ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - More changes are in store for dynamic retailer Ahold Delhaize; shortly after the merger of the company’s constituent parts, Ahold Delhaize has announced that, effective July 1, 2018, Dick Boer will step down as CEO of the company—with Frans Muller to assume the role of CEO. The company also announced a new Chairman of its Supervisory Board after Mats Jansson stepped down from the position.
“I'm honored to be given the opportunity to lead this company with such powerful brands, incredible talent, and long-term growth potential—a combination that sets us apart globally,” said Muller, in a press release. “Our success will be based upon delivering a great and seamless shopping experience for our customers, both in stores and online. Building on the solid foundations established under Dick's leadership, we will continue to drive innovation and growth in stores and online as we execute our strategy and create value for all our stakeholders. My focus will be on delivering our promises to be a better place to shop, better place to work and better neighbor—every day.”
Muller brings more than 20 years of experience in retail to his new role. The executive has served as Deputy CEO and Chief Integration Officer of Ahold Delhaize since July 24, 2016 and also led Delhaize America on an interim basis from October 2016 until January 2018.
Prior to the merger between Ahold and Delhaize, Muller served as President and CEO of Delhaize Group—beginning in 2013. Before joining Delhaize Group, he served on the Management Board of German retailer Metro AG for seven years and was CEO of Metro Cash & Carry for five years.
“It has been a privilege to lead Ahold Delhaize and to work with so many talented colleagues, serving customers around the globe,” noted Outgoing CEO Dick Boer. “Today, our company is well-positioned for long-term growth, creating a natural moment for me to step down. I am proud of what we achieved together, and it is my absolute pleasure to be handing the helm to Frans, who I have come to know as a talented leader. I wish him, the executive team, and everyone at the company all the best for the future.”
The company’s Chairman continued, praising Boer’s leadership and noting Muller’s suitability for the position. The company noted that Boer will work closely with Muller to ensure a smooth transition on July 1, 2018, and he will remain available as advisor to the Company until mid 2019.
“We thank Dick for his leadership and dedication throughout his 20-year career at Ahold Delhaize and Ahold,” noted Mats Jansson, current Chairman of Ahold Delhaize’s Supervisory Board, in a press release. “Dick's accomplishments include the successful repositioning of Albert Heijn to market leadership, strategically building Ahold's portfolio into brands with number one and two positions in the markets they serve, and introducing digital, eCommerce, and sustainability as integrated parts of the business. Dick has role-modeled the values of our Better Together strategy, with his passion for retail, customers, associates and health. Under Dick's leadership, two leading food retailers were brought together in an historic merger. With this merger now being substantially completed, Ahold Delhaize is now ready to move into its next phase.”
Jansson also noted, in a separate press release, that he would retire from the company's Supervisory Board after the AGM on April 11, 2018, to be replaced by Vice Chairman Jan Hommen. Johnny Thijs and Patrick De Maeseneire will also step down after having indicated that they are unable to continue the membership of the Supervisory Board with their other commitments.
"I leave Ahold Delhaize knowing that the company is well positioned for the future. I thank my colleagues in the Supervisory Board and especially Jan Hommen, with whom I have had the privilege of working closely, both before and after completing the merger of two leading food retail companies," added Jansson. "It makes me proud to see what the teams at Ahold Delhaize have accomplished in two years, with the integration fully on track. For me this proves that we truly are Better Together. I also thank Johnny Thijs and Patrick De Maeseneire for their valuable contributions during their terms at Ahold Delhaize and Delhaize Group."
Hommen has been Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board since July 2016. Prior to the merger, Hommen served as Chairman of Ahold's Supervisory Board since 2013. Between 2003 and 2007, he was Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ahold and Chairman of the Audit Committee. Hommen has an executive background as Vice Chairman of the board of management at Royal Philips Electronics and as CEO of ING Group and of KPMG the Netherlands.
"The leadership of Mats has been instrumental in successfully bringing Ahold and Delhaize Group together and delivering on our promises to our stakeholders,” added Hommen. "As a Supervisory Board, we are grateful for his commitment and strong support to the leadership team in delivering a successful integration. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the board and with the new CEO Frans Muller and his team."
Jansson noted that the company’s leadership team would remain committed to growing its recently-merged operations and continuing to evolve as a leading retailer in the United States and abroad.
