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In
the Headlines Contrary to industry trend Athyron Corp. is aggressively expanding by hiring top execs…More>> As industry is struggling, Athyron hires Daniel Estrada, MBA, and Charles Berlin, MBA to head up… Restaurant Industry Forecasts 2002 Growth, Despite Economy WASHINGTON (December 18, 2001) -- An annual forecast by the National Restaurant Association predicts the industry will reach a record $407.8 billion in sales next year, marking the 11th consecutive year of real sales growth. According to the NRA's Restaurant Industry Forecast, food service is expected to employ more than 11.6 million people in 2002, and remain the nation's largest private-sector employer. Specifically, sales at full-service restaurants are projected to lead the way with sales growth of 4.5%, reaching $146.7 billion in 2002 sales. Sales at limited-service or quick-service establishments are expected to increase by 3.7%, totaling $115.2 billion in 2002. -- Robert Vosburgh. Hardee's Launches Premium Restaurant-Style Burger ST. LOUIS (November 27, 2001) -- Responding to the shrinking lunch hour - and demand for high-quality food in a fast-food setting - quick-service restaurant chain Hardee's has rolled out a premium restaurant-style burger, company officials announced this week. The Six Dollar Burger - so named because $6 is the minimum consumers would expect to pay for a burger at a leading casual dining restaurant - consists of a nearly half-pound, charbroiled beefsteak patty, two slices of American cheese, tomato, pickle and a variety of condiments, on a large toasted sesame seed bun. It retails for $3.95 or, in a combo meal with fries and a regular drink, for $5.25, officials said. Driving the launch is a growing trend - shorter lunch hours. According to a recent Steelcase Workplace Index Survey, the average lunch hour is just 36 minutes long. Wegmans Wants to Open Restaurant PITTSFORD, N.Y. (June 8, 2001) -- Wegmans Food Markets plans to open a full-service, 70-seat restaurant here as an addition to its flagship store, an official with the town of Pittsford told SN. The independent retailer plans on opening the establishment prior to the end of the year, said Marty Brewster, deputy commissioner of public works for Pittsford in upstate New York. "This will be an expansion of their market cafe," Brewster said. The restaurant would be part of a two-story, 8,000 to 9,000-square-foot addition to the 119,000-square-foot store. It would be open seven days a week, and feature a menu offering fare that's similar to what's available in the store's market cafe. Wine and beer would be available for lunch and dinner, Brewster said. A Wegmans spokeswoman declined to elaborate on the company's plans. -- Lynne Miller. "Moderate" Chain Restaurant Growth Fueling Certain Concepts, Reports Technomic CHICAGO (May 4, 2001) -- Certain chain-restaurant concepts recorded "moderate" growth in 2000, with U.S. systemwide sales for the Top 100 rising by an average of 4.9%, or $6 billion over the year before, according to Technomic Inc., a food service consulting and tracking firm. Several of the chains offer products that compete directly with supermarket food-service programs. Smoothie maker Bahama Breeze led the list, with a 186% increase in sales over 1999. Other restaurants in the top 10 include Jamba Juice (up 63%); P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (up 53%); Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar (up 36%); and Culver’s Frozen Yogurt (up 34%). Of all the food-service segments examined, the casual dining category posted the highest growth rate in 2000, an increase of 9.4%, or a little over $2 billion. -- Coeli Carr . Restaurant Associations Band Together Under Web Portal Site WASHINGTON (September 20, 2000) -- The National Restaurant Association has announced all 50-state restaurant/hospitality associations, plus allied organizations, have signed on as partners in the restaurant Web portal site, Foodscape.com. The site is designed to serve as a one-stop location for industry news, educational programs, resources and e-commerce purchasing. The joint venture, launched initially in May, will better strengthen industry ties by serving as a common reference point, said officials. Chain Restaurants Enjoy Record Growth CHICAGO (August 3, 2000) -- The chain restaurant industry experienced record expansion in 1999, according to the annual review of the segment by Technomic Inc., an industry-tracking firm. Revenues were up 6%, to $59 billion last year, while net income increased 34%, to $3.2 billion, despite major losses recorded by 30 of the 101 chains analyzed. Quick-service juggernaut McDonald's again this year took top honors, accounting for 23% of total revenue and 60% of net income, Technomic found. -- Robert Vosburgh Furrs Restaurant Group Opens New Concept RICHARDSON, Texas (June 26, 2000) -- Furrs Restaurant Group has opened a new restaurant concept, Furrs Family Buffet, in El Paso, Texas. According to company officials, the 420-seat prototype is designed to attract buffet customers as well as traditional cafeteria users, and incorporates food court-type self-service bars, as well as table service with menu items that include tacos and pizza. Furrs — once associated with the Albuquerque, N.M.-based supermarket retailer — operates nearly 100 cafeterias and buffets under the Furrs and Bishop's names in 12 states. -- Robert Vosburgh. Restaurant Chains Go Back to Basics, Says Report SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (March 29, 2000) -- Industry consolidation, increased competition and business costs, tight labor markets and demanding consumers are the principle challenges facing today's multiunit restaurant operators, according to the 10th annual Chain Restaurant Industry Review and Outlook, released by the Franchise Finance Corporation of America. The current market has led to a renewed focus on primary brands and operational fundamentals, stated the report. -- Robert Vosburgh. A&W Opens Restaurant in Supermarket RATHDRUM, Idaho (February 3, 2000) -- Stein Brothers IGA here has opened the first-ever A&W Restaurant -- complete with drive-through -- inside a supermarket. The 570-square-foot franchise, operated by the retailer, includes seating for 42 people. The menu offers hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, french fries, and A&W's trademark root beer and root beer floats, as well as regional items. The 1,200-unit restaurant chain earlier announced plans to expand into nontraditional venues such as supermarkets. -- Robert Vosburgh. Restaurant Chain to Require Hepatitis A Shots BINGHAM FARMS, Mich. (January 19, 2000) -- In an attempt to maximize consumer safety, the Unique Restaurant Company, based here, began mandatory vaccinations against the Hepatitis A virus for its employees today at a company cost of more than $30,000. URC president Matt Prentice decided to innoculate all 250 of his employees not because of any problems with the virus in his restaurants, but in hopes of preventing one from ever occurring. All future employees will be required to receive the vaccination as part of their pre-employment drug-screening and physical. -- Chris Ytuarte.
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2001, - Athyron Corporation.
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