While 2011 restaurant-industry sales nationally are expected to increase 3.6 percent over 2010, Colorado will fare better with a 3.9 percent projected increase, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2011 Restaurant Industry Forecast, released Tuesday.
Colorado is also expected to post the fourth-strongest sales growth among the 50 states, tied with Florida, and bested by North Carolina at No. 1, with 4.2 percent, followed by Idaho and Virginia, at 4.0.
In total sales growth, Colorado restaurant sales are projected to increase from $8 billion in 2010 to $8.2 billion this year.
Nationally, restaurant-industry sales are expected to reach a record $604 billion after a three-year period of negative sales growth, according to the NRA study.
“This is good news for restaurant operators, our 228,000 employees and our customers,” said Colorado Restaurant Association chief executive Pete Meersman. “We continue to have in-migration, our disposable income is increasing and our employment will rise faster than the national average. Those three things add up to more restaurant sales statewide.”
Mr. Ranger, sir.
But does he get to wear the hat? Steve Tedder, vice president of national parks for Greenwood Village-based Xanterra Parks & Resorts, has been named an honorary national park ranger by the National Park Service.
Other honorary rangers include former President Ronald Reagan, as well as Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, producers of the documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”
Tedder, who has spent more than 34 years in national parks, oversees Xanterra’s concessions operations in Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Zion National Park, Petrified Forest National Park and Crater Lake National Park. He plans to retire from Xanterra in March.
Premiere party.
Food Network star Guy Fieri, right, slipped into town in November to shoot several local eateries for his popular “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” show.
Steuben’s, the comfort-food king at 17th Avenue and Pearl Street, lands its TV time at 7 p.m. Monday in an episode about signature sandwiches around the country.
The fun-loving Fieri wrestles a Steuben’s lobster roll down his gullet. To celebrate the Food Network debut, Steuben’s is throwing a premiere party from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday.
The restaurant will feature $10 lobster rolls and Steuben’s fries, along with Triple D drinking games.
Chipman chat.
Stephen Chipman, CEO of the global tax firm Grant Thornton LLP, will be the speaker for Voices of Experience, the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business signature event, from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the Cable Center, 2000 Buchtel Blvd.
Chipman will discuss his firm’s corporate social-responsibility philosophy and programming, and how the goal is to make a difference every day. Register at .
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-630 AM. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
