Neal Sherman’s Post

What's going on with restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, and retailers? Check out this week's headlines in the latest #ShermsWeeklyInsider 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧 🍽 — Chipotle Mexican Grill makes minority investment in Mediterranean fast-casual concept Brassica, as well as artificial intelligence supply chain platform Lumachain — McDonald's will start serving Krispy Kreme doughnuts next week as part of a drive to add the treats to 1,000 of its restaurants this year — Taco Bell taps three emerging chefs to create new takes on its Crunchwrap Supreme 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗬 🛒 — Fermented food-focused brand, The Pickle Factory, opens debut store in Florida this month — 10-million-pound meat recall affects hundreds of products at Walmart, Publix Super Markets, Trader Joe's and more — SpartanNash to buy regional grocer Fresh Encounter, Inc., growing its portfolio by a third 𝗖-𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘 ⛽️ — 7-Eleven closing 444 North American stores amid strategic pivot — Kwik Trip, Inc. Introduces Kwik Charge for electric vehicle consumers 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟 🛍 — Walgreens to close 1,200 stores amid plans to turn around business — Bloomie’s — Bloomingdale's small-format concept — to open its fourth location in New Jersey — GUESS?, Inc. launched a recycling program through a partnership with textile waste management platform SuperCircle See you next week for the latest industry headlines! #restaurant #grocery #hospitality #hotels #retail #weeklyheadlines #sustainability #operations #acquisition

Helping others in life and in business is a winning strategy. Your personal and business brand is the sum total of all the things you do over a long period of time. For over four decades, TAGeX Brands has done everything we can to help others it's the 'why' behind our business. Whether it’s through assisting with equipment displaced during remodels, closures, or routine operations, providing affordable, high-quality options in the after-market, or helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals by minimizing waste in landfills. As a business owner, each and every day you are tested to make decisions for your team, customers, and the community. By staying true to your mission, you can create an impact that extends far beyond the walls of your business. What's the 'why' behind your business? Share what drives you/your business in the comments.

It wouldn't be a Thursday without a #ShermsWeeklyInsider update. Check out the latest below! 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧 🍽 — Toast adds branded app design and text marketing to its service offerings — Perkins Restaurants and Bakery debuts a smaller fast-casual concept that balances traditional fare with breakfast sandwiches and a lighter menu selection — Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar's franchisee files for bankruptcy after creditor lawsuit 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗬 🛒 — Sam's Club to open location without checkout stations 𝗖-𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘⛽️ — 3 Amazon Go stores close, which are all in New York, citing they couldn’t make the economics work with the lease cost — EG America reveals three new foodservice concepts 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟 🛍 — Orvis, the 170-year-old Vermont-based outdoor retailer, will lay off 8% of workforce, close stores, trim its assortment, and drop its famous catalog — Spirit Halloween tests Christmas stores with 10 Spirit Christmas pop-up locations in the Northeast this fall — The Container Store has adopted a limited-duration stockholder rights plan — also known as a poison pill — after a “rapid and significant” accumulation of stock by a single shareholder 𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 🏨 — Walt Disney World and Universal Hotels and Resorts Inc. waive hotel cancellation fees amid hurricane prep See you next week for the latest restaurant, grocery, c-store, retail, hospitality, and higher-ed headlines. #restaurant #grocery #hospitality #hotels #retail #highered #weeklyheadlines #sustainability #university #campus #operations #milton #restauranttech

Rising commercial rents, inflation, and changing consumer behaviors are just a few of the factors contributing to the domino effect happening in the grocery sector. Between 2009 and 2023, square footage in supercenters and supermarkets decreased by 5% and 3.3%, respectively, according to data from NielsenIQ. Grocery bills have soared for consumers and supermarkets are becoming more selective as they stock their shelves in an effort to rein in the inflated prices. At the same time, grocers are growing their lower-cost store brands to address the changing consumer behavior. Cue the battle for shelf space! Companies have to be more competitive than ever to ensure their product line stands out — and performs. There is no guarantee that even the biggest of brand names will keep shelf space forever. Food companies will need to be strategic for the best shelf space (AKA the "strike zone"), which includes paying slotting fees, negotiating prime placement, and standing out against the competition. Investing in new people, products, and packaging will help to secure prime shelf locations, and in turn, capture sales.

