News Briefs for July 24, 2020
July 24, 2020•On March 19, Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) CEO Danny Meyer announced that the New York–based company was laying off 2,000 employees—more than 80% of its staff—due to the forced shutdown of indoor dining at restaurants as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This week, USHG resumed hiring. But simultaneously Meyer has announced the end of the company’s “Hospitality Included” policy, which had prohibited guest tipping. It’s the conclusion of a five-year experiment the restaurateur hoped would lead to a more equitable restaurant industry. Wine Spectator has the full story.
•Puerto Rico’s Destilería Serrallés has expanded its Don Q family of rums with Reserva 7 Años. The 7-year-old spirit is bottled at 40% abv and blended from both column and pot still distilled rums aged in American oak. The release is packaged in Don Q’s new bottle design—created by U.K.-based Stranger and Stranger—that features an updated logo for the brand. Don Q Reserva 7 Años will be available in select retailers across the U.S. beginning in August, for a suggested price of $25 a 750-ml. The Don Q brand depleted 240,000 cases in the U.S. last year, according to Impact Databank.
•F!ve Cocktails, a line of canned cocktails with spirits plus four or fewer ingredients, is now available nationwide. The company was founded by CEO Felipe Szpigel and CFO Roberto Schuback, both former AB InBev executives from the brewing giant’s craft beer division and ZX Ventures, respectively. The line includes Moscow Mule (9% abv), Margarita (10% abv), Mojito (9% abv), Gin and Tonic (11% abv), Watermelon Vodka Soda (5.9% abv), and Paloma (9% abv). All are now available across the U.S. in 4-packs for around $10. AB InBev’s ZX Ventures unit holds a minority stake in the company.
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