Gourmet News

‘Every Second Counts’ for US Foods at Food Fanatics 2025

Published June 23, 2025

Chef Scott Conant

US Foods Holding Corp. – one of America’s leading foodservice distributors, has unveiled programming for the most all-encompassing foodservice solutions show in the company’s history: Food Fanatics2025 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Aug. 19-20. Themed “Every Second Counts,” the event will bring together more than 5,000 foodservice operators, culinary professionals, vendors, industry experts and an exciting roster of celebrity chefs, for two days of immersive content and experiences designed to provide countess solutions to address operators’ most pressing needs. Registration is open for the highly anticipated event that will feature 180,000 square feet of activities including access to industry thought leaders and celebrity chefs, expert educational sessions and panels, one-on-one consultations, more than 60 vendor exhibitors, culinary demonstrations and networking opportunities with peers.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and celebrity chef Jet Tila will kick off the event with inspiring keynote addresses. Celebrity chefs Scott Conant, Stephanie Izard and Jet Tila will serve up expert insights during interactive cooking demonstrations in addition to supporting other activities across the show floor.

“As foodservice operators continue to navigate ongoing industry macro-challenges, we are taking our promise to help our customers Make It to an unparalleled level by bringing Food Fanatics 2025 attendees more of what they need to succeed across every aspect of their operation,” said Diane Hund, senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “Unlike traditional shows that may focus only on food products, US Foods will provide comprehensive business solutions to help foodservice operations thrive. What happens in Vegas on the show floor should not stay in Vegas, in this instance, as we expect operators to take back and implement a wide variety of best-in-class business learnings and new product ideas aimed at elevating their success.”

Food Fanatics 2025 experiences and content are designed to highlight solutions to help attendees enhance their operations, including:

MORE QUALITY – Drive traffic up and costs down with high-quality and innovative products

Unique food and vendor experiences: Sample and engage with high-quality, differentiated US Foods Exclusive Brands and vendor product innovations from center-of-plate to produce and grocery and non-food product solutions.
Inspiration from celebrity chefs: A variety of cooking demonstrations by the company’s Food Fanatics chefs and other culinary powerhouses will inspire and ignite menu innovation. Highlights include celebrity chefs Scott Conant, two-time James Beard Award-winning chef, cookbook author, and TV personality, Stephanie Izard, Executive Chef and Owner of Girl & the Goat, Little Goat Diner, Duck Duck Goat, and Cabra, and Jet Tila, a globally renowned culinary expert who oversees culinary for Pei Wei Group’s 148 restaurants and is Managing Partner of Dragon Tiger Noodle Company in Las Vegas. Conant and Izard will also appear as guest judges for the highly anticipated main stage cooking competition featuring US Foods Exclusive Brands products, in which four top chefs from across the country will compete in a culinary skills showdown.

MORE SUPPORT – Navigate operational challenge with help from the experts

1:1 consultative support: Attendees will have access to a variety of US Foods and industry experts who have extensive experience and years of firsthand knowledge helping operators modernize operations, drive traffic, and reduce costs.
Informative discussion panels: Talk Shop Live panels will feature a diverse roster of thought leaders from across the industry aimed at unveiling new opportunities for navigating a variety of operational challenges.

MORE TOOLS – Drive business efficiencies using the latest technology solutions

Industry-leading technology and tools: Attendees will discover and interact with the cutting-edge technology solutions designed to help run their business with ease including US Foods’ MOXē platform, CHECK Business Tools and additional solutions from best-in-class technology partners dedicated to supporting foodservice operators.
Educational sessions: Sixteen expert-led education sessions will spotlight technology and tools needed to address operators’ biggest opportunities, including marketing, staffing, profitability and the evolving industry landscape.

MORE DELIVERIES – Boost more flexibility, frequency and responsiveness for deliveries

Solutions for optimized deliveries: Participants will learn more about how US Foods delivers excellence with its innovative delivery solutions that offer more flexibility, more frequency and more responsiveness, including Pronto and US Foods Direct. US Foods trucks of various sizes will be on site for customers to experience firsthand.

Food Fanatics 2025 is open for registration now. Visit www.usfoods.com/foodfanatics2025 for more information.

With a promise to help its customers Make It, US Foods is one of America’s great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 250,000 customer locations and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With more than 70 broadline locations and more than 90 cash and carry stores, US Foods and its 30,000 associates provides its customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill. Visit www.usfoods.com to learn more.

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Winn-Dixie Donates $100K to Boys & Girls Clubs Chapters

Published June 23, 2025

This summer, Winn-Dixie—together with its charitable arm, the Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation—is taking action to fight food insecurity and uplift local youth with a $100,000 donation to five Boys & Girls Clubs chapters across the Southeast. The contribution is part of the grocer’s annual company-wide initiative to help bridge the meal gap many children face when school cafeterias close for summer break.

