1851 Franchising Weekly Rewind

FDA to Ban Trans Fats
This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered food manufacturers to stop using trans fats in their food within the next three years. The FDA ruled on Tuesday that trans fat is not "generally recognized as safe" for use in human food. Companies will not have to remove all partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) from their products, but they will have to file a petition that needs to be approved by the FDA to use PHOs.
(From CNN)

McDonald’s Shrinking in U.S.
This year McDonald’s will be closing more stores than it plans on opening. This will be the first time the fast-food giant has shrunk its number of U.S. locations since the 1970s. This comes as company sales are lagging. While the chain will be closing about 350 restaurants in the U.S., it plans on opening 300 internationally this year.
(From ABC News)

Jason’s Deli to Launch Cancer-Preventing Salad
Jason’s Deli and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center are working together to create the new nutrient-rich Quinoa, Shrimp & Mango Salad as part of their “Strike Through Cancer” campaign. The salad was specifically designed with nutrition in mind, and it was designed as a convenient and healthy dining option in accordance with the American Institute of Cancer Research’s and World Cancer Research Fund’s guidelines for cancer reduction. The chefs at Jason’s Deli, MD Anderson Dieticians and cancer prevention researchers worked together to create the salad.
(From Fast Casual)

Hershey Brownies are Now Available at Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut has introduced another new menu item to consumers: Hershey’s Triple Chocolate Brownies. The new dessert menu item features three types of Hershey’s products: Hershey’s Cocoa, Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Chips. The new brownies will be available at all of the franchise chain’s locations nationwide.
(From Pizza Marketplace)

Saladworks Acquired for 16.9M Out of Bankruptcy
Centre Lane Partners, a New York City-based private-equity firm, has acquired Saladworks out of bankruptcy. Centre Lane has agreed to pay 16.9 million for the 108-unti chain. The purchase includes putting 1.2 million into a brand development fund. In addition to the purchase, Saladworks’ Paul Steck has been named president and CEO. He is replacing John Scardapane, who owned 70 percent of the company.
(From Nation’s Restaurant News)