* McDonald’s Next Conquest: Taking Over The Chicken game.

Down below an interesting (well, Jeff Eats thought it was interesting) article that I read this morning at qsrmagazine.com about McDonald’s and its expansion plans in- chicken!

Just sharing!

from QSR Magazine (qsrmagazine.com)

McDonald’s Next Conquest: Taking Over The Chicken Game

Can the fast-food giant really compete with Chick-fil-A in this field?

Conquest: Taking Over the Chicken Game

Can the fast-food giant really compete with Chick-fil-A in this field?

FAST FOOD FEBRUARY 2018 BY TREVOR LENZMEIER

MCDONALD’S
McDonald’s has taken steps to improve its chicken across the menu in recent years.
For years, McDonald’s has ridden its iconic “I’m Lovin It,” slogan, all the way to the top of the fast food chain. Now, the brand is hoping fans of the Golden Arches have another thought as they gobble down their value meals—“tastes like chicken.”

According to internal documents reviewed by Bloomberg News, the top earner in quick service is ramping up its effort to become a “credible chicken player,” with its latest project, entitled “Better Chicken.” The chain outlined the plan in a letter to franchisees, a group operating about 90 percent of McDonald’s U.S. locations.

READ MORE: McDonald’s to invest billions in 2018. Here’s why.

The focus on an expanded menu is nothing new for McDonald’s. While still boasting about the billions and billions of patties flipped, the brand has expanded its McCafe products in recent years, added higher quality specialty sandwiches and salads, and, yes, plenty more chicken.

The classic McChicken has been joined and abandoned in recent years by the Buttermilk Crispy Chicken sandwiches, Snack Wraps, and most recently, the new and improved Classic Chicken Sandwich, part of the recently launched $1 2 3 Dollar Menu, and the restaurant’s Buttermilk Chicken Tenders, which sold so well that many locations had to take them off the menu temporarily to restock.

To the Hamburglar’s credit, the numbers are clear: Americans are eating more and more chicken. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American ate nearly 92 pounds of chicken last year, almost as much as the combined total for beef (56.6 pounds) and pork (51 pounds). In fact, because demand continues to exceed supply, the entire quick-service industry has been faced with rising poultry prices.

The goal is for McDonald’s to continue its recent hot streak by riding the chicken wave. McDonald’s had a strong fourth quarter in 2017, capping the fiscal year with global comparative sales up 5.5 percent from the year prior. System-wide sales jumped 8 percent in constant currencies, and consolidated operating income increased 6 percent. That quarter was on pace with the rest of the year—overall, same-store sales were up 5.3 percent in 2017.

But franchisees aren’t being told to focus on chicken simply because it’s perceived to be healthier than beef, or because tenders, strips, breasts, and wings are selling like hotcakes. In the quick-service arena, as far as chicken is concerned, there’s a lot of territory left to be claimed.

One not-so-secret facet of McDonald’s chicken strategy is the desire to bump up against Chick-fil-A, the leading chicken concept on QSR’s 50 at No. 8 (McDonald’s, of course, tops the list by a sizable amount). However, by average unit volume, Chick-fil-A is far and away the most lucrative chain. McDonald’s reported average sales per restaurant of $2.5 million in 2016. Chick-fil-A was $4.4 million, despite being closed on Sundays, of course.

Chick-fil-A remains a standard-bearer across several categories thanks to its penchant for outstanding customer service, tidy stores, and efficient operations. In the 2017 Temkin Experience Ratings, a survey based on 10,000 customer responses, Chick-fil-A earned an 83 percent score to top the entire industry. In QSR’s 2016 Drive-Thru study, Chick-fil-A flexed its customer service muscle yet again. Employee service attributes, from smiling and saying “please” and “thank you” to making eye contact and having an overall pleasant demeanor, were sky-high at Chick-fil-A and cumulatively far ahead of the rest of the pack.

This is reflected in sales performance, as referenced above. Despite KFC having nearly double as many locations, it generated $4.5 billion in 2016 system-wide sales compared to Chick-fil-A’s $7.8 billion from just 2,102 units.

