Out of 26 million Texans, you may have an idea to change the world. You may have had several ideas to change the world. But only a tiny minority of you pushed through the U.S. Patent office from application to successful patent. We've seen Texans change the world many times over. Jack Kilby did it with Texas Instruments in 1958 with the integrated circuit, causing the start of the digital revolution, which, in part, is why you can read these words over your electronic device.
Over the last few years, Texas Business has brought its feature: Texas Business Patent of the Day. This list is of the ones that were either extremely clever, odd or strange. One thing becomes apparent from these patents and the patent that runs daily in Texas Business—Texans have a unique mind set.
Though the history of the Corn Dog is disputed, the State Fair of Texas claims to have introduced the Corny Dog sometime between 1938 and 1942. As a paean to that invention that now sits in the freezer section of every grocery store in the southwest, here are the fried foods the State Fair of Texas has introduced, or tried to introduce, in the last seven years.
Dead Texas musicians live on every time you hear their songs. Their songs play everywhere, so the dead Texas musicians appear to be immortal. Here's the short list.
Don't get caught up with John Wayne religion. For one thing, he's not Texan. He's in some fine movies involving Texas, most notably The Searchers, but none of his movies can make the best cut of Texas movies. Here's the short list.
Unsung Texas Business Journalists Mention that one is a reporter, and there's a spark of interest. Mention that one is a business news reporter, and watch the eyes glaze over. Except to the players, business and economic journalists are unappreciated. While many wish to become sports reporters when they grow up, most do not realize that business journalists cover the Real Game. Mention that reporter covers business, and watch the eyes glaze over. A toast to these below on the short list and the numerous unnamed ones slogging away. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Mexican Food: The Short List No, we're not going to debate the difference between Tex-Mex, Mex-Tex, Mexican and Texican food. Just know these establishments are the pinnacle of Texas Mexican fare. No brag, just fact. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Burgers Texas Burgers. . While a hamburger is merely sustenance and gratification for a meal, the memory a good Texas burger can give rise to Homeric odes. The short list. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
People line up for three hours to pay $16 a pound for brisket at Franklin Barbecue in East Austin. The place is famous, having been featured by the likes of Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern on national television. Fawning reviews by newspapers and Texas Monthly haven’t hurt.
Full Story » Beth Cortez-Neavel for Reporting Texas
Texas Business reports: FORT WORTH— Fresherized Foods’ Wholly Guacamole dip is now the number one selling refrigerated dip brand in America, surpassing Deans Dairy Dip to take the top spot.
Texas Business reports: LUFKIN, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Pilgrim's Pride Corp. in Lufkin with three repeat and four serious violations following a June inspection as part of the agency's Process Safety Management Covered Chemical Facilities national emphasis program.
Texas Business reports: Mixed-Up Burgers of Grand Prairie and Uchi in Houston were named the two most popular new restaurants to open in Texas this year by Urbanspoon.
Texas Business reports: In an economy like this one, small businesses have benefited from using social media as their marketing strategy. Not every small family-owned business has gotten to this point, but a small little bakery tucked behind Waco, Texas’ giant Wal-Mart understands the importance of making a presence online. They may be up on the latest social media trends, but Simply Delicious bakery loves to keep it old fashioned when it comes to what they do best.
Texas Business reports: A Wichita Falls firm won a $16.1 million contract to supply food service at Sheppard Air Force Base, the U.S. Department of Defense announced.
Texas Business reports: TEMPLE, Texas—McLane Company Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has entered into an agreement to acquire Meadowbrook Meat Company Inc. (MBM).
Texas Business reports: BOSTON & DALLAS—Thomas H. Lee Partners LP, a private equity firm focused on investments in global businesses headquartered in North America, and GP Investments Ltd., an alternative asset investment firm in Latin America, signed a definitive agreement under which THL will acquire from GP Investments Fogo de Chao Churrascaria LLC,a group of fine dining, full-service restaurants headquartered in Dallas, with eighteen locations in the U.S. and seven locations in Brazil.
