The itinerary for next month’s Propel and Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) study tour in Chicago, sponsored by CPL Training, has been published.
More than 40 industry executives will be attending the study tour to visit the National Restaurant Association show and undertake study tours of emerging concepts.
The study tours, undertaken in partnership with the insights firm Technomic, will visit Reno, a casual yet sophisticated neighbourhood gathering place with all-day dining, including a strong cocktail/bar programme during all dayparts; Smoque, a traditional American barbecue fast-casual concept; Standard Market Grill, an urban outpost opened by a food retailer to showcase many of its local products; Mariano’s, an on-trend example of a “grocerant,” a neighbourhood supermarket going bold with in-store eateries including an oyster bar, pizza oven, burger grill, sushi bar and coffee/gelato bar; Big & Little’s, a culinary mash-up blending Mexican, Asian and New Orleans influences, as well as signature items such as truffle French fries; Good Stuff Eatery, a “better burger” brand that focuses on simple, farm-sourced ingredients and hand-spun milkshakes; Naansense, Indian food with a “Chipotle-style” offering, customised wraps and bowls with choice of proteins, toppings and chutneys/sauces; Da Lobsta, a seafood-focused fast-casual specialising in traditional and ethnic-influenced lobster rolls: GRK and How Do You Roll, express units of growing Greek and sushi fast-casuals on the Northwestern University Medical Centre campus, illustrating the trend of “foodservice everywhere” and the rising standards of non-commercial offerings; and Intelligentsia Coffee, a local alternative to Starbucks, which claims to individuates by putting its coffee front and centre.
Companies attending include Casual Dining Group, Pizza Hut, Beds and Bars, Britvic, Yummy Pub Company, Hickory’s, Amber Taverns, Malvern Inns, PubLove, Bulldog Hotel Group, Frog Pubs, Anglian Country Inns, TCG, Lewis Partnership, and Little Gems Country Dining.
Propel’s managing director, Paul Charity, said: “Our annual study tour sold out many months ago. We’ve put together the best tour so far, I believe, and have even managed to get a dinner booking at Rich Melman’s Beatrix, a clever re-working of classic US comfort food with understated healthy eating credentials.”
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