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.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Surlean Foods is celebrating its 25-year business partnership with Taco Bell by donating $25,000 to the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. Daryl Scott, Surlean Foods' president, said the donation "will help enhance and expand the national Keystone initiative, which is the largest and most dynamic teen program within the Boys & Girls Clubs of America." Surlean specializes in value-added customized meat products.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- C.J. Eiras, the chief executive of Liquor Group Wholesale Inc., has sold the Cadillac Margarita Trademark Alcohol brand to Landry's Restaurants Inc., based in Houston. Cadillac Margarita, which was distributed through the Liquor Group, was privately owned by Urban Brands & Spirits, one of Eiras' alcohol brand-holding companies. Landry's, which operates such restaurant brands as Landry's Seafood House and The Chart House, operates some 175 full-service and limited-service restaurants.
WASHINGTON -- The Natural Products Association has named John F. Gay executive director and chief executive. Previously, Gay served as senior vice president of government affairs for the National Restaurant Association. Previously, he had been responsible for government affairs activities for the International Franchise Association and been a staffer at the American Hotel & Lodging Association, both in Washington. The NPA represents more than 10,000 retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of such natural products as food, dietary supplements and health and beauty aids.
WEST ROXBURY, Mass. -- Uno Chicago Grill, the 200-plus-unit casual-dining operator based here, has expanded its relationship with Barilla Pasta and is offering Barilla Whole Grain Penne as a substitute for any traditional pasta on its menu. The whole grain pasta is made with 51 percent whole wheat and contains three times the amount of fiber of regular pasta. Uno's executive chef Christopher Gatto, said, "We continually look for ways to offer healthy, delicious choices to our guests."
HANOVER, Pa. -- Snyder's of Hanover said it plans to acquire Utz Quality Foods Inc., pending clearance from the Federal Trade Commission. Carl E. Lee Jr., president and chief executive of Snyder's, said the two snack food firms will combine "to create a stronger company that will strengthen our position in the marketplace."
CHICAGO -- Vegetable Juices Inc. president and chief executive James E. Hurley was named a Fellow of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. The Wharton Fellows is a lifelong group of senior executives, Wharton faculty and experts who provide knowledge and support to proactively meet business challenges.
SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- The National Chicken Council elected Bernard Leonard, group vice president of food service at Tyson Foods Inc., as vice chairman of the council's executive committee. Leonard, who has led Tyson Foodservice since 2006, has served in a number of industry association positions, including 12 years on the board of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. Leonard will hold the post for one year.
