Know What's Happening in Food and Beverage
Know What's Happening in Food and Beverage
Marco’s Pizza, based in Toledo, Ohio, has signed a franchise agreement to open 12 new restaurants in Southern California, to be owned and operated by franchisee Baljit Gill. The chain already runs three locations in the region—Upland, Fontana and Hesperia—and has two additional stores slated to launch in Yucaipa and Highland in early April. Site selection for the remaining units is underway. Marco’s Pizza now operates more than 1,200 stores across 35 states and several international markets.
Resiliency: "US Avocado Imports Hit Record 2.6 Billion Pounds on Sports, Cinco de Mayo" https://t.co/X40efQuehA https://t.co/JhBuKnse35
Publix Super Markets has signed leases for three new 54,964‑square‑foot stores in Kentucky—Richmond, Versailles and Bowling Green—each paired with a Publix Liquors outlet. The locations are expected to generate roughly 150 jobs across the three sites. The move deepens Publix’s...
Three years after LVMH’s Moët Hennessy acquired Joseph Phelps, winemaker Ryan Knoth is steering the estate toward a future that respects its historic DNA while sharpening the quality of its flagship Insignia. Knoth, who arrived in 2023 after a 17‑year Napa...
Ahold Delhaize USA announced it has become a member of the Responsible Labor Initiative (RLI), an international group that tackles human‑rights risks in global food and beverage supply chains. The membership grants the grocery giant access to grievance mechanisms, risk‑assessment tools and...
The 2025 BD Fact Book shows U.S. liquid refreshment beverage (LRB) sales grew 2.5% in dollar value while overall volume slipped 0.9%. Carbonated soft drinks (CSD) posted a 3.1% value increase with a 0.7% volume decline. The report covers packaged...
Beverage Digest released its 31st Fact Book, a comprehensive snapshot of U.S. non‑alcoholic beverage sales for 2025. The edition compiles all‑channel data, from grocery and convenience stores to online platforms, revealing modest volume growth and heightened competition. It highlights a...
The National Advertising Division (NAD) ruled that Bayer’s One A Day Men’s Fertility multivitamin uses pre‑conception timing and sperm‑health language that implies a boost to men’s chances of conception. NAD also found the product’s antioxidant and ingredient‑specific claims unsupported by...
Rosie Goldwasser turned her side‑project, More Than Matcha, into a six‑figure nationwide brand in just one year and recently left consulting to run it full‑time. A pivotal appearance on the reality series "60 Day Hustle" forced her to treat the venture as...
Budweiser is marking four decades as the official FIFA World Cup sponsor with a limited‑edition line of aluminum cans and bottles designed by JRK. The collectible packaging showcases graphics from every tournament since Mexico ’86 and rolls out ahead of the...
Colombia, the world’s third‑largest coffee producer, contributes 22% of GDP and up to 80% of exports, yet only 5% of its smallholder farmers are technically efficient. In the Meta department, coffee is grown under forest canopy in agroforestry systems across...
Vanessa Leppard, a 33‑year‑old former food‑industry professional, launched Margate Microgreens in a repurposed indoor unit in Margate, UK. The vertical farm grows pea shoots, red radish and broccoli garnishes using LED lights and heat mats. Within its opening week the...
Impossible Foods has signed a multi‑year deal to become the official plant‑based burger partner of Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. The agreement includes a dedicated concession stand, the Impossible Grille, serving a menu...
BioBlends, a food‑tech startup, uses bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to form a protective, non‑ingredient barrier that dramatically extends product shelf life without additives. In lab tests, its VOC spray kept bread mold‑free for up to 80 days, far surpassing...
The 2026 Paytronix Loyalty Report finds that traditional points‑only programs are becoming obsolete for restaurant chains, as brands shift toward experience‑driven models. AI analytics, gamified tiers and exclusive rewards now underpin the most effective loyalty strategies, turning one‑time diners into...
Food is Medicine (FIM) initiatives link nutrition, agriculture, and healthcare to combat diet‑related chronic disease. The article highlights that poor diets drive 45% of US cardiometabolic deaths and cost over $1.1 trillion annually, disproportionately affecting low‑income and minority groups. Programs such...
