Each week, e-grocer FreshDirect delivers 100,000 grocery boxes direct to customers’ doors. It all happens from its Bronx warehouse, the size of 11 football fields. Using an advanced AI system, temperature controls, nine miles of conveyor belt, and a fleet of delivery trucks, the company is able to cut out three steps in the normal grocery store supply chain. Business Insider visited the warehouse to see how the company moves 3 million grocery items a week in the face of unprecedented pandemic demand.
Tag Archives: Food
Fast Food: ‘How Much It Costs To Open An Arby’s’
Arby’s is one of America’s favorite fast food sandwich chains. They “have the meats,” according to award-winning actor Ving Rhames’ voice in the brand’s iconic commercials.
Arby’s has been known for its roast beef sandwiches since Leroy and Forrest Raffel opened the first Arby’s in 1964. They wanted to stand out in a sea of burger joints by offering something different: roast beef. They later added cheddar cheese sauce, red onion, and a toasted onion roll to the sandwich in 1978.
Flash forward, and Arby’s has started selling its famous meats by the pound. The fast food-chain also adds limited-time options to attract a variety of customers, such as an upgraded prime rib sandwich, and chicken cheddar ranch sandwich.
Today, Arby’s clearly wants to be seen as more than the place with roast beef. In fact, a campaign was launched called “Head of Sandwiches,” the main purpose of which was to promote the other sandwich options available at Arby’s. The campaign has been successful in attracting a younger consumer into the restaurant, according to Forbes.
Arby’s is currently owned by one of the largest restaurant companies in the U.S., Inspire Brands. In addition to Arby’s, Inspire Brands also owns Sonic, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Jimmy John’s. All combined, there are more than 11,000 restaurants, 1,400 franchisees, and $14.6 billion in system sales within the group, according to the company. Inspire Brands has recently filed trademarks for names of possible ghost kitchens which would offer delivery and takeout only a move that could put them ahead of several quick service chains.
If all this sounds enticing, here’s what you’ll need: The Arby’s team expects all franchise candidates to have extensive multi-unit restaurant operator experience, as well as a desire to open multiple Arby’s locations. You’ll also need a minimum of $500,000 in liquid capital, and a net worth of at least $1 million. Breaking it down further, according to Franchise Gator, Arby’s initial license fee is $37,500 for the first restaurant unit, and $25,000 for each additional store. Royalty fees are an additional 4 percent of gross sales. National and local advertising are additional fees 1.2 and 3 percent of gross sales respectively. Still on board?
Let’s keep going. Arby’s president Jim Taylor recently addressed 700 Arby’s franchisees, telling them, How is Arby’s innovating? Remember the pork belly sandwich, or the marrot, Arby’s meat carrot? Arby’s was also one of the first fast food chains to say it would never serve plant-based meat, according to Food & Wine. Still on the fence? Let’s look at a few more details about Arby’s.
As a franchisee of any corporation, what other franchisees do can trickle down to your stores. While you may own your own restaurants, you are still part of a big family. Arby’s ordered the franchisee to remove the sign and publicly issued an apology — but perhaps the PR damage was done. Which brings us to our next point to consider. Could it be better to open your own independent restaurant in lieu of a franchise? There are pros and cons to both scenarios.
As a franchisee, you benefit from branding, training, marketing, and ingredient sourcing, but also pay fees and royalties, lose some control as an owner, and are subject to scrutiny by the franchise. As an independent owner, you can control your own brand, marketing, menu, and hours, but you also start with no brand recognition, resources, training, or access to suppliers. So what did you decide?
If you’re interested in peddling those famous Arby’s meats, alongside the popular, perfectly seasoned curly fries, submit a franchise application online at Arby’s. Keep watching to see Here’s How Much It Really Costs To Open An Arby’s Franchise.
Food & Culture: ‘Saving The Tomato Of Santorini Island, Greece’ (Video)
Santorini used to be known for its tomatoes. Petros Oikonomou has dedicated more than 20 years to reviving the crop and the heritage agriculture of the Greek island chain.
Food & Culture: ‘Pekin Noodle Parlor – Oldest Chinese Restaurant In U.S.’
The oldest continuously-running Chinese restaurant in the United States, the Pekin Noodle Parlor, has been feeding customers in Butte, Montana, since 1911. Correspondent Luke Burbank visits the multi-generational family business and takes a step into culinary history.
Culinary Travel: Inside Iconic ‘St-Viateur Bagel’ In Montreal, Canada (Video)
St Viateur is an iconic bagel shop that has been around since 1957. The Montreal-style bagels are made 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Editor’s Note: This was filmed in February 2020.
Culinary Travel Video: ‘Izakaya’ Bars In Tokyo
Izakaya are the most popular bars to go out in Japan: places to drink, eat and have fun.
Culinary Arts Video: ‘Salt-Baked Abalone & Wagyu Beef’ In Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Teppanyaki lunch of Fried Garlic Flakes, Salt-Baked Abalone, Japanese Wagyu & Fried Rice at Ukai-Tei in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Culinary Arts Video: Chefs Jordan Kahn & Zaiyu Hasegawa Make Ultimate Fried Chicken Sandwich
CHEF JORDAN KAHN OF VESPERTINE. THE PROJECT WAS FORMED THROUGH A COLLABORATION WITH ARCHITECT ERIC OWEN MOSS, AND A GROUP OF RENOWNED ARTISTS TO RE-IMAGINE AND EXPLORE THE EXPERIENCE OF DINING. THE CONVERGENCE OF FOOD, ART, ARCHITECTURE, MUSIC, AND SCULPTURE IS WOVEN THROUGHOUT TO CREATE AN IMMERSIVE, MULTI-SENSORY EVENT.
Zaiyu Hasegawa is the chef/owner of two Michelin star DEN restaurant in Jingumae Tokyo.
Preview Video: ‘Monocle Magazine’- November 2020
As a landmark US election approaches, Jane Fonda, Theaster Gates and Chris Wallace offer their thoughts on where the country should go next. Change elsewhere comes in the form of city farms, the latest design finds and an art fair redux. Plus: we survey North Rhine-Westphalia, a region on the up.
Interviews: 65-Year Old American Chef Thomas Keller On His Latest Book, Covid & His Restaurants

The 65-year old American chef Thomas Keller discusses his latest book, “The French Laundry, Per Se”. The restaurateur also discusses how his company has fared during the coronavirus pandemic.
Thomas Keller is an American chef, restaurateur, and cookbook writer. He and his landmark Napa Valley restaurant, The French Laundry in Yountville, California, have won multiple awards from the James Beard Foundation, notably the Best California Chef in 1996, and the Best Chef in America in 1997.