“Together with Dick, Frans was instrumental in bringing together Ahold and Delhaize Group," continued Jansson. “During the past two years he has been driving the integration process in close collaboration with our great local brands and support offices. Frans brings a wealth of retail experience and a deep knowledge of our company, brands and U.S. and European markets, making him the natural choice as next CEO. Frans is committed to the brand-centric operating model which is key to our strategy and has the customer at its core. We are confident that Frans is the right person to lead the company into its next phase.”
For more on this and other dynamic retailers in fresh food, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
CINCINNATI, OH - After meeting a successful opening of its first full-service dining experience, Kitchen 1883, Kroger is welcoming a second restaurant to its retail roundup, bringing a fresh take on American comfort food to a new audience. The first restaurant opened in Kentucky last November, while this new location, a stand-alone restaurant with a patio in the Greater Cincinnati neighborhood-based Anderson Township, will open this fall.
"With Kitchen 1883, our vision is to create a gathering place that offers a casual atmosphere for guests to relax and experience food," said Vice President of Culinary Development and New Business Daniel Hammer. "Since opening our pilot restaurant five months ago, we've discovered new ideas that will help to shape our future dining concepts and in-store fresh food experiences."
The restaurant is host to made-from-scratch menu items with American flair that invites international flavors into the mix. In addition, customers can enjoy hand-crafted cocktails and a community-centered atmosphere at the locations. Those looking for lunch and dinner can look to Kitchen 1883 for their weekday needs, with brunch made available on Saturdays and Sundays.
"Kitchen 1883 is just one way Kroger is redefining the customer experience through innovative concepts, as we outlined in Restock Kroger," continued Mr. Hammer. "Kroger's Culinary Innovation team will continue innovating and experimenting with food trends, flavors, and ingredients to create new experiences and products for our customers and new menu items for our restaurant guests."
Check out Kroger Stories to watch a video of the original Kitchen 1883.
For more fresh produce industry news, keep checking back with us at AndNowUKnow!
PHOENIX, AZ – Swiftly growing fresh-focused retailer Sprouts Farmers Market has announced expansion plans to open the company’s third quarter; the grocer announced plans to open 13 stores over the course of the quarter—including the first Sprouts locations in Pennsylvania and Washington—and additional stores in Florida, Maryland, and North Carolina.
“As we continue to enter new markets, we’re pleased with the customer response to Sprouts’ unique combination of health and value,” said Chief Development Officer Ted Frumkin. “We’re looking forward to bringing healthy living for less to new neighbors in Philadelphia and the Mill Creek area of Seattle later this year.”
The company has yet to announce opening dates and hiring information—but did announce specific store locations. New Sprouts locations include:
- Durham, NC – 105 West NC Highway 54
- El Paso, TX – 9801 Gateway Boulevard West
- Las Vegas, NV – 1140 East Silverado Ranch Boulevard
- Las Vegas, NV – 6150 North Decatur Boulevard
- Las Vegas, NV – 7375 South Rainbow Boulevard
- Lodi, CA – 250 East Harney Lane
- Mill Creek, WA - 13314 Bothell-Everett Highway
- Oklahoma City, OK – South Pennsylvania Avenue and 119th Street
- Philadelphia, PA – 1000 South Broad Street
- Phoenix, AZ – 3320 North Seventh Avenue
- Sacramento, CA – 2735 Marconi Avenue
- Towson, MD – 830 Goucher Boulevard
- Vacaville, CA – 1041 Helen Power Drive
In total, Sprouts is opening 16 stores during the first half of the year, including its first location in South Carolina. Sprouts will operate in 19 states by the end of 2018. For a list of stores by region or to see locations coming soon, visit sprouts.com/stores.
The company noted, in a press release, that each of the retailer’s new locations will bring approximately 140 new career opportunities to its local neighborhood. The company also noted that it continues to accelerate investments in team members, including enhanced pay, benefits, leadership development, and recognition, information about which can be found at about.sprouts.com/careers.
For more on this and other retailers changing the buyside of fresh food, stay up-to-date with AndNowUKnow.
EDINBURG, TX - Little Bear, a J&D brand, has cultivated onions for over a decade, and best of all, the company’s HoneySweet onions are tearless. I spoke with President Jimmy Bassetti, Director of Business Development Bret Erickson, and Salesman Jeff Brechler from the Little Bear team about the flavorful, mild onion.
