brigham's Ice Cream Inc.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
June 2, 2008... BRIGHAM'S ICE CREAM INC. is considering strategic options, including a possible sale of the company... The Associated Press (May 22)

Australia's 108-year-old Dairy Farmers cooperative would be split into two companies, under a proposed takeover plan by Parmalat and Murray Goulburn.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
June 2, 2008... Australia's 108-year-old DAIRY FARMERS cooperative would be split into two companies, under a proposed takeover plan by PARMALAT and MURRAY GOULBURN, according to the AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION... AAP (May 23)

Danone reportedly decided to call off its commercial relationship with Chinese partner Wahaha, according to Les Echos.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
June 2, 2008... DANONE reportedly decided to call off its commercial relationship with Chinese partner WAHAHA, according to Les Echos. Danone is looking for a way out of its partnership with Wahaha after a long-running dispute with the Chinese group and its...

Fonterra, New Zealand, is seeking regulatory clearance of its bid.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
June 2, 2008... FONTERRA, New Zealand, is seeking regulatory clearance of its bid for the Australian dairy cooperative DAIRY FARMERS... NZPA (May 13)

InBev is reportedly preparing a $46 billion takeover bid for Anheuser-Busch, according to a blog on the Financial Times.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
June 2, 2008... INBEV is reportedly preparing a $46 billion takeover bid for ANHEUSER-BUSCH, according to a blog on the Financial Times. Sources indicated "extensive work had been carried out on the transaction," but that InBev is not ready to go through with...

Strauss Group signed an agreement with Italian coffee company Don Cafe.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
June 2, 2008... STRAUSS GROUP signed an agreement with Italian coffee company DON CAFE, to acquire its coffee business in Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia, its trademarks Don cafe and Princ, as well as fixed assets, inventory and working capital.

Fruit and vegetable distributor Total Produce agreed to buy 60% of two Dutch companies in a deal worth up to 23 million [euro].(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... Fruit and vegetable distributor TOTAL PRODUCE agreed to buy 60% of two Dutch companies in a deal worth up to 23 million [euro]. Total Produce will pay an initial 9.5 million [euro] for the stakes in HALUCO and NEDALPAC, which specialize in...

Sustainability movement continues.
June 2, 2008... Environmentally-conscious companies continue to reap financial benefits from consumers concerned about respecting the environment and paying a fair wage to those producing the products. Organic coffee and the Fair Trade market in particular are...

Latest financial reports (000 omitted).(Table)
June 2, 2008... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 OMITTED) Current % Change Year Year Ago AGFEED INDUSTRIES (NAN CHANG CITY, CHINA) Qtr. To Mar. 31:...

Regulatory confusion muddies offshore aquaculture.(WASHINGTON)
June 2, 2008... The GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO) is sailing into uncharted, and possibly stormy, waters with a report, Offshore Marine Aquaculture (May 2008), that explores the regulatory implications of recent initiatives to raise fish and shellfish...

GAO: FMD research not to be conducted on Mainland.(WASHINGTON)(Government Accountability Office)(foot-and-mouth)
June 2, 2008... The DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) proposed to move foot-and-mouth (FMD) research from its current location at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, located on a federally owned island off the northern tip of Long Island, NY,...

FDA rules on isomaltulose and dental caries.(WASHINGTON)
June 2, 2008... FDA issued a final rule amending the regulation authorizing a health claim about noncariogenic carbohydrate sweeteners and dental caries to include isomaltulose, a noncariogenic sugar. The final rule is effective immediately upon publication....

FDA delays reportable food registry.(WASHINGTON)
June 2, 2008... FDA delayed implementing the Reportable Food Registry requirements of the FDA Amendments Act of 2007 (FDAAA). The agency is seeking comments on the Registry requirements, which must be submitted no later than Aug. 11. 2008, according to THE...

Country Morning Farms.(FDA ISSUES WARNING LETTERS)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... Warden, WA-based COUNTRY MORNING FARMS was issued a warning letter on May 15, 2008 by FDA after an investigation of the company's dairy operation on Mar. 18-26, 2008. The investigation found that the company offered two dairy cows for slaughter...