Sugar Factory is expanding beyond its restaurants by launching a frozen‑food line called Sugar Factory at Home, debuting its Rainbow Sliders in Jewel‑Osco stores across Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. The sliders—colorful buns with 0.8‑ounce beef patties—are sold in 5‑ and...
KFC’s tender‑focused spinoff, Saucy, is rolling out four premium Pepsi Drips beverages at its ten existing locations, with five more stores slated to open later this year. The Drips line blends classic sodas and lemonade with upscale add‑ins like caramel cold...
Between 2016 and 2019 the share of U.S. consumers who identified as vegan surged roughly 600%, a spike driven by heightened climate awareness, social‑justice movements, and the rise of millennial activism. Social media amplified veganism as a visual status symbol,...
Italian agency nju:design has unveiled a new packaging suite for Attianese Conserve’s canned tomato line, drawing directly from 1950s Campania canning illustrations. The designs feature hand‑drawn artwork by Claudia Bartoli, rendered in a delicate, pre‑photography style. A bright pastel palette injects...
Japanese trading house Kanematsu Corporation has partnered with U.S. startup 2nd Nature to apply artificial intelligence to its agricultural sidestreams, aiming to extract high‑value functional ingredients. 2nd Nature’s AgWaste Portal scans molecular data to uncover hidden proteins, fibers, peptides and...
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a memo directing hospitals to align their food service policies with the 2025‑2030 Dietary Guidelines. The rules require eliminating ultra‑processed foods, sugary drinks, refined grains, and processed meats, while mandating...
Snack brand Manomasa has launched a new packaging design for its Popped corn chips that draws on Latin American papel picado motifs and bold pink‑green colourways. The redesign, created by the design duo Derek & Eric, showcases flavors such as...
Tavern Agency has crafted a bold, typographic identity for Waterbird’s ready‑to‑drink (RTD) cocktail line, drawing on mid‑century Americana and vibrant color palettes. Oversized lettering places the product name front‑and‑center, while each flavor is distinguished by high‑impact hues. The design strikes...
Feel like reading a restaurant review today? Here's my take on Thai newcomer Wanglang, just off Madison Square. https://t.co/SNxAKr3MfF https://t.co/l9NkuA1BPF
The FDA has launched the Better Regulatory Inspections for Dynamic Government Efficiency (BRIDGE) Project to overhaul how domestic food facility inspections are planned, executed, and coordinated. The initiative introduces a data‑driven, risk‑based framework that aligns federal and state oversight, aiming...
The Carl's Jr. franchisee out of California that filed for bankruptcy late last week blamed its financial distress on two issues: The state's fast-food wage and Carl's Jr. management. https://t.co/HdZ8TzblsJ
The Macallan, famed for its non‑smoky, fruit‑forward profile, briefly turned to peated malt between 1940 and 1958 when World War II coal rationing left the distillery without its traditional fuel. During that period, peat became the only reliable energy source, resulting...
USA Rice, the trade group for American rice growers and merchants, has launched a UK‑wide promotional campaign to lift demand for US‑origin rice. The effort combines an ambassador panel, trade‑fair appearances, a roadshow and influencer partnerships throughout 2026. US rice...
Valio’s innovation chief, Dr. Kevin Deegan, says the dairy co‑op is riding a surge in protein demand while eyeing the emerging influence of GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs. The company splits its focus 65:35 between value‑added consumer goods and ingredient sales, leveraging...
European fresh‑produce companies are moving sustainability from a branding exercise to a cost‑control imperative. 2026 priorities now focus on measurable variables such as yield stability, batch quality, shrink, packaging expenses and verifiable environmental data. Soil degradation alone costs the...
Tomato prices in Málaga’s greenhouse sector have surged to about €3 per kilogram, roughly $3.25, a record high. The Andalusian Price and Market Observatory reported average prices over €2/kg, nearly double the previous season and three times the first half...
Slurrp Farm, the millet‑based children’s food brand, launched a Back to School campaign featuring a short film that dramatizes parents’ daily worry about unfinished tiffins. The ad follows seven‑year‑old Kabeer’s chaotic morning and shows his mother packing Slurrp Farm Millet...
Harviestoun, the Alva‑based brewery, is injecting over £0.5 million (≈$640,000) into a first‑phase expansion that adds a new warehouse, office space and brewing upgrades. The move will bring storage and logistics back onto the site, aiming to double output from just...