“We are incredibly proud of our HoneySweet Onions,” Jimmy says. “They are a proprietary variety that we developed in house by our team of onion experts. From seed production to customer delivery, our HoneySweet team carefully manages every detail along the way ensuring that we deliver quality and consistency all year 'round.”
Jeff eagerly expands on how the onion stands out in a crowd of laminous bulbs.
“What the HoneySweet is known for and what sets it apart is the consistency of flavor,” Jeff explains. “Pungency test results have been consistent down the line, growing region after growing region, year after year. The consumer does not have to ask, will this one be mild or hot? We’ve removed the guesswork and the ‘luck of the draw’—consumers can rest assured that each and every HoneySweet onion they pick up will be mild, we guarantee it.”
Bret and Jeff explain that HoneySweet onions have been on the market for 10 years and that as seed availability has increased, the customer base has too.
“Sales have increased rapidly as consumers are quickly realizing that our HoneySweet is the mildest sweet onion they have ever tasted, and that no matter the time of the year, when they see that Little Bear logo, they know they will be in for a fantastic eating experience, every single time,” Bret reveals.
“Customers like knowing that, no matter where the HoneySweet is grown, it will taste the same,” adds Jeff on the onion’s consistency. “Within the last three years the HoneySweet program has experienced double digit growth both in dollars and tonnage, year over year.”
And, with HoneySweet onions available year-round, consumers have no reason to turn away from the onion. To ensure that HoneySweet onions are created equally, Little Bear invests in research to make sure that the four different regions in which the onion grows all have the right conditions.
“Once all protocols have been met on the growing side, strict harvesting, handling, and packing protocols are followed to ensure that the quality and integrity of the program are maintained,” Jeff states. “If pungency levels are not met, those onions do not get packed and shipped as a HoneySweet. We have built a good following and there is no room or need for an ‘imposter’ sweet.”
What HoneySweet onions are best known for is their taste, which comes from a combination of R&D engineering and good ol’ natural selection.
“Attention to detail and the perfect amount of sunshine,” Bret explains. “We literally hand select onions as part of our HoneySweet breeding program. Our R&D team looks for the perfect size and shape, a sweet crisp taste, and low pyruvic acid levels, we then select the best of the best to help us achieve the mildest onion in the marketplace, all year long. We spent a long time developing our own customized natural selection breeding program. Our proprietary breeding program gives us control of each and every step in the breeding and production process. This, along with our carefully selected growing regions with just the right amount of sunshine ensures we have perfectly consistent sweet mild onions every single time, no matter what time of the year it is.”
The onions are available for foodservice and the company is currently expanding further into that realm, but the onions are also still available in 40 lb bulk cartons and 3 lb and 5 lb bags for the retail level. To market the onions, Little Bear recommends employing available POS materials.
Jeff says that the company is currently planning internal growth, with a focus on facilities, processing lines, and packaging.
“We are constantly evolving and growing,” Bret says. “With the significant growth in sales we have experienced over the last several years, we are investing in our infrastructure to ensure we can continue to deliver the exceptional HoneySweet to a rapidly growing customer base. We are also working on expanding our organic HoneySweet onion. The organic movement is here to stay, and we recognize that many consumers are seeking organic options; we have been ramping up preparations to expand our organic offerings on HoneySweets.”
While J&D’s Little Bear continues to strengthen its brand and fortify both its internal operations and its customer base, we here at AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
SALINAS, CA - Ippolito International has announced that it is the first grower/shipper in Monterey County to have been awarded a Gold certification under TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) certification system for its Value-Added Facility and Brussels Sprouts Packing Facility. TRUE, administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), aims to help facilities define, pursue, and achieve zero waste goals while becoming more resource efficient.
"It was incredible to see a company commit, take action, and achieve its goal to become zero waste certified. This is a great example of how a good business case translates into environmental benefits,” Nikki Rodoni, Founder and CEO of Measure to Improve, who spearheaded this project for Ippolito, shared with me. “This is a great first step to formalizing a sustainability program!"
Ippolito set a Zero Waste goal in 2016, which entails being able to credibly validate a 90 percent diversion of waste from landfills for 12 consecutive months—Ippolito exceeded this goal with a diversion rate of 93.98 percent, having recycled 590 tons of cardboard and plastic and diverted over 10,000 tons of organic bi-product through animal feed and composting, according to a press release.
This initiative was launched by Partner Ron Mondo and General Manager Butch Corda with the support of Measure to Improve.
