Modern Baking

Perkins honors ‘Franchisee of the Year’

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:17:00 +0000

Kansas franchisee Dan Esmond was named Perkins & Marie Callender's franchisee of the year and honored at the company's annual conference.

Let premium chocolate help build bakery sales

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:02:00 +0000

I'm sure our bakery is similar to other full-line operations in that we use a lot of chocolate. It's good-quality chocolate, but it's not premium grade, which costs more. Would the extra expense for top-quality chocolate pay off?

Community involvement yields dividends

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:19:00 +0000

Question: We have a small, full-line retail bakery. Competition for customers’ bakery food dollars is coming from all directions: local specialty stores, such as cake shops and pretzel outlets, and from online businesses. Social media activity also exposes customers to competitors. How can a small operator like me fight this?

JJ's Bakery rebrands

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:35:00 +0000

JJ’s Bakery, a brand of JTM Foods LLC, has launched a rebranding campaign for the JJ’s brand, which includes a name change from JJ’s to JJ’s Bakery, as well as a new logo design with revised packaging for the brand's pie product line.

Gluten-free market on track to reach $6.2 billion

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:20:00 +0000

The global gluten-free product market is projected to reach $6.2 billion by 2018, according to a report from MarketsandMarkets.

Love and Quiches supports hunger relief

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:32:00 +0000

Love and Quiches Desserts donated a portion of its profits to Long Island food bank Island Harvest.

Silverland Bakery turns 30

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:45:00 +0000

Silverland Bakery, a commercial supplier of brownies, bakery bars, natural food bars and cookies, is celebrating 30 years in business by introducing several new products.

The new products, including blueberry white chocolate cookies, passionate pomegranate food bars and gluten-free flourless chocolate brownies will be available for sampling at the upcoming National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel Motel Show May 18-21 in Chicago.

Dunkin’ teams with Zynga for social game launch

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:30:00 +0000

Zynga has launched “Running with Friends,” the latest social game for iPhone, iPad and iPad touch. Dunkin’ Donuts is the promotional partner for the launch and will provide players with nine in-game tips for perfecting their game and surpassing their friends.

The first-ever integration between Zynga and Dunkin' Donuts will engage players with such in-game activities as Dunkin’ branded rewards and special boosts. The game is launching in nine languages and is available for free from the App Store and coming soon to Google Play

A Puerto Rican melting pot

Thu, 09 May 2013 18:48:00 +0000

This editor's trip to Puerto Rico brought an appreciation for the cuisine of this Caribbean island, and especially its bread.

The Baking Blog

Texture important bread purchase driver

Thu, 09 May 2013 18:29:00 +0000

A Puratos consumer survey found that texture is as important as taste when it comes to purchasing sliced bread.

The Little Debbie logo gets a makeover

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:11:00 +0000

McKee Foods,Collegedale, Tenn., the makers of Little Debbie Snacks, has given the Little Debbie logo a makeover. Rolling out now on select products, this is only the third version of the logo since the Little Debbie brand was introduced in 1960.

Sweet Street Desserts enhances its e-commerce web site

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:05:00 +0000

Tim Hortons Inc. announces Marc Caira as new president and CEO

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:59:00 +0000

Bruegger's Bagels introduces new summer menu

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:50:00 +0000

Bruegger's Bagels introduces a new summer menu with new flavors that are at bold, spicy, sweet and savory. Executive Chef Philip Smith added completely new flavors and ingredients to the menu this season.

The new menu items–available in all 300-plus bagel bakeries–include:

Do you reply to negative reviews?

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:43:00 +0000

User generated review sites, such as Yelp.com for the food industry and TripAdvisor.com for the travel industry, have changed how consumers “shop,” both online and off. As a consumer, when I look at those sites, I typically read the super gushy reviews as well as the truly horrible reviews with a grain of salt and try to pay more attention to the middle of the road reviews to see if they align with the type of operation I’m looking for.

The Baking Blog

Publix Super Markets Lake Gibson in-store bakery

Tue, 07 May 2013 20:40:00 +0000

With a commitment to bakery that began in 1957, Publix has never been a me-too operation. Unique, quality products only found in its bakeries and a commitment to customer service differentiate the 1,069-unit chain from its competition.

Headley named James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:47:00 +0000

On May 6, Brooks Headley, Del Posto, New York City, was named Outstanding Pastry Chef by the James Beard Foundation. Since 1990, the James Beard Foundation has been honoring outstanding professionals in the food and beverage industry. While no money is awarded, a win or even a nomination can increase the buzz for a business, according to foundation president Susan Ungaro.

May is 'Eggs-ceptional' at Bruegger's Bagels

Fri, 03 May 2013 19:54:00 +0000

National bagel bakery features eggs for every meal during National Egg Month

Unifiller partners with Carlo’s Bakery of Cake Boss

Fri, 03 May 2013 19:45:00 +0000

Some things just get better with age. With 25 years of innovation under its belt, Unifiller Systems has been garnering some celebrity status as of late.

Mimi's Café names two new senior-level operations team leaders

Fri, 03 May 2013 19:34:00 +0000

As Mimi's Cafe moves forward, two senior-level leaders have been appointed to manage and lead the team on day-to-day restaurant operations. Effective May 1, Stuart Gee took over as regional director of operations for the central United States region, and Daniel Boyd was promoted to senior director of operations services and training.

Making cents of social media

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:12:00 +0000

Amid the maturing world of social media, bakery owner Beth Fahey of Creative Cakes shares how the bakery has streamlined its social media efforts in the hopes of turning the time investment into increased sales.

Frederick's Pastries named one of the 'Best of NH 2013'

Wed, 01 May 2013 20:42:00 +0000

Frederick's Pastries, Amherst, N.H., has been selected as New Hampshire Magazine's "Best of NH 2013" for cakes.

2013 In-store Bakery of the Year: Publix Super Markets

Wed, 01 May 2013 17:29:00 +0000

With a commitment to bakery that began in 1957, Publix has never been a me-too operation. Unique, quality products only found in its bakeries differentiate the 1,069-unit chain from the competition.

Peanut butter cup rocky road bars

Wed, 01 May 2013 16:49:00 +0000

Contributed by Hershey Foodservice

This treat translates the classic flavors of rocky road ice cream to a grab-and-go bar.

Perkins launches remodel

Wed, 01 May 2013 16:30:00 +0000

The remodel plan places greater emphasis on fresh as well as an engaging customer experience.

Barrick named sales and business development manager at Creative Occasions

Wed, 01 May 2013 16:11:00 +0000

Jody Barrick, the former bakery director of Supervalu Corporate, will join Creative Occasions as sales and business development manager, effective June 3.

Barrick has more than 31 years of experience in the food and bakery segment. In her new role, she will work directly with Mark Erickson, vice president of sales and marketing, on the frozen cake manufacturer's sales and business development segment.

Modern Baking May 2013

Wed, 01 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Fighting for commonsense cottage laws

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:04:00 +0000

Most bakeries operate in states that have some sort of cottage law on the books. In fact, only Kansas, Montana, North Dakota and Rhode Island have no type of cottage law on the books. All others have at least some type of law or currently have a bill pending.

The Baking Blog

Habits of successful in-store bakeries

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:58:00 +0000

A study from the Nielsen Perishables Group identified the top U.S. in-store bakeries based on the average rate of department sales.

The Workbench: May 2013

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:40:00 +0000

Bakery Workbench with Klaus Tenbergen, May 2013