Of course, nobody can quite compete with McDonald’s sheer volume and sales performance, which makes the cause of its appetite for chicken that much clearer.

Chicken brands accounts for five of the QSR 50’s top 25 players; six in the top 30; and nine in the first 50. This group (Chick-fil-A, KFC, Popeyes, Zaxby’s, Bojangles’, Wingstop, Church’s Chicken, El Pollo Loco, and Boston Market) comprised 12,941 units in 2016. The top five: Chick-fil-A (No. 8), KFC (No. 13), Popeyes (No. 20), Zaxby’s (No. 25), and Bojangles (No. 28) totaled 9,885 units combined, still more than 4,000 short of McDonald’s total number.

So for McDonald’s, growth is accounted for. Its customer base is already established, its stakes claimed across the world. Now, the challenge is offering a product that will have chicken enthusiasts going to the Golden Arches as their first choice.

But that’s no small feat. For years, McNuggets was derided as a lesser form of chicken. It has taken steps in recent years to remedy that perception, including removing artificial preservatives from nuggets, and said it would stop serving chicken with antibiotics across its menu. Despite the health halo many perceive around chicken, McDonald’s still doesn’t hit that note with some consumers. A large part of their strategy is changing that entirely.

If the success of Buttermilk Chicken Tenders, which played a role in last quarter’s push, is any indication of the brand’s fortunes in the arena of chicken, they’re going to be just fine. And sometimes, when you’re as big as Ronald McDonald, it’s tough to fail.

* Readers Norman & Susan Goldberg Send Jeff Eats A Joke.

A recent e-mail from long time readers, Susan & Norman Goldberg…

Jeff,

How come you have never published any of the jokes that we have sent you?

Here’s another funny one for you.

Love the site.

Norman & Susan Goldberg

____________________

Norman & Susan Goldberg,

Here you go!

Thanks for reading…

Jeff Eats

_______
The Jewish Bookie

A Jewish bookie was at the races playing the ponies and losing his shirt.

He noticed a Priest step out onto the track and blessed the forehead of one of the horses lining up for the 4th race.
Lo and behold, that horse – a long shot – won the race.

Next race, as the horses lined up, the Priest stepped onto the track. Sure enough, he blessed one of the horses.

The bookie made a beeline for a betting window and placed a small bet on the horse. Again, even though it was another long shot, the horse won the race. He collected his winnings, and anxiously waited to see which horse the Priest would bless next.

He bet big on it, and it won.

As the races continued the Priest kept blessing horses, and each one ended up winning.

The bookie was elated. He made a quick dash to the ATM, withdrew all his savings, and awaited for the Priest’s blessing that would tell him which horse to bet on.

True to his pattern, the Priest stepped onto the track for the last race and blessed the forehead of an old nag that was 100/1.
This time the priest blessed the eyes, ears, and hooves of the old nag.

The bookie knew he had a winner and bet every cent he owned on the old nag.

He watched dumbfounded as the old nag pulled up and couldn’t even finish the race.

In a state of shock, he went to the track area where the Priest was.

Confronting him, he demanded, ‘Father! What happened? All day long you blessed horses and they all won.

Then in the last race, the horse you blessed never even had a chance.Now, thanks to you I’ve lost every cent of my savings!’.

The Priest nodded wisely and with sympathy. “You are not Catholic are you my son?”

“No, I’m Jewish”

“That’s the problem”, said the Priest, “you couldn’t tell the difference between a blessing and last rites”.

* THE JOHNNY ROGERS SHOW… THE HISTORY OF ROCK N’ ROLL – BUDDY AND BEYOND.

Got a real good show for you guys to checkout-THE JOHNNY ROGERS SHOW… THE HISTORY OF ROCK N’ ROLL – BUDDY AND BEYOND.

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, this guy Johnny Rogers and his band- put on an absolutely great show featuring the music of Rock N Roll legends- Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee lewis and Elvis Presley!

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have seen the show and it’s 90 minutes of non-stop entertainment!

