MarketWatch: Food - March 2008

MarketWatch: Food - March 2008

Introduction

The Food MarketWatch contains the latest news, analysis and opinion, covering all the month's major issues including mergers and acquisitions, marketing and regulatory issues. It covers the period from January 15 – February 14 2008.

Scope

DATAMONITOR VIEW 1
CATALYST 1
SUMMARY 1
INDUSTRY UPDATE 2
News in Brief 2
NEW PRODUCTS REVIEW 4
Makers show they are keen to be green 4
Cheese: top flavors in new products 7
New food launches by category, October-December: double digit growth for candies 8
Product claims: new food launches, October-December 9
FEATURE ANALYSIS 10
Rising obesity levels: contradicting consumer attempts to eat healthier 10
Rewe: success in the race for Extra 11
INDUSTRY COMMENT 12
Cadbury: sweetening its image through ethical initiatives 12
Whole Foods Market: adaptability will be key to London success 13
Carrefour: strong fourth quarter sales growth 14
NEWS 15
Headlines 15
PF Chang's reports updated Q4 earnings guidance 15
Fresh Del Monte Produce CFO to retire 15
Kraft Foods expands contract with DHL 15
Twix offers new candy bar with coffee flavor 15
Sainsbury's to implement Eqos management solution 15
Benihana Q3 sales up 15
Canada Bread to acquire Aliments Martel 15
Frisch's Q2 revenues up 15
Wal-Mart to distribute Bell Buckle products 15
California Pizza Kitchen Q4 revenue up 16
Pinkberry launches new coffee frozen yogurt 16
Adalis enters into partnership with Bellisio Foods 16
Au Bon Pain and LNK Partners join hands 16
Wrigley's chief innovation officer to retire 16
Organic To Go Q4 revenue increases 16
NapaStyle to open new store in California 16
Quiznos introduces new sandwiches 16
Kellogg acquires United Bakers 16
Ruby Tuesday announces new franchisee in Texas 17
Red Robin's Q4 preliminary unaudited revenues up 17
California Milk Advisory Board introduces new cheese balls 17
Wrigley selects Interbrand as global packaging design agency 17
Santa Fe's 2007 sales surge 17
Pizza Hut deploys mobile ordering system in US 17
Cosi's Q4 revenues up 17
Burger King appoints VP of inclusion and talent management 17
Tootie Pie December sales up 150% 17
Dunkin' Brands announces new appointment 18
Six Flags enters into sponsorship agreement with Tyson Foods 18
Red Robin Gourmet to acquire four restaurants 18
Dinner by Design plans to expand in Ohio 18
Tasty Baking introduces new low-fat product line 18
Cookies by Design sells assets to Crumb 18
Tyson Foods announces investigation into improper animal handling 18
RAB Holdings appoints new CEO for RAB Food Group 18
Magnolia Bakery opens new bakery in Manhattan 18
Bridgford Foods full-year sales down 19
Blackstone and Wellspring to acquire Performance Food 19
Sun-Rype's unionized employees reject recommended settlement 19
Tyson Foods to get $4.5 million in suit settlement 19
Cadbury Schweppes to sell Monkhill 19
ValueAct increases stake in Sara Lee to 5% 19
KFC serves youtiao in China 19
Wadia may acquire Danone's 25% stake in Britannia 19
Cosmo to expand Burger King outlets in Malaysia 19
Hardee's offers Hillshire Farm smoked sausage biscuit 20
Inter-American Products recalls Deli Chef tri-bean salad 20
Domino's Pizza launches revamped website 20
Dreyer's recalls two ice cream brands 20
Wm Morrison Supermarkets Christmas sales up 20
Barry Callebaut Q1 sales up 20
Lindt & Sprungli full-year sales up 20
Domino's Pizza announces leadership changes 20
Green Rabbit's MimicCreme now available in supermarkets 20
GE Capital Solutions and Corporate Solutions finance Heartland Brewery 21
Stretch Island enters into partnership with OFRF 21
Pizza Pizza opens two new restaurants in Montreal 21
Danisco to acquire Abitec 21
Robeks opens five new stores 21
Dinner by Design plans to enter and expand in Iowa 21
Unilever United States announces changes in business team 21
Panera Bread appoints two new directors 21
Cuisine Solutions Q2 sales up 21
American Italian Pasta appoints new president and CEO 22
Ling & Louie's Asian Bar to open new restaurant in Arizona 22
Buffets Holdings receives interim court approval to access new fund 22
Sagittarius Brands signs deal to open 91 new restaurants 22
Clover farmstead butter now in retail outlets 22
ConAgra withdraws ethanol plant plans 22
Max & Erma's Restaurants Q4 revenue down 22
Maria Elena's launches new organic drink mix 22
Tootie Pie Q4 sales up 22
Luminex and Tyson Foods sign collaboration agreement 22
McCormick & Company Q4 sales increase 23
Tesco appeals to planning inspectorate on Mill Road proposal 23
Tesco to open more Homeplus stores - report 23
UDS Group to begin national expansion of Salad Creations 23
Peter Rabbit Organics appoints new CEO 23