Texas Business reports: DALLAS—Brinker International Inc. formed a partnership with the Army Partnership for Youth Success Program (PaYS), which connects companies with young veterans looking for corporate jobs after serving their country.
Texas Business reports: Jasper’s Bar-B-Que sits unassumingly on the corner of Clifton and Elm Streets, rooted in the same location that once served Interurban Railway passengers stopping through Waco on their way to Dallas. The creaky screen door wavers slightly in the wind, keeping the flies out of the dining room while allowing smells of freshly smoked meat to waft out into the street.
Texas Business reports: A San Antonio firm won a $56.1 million contract to provide food for the U.S. govnerment, the U.S. Department of Defense announced.
Texas Business reports: At a time when large corporations have swallowed personal service, a small, family-run business in Waco is committed to building relationships and catering to the mom and pop restaurants we all love.
Texas Business reports: Ten years ago, Bill Rasco of Hewitt, Texas decided to take a huge risk. He had been in education for twenty years, but was ready for a change. He withdrew his teaching retirement funds, and used them as a down payment to own and operate a Pizza Pro franchise in Mart, Texas.
Waco Bar-B-Que Restaurant Redefines Sell-Out Texas Business reports: The family owned Tony DeMaria’s Bar-B-Que in Waco, Texas has an out of the ordinary philosophy. Only open for lunch, frequent customers know to get there early, before Geoff places the lime green “sold out” sign in the window.Full Story » Anna Flagg
Texas Business reports: In this café, customers who count change to pay for their coffee sit with guests wearing business suits. These customers seem unequal, with their differing bank accounts and level of education. But what brings them together, equalizing a life with food stamps to one with luxury cars, is a simple cup of coffee.
Texas Business reports: Everyone recognizes those two golden arches during moments of hunger. With so many options for a quick burger, how does Cupp’s, a local Waco old-fashioned hamburger shop that sits tucked away behind a Burger King, beat out all the cookie-cutter, chain competition?
Texas Business reports: COLUMBUS, Ohio—The breakfast-lunch chain Sunny Street Café signed a 40-store development agreement for Texas with Cafe Management Systems.
Texas Business reports: CANTON, Mass.—Dunkin' Donuts signed a multi-unit store development agreement with three franchise groups to develop 25 new restaurants in Texas over the next several years.
Texas Business reports: EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.— Two joint ventures led by travel retailer Hudson Group won the bid process to provide both retail and food services in the newly renovated Dallas Love Field Airport.
Texas Business reports: SUGAR LAND, Texas—Imperial Sugar Company completed the sale of its 50% interest in Wholesome Sweeteners Inc. to an affiliate of Arlon Group, a private investment group focused on food and agriculture.
Texas Business reports: An Austin firm won an $11.2 million contract to provide 8.4 million meals to the U.S. military, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Texas Business reports: Five restaurants including a new concept, MAVS Sports Grill, will be among the first retail tenants in UT Arlington’s 20-acre College Park District development, scheduled for completion this summer.
Texas Business reports: DFW—The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has issued a license to sell liquor at the Rick's Cabaret just outside the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.
Family history, deep-rooted culture and an ever-evolving menu are the keys to success for one of Waco’s oldest Tex-Mex restaurants. La Fiesta opened at its first location in Waco in 1963, although it was not the first food related business endeavor for the Castillo family, whose ancestors sold tamales and eared corn from street vendor carts in the early 1900s.
At George’s, three things reign supreme: good food, cheap beer and Baylor athletics. “I still go to George’s and drink my beer,” country singer Pat Green crooned in his popular song “George’s Bar.” The restaurant has gained popularity and, more importantly to the managers, a loyal following in Waco.
53 years ago Hermalinda Nino sent her daughters door-to-door selling fresh tortillas. Since then the oven got a little bigger and the kitchen gained a few square feet.