The Skinny:

THE JOHNNY ROGERS SHOW… THE HISTORY OF ROCK N’ ROLL – BUDDY AND BEYOND

Thursday Night- 3/1/18 (8pm)
Boca Black Box
8221 Glades Road #10
Boca Raton, Florida 33434
Box Office: 561.483.9036
Tickets: bocablackbox.com- check goldstar.com (discount tickets)

If the Boca Black Box date doesn’t work for you- check thejohnnyrogersshow.com for an up to date 2018 Florida tour schedule

from bocablackbox.com

The Johnny Rogers Show “The ifHistory of Rock n’ Roll” is the story of Buddy and Beyond. Johnny is perhaps the most versatile performer in America today. Performing in London, the Netherlands, Germany all over the United States including New York, Las Vegas, Branson and Chicago, Johnny will transport his audience back in time when you could go your favorite malt shops with your favorite girl and dance to your favorite bands. The Show is a tribute to the music of the legends of Rock n’ Roll.His show will start with Johnny’s uncanny portrayal of the late Buddy Holly and go on with a tribute to the legendary Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ricky Nelson and Chuck Berry, and many more.
The show will climax with Johnny’s portrayal the late Elvis Presley. From Branson to Las Vegas, Rock ‘n’ Roll showman Johnny Rogers is in the business of bringing yesteryear’s music and history of Rock ‘n’ Roll to life. This show is a crowd-favorite and appeals to just about everyone.
Johnny is an outstanding musician, and can pull off guitar licks that would make Jimi Hendrix proud! That’s why we say with Johnny Rogers, you get “Buddy and Beyond!” “Buddy and Beyond: The History of Rock and Roll”; a live show with full band that covers the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.
A proven crowd favorite that will have them begging for more.

* An Evening With Neil Zirconia.

Zirconia is so-good, so-good!

Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and some friends are gonna do this Sunday Night, March 18th thing!

Now you guys and Jeff Eats both know that there is only one Neil Diamond, that said- this guy Neil Zirconia who Jeff Eats has seen a number of times- definitely captures the “sound & look” of the real deal- combined with the Pavilion’s real good food and reasonably priced booze and- this event should absolutely work!

This contest started on 2/23/18. This contest has a winner.

* Win a $10 Wendy’s Gift Card. This contest has a winner.

Jeff Eats got a $10 Wendy’s Gift Card to give to one of you guys!

The game- the first 20 “reader-comments” received – will be entered in a “blind hat pick”! You can submit as many comments as you’d like but- Please, only 1- reader comment – per day…play fair!

The $10 Gift Card is good at any Wendy’s location (wendys.com for locations, menu, info).

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 2/25/18- Papa Giuseppe Restaurant & Pizzeria).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA (soup or salad, pasta side and garlic rolls)
$13.95

Papa Giuseppe Restaurant & Pizzeria
660 Linton Boulevard
Delray Beach
(561) 272-8585
papagiuseppecafe.com
Latest Review: 4/22/16

If “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joints are your game- you’ll absolutely love Papa Giuseppe Restaurant & Pizzeria.

Posted on April 22nd, 2016
***** Papa Giuseppe Restaurant & Pizzeria, 660 Linton Boulevard, Delray Beach, Florida 33444 (561) 272-8585.

For our purposes, Jeff Eats is gonna call Papa Giuseppe Restaurant & Pizzeria an “out of sight, out of mind joint.” The truth be told, I first told you guys about this dynamite “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint on March 29, 2010 and hadn’t been back- until last night when Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats did dinner there! Why the long hiatus? You guys got me there?

Long story short, last night’s pizza, baked shells and veal parmigiana entree absolutely killed!

Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, I love joints like Papa Giuseppe- great food, big portions, reasonable prices, pleasant service, no drama, Coca Cola refills up the wazoo…

Anyway, you guys can check menu/prices/info at papagiuseppecafe.com.

Like I said in 2010 and then again 2-seconds ago, Papa Giuseppee Restaurant & Pizzeria makes delicious food!

If you live, or work in Giuseppee’s neighborhood- then you gotta try this joint!

