- The Jacksonville Times-Union reports that when Rowe’s Supermarkets takes over six locations being shuttered by Albertsons, the new owner will “carry higher quality, ‘European-style’ brands at affordable prices in unpretentious stores -- selling high-brow product in a low-brow setting.” Owner Rob Rowe tells the paper that he will do his best to offer items not for sale in other stores…looking for categories in which his stores can distinguish themselves from the competition.
- In New Hampshire, the Concord Monitor reports that Cricenti’s, a three-store independent retailer, is divesting itself of its stores after almost six decades in the business. One of the stores is being leaded out to Hannaford Bros., while a second store will be leased to a Hannaford franchisee. The third store will be leased to as as-yet undetermined operator.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
- Wendy’s announced last week that it is adding a new menu item - a lowfat, strawberry-flavored yogurt cup riddled with granola – to its US stores.
The move follows what the company says is the success it has seen with its fresh fruit bowl, introduced earlier this year, and the increasing demand for healthier foods by consumers.
- Nation’s Restaurant News reports that The Cheesecake Factory, satisfied with the results of a curbside to-go service it has been offering at 13 of its locations, with expand it to another 23 sites.
NRN says that take-out sales at some of the stores with the new service have increase between five and eight percent.
- PepsiCo reportedly has said that it is not planning to make a bid for French food group Danone, quashing speculation to that effect.
