Rockville, Md. — What could be said 20 years ago is even truer today: The U.S. food retailing business has never been more competitive. According to The Future of Food Retailing: Value Grocery Shopping in the U.S., a brand new report by market research firm Packaged Facts, there are a number of trends that are putting pressure on food retailers of all stripes, from supermarkets whose bread and butter is groceries to supercenters and drugstores for which food is a smaller but still crucial part of the product mix.
News
Pittsburgh — Giant Eagle has achieved chain-wide recognition for its implementation of Manomet’s Grocery Stewardship Certification (GSC) program. Manomet is a sustainability non-profit. The GSC recognizes the company’s commitment to incorporating operational sustainability best practices in stores, reducing its environmental impact and saving resources.
North Palm Beach, Fla., and Philadelphia — BurgerFi, one of the nation’s fastest growing, all-natural “better burger” restaurant concepts, has signed a franchise agreement with Philadelphia-based Aramark. The global dining services partner will operate BurgerFi’s first college campus location at Temple University in Philadelphia.
Boise, Idaho — Albertsons Companies has promoted its executive vice president and chief operating officer, Wayne Denningham, to president and chief operating officer for Albertsons Companies. Bob Miller remains chairman and CEO, a role he has held since April 2015.
Oakland, N.J. — Amerlux has appointed Toby Boyd to vice president of exterior sales. Boyd will be responsible for overseeing the sales and specifications of the firm’s exterior lighting fixtures. He will report directly to Ted des Enfants, vice president of commercial sales.
Chicago — All American Facility Maintenance (AAFM) has been recognized by Philips Lighting as National Supplier of the Year for 4 consecutive years. AAFM is one of the industry’s leading facility management companies. AAFM’s goal is to use its facility maintenance expertise combined with straightforward communication that achieves the desired results for every project or service call.
Lebanon, Tenn. — On April 17, 2017, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® opened a store in Tualatin, Ore., the first Cracker Barrel® location on the West Coast. Cracker Barrel’s entry into the Portland area marks a key expansion of Cracker Barrel’s footprint.
Restaurant Technologies Partners With Weis Markets, Fry’s Food Stores and Price Chopper
by Katie Lee
Minneapolis — Restaurant Technologies has partnered with three grocery brands: Weis Markets, Fry’s Food Stores and Price Chopper. Over the next few months, each banner is on track to use the Total Oil Management system, a technology that automates the entire life cycle of fryer oil. Restaurant Technologies has seen double-digit growth in the industry; in 2016 the system was installed in approximately 2,000 grocery locations, with another 350 completed in 2017 so far.