Western United Fish Company, Inc.(FDA ISSUES WARNING LETTERS)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... Seattle, WA-based WESTERN UNITED FISH COMPANY, INC. was issued a warning letter on May 16, 2008 by FDA after an investigation of the company's seafood processing facility. The investigation found serious violations of the seafood Hazard...

Food product recalls reported.(briefs)
June 2, 2008... Approximately 290-lbs. of pork blood sausages are being recalled by CECINA LOS AMIGOS, Carson, CA. The products were distributed in California. The firm initiated recall began on May 21, 2008 and is ongoing. Reason For Recall: "The products may...

Produce.(MARKETS)(Table)
June 2, 2008... HIGHLIGHTS--Cool weather plagued the Midwestern and Northeastern States, holding weekly temperatures 4-12[degrees]F below normal. In addition, showers hampered fieldwork across the southern half of the Corn Belt, but mostly dry weather occurred...

Canned vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
June 2, 2008... ASPARAGUS--Foodservice prices of 6/10 canned asparagus are between $37.25-$37.35, 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 $15.00-$15.20,...

Tomato products.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
June 2, 2008... SAUCE--Foodservice 6/10 canned tomato sauce is selling between $11.05-$11.35, f.o.b. Mid-Atlantic. PASTE--Foodservice 6/10 canned tomato paste is selling between $21.80-$22.50, f.o.b. Mid-Atlantic. Hot break 31% NTSS (Brix) paste in 55...

Frozen vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
June 2, 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. SUPERMARKET SALES OF FROZEN...

Canned fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
June 2, 2008... PEACHES--Supermarket sales of canned peaches for the first quarter of 2008 are at their highest level since 2006. Canned peach sales are currently valued at $95.7 million, the highest total in the past five years, and the average unit price is...

Processed fish.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
June 2, 2008... FLOUNDER--Blocks: Supply is moderate with moderate demand but the market is currently weak. Imported pacific: $1.95-$2.00 with few lower. Fillets: Supply moderate with moderate demand: Canadian:, 4-oz frozen $3.35, 5-oz. $3.50, 6-oz $3.50,...

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council submitted Amendment 72 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska to NMFS for review.(IN THE NEWS ...)
June 2, 2008... The North Pacific Fishery Management Council submitted Amendment 72 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska to NMFS for review. If approved, Amendment 72 would revise the Fishery Management Plan to state that the...

Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
June 2, 2008... Analyst: Megan Myers 201-791-5570 ext. 225 mmyers@foodinstitute.com The Annual Bean Market News Summary for 2007 is now available from USDA. The report is available in Adobe format at http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/lsaba.pdf. DRIED...

Dried fruits & nuts.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
June 2, 2008... ALMONDS--Prices for non-pareil almonds at currently at around $3.10-$3.15 per pound for 20/22s, blanched sliced are at $2.15-$2.25, and California Select Sheller Run 20/22s are at $2.35-$2.45 per pound, f.o.b. California. SUPERMARKET...

Frozen fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
June 2, 2008... SUPERMARKET SALES OF FROZEN FRUITS 1ST QTR., 2004-2008 (FI Analysis of Information Resources, Inc. Infoscan Reviews Data) In Millions Dollars Pounds 2004 $71.8 29.2 2005 $82.5 33.3...

Juices & concentrates.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
June 2, 2008... GRAPEFRUIT--Prices of 58 Brix pink grapefruit juice concentrate prices remain firm and are around 85--90 cents per pound solid, f.o.b. Florida. ORANGE JUICE--Supermarket sales of FCOJ have declined significantly for the past five years. In...

Butter.(MARKETS)
June 2, 2008... BUTTER BUTTER MARKET, MAY 28 Cents Per Pound: 5/28/2008 5/21/2008 Chge. Grade AA 1.47 1.48 -.01

Cheese.(MARKETS)
June 2, 2008... CHEESE CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET MAY 28 Cents Per Pound: 5/28/2008 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 2.2500 N.C. Blocks (40-lbs.) 2.2850 N.C.

