UW Changes Food Vendor
WISCONSIN (September 1, 2010)—The University of Wisconsin is going with its original out-of-state choice for their main food distributor despite a formal complaint from a competing in-state company questioning the university’s decision.

July Restaurant Performance Index Remains Essentially Flat
WASHINGTON (August 31, 2010)—As a result of soft sales and traffic levels and a deteriorating outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of restaurant activity remained essentially flat in July.  The Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 99.4 in July, down 0.1 percent from June and its fourth consecutive decline.  In addition, the RPI stood below 100 for the third consecutive month, which signifies contraction in the index of key industry indicators.

Restaurants Continue to Pursue Growth Through Franchising, Finds Technomic
CHICAGO (August 31, 2010 - Business Wire)—Restaurant chains still consider new franchise agreements to be a main avenue for growth, says a new report from foodservice consultant Technomic. In response to the recession, many franchisors have offered their franchisees incentives like enhanced credit support, fee reductions, and temporarily reduced royalty rates. Others have worked with franchisees to drive down supply chain costs.

Food Price Inflation, Economy Take Toll On Restaurant Industry
(August 31, 2010 - The Packer)—While the beginning of 2010 brought optimism to the restaurant industry, the middle of the year is replacing that optimism with uncertainty for many operators, and rising food costs are partly to blame.

Food distributors spent $194K lobbying in 2Q
PORTLAND, OR (August 30, 2010)—The International Foodservice Distributors Association spent $193,700 in the second quarter lobbying the federal government, according to a recent disclosure report.

Florida's Plant City welcomes Gordon Food Service
PLANT CITY, FLA (August 30, 2010)—A recent ribbon cutting ceremony helped mark the change in ownership at a warehouse that rivals the size of some shopping malls.

High Plains Farm Tour joins restaurant industry, Lubbock area growers
LUBBOCK, TX (August 31, 2010)—The High Plains Farm Tour, sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture, was the first of what growers and restaurant owners hope will be a regular, thriving event. A group of about 35 local chefs and restaurant owners learned fresh, tasty produce could be found right within county lines.

Kuna Foodservice Forms Kuna Retail Division
(August 25, 2010)—Kuna Foodservice, a distributor serving restaurants and other foodservice operations in the St. Louis region, announced the formation of Kuna Retail, a new division focused on serving retailers such as grocery stores and butcher shops.

New Round Cuts Offer Six More Value-Added Beef Options
(August 25, 2010)—The Beef Innovations Group (BIG) debuted six new cuts from the beef round at the first Innovative Beef Symposium in Denver, part of its effort to help meat processors, manufacturers, retailers, foodservice operators and cattle producers maximize yield, add versatility and increase profitability.

Partnership Brings Food Safety Help to Small Growers
(August 24, 2010)—An innovative partnership between Produce Marketing Association (PMA), Sysco Corporation and PrimusLabs.com is providing much-needed produce food safety training to small growers across America to help them increase their produce sales.

Tracking Your Progress on 2010 Finance Resolutions
As we begin the second quarter of 2010, how are you doing on your New Year's resolutions for your business?

By Bill Beattie

New Year’s Resolutions for Foodservice Distributor Owners
As we start the new year, I can think of no better time to identify your company’s key priorities for 2010 and make a few key personal resolutions that improve your business, your management team, and your relationship with your customers. As you read and analyze your year-end reports from 2009, look for opportunities as well as potential threats to your business.

By Bill Beattie

A Better Market for Business Sellers at the Close of 2009
by Bill Beattie

Because of Keiter Stephens Advisors’ vantage point facilitating foodservice distribution mergers and acquisitions – we’ve represented more transactions in the past 3 years than any other advisor – we’ve been asked to present our perspective on transaction activity in 2009.

As KSA did a year ago, we’re going to start this column with an overview of the mindset of potential buyers.