American’s beef consumption has dropped 19 percent. The cattle industry has questioned the link between meat eating and production. American people have reduced their beef consumption by 19 percent from 2005 to 2014. But, the meat industry does not seem to be worried, because they think meat eating will increase in coming years.

Key Takeaways:

• Americans reduced their beef consumption by 19 percent between 2005 and 2014, which was the equivalent of avoiding the annual tailpipe emissions from about 39 million cars, according to a report on Wednesday by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
• Using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the report analyzed the carbon-footprint impact of the production of certain foods. The NRDC has long argued that beef in particular contributes more climate-warming pollution than other foods in the American diet.
• The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, however, challenged the NRDC’s connection between consumption and the carbon-footprint impact, saying the reduction in per capita consumption more likely reflects population growth.

“Global demand for U.S. beef has grown, and a growing amount of meat produced domestically is exported.”

http://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/food-trends/americans-beef-consumption-drops-19

The closures are likely a natural outgrowth of weak segment same-store sales and aggressive development, fueled by private-equity investment and pushes by many chains to be first in their respective markets. “There has been such an over-expansion in recent years.” “It might have been a little too aggressive. There might be weaker players falling off, especially in the fast-casual industry.” In the case of Burger Works and Shop House, the chains were experimental concepts started by larger companies that ran into problems and opted to shut down the brands.

Key Takeaways:

• Neal Sherman, president of RestaurantEquipment.Bid, which helps sell equipment from closed restaurants, said that he’s been selling more equipment from fast-casual concepts recently.
• He specifically mentioned closed better burger restaurants and shuttered fast-casual pizza units.
• To be sure, the closed locations are providing openings for other brands, as noted by news last week that Bibibop Asian Grill will move into the 15 closed ShopHouse Asian Kitchen locations — more than doubling the size of that chain virtually overnight.

“The closures are likely a natural outgrowth of weak segment same-store sales and aggressive development, fueled by private-equity investment and pushes by many chains to be first in their respective markets.”

http://www.nrn.com/fast-casual/here-come-fast-casual-closures