Thursday is here — and so are your headlines for the week. #ShermsWeeklyInsider 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧 🍽 — Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen teams up with DoorDash for wing truck tour — Panera Bread lays off more employees in corporate — The Wendy's Company collabs with SpongBob SquarePants in celebration of the program's 25th anniversary 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗬 🛒 — INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMENS ASSOCIATION strike, Hurricane Helene will strain food supply chain — Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage closing Denver store over security and theft concerns 𝗖-𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘 ⛽️ — CITGO acquired by Amber Energy firm for $7.3B 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟 🛍 — PepsiCo to acquire Siete Family Foods for $1.2B — Patagonia lays off 41 employees following corporate restructuring 𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 🏨 — Hospitality workers in Rhode Island and Connecticut win first contracts since nationwide hotel strikes began 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗗 🎓 — Institutions continue to ax majors and lay off employees to cope with rising costs and constrained enrollment See you next week for the latest restaurant, grocery, c-store, retail, hospitality, and higher-ed headlines. #restaurant #grocery #hospitality #hotels #retail #highered #laborstrike #weeklyheadlines #sustainability #university #campus #operations #collegeenrollement #acquisition

Next up in our TAGeX Brand Blueprint series: Our Guide to Hotel Franchising. 🏨 🤝 Check out this detailed resource for the essential steps required to open a new hotel franchise. If you'd like me to send this directly to you, send me a message! P.S. We work with the hospitality industry too — helping minimize the headache of all things change management. Visit the TAGeX Brands website to see our list of hospitality clients.

Did you know that businesses may soon have a way to avoid paying credit card fees? Let’s dive into what else is happening this week! #ShermsWeeklyInsider 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧 🍽 — Restaurant tech company Olo cuts 9% of workforce despite reporting a 27% revenue surge last quarter — Qdoba Restaurant Corporation looks to own #NationalQuesoDay on its way to national expansion — Chili's’s challenges Joey Chestnut to an eating contest on X leaning into the platform to debut the 3 For Lunch Combo meal 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗬 🛒 — Walmart will soon offer instant bank payments to shoppers, which will in turn help them avoid paying fees to credit card companies 𝗖-𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘 ⛽️ — Choice Market quietly went bankrupt this summer. Now it plans to focus on its automated Mini Mart locations if its financing gets approved — Vertex Energy Inc. files for bankruptcy with $422M of debt, claiming it struggled to capitalize on the renewable fuels market 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟 🛍 — Salt Life retail stores to close in bankruptcy — Kay Jewelers to revamp store fleet amid new brand positioning 𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 🏨 — India-based hospitality tech company OYO to purchase Motel 6 brand for $525M. See you next week for the latest restaurant, grocery, c-store, retail, hospitality, and higher-ed headlines. #restaurant #grocery #hospitality #hotels #retail #highered #weeklyheadlines #sustainability #university #campus #operations

"How can we ensure our business is a responsible force in the community?" This is a question every business owner should be asking. For Erica Paolicelli and Dave Mansfield of Three Brothers Wineries & Estates, their commitment to community impact reaches far beyond their doors—it extends across the entire Finger Lakes region. By embracing accountability and prioritizing sustainability, they’re not only making a positive impact on the community but also securing the future of their business. As Dave puts it, “No farm, no wine, no business.” 🌱🍷 #CommunityImpact #Sustainability #FingerLakes

Pam Sherman you inspire many with your stage presence and inspire me every day. Congrats on a sold out Denver run of At Wit's End playing your hero Erma Bombeck #denver #ermabombeck

It's Thursday — you know the drill! Read below for the latest #ShermsWeeklyInsider. 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧 🍽 — BurgerFi secures funds to operate through bankruptcy — IHOP's new menu innovates beyond breakfast — Chipotle Mexican Grill starts in-store testing for avocado processing machine and automated makeline 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗬🛒 — Sam's Club increases starting wage to $16 and accelerates increases for frontline workers — Boar's Head Brand facing $48M lawsuit due to Listeria outbreak 𝗖-𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘 ⛽️ — Phillips 66 augments fleet fueling payment options — Wawa, Inc. experiences widespread credit card processing outage 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟 🛍 — Anthropologie unveils holiday house in NYC, an immersive space where shoppers can buy products showcased via QR codes — Amazon announces October Prime Big Deal Days 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗗 🎓 — Disney to limit college tuition benefits and cut master's degree programs See you next week for the latest restaurant, grocery, c-store, retail, hospitality, and higher-ed headlines. #restaurant #grocery #hospitality #hotels #retail #highered #weeklyheadlines #sustainability #university #campus #operations