When you hear the phrase “Gut Pak,” what comes to mind? Probably some sort of food that is the leading cause of protruding bellies, or possibly something manly men enjoy while cheering for their football team. While these two may be close to the truth in Waco, the Gut Pak is first and foremost the most popular menu item at Vitek’s BBQ. According to owner Julie Keith, this pile of Fritos chips, beans, cheese, sausage and beef is one thing among many that keeps the business at Vitek’s successful.
Texas Business reports: A San Antonio firm won a $32. 4 million for federal food products. Sterling Foods LLC of San Antonio received a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum $32,464,106 for Meal, Ready-to-Eat bakery components, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Texas Business reports: RICHARDSON—Based on the success of its stores in Mexico City, Wingstop announced the company will add 120 restaurants across Mexico over the next seven years, thanks to a master franchise agreement with WIS Master S.A. de C.V.
AUSTIN—At the Jester King Craft Brewery, in the hills just west of Austin, managing partner Ron Extract can explain the differences between Cascade and Amarillo hops. He can explain what gives “Das Wunderkind” beer its “delicate tartness” and “Commercial Suicide” its “oaky notes.” He cannot sell you a glass of either. Nor can he tell you where Jester King’s beers are sold. According to the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission code, both activities are illegal.
Texas Business reports: CORSICANA—Snyder's-Lance Inc. announced plans to close its salty snacks manufacturing facility in Corsicana, Texas, effective Friday, February 10, 2012.
Texas Business reports: MISSION—Freebirds World Burrito will open a new location at 2521 East 83 Suite 600 Mission, Texas on Thursday, November 10, 2011.
Texas Business reports: DALLAS – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Anaheim, Calif.-based Bridgford Foods Corp. for 27 safety and health violations at its food manufacturing facility in Dallas, with proposed penalties totaling $422,600.
Texas Business reports: DALLAS — Oct. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The residents of São Paulo, Brazil, were introduced to Chili’s Grill & Bar last month when the Dallas-based brand opened its first restaurant in one of South America’s fastest growing countries.
Texas Business reports: DALLAS—Republic of Texas Brands Inc.opened its Republic of Texas Food Company has opened its online store and is now taking orders at www.republicoftexas.com.
Texas Business reports: A Wichita Falls firm won a $17.4 million contract to provide food services at an Air Force Base, the U.S. Department of Defense announced.
Texas Business reports: Pilgrim's Pride Corporation today announced plans to close its chicken-processing plant in Dallas within 60 days as part of its continuing effort to reduce costs and operate more efficiently.
Texas Business reports: A San Antonio firm won a $13.8 million contract modification on a military food contract, the U.S. Department of Defense announced.
Texas Business reports: DALLAS—Furr’s Fresh Buffet, the restaurant concept developed by owners of the Furr's restaurant chain based in Dallas, announced their newest location will open Wednesday, June 29th in San Antonio, Texas, at 7863 S. Interstate 35 and Zarzamora.
Texas Business reports:SAN ANTONIO—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Bimbo Bakeries USA in San Antonio for 10 serious violations following a safety and health inspection at the company's work site in San Antonio after investigators found workers exposed to numerous workplace hazards, including the danger of amputations.
Texas Business reports: Addison—Souper Salad Inc. signed a franchise agreement with Pflugerville resident Denise Jordan to open a new Souper Salad restaurant on the North side of Austin in mid June 2011.
Texas Business reports: San Antonio--More than 20 restaurateurs, chefs and others from the San Antonio area interested in locally grown agricultural products recently participated in a Chef’s Farm Tour in South Central Texas sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
Texas Business reports: Corpus Christi—The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued four serious and one repeat citation to Sam Kane Beef Processor Inc. following an inspection at the company's facility in Corpus Christi, where multiple safety hazards were found. Proposed penalties total $61,000.
Furr's Fresh Buffet to Open May 11th in Spring, Texas Texas Business reports: Spring—Furr's Fresh Buffet, a restaurant concept developed by owners of the Furr's restaurant chain based in Dallas, announced its newest location will open Wednesday, May 11th in Spring, Texas at 21005 Interstate 45 at Louetta.Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Texas Business reports: A state agency won a $19 million contract to provide food and food services at Fort Bliss. the U.S. Department of Defense announced.
