Jerry StieglerThis Week in Foodservice provides a high-level summary of the economic data, financial news, menu updates and numerous other statistical packages and developments that impact foodservice operators, consultants, dealers, manufacturers, reps and service agents. In his weekly blog, Jerry Stiegler aggregates key industry data through his infamous Green Sheet and provides some brief analysis that will help foodservice professionals navigate the information. Jerry is a long-time member of the foodservice industry, whose experience includes working for Restaurants & Institutions magazine and FE&S.
The National Restaurant Association reports December restaurant performance remained modest. Foodservice operators kept hiring in January. Walmart introduces another C-store concept. Technomic says takeout food meal sales are continuing to grow.
A cautionary tale about mobile apps. Despite strong sales, rising expenses force some New York City restaurants to close. Danny Meyer invests in two new concepts. McDonald’s CEO looks to technology to drive business improvements. These stories and a whole lot more This Week In Foodservice.
The National Restaurant Association says restaurant performance showed slight improvement in November. A research firm predicts a lean year for restaurants. McDonald’s new HQ will lease space to suppliers. Chains will work with the National Retail Federation to train employees. McFlurry lovers are frequently out of luck.
Retail sales were up last month but restaurants saw a sales decline. Hiring foodservice employees is getting tougher. McDonald’s plans to franchise its China operation and now wants to do the same for Japan. Applebee’s and IHOP are planning major overseas expansion.
The No. 1 foodservice chain will be … Starbucks? Operators continued to hire in December. The NPD Group sees restaurant traffic stalled this year. Prediction is that menu prices will remain high but restaurants will offer deals and promotions. Well known Wall Street analyst Mark Kalinowski predicts that Starbucks will increase its restaurant count by 8.4 percent and same-store sales by +5.0 percent in 2017. Further, he believes some time in the future Starbucks will have the industry’s largest market capitalization, bypassing current leader McDonald’s.
The Food Institute sets “real sales” at restaurants higher than other projections; Worldwide restaurant traffic rose in the third quarter and Technomic believes foodservice sales will improve in 2017.
U.S. retail sales were almost flat in November but restaurants sales increased. One source speculates that consumers are still going to restaurants but avoiding major chains. Knapp-Track sales data remains consistently negative. Menu prices continue to increase.
Foodservice executive picked for Trump’s cabinet. Foodservice traffic goes negative in the third quarter. Chipotle will try and restore good service as move to recover. McDonald’s will reintroduce their McCafe concept next year. These stories and a whole lot more this week in foodservice.
Are healthier fast-food chains the wave of the future? Technomic reduces its estimated restaurant sales growth in 2016 and 2017. Foodservice operators doubled the number of people hired in November from October. Technology isn’t going to save restaurants.
Stories worth another look: Consumers ate out on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. The Department of Labor’s new rules on overtime pay were put on hold by a federal judge. Dunkin’ Donuts to de-emphasize food sales and push beverages.
Stories worth another look: U.S. retail sales were up in October but restaurant sales fell. Initial jobless claims hit a 40-year low. Home delivery could drive millions in restaurant sales. McDonald’s newly designed operations are up and running.