"We conducted regular tailgate trainings with the message that Zero Waste takes teamwork and is everyone’s responsibility,” said Food Safety Director Herman Cossio.
Sue Beets-Atkinson, Chair, GBCI TRUE Advisory Council, also professed an admiration for the drive the Ippolito team showed in achieving the Gold certification.
“I was impressed by Ippolito’s dedication to finding alternatives to move away from single-use wax cartons by investing in reusable totes," said Sue. "In the end, it will save money and improve their impact on the environment.”
Ron Mondo, the Partner who helped head the initiative felt thrilled by the company’s achievement.
“It feels good to do the right thing. We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment," said Ron Mondo. "I especially want to thank the Measure to Improve team for their expertise and guidance along the way."
To follow sustainability efforts in the produce industry, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
MCALLEN, TX - With this year’s Viva Fresh show floor just days away, the produce industry has been buzzing with excitement to see what Texas’ finest have brought to the table, and this year to up the ante on said excitement is the debut of the Viva Fresh Expo’s Gateway to Innovation Awards. Recognizing excellence in areas like packaging design, new product development, food safety, machinery, software, and technology, Viva Fresh’s panel of industry judges selected Lone Star Citrus’ Winter Sweetz Texas Red grapefruit as a finalist for not one, but two categories—Most Innovative Fruit Product and Most Innovative Packaging or POS. I spoke with Director of Marketing April Flowers to find out just what it takes to be one of the best of the best in the Tex-Mex produce corridor.
“We are thrilled to be finalists in both categories,” April tells me when I ask her what the company’s initial reaction was to the news it had made the finalist list. “Award showcases like this are an excellent way to share our product and marketing efforts with our industry peers, and it certainly reinforces our belief that we are moving in the right direction as both a company and a brand.”
To be considered as Most Innovative Fruit Product is no small feat, especially when entering under the grapefruit category, April tells me. Grapefruit flavor is influenced by growing region, color, variety, and season, which can often leave the general consumer confused about which grapefruit they should buy. What sets Winter Sweetz apart is that it takes the guesswork out of the equation.
“Winter Sweetz branding was created to clarify the grapefruit category in a way that had never before been done. To simplify the category and help the consumer overcome the purchase barrier, we’ve combined Texas origin, strong taste cues, and winter seasonality into fun and memorable graphics,” she explains. “We could have stopped there, but our end goal is to cultivate life-long grapefruit fans, even among those who believe that they do not like it. To that end, our consumer campaigns focuses on education and support. We are deeply committed to changing the entire conversation surrounding grapefruit, and we’ve taken on the challenge of elevating grapefruit and introducing it to a new generation of fans.”
As far as fitting the bill for Most Innovative Packaging or POS, Winter Sweetz is pushing industry standards forward, marrying both form and function; creativity with clarity.
“In terms of technical layout design, we’ve utilized a creative and incredibly simple layout solution that allows us to maximize available space in order to produce a powerful design while keeping the retailer’s needs in mind,” April says. “We walked a lot of produce aisles as we were researching and gathering ideas, and what we learned is that when the full front panel is entirely utilized for graphics, produce managers often display bags upside down in order to show the contents. To this end, we included a sizable window in the design that would show the bag’s contents while leaving ample room for graphics and key messaging. We also noticed that while most bags are designed in portrait orientation, they are almost always displayed horizontally. The solution was a landscape orientation with upper-right window and L-shaped graphic space.”
And as far as the graphic design and copy featured on the packaging, Winter Sweetz quite literally speaks to consumers through the use of speech bubbles. April tells me that Lone Star Citrus is well aware that many consumers bring pre-conceived notions of grapefruits past with them, so it was imperative to restart the conversation on a different note.
“I was very insistent that we use the word ‘surprising’ in our key messaging, because that is the number one reaction we get from people who try our product for the first time,” she continues. “Our tagline: ‘surprizingly sweet with a hint of zing,’ helps the customer move past that purchase barrier and approach our product with an open mind. They often find that they do like grapefruit, but they just didn’t know it.”
So how does Lone Star Citrus plan to keep the momentum for Winter Sweetz going after the Viva Fresh buzz dies down? April tells me the company has recently launched an in-bound marketing program that allows Lone Star to continually nurture its mega-fans, sharing new recipes, ideas, and building on its presence in the blogosphere and on social media.