Through this impactful effort, each Boys & Girls Clubs chapter will receive $20,000 in support—$10,000 in food donations, including lunches, snack packs and take-home meals for families, and $10,000 in direct funding to help cover children’s memberships, meals and enrichment activities throughout the summer. The initiative is designed to help fund the fun and ensure every child has a nourishing, joy-filled summer.

Anthony Hucker, chairman, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Winn-Dixie, said, “Summer should be a season of joy, discovery and possibility—not a time when children worry about where their next meal will come from. At Winn-Dixie, we believe every child deserves consistent access to nourishing food and enriching experiences. Through our partnership with local Boys & Girls Clubs, we’re not only helping fill lunch boxes, we’re helping create safe, supportive spaces where kids can thrive, build confidence and make lasting summer memories. This effort reflects our ongoing commitment to being a community champion and a positive force in the local communities we serve.”

Each of the following Boys & Girls Clubs chapters hosts hundreds of children during the summer months and will receive resources to help ensure no child goes without a meal or a moment of joy:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida
Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County

As part of the initiative, Winn-Dixie associates will also roll up their sleeves to support their local Boys & Girls Clubs by unloading food donations, packing nutritious lunch boxes and snack packs and spending meaningful time with the children at each Club.

This hands-on involvement reflects Winn-Dixie’s ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity throughout the Southeast, particularly during the summer when many families lose access to school-provided meals. According to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 56% of Club members live in households that qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches, highlighting the vital role community programs play in ensuring children have reliable access to nutritious food. Through ongoing partnerships with local food banks and nonprofit organizations, Winn-Dixie is proud to help nourish its neighbors in the moments they need it most.

For more information on Winn-Dixie’s charitable initiatives, visit www.winndixie.com/community.

Founded in 1925, Winn-Dixie grocery stores and liquor stores serve communities throughout five southeastern states – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Winn-Dixie is a subsidiary of Southeastern Grocers, LLC, an omnichannel retailer serving customers in brick-and-mortar grocery stores and liquor stores, as well as online with convenient grocery delivery throughout the Southeast. For more information, please visit www.winndixie.com and www.segrocers.com.

The Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation is the charitable arm of Winn-Dixie, dedicated to supporting the communities the grocer proudly serves. The Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation focuses on key issues that matter most to its neighbors, including hunger relief, support for military service members and their families, disaster response and championing belonging, inclusion and diversity by addressing social injustices and bridging gaps in equity. The Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation is dedicated to nourishing and enriching communities across the Southeast, creating lasting, positive change and improving the lives of individuals and families.

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Thompson Street Acquires NJ’s Bubbakoo’s Burritos

Published June 23, 2025

Thompson Street Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in St. Louis, has acquired Bubbakoo’s Burritos, a New Jersey-based franchisor of fast-casual Mexican-fusion restaurants. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2008 in Wall Township, N.J. by restaurant industry veterans Bill Hart and Paul Altero, Bubbakoo’s delivers a bold twist on traditional Mexican fare. With a focus on made-to-order food and a vibrant restaurant experience, Bubbakoo’s began franchising in 2015. The brand has since expanded to more than 130 locations across 15 states, primarily along the East Coast and Midwest.

This acquisition comes at a time when the fast-casual category continues to outperform broader foodservice segments, driven by evolving consumer preferences for flavorful, customizable cuisine and growing investor appetite for scalable restaurant concepts.

“Bubbakoo’s has created an innovative and compelling brand that resonates with a broad and growing customer base,” said Bob Dunn, Managing Partner at TSCP. “Bill and Paul have built something special—an exciting concept with strong franchisee relationships, consistent unit growth, and a passionate following. We are thrilled to partner with the team as they enter this next phase of expansion.”

“We see tremendous opportunity to support Bubbakoo’s continued growth by investing in technology, brand development, infrastructure, and franchisee support systems,” said Joe St. Geme, Managing Director at TSCP. “The Company has built a strong foundation, and our team is eager to help accelerate growth while maintaining the culture and values that have made Bubbakoo’s a success.”

“From our earliest days in New Jersey to now having more than 130 locations across the country, we’ve been incredibly proud to see our vision resonate with guests, franchisees, and communities,” said Mr. Hart, Co-Founder of Bubbakoo’s. “Our growth has always been grounded in our commitment to food quality, hospitality and a culture that values individuality and innovation.”

“Thompson Street Capital Partners brings deep experience in scaling founder-led businesses and shares our passion for supporting franchisees and delivering great experiences to customers,” added Altero, Co-Founder of Bubbakoo’s. “With their support, we’re confident Bubbakoo’s can accelerate its growth into new markets, invest in technology and infrastructure, and continue building a world-class franchise system.”

Sidley Austin acted as legal advisor to TSCP.

Thompson Street Capital Partners (tscp.com) is a middle-market private equity firm that helps transform already exceptional businesses into market leaders. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, TSCP invests globally in the life sciences and healthcare, software and technology, business and consumer services and products sectors. TSCP partners with management teams to increase value by accelerating growth, both organically and via complementary acquisitions.

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