A recent Royal Society Open Science study quantifies how grind size and tamp pressure influence espresso puck permeability, delivering a predictive equation derived from X‑ray micro‑CT scans of two Square Mile coffees. Researchers mapped 22 samples, applied percolation theory, and...
WineCap’s 2026 Wealth Report finds 97% of wealth managers expect fine‑wine demand to rise, marking the highest confidence in the study’s four‑year history. The market has recovered from a prolonged downturn, with bid‑offer spreads tightening and liquidity returning across key...
McKee Foods has launched Little Debbie Soft Baked Cookies, a new premium, portable snack line under its iconic brand. The 3‑ounce, individually wrapped cookies come in Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter varieties, offering a moist, bakery‑style texture. Positioned as a...
Little Caesars’ vice president of franchise and business development, Bryan Ketelhut, discussed the brand’s growth strategy on the Pizza Marketplace Podcast. He highlighted the company’s long‑standing focus on value, quality and convenience, anchored by the Hot‑N‑Ready model launched more than...
ITC Sunfeast Farmlite introduced a Sugar Free Cookies range, offering Choco Nut and Hazelnut & Oats variants that are protein‑rich, trans‑fat‑free and priced at ₹100 (≈$1.20) per 100‑gram single‑serve pack. The launch aligns with growing demand for healthier snacking in India. Meanwhile,...
South Africa’s beer sector is embedding sustainability into its value chain, from locally sourced barley to water‑stewardship projects that restore Western Cape catchments. Major brewers such as SAB and Heineken are investing in resource‑efficient technologies, circular packaging, and low‑alcohol products...
Ocado Retail’s latest research shows that 64% of British consumers aged 16‑34 now prioritize longevity when shopping, the highest rate among all age groups. This shift is driving strong sales growth in fibre‑rich meals (+187% YoY), gut‑health drinks such as...
German Doner Kebab (GDK) has appointed former Chipotle and Costa Coffee executive Jim Slater as Chair and Non‑Executive Director to accelerate its UK and international expansion. Slater helped grow Chipotle to more than 3,500 restaurants and led Costa Coffee into...
Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail welcomed 2.7 million visitors in 2025, matching its 2024 record and surpassing the 2023 figure of 2.5 million. The influx, driven largely by out‑of‑state tourists, generated average per‑trip spending of $600‑$1,400 and reinforced the trail’s $10.6 billion economic contribution to...
Independent Bristol café Mocha Mocha Coffee House announced a nationwide franchise programme, opening its proven concept to entrepreneurs across the UK. The brand will offer comprehensive training, site‑selection assistance and supplier networks to maintain its high‑quality coffee and community‑focused experience....
Oscar Mayer has introduced its first bacon innovation in five years, unveiling Maple Bourbon Bacon cured with Evan Williams bourbon and finished with a 12‑hour slow smoke. The thick‑cut, maple‑kissed slices blend vanilla‑caramel notes from barrel‑aged bourbon, targeting the surge in...
The Owl Distillery in Belgium, founded in 2004, is being liquidated and all assets are up for auction on the Auctim platform. The sale includes a fully operational production facility capable of one million litres per year, original copper pot...
MGP Ingredients announced a temporary halt to distilling at its Limestone Branch and Lux Row facilities in Kentucky, affecting 33 employees, as the U.S. whiskey market remains structurally oversupplied. The pause, effective May 1, could last up to 12 months while...
Shared Spirit, a culture‑led whisky festival, will debut in London on 6 June at St Mary’s Church, Primrose Hill. Designed for “people who don’t do whisky festivals,” the event replaces traditional hierarchy with a relaxed fair‑like atmosphere featuring small pours, food, music,...
Federal food safety agencies released two new reports showing fresh produce still drives most foodborne illness outbreaks. FDA’s CORE report logged ten public health advisories in 2024, including a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to carrots and a listeria outbreak...
Natural Grocers has introduced Regenerative Organic Certified pasture‑raised eggs to its private‑label line, sold in 12‑count cartons. The eggs meet the retailer’s Gold Standard egg ranking and carry both Regenerative Organic and Certified Humane designations. Sourced from small family farms...