“Reception has been excellent, and I credit a large part of that success to our partnerships with various food bloggers and social media influencers. They have been genuinely enthusiastic brand supporters and advocates and their audiences trust them. We’ve asked them to focus on breaking grapefruit free from the confines of the breakfast table, and into lunch, snack, and dinner menus, which has been very well received. Millennials and Gen X-ers are hungry for new flavors and inventive uses of familiar foods, so the time couldn’t be better for reframing the conversation around grapefruit.”
Want to learn more about what had Viva Fresh’s panel of judges so enamored? Visit Lone Star at booth #79 on the show floor to talk to the team and try Winter Sweetz at a sponsored pop-up demo from JW Marriott's chef outside Viva Fresh's retailer speed meetings. AndNowUKnow will see you there!
SAN ANTONIO, TX - Viva Fresh Expo is kicking off today! And Village Farms is ready and prepped to wow attendees with its full line of Texas-grown products. This year, Village Farms’ newest tomato variety, the Lorabella Blossom®, is also taking center stage after being selected as a finalist for the inaugural Gateway to Innovation Awards and will be on display in the show’s featured product showcase.
“The Lorabella Blossom has a vibrant orange blissfully bright color, with a nutty smooth citrus honey essence, is part of the famed San Marzano tomato family, and is great for snacking, cooking, grilling, and roasting,” Helen L. Aquino, Director of Brand Marketing & Communications, said. “We look forward to seeing you all at the show!”
According to a press release, Village Farms is one of the only Texas-grown suppliers of tomatoes-on-the-vine, marketed as Delectable TOV®; roma tomatoes, marketed as Savory Roma’s®; and beefsteak tomatoes, marketed as Juicy Beefsteaks®; as well as one of the only Texas growers of of Long English Cucumbers, marketed as Luscious Seedless Long English®.
Along with the Lorabella Blossom, Village Farms will be featuring all of its unique and exclusive specialty tomatoes at booth #129, including:
- Heavenly Villagio Marzano®
- Cabernet Estate Reserve®
- Cherry no. 9 Fall in Love Again®
- True Rebel Mix, Lip Smackn’ Grape®
- Sinfully Sweet Campari®
Village Farms will be represented at the show by Director of Strategic Business & Sales Development Lyra Vance; Senior Vice President of Grower Relations & Supply Development Michael Minerva; District Sales & Fulfillment Manager Carlos Flores; and Kain Cartwright, Sales Support Representative. The team at Village Farms encourages attendees to reach out for a customizable program that supports locally grown Texas varieties and bolsters the fact that it offers more competitive opportunities that utilize its partner growers just over the border in Mexico as well.
Stop by booth #129 to check out Village Farms’ full line, and for more information on Village Farms and its environmentally-friendly growing methods, visit www.villagefarms.com. For more news like this, stay up-to-date with AndNowUKnow.
JACKSONVILLE, FL - Despite the bankruptcy and store foreclosures, Winn-Dixie has mounted an attempt to survive in the Amazon era and joined in on the home delivery trend. The company announced that it will take a tip from Target, who has fared surprisingly well in the current, mercurial retail climate, and offer same-day delivery through Shipt, which Target acquired in December of 2017.
Florida Today reported that beginning yesterday, April third, shoppers were able to have items from Winn-Dixie stores delivered directly to their doorstep. But, of course, this new perk comes with a price; Shipt requires a $99 annual membership fee, which includes unlimited delivery on orders over $35. To entice consumers to engage with the new service offering, the company offers new customers a free two-week trial and $15 off their first order.
To use Shipt, members must only download the app, pursue and select products. Orders arrive in a timely manner via a Shipt shoppers. To follow market adaptations as they break, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
MCALLEN, TX - With the Viva Fresh Expo upon us, companies from across the Southwest U.S. and Mexico are gearing up for the annual convention in San Antonio, Texas. One of those companies making an impact in the region is GR Fresh, whose expansive operation spans more than six decades and four distribution centers strategically located in McAllen and San Antonio, Texas, Los Angeles, California; and Nogales, Arizona.
“GR Fresh has truly established itself as stewards of the land, and as we look to the next stage of growth, our aspirations are to branch into niche areas where demand has been accelerating, evolve our program to meet the needs of our organic and value-added customers, and expand and develop our relationships with our retail and foodservice partners,” Tony Incaviglia, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, shares with me. “Our presence in Mexico is unprecedented, and we are ready to continue to share our goals and vision here in the United States and beyond. GR Fresh is constantly looking for ways to not only adapt to the changing industry but redefine ourselves in the competitive landscape and bring more value to our customers.”