Posted on March 29th, 2010

***** Papa Giuseppe Restaurant & Pizzeria, 660 Linton Boulevard, Delray Beach, Florida 33444 (561) 272-8585.

About a week or so ago…I found this real casual-resasonably priced “red sauce–mom & pop” Italian joint in a crap-strip center in Delray Beach. Trust me on this one…from the outside, it looks like a real dump, but inside it’s a really cool looking “pizza joint” with a handful of round tables and booths. Absolutely and I do mean ABSOLUTELY nothing fancy here, so feel free to where your favoirte shorts and tee shirt ensemble.

Anyway… the two guys who own Papa Giuseppe (Giuseppe-that figures and Tony) really know how to make some delicious stuff. The menu is loaded with appetizers, salads, soups, pastas, pizzas, subs, meat-seafood-chicken entrees. They have plenty of lunch specials and the “expected dinners”–soup or salad–garlic rolls–entree–pasta side.

A recent taste-test had me doing veal parmigiana ($16.95), chicken marsala ($13.95), red snapper marinara ($18.95), penne alla vodka ($13.95), chicken alla giuseppe ($15.95–grilled chicken, roasted peppers, broccoli, melted mozzarella cheese), large pizza ($11.95). Like I said before, the guys who own this joint know how to cook…I absolutely loved the food.

Just so we are 100% straight here, we are NOT talking upscale gourmet Italian food here…we are talking, neighborhood mom & pop–red sauce–pizza joint stuff. To be perfectly honest with you, I could eat stuff like this every night, along with God only knows how many Coke refills.

If you live or work in Papa Giuseppe’s neighborhood…try it. The joint is open Monday-Saturday 11am-11pm and Sunday 1pm-10pm.

* JAFCO- Comedy And Cocktails.

Terrific Charity!

Terrific Event Featuring- Comedians Sarge And Jessica Kirson.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats are going!

from jafco.org

JAFCO

MISSION STATEMENT

JAFCO’s mission is to care for abused and neglected children and those with disabilities in the Jewish community and to work in partnership with families and the entire community. We believe that the care of children in our community is our responsibility, one we accept with joy, pride, and love.

…giving every child a place to belong

JAFCO provides a full continuum of high-quality services including foster care, adoption, family preservation, mentoring, independent living and developmental disability programs. The JAFCO Children’s Village, consisting of an Emergency Shelter and six Group Homes, is one of the most unique and innovative programs in the nation. The JAFCO Children’s Ability Center supports families raising children with developmental disabilities by providing family enrichment, resources, and respite care all within one state-of-the-art center. JAFCO also is providing foster care, adoption, family preservation and support services to families raising a child with a developmental disability in our Philadelphia office.
VISION

JAFCO’s vision is to provide a model child welfare program which can be replicated by other communities around the country providing a full continuum of high-quality family preservation, case management, foster care, adoption, emergency shelter, group home, independent living, therapy, mentoring, family enrichment, and respite services to both typical and special needs children and their families. We believe that the care of children in our community is our responsibility, one we accept with joy, pride and love.

Our long-range vision is to promote the development of our unique comprehensive services to abused, neglected and special needs children in other Jewish communities around the country — whether those services are provided by local existing autonomous agencies, or by JAFCO directly.

Philosophy: JAFCO believes that the care of our children is a community responsibility.

We believe that while JAFCO was created to fill an unmet need in the Jewish community, it is our privilege, our pleasure and our responsibility as a Jewish community to offer our quality services to any child and family in need.
We believe that by recognizing and respecting the signs and symptoms of trauma in our clients and other stakeholders, we can mindfully integrate our commitment to the Trauma Informed Care Model into our policies, procedures, practices and daily interactions.
We believe that nothing is more tragic than a family torn apart and that providing a child with a familiar cultural and religious environment will assist that child as they heal from the trauma of abuse and neglect and separation from their biological family.
We believe that communities will respond to the responsibility of caring for abused and neglected and special needs children when appropriately educated as to presence of local children needing their support, and when an organizational framework is established that provides concerned people with opportunities to participate in meeting the needs of such children.
We believe that children served by JAFCO should be treated no differently than the traditional way loving “Jewish parents” would act toward their biological children, offering them the best life has to offer in all aspects of their social, emotional, physical, educational, cultural and spiritual development.
We believe that caring for dependent children should not be viewed as charity, but should be viewed as a parent caring for a child — with joy, pride, love and support….giving every child a place to belong.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Jewish Children’s Village

