Retail & FoodService

American Culinary Federation (ACF) President Michael Ty , CEC®, AAC®, has announced that Joseph Leonardi , CEC®, of Plainville, Mass., was selected as 2016 ACF Culinary Team USA manager and J. Kevin Walker , CMC®, AAC®, of Indian Wells, Calif., was selected as ACF Culinary Youth Team USA manager. …

No matter the origin of a dish, imparting a taste of the familiar will set palates afire in the New Year, according to a recent panel of notable chefs orchestrated by the Certified Angus Beef ® brand. …

The state of the global restaurant industry in this year’s third calendar quarter was a reflection of each geography’s economy, according to recent foodservice market research from The NPD Group, a leading global information company. In the quarter, China’s double-digit gains in foodservice visits were a reflection of its robust economy, and Canada’s one percent traffic increase was realized by a stable economy. Continuing economic struggles and negative consumer confidence in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain contributed to each respective area’s traffic declines in the third quarter (July, August, and September) of 2012. …

A promising start to 2012 for the U.S. restaurant industry followed by not-so-promising spring and summer quarters combined for a lackluster, yet stable industry, finds The NPD Group, a global information company. The summer (July, August and September) of 2012 ended on a weaker note than it started with visits flat compared to same period last year, according to NPD’s foodservice market research. Visits were up 2 percent in August and then declined in September. NPD forecasts that the restaurant industry will end 2012 with visits flat and spending up 2 percent. …

United Supermarkets today officially unveiled a new logo for its Market Street store chain, just in time for the opening of the 11th location. …