AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT YELLOH! (09/29/24)

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 — CEASING OPERATIONS

Yelloh has announced it will cease all operations in November 2024, closing out a storied 72-year history as a Minnesota pioneer in the food home-delivery market. Founded in Marshall, Minn., where it still maintains a headquarters, the company grew to a nationwide frozen food delivery leader with the country’s largest fleet of freezer trucks.

CEO Bernardo Santana noted, "It’s with heavy hearts that we made the difficult decision to cease operations of Yelloh. We are thankful to our many loyal customers and hard-working employees for everything they have done to support us. I am deeply grateful for our employees’ tireless and bold efforts and our customers’ dedication. It has been our utmost pleasure and honor to serve our customers their favorite meals and frozen treats.”

“The current Yelloh team has worked hard against external headwinds such as the nationwide staffing challenges and crushing food supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic. These challenges, combined with changing consumer lifestyles and competitive pressures that have been building for over 20 years, made success very difficult. Digital shopping has replaced the personal, at-the-door customer interaction that was the hallmark of the company.”

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 — Orignal post…

Marshall, Minnesota-based Yelloh!, formerly known as Schwan’s Home Delivery, a direct-to-consumer food delivery company that provides customers with frozen foods for every mealtime occasion, has announced a significant reorganization, including the closure of delivery centers and a major reduction in force.

The reorganization will impact 750 employees in the company's sales, field, and corporate teams and the closure of 90 delivery centers, commencing on December 8, 2023.

According to a company spokesperson, “Facing economic headwinds, rising business costs, and the post-pandemic world, our teams across the country have worked valiantly to transform our company into a modern category leader. Despite those efforts, and like many retail businesses, we must now close locations and face a difficult reality.”

"This is a heartbreaking decision for our company because we cherish our customers, our employees, and the special role our team members play in our local communities. Concentrating our high-touch delivery service in fewer locations – in states that are the foundation for our 70-year-old company – is the best path forward for Yelloh."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT GRUBHUB (03/02/2025)

MARCH 3, 2025 — 500 EMPLOYEES

The company has announced a 20% reduction in force, about 500 employees, company-wide following the closure of its merger with New York City, New York-based Wonder, a startup portfolio of food delivery service brands.

A message from Grubhub CEO Howard Migdal on the integration with Wonder …

Hi everyone,

Over the past two years, we’ve made tremendous progress on our journey to accelerate growth through clear focus and a well-defined strategy. We’ve strengthened our foundation across our core business and new verticals to transform our value proposition to customers and set ourselves up for future success. Teaming up with Wonder has been a remarkable testament to our progress over the past year, connecting us with a partner who embodies our innovative, entrepreneurial, and competitive spirit and is committed to Grubhub’s success.

Since we closed the transaction with Wonder, we have been aligning on how our businesses work together to achieve our ambitious mission of becoming the primary destination for mealtime.

In order to achieve our ambition, we must prioritize the right work and execute with speed and conviction by reducing management layers, bringing leaders closer to the business, and removing duplication.

As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to eliminate approximately 500 positions at Grubhub. These changes span all teams as we begin to integrate functions with Wonder.

The dedication and talent across our teams is incredible, making this especially tough. Each of you has played a vital role in shaping Grubhub, and we are deeply grateful for your passion and hard work. We’re taking this step because we believe it is essential for the future we’re working so hard to build together with Wonder.

These changes will position Grubhub to maximize our potential, create opportunities for leaders at Wonder and Grubhub to take on expanded roles and responsibilities in support of our shared vision, and enable us to focus our resources on our most important business objectives.

Our priority is to support you through this transition and treat you with the respect you have earned and deserve. Impacted employees will receive severance and outplacement services to help transition and plan for the future. Your commitment has helped build something extraordinary, and I thank you for all you’ve done for Grubhub.

We recognize that today and over the next few days, it will be important for us to process these changes, reflect on what’s next, and support one another.

Looking ahead, I am confident that, together with Wonder, we are in a strong position to disrupt the restaurant industry and redefine how people think about food delivery. While today is a difficult day, I have no doubt in our future and what we will accomplish together. Thank you for your resilience and commitment to Grubhub.

Howard

JUNE 26, 2023 — Original post…

Chicago, Illinois-based Grubhub, an online platform for prepared food ordering and delivery, has announced a major reduction in force.

The reduction in force will impact 400 corporate employees or about 15% of its workforce.

According to CEO Howard Migdal, “We need to make some tough decisions in order to maintain our competitiveness, deliver the best possible service for diners and our other partners, and be successful for the long term. As a result, today we have made the very difficult decision to reduce the headcount at Grubhu. I know it will come as a shock to you."

“Our business has grown since our 2019 pre-pandemic levels but our operating and staff costs have increased at a higher rate. We need to continually look at whether we are set up in the right way to deliver for our diners, restaurants, and delivery partners.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT BLOUNT FINE FOODS

Fall River, Massachusetts-based Blount Fine Foods, a wholesale manufacturer of pre-prepared foods and soups, has announced its intention to shut down its 80,000-square-foot food production facility in Portland, Oregon.

The facility closure will impact 198 employees.

According to Blount president and CEO Todd Blount, the company’s president and CEO, "The company plans to consolidate production to more established facilities in New England and Texas ahead of the fresh soup industry’s off-season.”

“We understand how difficult this is on the hard-working folks in that facility and are working to support them through this transition. While our Portland plant will ramp down production over the next two months, we will keep it at the ready for possible reintroduction as needed.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?