Christine Blank

Foodservice distributor US Foods reported record earnings and profit and sales increases in fiscal year 2023, at the same time it announced the acquisition of broadline foodservice distributor IWC Food Service. 

US Foods reported its net sales increased 4.5 percent to USD 35.6 billion (EUR 33 billion) in 2023, while gross profit increased 11.9 percent to USD 6.1 billion (EUR 5.6 billion). Its FY 2023 adjusted earnings before interest,

A variety of seafood from Alaska – especially pollock – is heavily featured in U.S. restaurant chains’ limited-time offers during the Lenten season, which began 14 February and runs through 28 March.

Among the numerous nationwide seafood meals available for Lent is a pollock fish sandwich from Jack in the Box, Alaska flounder fish tacos from Taco John’s, an Alaska flounder fish sandwich from Popeye’s, a pollock fish

Coinciding with the start of Lent on 14 February, numerous U.S. restaurant chains are rolling limited-time offers featuring lobster, shrimp, and cod.

One of the biggest U.S. seafood restaurant chains, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.-based Red Lobster, is bringing back its popular Lobsterfest promotion and adding several new shrimp and lobster dishes to its menu, including Lobster Lover’s Dream featuring twin North American lobster tails and

Inflation on seafood prices at U.S. retailers continued to ease to start the new year, but that did not lead to increased sales of seafood, as fresh and frozen seafood sales and volume dipped in January.

Frozen seafood prices declined 6.6 percent to USD 7.32 (EUR 6.80) per pound on average year over year, according to new Circana data analyzed by 210 Analytics. Fresh seafood prices dropped 3.6 percent year over year to an average price of USD

Quick service restaurant (QSR) operators are looking to expand their seafood offerings beyond fried fish sandwiches, with an aim of implementing healthier dishes featuring salmon, shrimp, and other seafood onto their menus, according to restaurant industry experts speaking at the 2024 Global Seafood Marketing Conference (GSMC), which took place in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. from 23 to 25 January.

“In today’s world, at lunch, you sell a

U.S. retailers and restaurateurs are expecting high upcoming seafood sales as the 40-day Lenten season kicks off the same day as Valentine’s Day on 14 February.

“There is normally a bump for seafood on Valentine’s Day, but with Lent on top of that, it should be a banner week for seafood,” Jason Resner, the meat and seafood sales, merchandising, and procurement lead for Downers Grove, Illinois, U.S.A.-based retailer Fresh

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) has forecasted restaurant sales to exceed USD 1.1 trillion (EUR 1 trillion) in 2024.

Nearly eight in 10 restaurant operators anticipate their sales will either increase (33 percent) or at least hold steady (45 percent) compared to last year, according to the NRA’s “2024 State of the Restaurant Industry Report.”

However, 97 percent of restaurant operators say they are still struggling

U.S. foodservice outlets sold more shrimp year over year in 2023, due in part to lower prices, and more outlets included shrimp on their menus, improving the products' countrywide menu penetration.

However, customers bought less average volume per visit, and foodservice businesses used an average of 20 pounds less volume per establishment, according to Performance Food Group Vice President of Procurement Michael Seidel.

Foodservice outlets have