Texas Business reports: Baristas Coffee Company, which employs "attractive females" in costume for drive-through expresso shops, i signed its first franchise agreement for territories in Texas.
Traveling Austinites with a taste for “monster” burritos can rejoice, as Freebirds World Burritos will be opening 20 more locations in Texas by the end of next year. The expansion of the Austin-based Mexican food chain (which was founded in Santa Barbara, California) will add between 1,000 to 1,500 jobs to the state, the company said in a November press release.
English Dessert Finds an Austin Home Tracy Claros, founder of Austin’s Sticky Pudding Co., personally delivers her specialty puddings to a local Fresh Market in North Austin. It’s 5:36 p.m. when she leaves her home near downtown. The 24 dessert cups are sealed, labeled and boxed. The roads are congested, but her merchandise needs to be restocked.Full Story » By Veronika Joy of Reporting Texas
Texas Business reports: Texas-based Dickey's Barbecue, the largest barbecue chain in the country, is set to continue expansion in California as Franchisees Jerrad Marsh and Dianne Marsh-King sign up for a new location in the Modesto area.
Texas Business reports: Coppell-based CiCi's Pizza, a rapidly-expanding 600-unit pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet chain, signed agreements for the addition of 16 units over the next five years and hired Wingstop veteran Bruce Evans to lead franchise sales.
Texas Business reports: Pizza Inn's popular traditional and specialty pizzas are coming back to El Paso with the opening of the newest Pizza Inn buffet restaurant at 1188 North Yarbrough.
Texas Business reports: McAllen’s Magic Valley Fresh Frozen Inc. is voluntarily recalling 6,492 packages of frozen breaded okra because the products may contain undeclared whey, according an FDA recall announcement.
D/FW Airport to contest liquor license for nearby Rick's Cabaret strip club Texas Business notes this story by Eric Torbenson of the Dallas Morning News: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport will contest a liquor license application for a new gentlemen’s club that is set to open in Fort Worth and near airport property.
Austin, Wine Town Texas Business notes this story by Lettie Teague of the Wall Street Journal: There is no disputing that Austin, Texas is a great music city. It’s less well-known that it’s a great wine city tooFull Story »
Second branch of B.B.Bop opens in Dallas Texas Business notes this story by Teresa Gubbins of Pegasus News: DALLAS — There's only one thing wrong with B.B. Bop in Carrolton, the restaurant from chef team Gregory Bussey (chef at Victor Tango's) and his Korean-American wife Sandy, a private chef: It's in Carrollton. Full Story »
Texas Business reports:Young Chefs Academy, the first cooking school for children franchise, has expanded their unique cooking academies in four different countries in the past six months.
California's Fatburger joins burger joints' stampede to Dallas area Texas Business notes this story by Karen Robinson-Jacobs of the Dallas Morning News: California-based Fatburger is in "advanced discussions" with a potential franchisee to build 10 Dallas-area Fatburgers in the next five years, its chief executive says.Full Story »
Woman awarded $5.67 million in slip-and-fall case Texas Business notes this story by Melissa Tanji of The Maui News: A Texas woman who slipped and fell at the Dairy Road McDonald's nearly three years ago was awarded $5.67 million last week for the injuries she suffered at the Kahului restaurant while visiting relatives on Maui.Full Story »
From Harvard Law to brisket and slaw Texas Business notes this story by Sandra Bretting of the Houston Chronicle: Phil Stephenson opened Phil's Barbecue in Houston last June based on a series of revelations over two decades.Full Story »
From Harvard Law to brisket and slaw Texas Business notes this story by Sandra Bretting of the Houston Chronicle: Phil Stephenson opened Phil's Barbecue in Houston last June based on a series of revelations over two decades.Full Story »
Alcohol sales in Lubbock reach 1 year mark Texas Business notes this story by Edmund Rostran of the Daily Toreador: Today marks the one-year anniversary of Lubbock County becoming wet and allowing the sale of alcohol in both convenience stores and stand-alone package stores.Full Story »
