Over the past decade, U.S. beef consumption dropped 15 percent while broiler consumption increased 5 percent. During the same period, pork consumption also fell (4 percent). The key factor driving these trends is retail prices.

For example, in May 2016, retail prices were around $1.90 per pound for broilers, $5.83 per pound for beef, and $3.78 per pound for pork. Moreover, beef prices have risen much more sharply than broiler prices over the past 10 years. Between 2006 and 2016, beef prices rose 53 percent, mostly due to tight supplies, while broiler prices rose 12 percent. read more – http://bit.ly/2cC5Eah

The 2016 Independent Pizzeria of the Year is Portland, Oregon-based Sizzle Pie. The announcement was made on the cover of Pizza Today’s August issue, which is now available. Sizzle Pie is featured inside the issue and the story can be read online here: http://www.pizzatoday.com/departments/features/2016-pizza-today-independent-pizzeria-year-sizzle-pie-portland/

Restaurants are having a pretty unappetizing earnings season. 

Fifteen of the 16 restaurant chains that have reported second-quarter earnings so far said sales were down from a year ago, or that growth had slowed from the previous quarter. For the first time since 2009, average comparable sales for the group turned negative.

Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Michael Halen points out that pizza chains typically do well when consumers cut spending due to their value proposition — there aren’t many ways to feed a family on $7.99

Pizza chains have also been quick to adapt to changing technologies, realizing the only thing more important to strapped consumers than price is convenience. – read more – http://bloom.bg/2amwYEi

A Special Father’s Day Treat

With Father’s Day around the corner, we’re thinking of ways to let our fathers know just what they mean to us. Practically impossible to convey a lifetime of gratitude within one card, family meals can offer a place for everyone to gather, bond over food, and express the importance of fatherhood. One fun and simple way to get everyone together is with a pizza party. (more…)

For anyone that has ever looked at a pizza and thought, “Wow, I think that would look great wrapped around my feet,” Nike has the shoe for you.

The Beaverton area-based shoe giant will soon be releasing a pepperoni pizza edition of the Nike SB Janoski, which will be wrapped in a pizza print and feature “red marinara” lining, according to the site High Snobiety. read more – http://myfox8.com/2016/05/31/nike-to-serve-up-pepperoni-themed-shoes/