Roundup: Corn supply tightens for 2012; raised prices expected … VooDoo signs deal for Austin locations

Price pop: Americans can expect to pay slightly higher food prices next year, given that an excessively hot summer has damaged much of this year’s corn crop. But the rise in grocery prices might not be severe because farmers are sitting on relatively large supplies ahead of the fall harvest, and demand for corn is falling. The U.S. Agriculture Department estimates that the fall harvest won’t yield as much corn as first estimated. ’Doo that BBQ: VooDoo BBQ & Grill has signed a deal to open five restaurants in Austin, Texas, over the next five years. The Baton Rouge-based chain signed a franchise agreement for the Austin locations. The chain, which started in New Orleans in 2002, currently has 12 locations. VooDoo has launched an aggressive expansion, with plans for eight restaurants in the Carolinas and 26 more locations in Florida.