OAK BROOK, Ill. -- Caribou Coffee tackles lunch with "grown-up grilled cheese," Dallas/Fort Worth Airport launches a mobile marketing tool, Mrs. Fields throws its hat into the specialty-coffee market, and more of the latest news from some of the industry's biggest players.
McDonald's Corp. announced global comparable sales growth of 5.1% in July. Same-store sales in the United States grew 4.4%. The company attributes the healthy boost to the McCafe beverage line, including the recently introduced mango pineapple smoothie, as well as core products Chicken McNuggets and breakfast items.
C-store chain The Pantry announced financial results for its fiscal third quarter this week. Comparable store merchandise revenue decreased 1.5%, vs. a 7.7% increase the year prior. Merchandise gross margin was 34% compared to 34.2% a year ago. President and CEO Terrance M. Marks commented that while top-line results were soft, the company continues to roll out its "Fresh" foodservice concept and is encouraged by the foodservice growth experienced in stores that have received the concept.
[image-nocss]CaribouCoffee, the nation's second-largest coffeehouse chain, has launched its sandwich line nationwide, pictured here. The line, "grown-up grilled cheese," includes four varieties: three-cheese classic, Gouda and turkey with pesto, aged Cheddar roast and Italian chicken melt. Prices range from $3.50 to $4.25, depending upon store location. Chips or a cookie can be added to the order for an additional $1.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport launched a mobile program that integrates location-based social networking with the airport's restaurants and retailers. Patrons who check into places using Foursquare and Facebook can receive deals at different locations. There are currently 85 stores participating, including Starbucks, Auntie Anne's and Reata Grill.
Quick-serve brand Del Taco debuted its new logo and restaurant design this week. The update is meant to emphasis freshness and quality of ingredients. Store walls will be decorated with phrases such as "beans slow cooked here" and "chicken grilled here." The chain is also testing a salsa bar for the first time.
U.K. grocery retail giant Tesco PLC announced plans to test a new convenience store concept in southern California as it seeks to stem losses from its Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market chain. Tesco will pilot a handful of stores under the "Fresh & Easy Express" name by the end of the year. The stores are expected to be about 3,000 square feet each, enabling Fresh & Easy to venture into neighborhoods that cannot accommodate its standard 10,000-square-foot stores.
Mrs. Fields is using Chicago as a test market as it attempts to re-energize with a broader menu, focusing on a push into specialty coffees and eventually breakfast and lunch. The chain has opened a prototype for future stores on Chicago's State Street. The modern feel is more Seattle's Best Coffee than cookie stand, according to the Chicago Tribune, with the store offering lattes, ice-blended beverages and coffee flavors such as snickerdoodle and white chocolate macadamia nut. The company is using the model to entice franchisees to convert existing stores and build new locations outside of malls.
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