Eggs.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... EGGS EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS May 29 Wk. Ending Wk. Ending Cents per dozen: 29-May 22-May Chge. Extra Large-NY 106-110 104-108 2 Large-NY 104-110...

Chicken.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... CHICKEN PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF MAY 23 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 76-79 76-79 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too...

Futures prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... FUTURES PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Cash July Sept As of May 28, 2008: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $5.49 $5.91 $6.19...

Commodity prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... COMMODITY PRICES Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last 28-May 21-May Year Steers,...

CSPI files petition with FDA to ban use of synthetic dyes in food.
June 9, 2008... The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban the use of most artificial colorings in food, and, in the interim, require prominent warning notices on labels asserting that the dyes...

Local foods remain largely untapped.(FROM THE FI/HARTMAN GROUP WEBINAR)
June 9, 2008... Besides helping the "little guy," consumers are increasingly buying local foods because they perceive its quality to be higher, according to Consumer Understanding of Buying Local, a webinar hosted by the FOOD INSTITUTE and THE HARTMAN GROUP,...

Employees--a costly asset for retailers.
June 9, 2008... Turnover, recruitment and retention continue to be challenges for food retailers, with no less than 86.1% of industry executives agreeing that the overall industry struggles with developing, hiring and retaining future leaders in key management...

Retail health clinic satisfaction rates high: study.
June 9, 2008... Consumers are frequenting retail health clinics on a consistent basis and report being pleased with their experiences, a new study found. People who use retail health clinics are generally satisfied with the quality of care, cost, and staff...

Gas and groceries go hand in hand.
June 9, 2008... Supermarkets are taking advantage of the ongoing gas inflation with discount incentives for their customers. Stores such as KROGER, BI-LO, SUPERVALU, MEIJER and others are offering fuel discount programs, according to CSP Daily News (May 28)....

Pain at the pump will mean pain on the shelves.
June 9, 2008... Pain at the pump is getting a new dimension as soaring diesel costs are now really beginning to impact the cost structure of food distribution operations. The retail price for diesel fuel climbed by about a third between November 2007 and April...

Coffee expands market presence.
June 9, 2008... Coffee continues to rise in popularity as more companies invest in a broader selection for consumers. Approximately 55% of U.S. adults consume coffee on a daily basis, according to the 2008 National Coffee Drinking Trends report from the...

Ihop Corp. changed its corporate name to DineEquity, Inc.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
June 9, 2008... IHOP CORP. changed its corporate name to DINEEQUITY, INC. "The acquisition of APPLEBEE'S required that we select a name for our company that reflects our company's core competencies and recognizes our ownership of multiple brands; and...

The NPD Group.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
June 9, 2008... Environmentally-friendly menu options have a good chance of improving a restaurant's bottom line and providing competitive differentiation if marketed aggressively to consumers, according to report from THE NPD GROUP. Almost half of consumers...

Indianapolis-based Noble Roman's, Inc. signed an area development agreement for 46 units of its dual-branded concepts.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
June 9, 2008... Indianapolis-based NOBLE ROMAN'S, INC. signed an area development agreement for 46 units of its dual-branded concepts, NOBLE ROMAN'S PIZZA and TUSCANO'S ITALIAN STYLE SUBS in the 20 counties surrounding Columbus, OH over the next six years.

Healthy Fast Food, Inc. is opening a new Evos Feel Great Fast Food location in Summerlin, NV in early August.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Nevada)(Brief article)
June 9, 2008... HEALTHY FAST FOOD, INC. is opening a new EVOS FEEL GREAT FAST FOOD location in Summerlin, NV in early August. EVOS, a quick-service restaurant that features healthier burgers, fries, and shakes, uses unique ingredients/recipes and alternative...

Qdoba Mexican Grill added seven new franchise partners.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
June 9, 2008... QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL added seven new franchise partners: QMG PHILLY PARTNERS LLC; G&J FOODS; WIESER ENTERPRISES INC.; BIG BURRITOS LLC; KTAAP INC.; and KH ENTERPRISES INC. Collectively these seven franchise partners plan to open 33 new Qdoba...