If you can’t tell, passion is not something that the Vice President of Sales and Marketing lacks. Tony brings an incredibly diverse background to his role at GR Fresh, from his roots in the Monterey Peninsula of California and attending the University of Arizona, to playing professional baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres organizations and working with Earthbound Farms and Bengard Ranch. Five years ago Tony joined GR Fresh and has been talking Mexican produce ever since.
The company’s portfolio reaches far and wide, ranging from a full line of tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and hot peppers, to Western veg, leafy greens, squash, and pomegranates. In addition, GR Fresh is expanding its organic program on items that include bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, grape tomatoes, and more.
“We are also evolving our program to include value-added options alongside our bulk offerings,” Tony shares with me. “It is an exciting time, and our goal is to meet those changing consumer buying behaviors that can be tapped by our retail and foodservice partners.”
GR Fresh operates over 8,000 acres each year with ranches across a number of Mexican states and regions including:
- Chihuahua
- Sinaloa
- Sonora
- Coahuila
- Durango
- Guanajuato
- Jalisco
- Michoacán
The company was originally founded by Juan Gonzalez Reyes about 70 years ago, and he is still actively involved in day-to-day operations to ensure the business remains true to its values, integrity, and vision as well as its commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and excellence in safe food production. And Juan Gonzalez has made fresh produce for GR Fresh a family affair. He has two sons, Juan Fernando Gonzalez and Miguel Gonzalez, with Juan handling the growing side and Miguel handling much of the marketing and sales side. Also his daughter Cecilia Gonzalez is the company’s Chief Financial Officer. In addition, Juan Gonzalez’s grandsons, Luis Webb and Antonio Villalobos, are a part of the company, bringing the GR Freshhistory into the 3rd generation of family members.
Tony, Luis, and Antonio are essentially in charge of GR Fresh’s operations here in the U.S. and building a brand to excel in the domestic market.
As we look from the roots of GR Fresh to today, the company is continuing to grow its operations in Mexico and the U.S. and working toward that goal with a new warehouse in McAllen, Texas.
“This complex will be built in stages and will help GR Fresh continue to bring better customer service and resources to our current and new retail relationships,’ Tony says.
The warehouse will be built in phases as the business requires and is slated to open in 2019, so stay tuned for more as we follow its construction and GR Fresh’s progress and evolution.
For more on the GR Fresh family of products and the exciting growth in the year to come, visit the team and its offerings this weekend at the Viva FreshExpo, booth 133.
UNITED STATES - Not only is garlic good for our immune systems, but, let’s face it, it makes ev-er-y-thing taste gourmet. Sautéed broccolini? Throw some garlic on it. Roasted eggplant and squash? Throw some garlic on it. Homemade pizza? Definitely throw some garlic on it! McDonald’s has tapped into this commonly experienced affinity for the root veg with the newest item to hit its Signature Crafted line, a borderline upscale and more expensive meal menu appeasing patrons throughout the nation since May of last year.
The new item, Signature Garlic White Cheddar Sandwich, offers garlic aioli; garlic chips; white cheddar cheese; tomato; lettuce; and the customer’s choice of protein between crispy chicken, grilled chicken, and a 1/4-pound all-beef patty—framed in an artisan bun that is heftier than the restaurant chain’s familiar sesame buns. This launch, however, comes at a cost—the chain is reportedly dropping the Sriracha Sandwich to make way for the new garlic goodness on the menu, according to Eater.
Customers mindful of calorie intake are made aware that the Artisan Grilled Chicken option has 530 calories with 20 grams of fat, the Buttermilk Crispy Chicken option has 700 calories with 34 grams of fat, and the Burger option has 620 calories with 34 grams of fat—which, according to the chain’s new meat updates, has no fillers, additives, or preservatives.
Other items featured on the Signature Crafted menu include chicken sandwiches and burgers with elaborate flavors, such as the Pico Guacamole, the Maple Bacon Dijon, and the Sweet BBQ Bacon.
Will the addition of this new item to the Signature Crafted menu grow demand for garlic throughout the restaurant chain industry, and if so, how will we see other chains branch off this idea to create their own produce-pushing options? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated with the latest!