[This story first appeared on Boston Restaurant Talk.]
Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between January 29 and February 4.
bartaco to Open at the Derby Street Shops in HinghamA grow…
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Mass. business confidence hits 11-month high
Business confidence in Massachusetts started the new year on an optimistic note, hitting an 11-month high.
The confidence rate among Massachusetts businesses landed at 53.5 for January, the fourth consecutive month the confidence rate has be…
‘We are just super excited’: Boston reacts to 2026 World Cup schedule
It’s one of the biggest sporting events in the world – and it’s coming to Massachusetts.
Gillette Stadium in Foxborough will host the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and there’s so much excitement surrounding the announcement.
Seven World Cup games played at Gillette, including a quarterfinal game, is incredible.
Five group stage matches will be played in Foxborough from June 13 through June 26.
On a side note, the U.S. men’s team will be on the west coast for the group stage but there’s a chance they could play in Foxborough in the knockout round matches. That’s when Gillette will host one game in the Round of 32 on June 29, and that big quarterfinal game on July 9.
“We are just super excited,” said Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of Meet Boston. “We know Boston is going to be one of the best host cities out of all 16.”
This will be a huge boost for tourism in Foxborough for existing hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the area. But we could also see some development in the area over the next two years to accommodate the fans that will be traveling here from all over the world.
Organizers estimate it’ll bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy.
“These matches will generate an exceptional economic benefit to our city and state in terms of business and jobs,” said Mike Loynd, president of Boston Soccer 2026.
“FIFA likes to tell us hosting one match is like hosting the Super Bowl, so imagine that the city of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will actually host seven Super Bowls in a pretty short period of time,” said Sheridan.
“This gives us an opportunity to bring the world to the people of Boston,” said Brian Bilello, president of the New England Revolution.
One of the things that remains a mystery is organizers say the signs at Gillette will say “Boston Stadium” for the World Cup. It’s unclear how that’ll work.
Anyone who wants to go to any of the games in person can already pre-register for tickets through the FIFA World Cup website.
It’s Truck Day! Red Sox equipment leaving for spring training
It is a day Boston baseball fans always look forward to. Monday marks the unofficial start of the upcoming Red Sox season.
It’s Truck Day at Fenway. All of the team’s equipment will be packed onto a big rig outside Fenway Park. The next stop is Fort Myers, Florida, where the Red Sox will kick off spring training later this month.
The crews will load some very interesting things on the truck, including 20,400 baseballs, 1,100 bats, 20 cases of bubble gum and 60 cases of sunflower seeds.
Pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Feb. 14, and the first full team workout is five days later. The first game against Northeastern University is on Feb. 23, and the season opener against the Seattle Mariners is scheduled for March 28.
Investigators looking for dashcam footage in search for gunman in deadly I-95 shooting
Two days after a driver was shot and killed on Interstate 95 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the search continues for the gunman and some questions remain unanswered.
The driver of a dark-colored, possibly black sedan traveling southbound on I-95 jus…
Students in Newton return to school Monday following teachers strike
After more than two weeks of being away, students in Newton, Massachusetts, are returning to the classroom on Monday.
Teachers voted to Sunday to ratify their new contract with the district.
All in all, 11 missed school days and 15 days on the p…