Hershey's Q4 sales up 23
Kerry Foods launches smaller Brunchettas 23
Steak n Shake Q1 revenue down 23
J & J Snack Foods Q1 sales up 23
Nestle reportedly planning to sell pasta plant in Italy 23
Dannon Company refutes class action lawsuit 24
Tommy Moloney's launches new line of bacon 24
Rockelle plans to expand beyond food service 24
Panera Bread enters into agreement with Lemek 24
Smart Balance appoints new vice president of operations analysis 24
Dinner by Design plans to expand in Missouri and southern Illinois 24
LaSalle Brands acquires licensing rights of LaSalle Brands 24
Red Robin Gourmet to open new restaurant in Ashburn 24
Nestle advocates for water market 24
McDonald's elects new member to board of directors 24
Burger King reportedly better placed to tackle economic slump 25
Friesland Campina names prospective CEO 25
Church's Chicken renews contract with Coca-Cola 25
RMD to sell assets to South Pacific Partners 25
Cadbury to launch Creme Egg Twisted chocolate bar 25
Tesco to open first store in Istanbul in May 2008 25
Tyson Foods wins case against poultry competitors 25
Stop & Shop and Giant Food alerts customers about Perdue voluntary recall 25
Coughlin Stoia commences class action suit against Panera Bread 25
Vistar acquires Marjack Company 26
Tyson Foods to restructure beef operations in Kansas 26
Iridescence opens at MotorCity Casino Hotel 26
CRG Acquisition buys Sara Lee-Bryan Foods hog processing plant 26
Bruegger's Enterprises Q4 sales up 26
Unilever's shareholders desire increase in share buyback program 26
Arla recovers in the Middle East 26
Hershey increases prices of domestic confectionery line 26
Tyson Foods Q1 profit down 26
Smithfield Foods allowed to pursue case against UFCW 26
California Pizza Kitchen opens new restaurant 27
Fatburger introduces new peanut butter shake 27
Mistral Equity Partners acquires Shearer's Foods 27
Tesco Christmas and New Year period sales up 27
American Dairy announces management changes 27
Chiquita's preliminary unaudited net sales increase 27
Sagittarius Brands appoints chairman, CEO and president 27
Bell Buckle Holdings ships initial order to Wal-Mart 27
Kellogg's 2007 net sales up 27
California Pizza Kitchen opens new restaurant in Mexico 28
Imperial Sugar appoints new president, CEO 28
NexCen Brands acquires Great American Cookie Company 28
Ghirardelli introduces new filled chocolate bar line 28
Imperial Sugar's Q1 net income down 28
Saputo to acquire activities of Alto Dairy Cooperative 28
Ralcorp's waiting period for Post cereals acquisition terminated 28
Morton's to open new steakhouse in California 28
Hormel Foods to construct production facility in Iowa 28
Granite City Food & Brewery opens new outlet in Indiana 28
Naturally Iowa acquires PLA Supply 29
Attune launches two new probiotic wellness bars 29
Roxanne's Fine Cuisine introduces raw food products 29
Pizza Hut launches new Crunchy Cheesy Crust pizza 29
Ruby Tuesday rolls out plans for restaurants in US airports 29
Chipotle promotes two executives 29
Funky Monkey Snacks seals distribution deal with Whole Foods 29
Panera Bread to expand franchise in Arkansas 29
Kraft's Q4 net revenues up 29
Bernod launches certified organic cotton candy 29
Nathan's Famous Q3 net income down 30
Buffalo Wild Wings purchases seven restaurant locations from Avado 30
Star Buffet Management acquires Barnhill's buffet restaurants 30
Wrigley's 2007 net sales surge 15% 30
Cagle's reports reduced Q3 loss 30
California Pizza Kitchen enters into ASR for $46.3 million 30
Tyson elects 10 directors; plans to expand chicken production in China 30
P&G says it is unaffected by US market slowdown - report 30
BAB's 2007 net income up 31
Arla Foods shuts down store in Brown County - report 31
Industrias Bachoco Q4 sales rise 31
ForeverGreen anticipates record Q1 results 31
Tyson begins scaling back operations at Emporia plant 31
Hindustan Unilever may cut down at least 200 managerial jobs 31
Bakkavor acquires Two Chefs on a Roll 31
Amcon appoints chairman 31
NutraCea to buy rice bran oil processing facility in Brazil 31
Archibald to offer Naturally Iowa's All Natural soft ice cream 31
Church's Chicken opens 1,600th location in Blue Springs, Missouri 32
Hain Celestial Group Q2 sales up 20% 32
Fresh Harvest Products expands distribution of snack bars 32
Weight Watchers and Danone to set up weight management JV in China 32
Cloetta Fazer Sverige appoints managing director 32
Martek's life'sDHA now present in Challenge spreadable butter 32
Canyon Creek Food Company Q2 sales increase 37% 32
Clorox's Q2 net sales increase 32
Unilever to buy Inmarko in Russia 33
Corn Products Q4 net income rises 33
Yum! Brands Q4 total revenue up 33
