Supplier News

Tyson Foods names Donnie Smith CEO
SPRINGDALE Ark. (Nov. 19, 2009) — The board of directors of Tyson Foods Inc. has named Donnie Smith president and chief executive. more...

National Restaurant Assn. calls for Kitchen Innovation Award nominees
CHICAGO (Nov. 16, 2009) — The National Restaurant Association is accepting applications for its Kitchen Innovations Awards for 2010. more...

Winners of ’10 FAME awards named
PONTE VEDRA BEACH Fla. (Nov. 16, 2009) — As sponsors of the 21st annual Food-service Achievement Management Excellence, or FAME, awards, Basic American Foods, Schwan’s Food Services Inc. and Tyson Foods Inc., announced the winners for 2010. more...

Walgreens uses employer-centric model to lower health care costs
(Nov. 09, 2009) — Editor’s note: As lawmakers grapple with the complex issue of health care reform, employers must be aware of the health options available to them. The following article outlines a potential solution for restaurant operators. It first appeared in NRN’s sister publication Drug Store News. more...

Foodservice companies support GS1 standards for supply and distribution
LAWRENCEVILLE N.J. (Nov. 09, 2009) — Fifty-five foodservice manufacturers, distributors and chain operators have thrown their support behind the Foodservice GS1 US Standards Initiative and agreed to fund the GS1 US Team for Food-service to help guide execution. more...

Cavendish Farms creates research facility at Canadian culinary school
DIEPPE NEW BRUNSWICK. (Nov. 09, 2009) — Cavendish Farms, a member of the Irving Group of Companies, debuted Cavendish Culinary Creation Centre and Canada’s Smartest Kitchen, the research arm of Holland College’s Culinary Institute of Canada in Charlotte-town, Prince Edward Island. more...

This week in supplier news
(Nov. 2, 2009) — Surlean Foods donated $25,000 to the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. Also this week: Liquor Group Wholesale Inc., Cadillac Margarita, Natural Products Association, Uno Chicago Grill, Barilla Pasta, Snyder's of Hanover, Utz Quality Foods Inc., Vegetable Juices Inc., National Chicken Council and Tyson Foods Inc. more...

Operators, vendors connect at annual Supplier Exchange
DALLAS (Nov. 02, 2009) — The more than 700 attendees gathered here for the 50th annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference had the opportunity to check out new restaurant products and learn about new services at the Supplier Exchange. more...

MUFSO sessions help suppliers, operators build useful partnerships
DALLAS (Nov. 02, 2009) — In lightning-round fashion, operators and suppliers learned about each other’s needs and services during “Operator-Supplier Relationships: Discover Business Building Solutions,” one of several sessions that kicked off the 50th annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here. more...

This week in supplier news
(Oct. 20, 2009) — Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has teamed up with Coca-Cola for the casual-dining brand's 40th anniversary. Also this week: HotSchedules, AmRest Holdings, Cavendish Farms, The Catfish Farmers of America, Pernod Ricard USA, The Century Council, Barrie House Coffee Co., Uno Chicago Grill and Ocean Spray Cranberries. more...

This week in supplier news
(Oct. 5, 2009) —

The 190-unit Marco's Pizza has inked a deal to make PepsiCo Foodservice its exclusive beverage provider. Also this week: T. Marzetti Co., The Boston Beer Co., Procter & Gamble Professional, Oregon Restaurant Association, FoodCalc, Avendra, Cotti Foods Corp., Advance Telemetry, Quaker Steak & Lube, Reinhart Foodservice, Case Farms and Cleveland Menu.

This week in supplier news
(Sept. 22, 2009) —

Tom Belot retired as president and chief executive after 31 years at Vollrath. Also this week: Hobart Corp., Traulsen, Baxter Bakery, OpenTable Inc. GuestBridge Inc., Phillips Food Inc., USA Rice Federation, Avendra, COEX 2010 and the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association.

Restaurant Depot, Chef Works renew partnership
COLLEGE POINT N.Y. (Sept. 14, 2009) — Restaurant Depot, a wholesaler of restaurant supplies with headquarters here, and Chef Works Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of culinary apparel, said they will continue to pursue a mutually beneficial relationship. more...

KPMG: Suppliers see a turnaround next year
NEW YORK (Aug. 19, 2009) —

Senior executives in the food and beverage industry, including manufacturers, distributors and bottlers, are optimistic they will see improved revenue, profitability and a better labor picture in 2010, according to a new survey from KPMG LLP, an audit, tax and advisory firm.

This week in supplier news
(Aug. 17, 2009) — Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. has installed about 12,000 energy-efficient lights from GE Consumer & Industrial. Also this week: IBM, EMN8, J.M. Smucker Co., Coca-Cola Co., Temple-Inland, Adina For Life, Phillips Food Inc., and D’Artagnan. more...

This week in supplier news
(Aug. 3, 2009) — Cavendish Farms has purchased the Appetizer division of Omstead Foods. Also this week: Mission Produce Inc., Tree Top Inc., Produce Marketing Association, Synergy Restaurant Consultants, Blodgett Ovens, TurboChef, Trade Show Exhibitors Association, Server Products, and Mid-Atlantic Food, Beverage & Lodging Expo. more...

This week in supplier news
(July 21, 2009) — ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston is hosting a “Free Fries Fryday” July 24. Also this week Manitowoc Foodservice, Protein Solutions, T. Marzetti Co., John Morrell & Co., Cargill Foodservice, Sunrise Foods, Foodsource, Ecolab, Ventura Foods, Simmons Prepared Foods, The Boston Beer Co., Bacardi USA, Beam Global, Derek Farley, DFPR, Group Purchasing Organization Dining Alliance, Raising Cane’s, Synergy Restaurant Consultants, PepsiCo Foodservice, Monroe College, Decision Logic. more...

Yum, purchasing co-op honor best supplier partners with STAR Awards
LOUISVILLE Ky. (July 20, 2009) — Yum! Brands Inc., the parent of such restaurant brands as KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, together with the Unified Foodservice Purchasing Co-op LLC honored its top suppliers at the annual STAR Awards here. more...

TW Garner president ‘Reg’ Garner passes away at 56 after long illness
WINSTON-SALEM N.C. (July 20, 2009) — Ralph Edward “Reg” Garner, the president of TW Garner Food Co., died after a long illness. He was 56. more...

Rich Products Corp. chairman earns NRAEF’s highest honor
BUFFALO N.Y. (July 13, 2009) — Robert E. Rich Jr., chairman of Rich Products Corp., was presented with the Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality Award by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. more...