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More owners and managers of small food and beverage businesses indicated, during the first quarter of 2008, that they are planning to increase hiring during the next 12 months and expect an increase in employees versus their 2007 statistics, according to the latest Small Business Research Board (SBRB) study released here today.

Of the owners and managers responding to the nationwide quarterly SBRB poll co-sponsored by International Profit Associates, 44% said they plan to increase hiring over the next 12 months. This was an increase of 28 points from the 16% who said, during the fourth quarter of 2007, that they were planning to increase hiring. Concerning the total number of employees, 41% of the respondents expect their statistics in 2008 to increase from 2007. Only 8% thought they would have fewer employees in the coming year.

Meanwhile, the quarterly report said 46% of the businesses have raised prices in response to increased fuel costs. For those businesses adjusting to an increase in fuel prices, 25% have reduced business travel, 22% have reduced other costs and 19% are experiencing a higher level of just-in-time ordering.

Eliminating routes, or reducing the length of delivery routes, and committing to new vehicles with better miles per gallon efficiency was the fifth-mentioned possibility for offsetting costs.

The Small Business Research Board (SBRB) previously reported that its Food & Beverage Industry Small Business Confidence Index (SBCI) decreased by more than 18 points to 30 during the fourth quarter of 2007. The responses of owners and managers of small food and beverage producers participating in the quarterly poll indicated a weakened confidence in the economy, predictions for lower revenue and less hiring. The outlook for the general economy, revenue growth and hiring expectations are three key indicators used to determine the SBCI.

The first quarter of 2008 food and beverage SBCI (set at 43) was sharply higher than the 30 registered during the fourth quarter of 2007.
The SBCI, during the first quarter of 2008, for all U.S. small businesses was 43.67, a decline of nearly 10 points from the prior period. The historical SBRB SBCI high occurred during the first quarter of 2005 when the SBCI hit 52 points. The historical low was during the third quarter of 2005 when the SBCI fell to 39.3 points.

More than 1,000 small business owners participated in the nationwide poll.
The universe of participants is developed from among small businesses across the United States. The SBRB study is a voluntary survey conducted quarterly.

Fresh off an explosive, New York City sampling wave, the ENGOBI(TM) Girls are hitting the road, bringing ENGOBI - the love child of caffeine and snack chips — to popular New Orleans attractions May 29-June 1.

Along with samples of the market’s first caffeine-infused munchie, the ENGOBI girls will give New Orleans’ Guitar Hero(TM) aficionados the chance to play the game with friends alongside the ENGOBI tour van. The ENGOBI girls will bring on the noise, bring on the crunch at Big Easy locations ranging from the Zoo and Audubon Nature institute to the French Quarter, the Superdome to Riverwalk Marketplace.

“ENGOBI is rocketing off New York City shelves as soon as it’s stocked,” says Mark Singleton, VP of Rudolph Foods, the maker of ENGOBI. “When we saw the way typically jaded New Yorkers were reacting, we knew it was time to pack up the ENGOBI van and give crunch lovers in the Deep South the chance to tank up on the tastiest, crunchiest energy source around.”

As the ENGOBI girls make their way down the Coast (see their complete, nine-city itinerary at http://www.engobi.com/engobi-tour/events/), they’ll be blogging from the van each day about the cities they’re visiting and the people they meet. “If the ENGOBI girls, our high-octane snack chips or guitars don’t perk you up, I’m not sure you have a pulse,” Singleton declared. “With ENGOBI, couch potatoes just earned a place on the endangered species list.”

According to Singleton, a 1.5-ounce, single-serving bag of ENGOBI contains approximately 140 milligrams of caffeine — about 60 milligrams more than a can of most popular energy drinks. The latest entry in the functional foods category, ENGOBI will be distributed nationwide through convenience stores and select grocery stores. High-energy ENGOBI is sold in 1.5-ounce, single-serving bags, with a manufacturer’s suggested price of $1.29 per bag.

Change your tune from hard rock to country? Wear a Klondike Bear suit at work and for happy hour? Don tightie whities and a cape around your neighborhood? Crazy antics like these could now earn you big bucks.

Klondike has announced the national “What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?” video contest. People have been asking the iconic question for decades and now Americans can prove it on camera. Who will go to the greatest lengths for the tempting tasty treat?

The grand-prize winning video entrant will receive $100,000 and a trip for a one-on-one digital short consultation with Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone of “Saturday Night Live.” The comedy team also will be part of the overall judging panel to help select the grand-prize winner.

“We know people love their Klondike Bars,” said David Burrows, Senior Brand Director for Klondike. “And we wanted to give Americans the opportunity to show us the great lengths they will go to by answering the iconic question on camera, “What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?”

“What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?” video entries will be accepted starting May 13 through July 31 at http://www.KlondikeContest.com, where fans can vote on and rate their favorite off-the-wall videos throughout the summer. Semi-finalist videos will be selected based on fan ratings, as well as feedback from a panel of judges, so every vote counts. Four finalist videos will be announced in August and America also will help select the grand-prize winning video, which will be announced in September.

When you visit http://www.KlondikeContest.com to rate your favorite videos you will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win $25,000 in cold hard cash. Fans can watch and vote for videos throughout the entire contest and are eligible to enter the sweepstakes once a day.

Napa Valley, CA - Vintners in California’s renowned Napa Valley on Monday launched an Internet tribute to pioneering US wine-maker Robert Mondavi, who died three days earlier in his home in the region.

The Napa Valley Vintners Association created an online “toast” to Mondavi on its website at www.napavintners.com, inviting people to share their memories of the icon in words and pictures.
“In all of the years I have been privileged to talk about Napa Valley wines I always mentioned two prominent members as the ‘god fathers’ of the Napa Valley wine industry,” wrote Peter Huwiler, who headed winery there for more than a decade. “Robert Mondavi was one of them. … His stewardship for the valley will be the benchmark for generations to come.”

The son of Italian immigrants, Mondavi founded a winery bearing his name in Napa Valley in 1966 and went on to become one of the most prominent figures of the US wine industry, making famed Cabernets and Chardonnays. He would have been 95 years old in June.

The website memorial comes as the vintners association readies for the Friday start of an online “E-Auction” of prestigious wines as part of an annual event to raise money for Napa Valley charities.

“One of the many important lessons Mr. Mondavi taught us was to always be there to help a neighbor, a friend, our community or beyond,” the association said in an introductory message at the Internet tribute. “He was one of the most kind and generous people we’ve ever known.”