My wallet received some bad news recently. According to CNN, coffee prices are hovering at $3.00 per pound, which is the highest price in over thirty years, and as a freelance writer, I spend five days a week in a coffee shop, usually leaving a bit jittery from at least ten cups of joe. I was less than pleased to read that my already expensive habit is about to become even more expensive.
The reason for the increase has a lot to do with weather. Coffee growing regions have been hit …

Wow, it’s been a busy couple of weeks in food news, hasn’t it? With sales slumping at some fast casual restaurants, big chains are working quickly to revamp their menus and make necessary changes to stay afloat.
Being a Portlander, my heart (and stomach) is loyal to breakfast – but breakfast menus appear to be rapidly changing to keep up with the current trends. According to Nation’s Restaurant News, upscale, healthy breakfast items, like crepes and oatmeal are on the rise – while more traditional, heartier breakfast items like French toast …

This week’s New York Times has a fantastic piece on the reinvention of Jewish delis across the country, many of whom are trying to up the ante from the traditional deli by incorporating natural and organic food stuffs into the menu. Portland’s own Kenny & Zuke’s, well-known locally for their delish sandwiches and menu items, is recognized, with owner Ken Gordon commenting that after his move from East Coast to West Coast, he realized that if he wanted a good pastrami sandwich, “I was going to have to make it …

According to Nation’s Restaurant News, a new book being released in May will feature a look at what kitchen workers around the country are being paid. The book, written by Rick Smilow, president and CEO of the Institute of Culinary Education, includes profiles on various executive chefs, sous chefs, and line cooks who discuss their annual salaries, as well as advice for finding your “dream job in food.” Titled Culinary Careers, the book even includes a bit on what to expect if you’re applying at El Bulli, Restaurant’s Best Restaurant …

Burger King announced on Friday that it will expand its bar and burger concept. Dubbed the ‘Whopper Bar’, a new Miami location opening next month will offer patrons 24-hour burgers alongside a selection of domestic beers, a first for a burger chain.
“Not only is South Beach in our backyard, but the warm weather, famous nightlife and colorful personality of the destination make it a great fit for a Whopper Bar restaurant,” Chuck Fallon, Burger King’s North America president, said in a company statement.
The company’s initial bar expansion location debuted in …

Ah, the infamous hotel restaurant. Traveling through town, wondering where you can get a quick, easy bite to eat – but something that actually tastes good? Too often, hotel restaurants are disappointing, with the establishment more focused on hospitality than quality or taste. Thankfully, many hotels have been upgrading their eateries, including the Kimpton Hotel chain which features award-winning, “chef-driven restaurants”.
USA Today recently compiled a short list of hotel restaurant favorites from frequent travelers as well. Some reader favorites? The dining room at Portland’s Heathman Hotel (I concur!), the Weber …

According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, Starbucks will continue to expand its new line of European-style coffeehouses by opening a second location later this fall. The coffee giant opened its first coffeehouse location, 15th Ave. Coffee and Tea, earlier this summer in Seattle’s Capitol Hill district. The new spot, tentatively named Roy Street Coffee & Tea, will also be on the Hill.
“As customers visit our stores, we hope they’ll feel a deeper connection to coffee, an enhanced sense of community and a greater level of commitment to environmental consciousness. …

When you invite a few of the country’s top CEO’s for lunch at the White House, should they expect to pay? The Obama Administration says yes. Late last week, Obama dined with Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg, Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke, Nucor CEO Dan DiMicco, and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz in the President’s private dining room. The group discussed top political issues including health care reform and energy, and surprisingly, all of the VIP guests were saddled with their own lunch bill.
“From time to time, White House guests are asked to reimburse …

Is the coffee business tanking? Whispers began earlier this month that Starbucks would be testing out ‘European-style’ coffeehouses on this side of the pond in an effort to combat their falling profits. Confirmed by USA Today late last week, the Northwest company will open a new test location in the Seattle area offering coffee, tea, and alcohol. The “15th Ave. Coffee and Tea inspired by Starbucks,” set to open next week, will include a small beer and wine selection ranging from $4-$7 for interested customers.
“We’ll be equally as proud of …

Seattle television station, King 5, is reporting that over 7000 Starbucks stores recently double-charged their customers! According to the report, a million coffee drinkers were overcharged during May 22 and May 23rd, due to a ‘settlement processing error’. Though Starbucks announced that all affected consumers have seen a ‘resolution’, make sure to check your bank statements just in case!
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An explosion this morning at a North Carolina ConAgra plant has left twenty workers injured with another three still missing. The plant, which processes Slim Jim jerky products, experienced an explosion and …

Posted by Jennifer Heigl

Ouch! Is Starbucks headed in the way of the big 3 auto dealers? After raking in cash, and expanding exponentially over the last few years, the coffee giant has been hit hard by the challenging economy.
This week, Starbucks announced that their second quarter earnings for 2009 saw a 77% decline in quarterly earnings, with the average customer spending 3% less per transaction. The company noted, however, that their reduction and reorganization plans had saved the company $120 million for the quarter. Owner Howard Schultz remains confident that …

Posted by R.K. Gella
America’s gourmet coffee industry is indeed in necessity of a bailout although it’s implausible to imagine congress stepping in to rescue the floundering Starbucks.
The company’s concern turns to next year where projections remain bleak.  Sales for the next fiscal quarter are expected to decline for all established stores.
Starbucks has been hit hard by the economic slowdown with demand for the firm’s premium priced coffee falling across the US. In the 2008 fiscal year the firm recorded its first ever quarterly decline in store traffic and over the …

Though some still believe Starbucks to be a valuable commodity, others not so much, as the coffee giant reported a significant loss of profit in the 4th quarter of 2008. According to the Seattle Times, Wall Street analysts had expected profits to average 13 cents a share, with actual reports closer to 10 cents a share.
“We appear to be more resilient than many other premium brands,” Starbucks Chief Executive Howard Schultz said in a statement. “I am optimistic we are well positioned to weather this challenging economic environment.”

Starbucks has taken …

Thankfully, election day is nearly here. While we’re finally rid of all of those incessant election commercials, don’t forget to get out there and VOTE tomorrow! And when you’re done, be sure to check out the wide array of freebies available from various companies in your area.
The Big Blog at the Seattle PI compiled a list of 7.5 free “I Voted” items you can get score the Seattle area. Chick-fil-A employees will be handing out coupons for free meals for voters in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. Nationwide, from Krispy …

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In an effort to boost sales, Starbucks unveiled two new drink concepts this week. On Tuesday, the new Vivanno line of smoothie-like drinks was released in stores nationwide, offering “nourishing blends” available in two flavors – Orange Mango Banana and Chocolate Banana. Each drink is made with whey protein and fiber powder, boasting 16 grams of protein and only 5 grams of fat.
For those in the LA area, Starbucks also released a new Sorbetto line, quoted by vice president Rob Grady as …