The price of things to come
The drought that affected the Midwest corn crop over the summer is going to have a major impact on cattle feed costs and beef prices, predicts DeWayne Dove,...
The Sysco-U.S.F. deal: What’s it mean for restaurants?
The announcement of the pending $8.2B merger of Sysco and U.S. Foodservice has restaurateurs wondering what’s in store for them. Here are some things they should keep in mind.
With health and freshness two of the major forces driving menus today, produce is top on operators’ purchase orders. Indeed, restaurants have been making a big effort to put more fruits and vegetables on the plate. But this effort hit a roadblock with recent E.coli scares and salmonella outbreaks. As a result, food safety has become the priority for suppliers and buyers of fresh produce.
The August 2009 NRA expectations Index reported that “45 percent of restaurant operators plan to make a capital expenditure for equipment, expansion or remodeling in the next six months.” Whether that prediction comes true remains to be seen. But this year’s crop of new products puts the emphasis on helping operators maximize every dollar.
Patrons may grumble when restaurants raise food prices, but they seem willing to spend more for better service. According to a survey of 500 consumers from American Express MarketBriefing, diners would spend more money for pleasant atmosphere, cleanliness and friendly staff than they would for healthier menu items or freshly baked bread.