Best dang food joint in Texas Texas Business notes this story by Wayne Drash of CNN: Reading glasses sit at the community table in the corner of The Hotel Coffee Shop.Full Story »
Texas Fried Frito Pie takes Big Tex Best Taste award Texas Business notes this story by Jeff Mosier of the Dallas Morning News: Judges at the State Fair of Texas’ big Labor Day food competition favored the back-to-basics approach: beer and Frito pie. Fried, naturally.Full Story »
Will Fried Beer Take the Prize at the State Fair of Texas? Texas Business notes this story by Eric Burkett of Delish.com: China has xiaolongbao, succulent steamed dumplings that burst with a small flood of rich pork and crab broth when you sink your teeth into them. Texas has deep fried beer. Full Story »
Bottoms up at first Brewmasters Festiv Texas Business notes this story by Charlie Bier of the Greater Houston Weekly: Inside the Saint Arnold’s Brewing Co. on Lyons Avenue in Houston, a 17-man team cooks, filters, bottles, sells and drinks the product.Full Story »
Texas Business notes this story by Nathan Duck of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal:The Cap*Rock Winery celebrated its record-breaking harvest Saturday with old-fashioned, barefoot wine smashing.
Texas Business notes this story by Karen Robinson-Jacobs of the Dallas Morning News:The recall of more than a half billion eggs because of possible salmonella contamination could hardly have come at a worse time for Rose Colarossi and her son Ryan.
Tootie Pie hasn't tasted real success Texas Business recommends this story by Vicki Vaughan of the San Antonio Express-News: BOERNE — The heady smell of baking wafts continuously into the office of Don Merrill Jr., and no wonder.Full Story »
Texas Business notes this story by Karen Robinson-Jacobs of the Dallas Morning News:Nearly two dozen years after opening in Dallas' West End district, Morton's Restaurant Group Inc. has announced plans to open a location in trendy Uptown, about a mile from its existing chop house.
Texas Business recommends this story by Tam Vo of the Houston Press:As a Baylor Bear, I always do two things when visiting Waco: eat at Bush's Chicken and then regret eating so much at Bush's Chicken.
Texas Business recommends this story about Plano-based Frito-Lay by Suzanne Vranica of the Wall Street Journal:Frito-Lay makes a lot of noise marketing its Sun Chips snacks as "green."
Texas Business recommends this story by Karen Robinson-Jacobs of the Dallas Morning News:Plano-based Frito-Lay Inc. and Utz Quality Foods Inc. of Hanover, Pa., have gone to court over which one has the right to sell cookies ostensibly endorsed by Nana.
Texas Business notes this story by Ana Ley of the McAllen Monitor:MISSION — Maggie Trujillo’s black rubber boots sloshed through the expanse of brown, muddy water that nearly submerged the thatched roof of his restaurant.
Texas Business notes this story by Greg Jefferson of the San AntonioExpress-News:Mayor Julián Castro didn't talk about cracking down on smoking in public spaces during his 2009 campaign, and he didn't officially propose pushing the city's smoking ban into bars and pool halls.
TexasBusiness.com notes this story by Chad Thomas of the Tyler Morning-Telegraph: Making the classic upside-down cake isn't so hard, even for an amateur baker.
TexasBusiness.com recommends this story by Scott Farwell of the Dallas Morning News:Blame it on BP.About 70 percent of oysters eaten in the U.S. are fished out of the marshes, bayous and bays along the Gulf Coast.
The Texas News Scrawl is a handy reference to stories Texas Business recommends from other news sources. Some of the stories that Texas Business currently suggests include: The West News proves the value of a great weekly newspaper in a community torn up with grief and chaos; Chinese investors checking out Texas, Austin; Texas makes bounce house operators carry liability coverage, but not plants like West Fertilizer; bSpaceX’s Grasshopper leaping to NM spaceport;American Airlines, US Airways to name post-merger leadership within weeks; Texas power cushion seen at lowest level in a decade; Media outlets reflect Houston's diversity; and more.
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