CBRL Group's January comparable store retail sales down 33
Tootie Pie adds Jalapeno Tree Mexican Restaurant chain 33
Quiznos plans to open restaurant support center in Denver 33
Archibald Frozen Desserts introduces new line of natural ice cream 33
Fresh Harvest Products appoints new vice president of sales 33
Kashi adds two new flavors to Kashi Granola family 33
UFood announces franchise agreement in Chicago region 33
Unilever executives to participate in Las Vegas community service projects 34
Cheesecake Factory's Q4 total revenues up 34
Pizza Inn's Q2 net income up 34
Ralcorp's Q1 net sales increase 34
Kellogg introduces new cereal 34
Ben & Jerry's against ban on hormone-free labels on dairy products - report 34
Cold Stone Creamery ice cream ties up with Ghirardelli chocolate 34
PBM forms new company in China 34
AFC Enterprises appoints CMO 34
Saputo's Q3 consolidated revenues up 26% 34
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants announces management changes 35
Capital Growth completes sale of Stevi B's Pizza 35
Overhill Farms director resigns 35
Green & Black's announces Chocolate Challenge 35
Unilever's 2007 sales up 35
British Sugar to give up 13.5% of UK sugar 35
Santa Fe's same store sales up 2.4% for January 35
Sara Lee's Q2 net sales up 35
Organic To Go appoints VP retail operations; completes four new cafes 35
Nestle Ghana supports regenerative health fair - report 36
Panera Bread enters into agreement with Covelli Enterprises 36
Little Caesars eyes New Orleans for growth prospects 36
Rachel's adds two new flavors to Wickedly Delicious yogurt brand 36
CKE Restaurants and CSAB ink new beverage agreement 36
Texas Chicken enters into UK 36
Overhill Farms Q1 net revenues surge 36
O'Charley's Q4 revenues decrease 36
Sara Lee likely to announce more price hikes 36
Compass Q1 global revenues post organic increase 36
Pierre Foods announces closure of Cedartown, Georgia plant 37
Ark Restaurants Q1 income down 37
Fresh Harvest Products starts new coffee food service division 37
Quaker Steak & Lube appoints new president and CEO 37
Kellogg Company launches two new product lines 37
Tribe Mediterranean Foods launches new snack 37
Cloetta Fazer's Q4 sales up 37
Tyson appoints lead independent director, new compensation committee chairman 37
Danisco's sugar production crosses one million tons 37
Sucros to continue beet sugar production in Finland 37
Marks & Spencer to open new sandwich shop 38
Galaxy Nutritional Foods Q3 net sales slightly up 38
Marco Polo acquires 51% stake of Wakame Foods 38
Stella D'oro introduces 100-calorie Breakfast Treats 38
Asda lobbies to get approval for out-of-town superstores in UK - report 38
Thailand bids goodbye to smoking in restaurants and other public spaces 38
Bell Buckle enters into distribution agreement with Tree of Life 38
Best's Kosher gets new package design 38
California Pizza Kitchen opens three new restaurants 38
Ruth's Chris Steak House appoints new executive vice president and CFO 39
General Mills and DuPont sell 8th Continent JV to Stremicks Heritage 39
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers to open new restaurant in Alabama 39
Dream Dinners appoints new CEO 39
Kellogg introduces new Special K Bliss bars 39
John B Sanfilippo & Son's Q2 net income surges 39
Blue Horizon's organic spring rolls to be available in Whole Foods Market 39
First Watch plans to sell multi-unit franchises in 35 states 39
Robert Vincent resigns as Uno Restaurant's EVP and CFO 39
Pepperidge Farm introduces new fruit cookies 40
Garden of Life launches fucoPROTEIN bars 40
Diamond Foods appoints new executive vice president 40
Buffalo Wild Wings Q4 revenue up 40
BJ's Restaurants opens new restaurant in Ohio 40
Panera Bread's Q4 revenues increase 40
COMPANY SPOTLIGHT: KELLOGG 41
Kellogg & Kraft: hiking up advertising spend 41
Business Description 42
SWOT Analysis 43
Strengths 43
Weaknesses 44
Opportunities 45
Threats 46
Index 47
APPENDIX 49
Further reading 49
About MarketWatches 50
Editors 50
Ask the analyst 50
Datamonitor consulting 50
Disclaimer 50
List of Tables
Table 1: Top claims in new food launches, October-December 2007, compared to same period in 2006 9
Table 2: Key Facts 42
Table 3: SWOT Analysis 43
List of Figures
Figure 1: PickleSickle Frozen Pickle Juice Treats - Cherry; Lemon Lime; Regular 5
Figure 2: Rotong Green Pea Sticks 5
Figure 3: Himalania Goji Berries - Wasabi Covered 5
Figure 4: Detour Yoga Energy Bar - Blueberry Acai; Peach Mango 6
Figure 5: Honibe Pure Honey Drop - Pure Honey; Pure Honey & Lemon 6
Figure 6: Andros Compote 6
Figure 7: Cheese: top flavors in new products 7
Figure 8: Leading global food launches by category, October-December 2006 and 2007 8