Children’s Emergency Shelter
Group Home Program
Foster Care and Adoption
Family Preservation Program
MST-Multi Systemic Therapy In-Home Program
Senior Caregiver Program
Independent Living Program
Forever Friends Mentoring Program
24-Hour On-Call Crisis Support

* Marjory Stoneman Douglas Fundraiser.

from frankanddinos.com

Sunday, February 25th, 2018 (2pm-9pm)

Frank and Dino’s
39 SE 1st Avenue
Boca Raton, Florida 33432

Join us at Frank and Dino’s Restaurant this Sunday (2/25/18) from 2-9PM as we look to raise money for the families of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting.

There will be complimentary food and drink for those attending. Donations can also be made by calling Frank and Dino’s at 561.218.4636.

***** Plaza Diner, 3118 South University Drive, Miramar, Florida 33025, (954) 435-5225.

Got a real good “mom & pop” diner for you guys to checkout- Plaza Diner in Miramar.

Real easy story to tell, breakfast/lunch/dinner- loads of all-day breakfast stuff/ tons of Greek stuff/ loads of burgers, salads, sandwiches, soups, desserts, daily specials- table seating- cash only- open Monday-Thursday 7am-4pm, Friday 7am-9:30pm, Saturday 7am-5pm, Sunday 8am-2pm.

The other day, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats, Daughter Jeff Eats and Son Jeff Eats did lunch at the Plaza Diner and I gotta tell you, the joint’s food, prices, large portions and service were right on the money!

Let me wrap the Plaza Diner up by saying that- the joint’s outside-inside look/ menu/ food/ service/ vibe reminded me of the NYC “mom & pop Greek” diners that have dotted the 5 boroughs for the past 75 years! If you’re originally from either Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, The Bronx- Jeff Eats is kinda thinking that you know what I’m talking about-here!

Jeff Eats, Mrs Jeff Eats, Daughter Jeff Eats and Son Jeff Eats loved the Plaza Diner- you guys can check greekfoodmiramar.com for menu/prices/info.

* Billy Gardell.

Jeff Eats just received the following email…

Boca Black Box
8221 Glades Road #10
Boca Raton, Florida 33434
Box Office: 561.483.9036
Tickets: bocablackbox.com

“We’re proud to announce Billy Gardell will be coming to Boca Black Box on May 11th @ 8pm and May 12th @ 7 pm and 9 pm!

Emmy nominated actor and comedian Billy Gardell starred in the CBS Hit television series, MIKE & MOLLY as Officer Mike Biggs from 2010-2016. MIKE & MOLLY continues to air in syndication to this day.

As a followup to the hit CBS series, Billy has taken a dramatic turn in the CMT series Sun Records as Colonel Tom Parker, the infamous manager of Elvis Presley. The drama series was inspired by the Broadway musical.

In 2016 he received a Daytime Emmy nomination as Best Gameshow Host for Monopoly Millionaires Club.

Before Mike and Molly, Gardell co-starred in the critically acclaimed television series Lucky. His other television credits include Yes Dear and Judging Amy, on the Network, My Name is Earl, The Practice, Monk and Gary the Rat.

He made his major motion picture debut alongside Anthony Quinn and Sylvester Stallone in Avenging Angelo, and had a memorable scene with Billy Bob Thornton in the Cohen Brother’s film Bad Santa. He also appeared in You, Me & Dupree.

As a standup comic, Gardell took the long road to Hollywood, stopping at every small town lounge, military base and comedy club along the way. His comedy act took him to Los Angeles where his dedication to acting, along with touring as a stand-up comedian, allowed him to grow consistently in both arenas. His stand-up show is a powerhouse. His grounded, down-to-earth point of view strikes a strong chord with American audiences. Stories about his rough childhood, wild adolescence and new family life are executed with the skill of a master craftsman. His comedy specials, Billy Gardell: Halftime, premiered on Comedy Central and Billy Gardell Presents Road Dogs premiered on Showtime.”