There’s a Strange New Twist to Starbucks’ Latest Drink Launch
Starbucks has launched a ready‑to‑drink Coffee & Protein beverage that delivers 22 g of protein, 5 g of prebiotic fiber and only 2 g of sugar per 12‑ounce bottle. To promote the drink, the company introduced a limited‑edition weighted vest priced at $22, featuring a pocket for the bottle and five pounds of adjustable weight. A complementary Strava challenge asks participants to log 22‑minute workouts on ten days for a chance to win the vest. The move blends functional nutrition, fitness gear and digital engagement under the Starbucks brand.
McDonald’s Shanghai Introduces Humanoid Robots for Service
McDonald’s in Shanghai Deploys Humanoid #Robots to Serve Customers by @CyberRobooo #Robotics #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence #ML https://t.co/pDieBMd45l
Eating Out or Ordering Online May Soon Cost More: Food Services Set to Become 5–10% Costlier Starting Next Week Amid...
India’s state‑run oil firms lifted petrol to about $1.18 per litre and diesel to $1.09, prompting restaurant operators to add a 5‑10% surcharge to dining‑out and delivery menus starting next week. Executives cite higher transportation, packaging and raw‑material costs, compounded...
Japan’s Restaurant Sector Left Hungry for Talent After Visa Suspension
Japan’s restaurant industry is confronting a looming labor crunch after the immigration bureau halted issuance of new Type I Specified Skilled Worker visas on April 13. The sector already employs roughly 46,000 foreign workers in these roles, edging toward the 50,000 quota...
The Protein Shortage Is Coming
U.S. consumers’ protein craze has strained whey supplies, pushing wholesale whey‑protein prices up more than 50% since January to record levels. Retail prices followed, with a two‑pound jug of a leading brand climbing from about $40 to $54. The USDA...
How PepsiCo Used Walmart's Data to Rethink U.S. Launch Playbook
PepsiCo launched its new Pepsi prebiotic cola as a limited‑time online drop on Black Friday 2025, selling out in less than 24 hours. Using retail media signals from Walmart Connect, the company analyzed buyer data to refine flavor, messaging, and...
Sartiano’s Italian Steakhouse Opens at Wynn, Bringing Manhattan Steakhouse Flair to Las Vegas
Chef Alfred Portale launched Sartiano’s Italian Steakhouse inside the Wynn Resort, delivering Manhattan‑style power dining and upscale Italian dishes to the Las Vegas Strip. The opening marks one of the most anticipated fine‑dining arrivals of 2026, targeting affluent travelers and...
Culinary Institute of America and Prosper Company Team Up to Support F&B Leaders in Advancing Personal and Planetary Health
The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) announced a pilot partnership with Prosper Company to integrate the institute’s health and sustainability initiatives into Prosper’s quick‑service and fast‑casual restaurant membership. The collaboration kicks off at the Prosper Accelerator Mixer on May 15 during...
Muscle Milk Shakes up Its Protein Shake Lineup
Muscle Milk, owned by PepsiCo, has completely reformulated its protein shake lineup using ultra‑filtered milk, delivering 26 to 42 grams of complete protein per serving. The new formulas eliminate artificial sweeteners, flavors, and added colors while cutting the ingredient count...
Coke Mirrors Tobacco Tactics, Concealing Soda’s Health Risks
'Like the tobacco companies, Coke has spent millions spinning science to hide soda's health costs from the public and downplay the risks of sugar.' https://www.businessinsider.com/coca-cola-misled-america-about-soda-science-sweet-deadly-book-2025-3
Why Danone Invests Millions in Regenerative Agriculture
Danone is investing millions to scale regenerative agriculture across its dairy supply chain, aiming for climate risk mitigation and supply‑chain resilience. By 2026, 91% of its milk supply will be monitored with farm‑level assessment tools and 42% of key ingredients...
With New Standards and New Logo, ASC Continuing to Push for Sustainability in Aquaculture
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) unveiled a unified Farm Standard that consolidates 11‑12 species‑specific rules and previewed a Version 1.1 feed standard, both still in implementation. The new standards aim for greater consistency, animal‑welfare focus, and clearer human‑rights criteria while balancing...
BrewDog Shakes up RTD with New Nostalgia-Led Wonderland Cocktails
BrewDog, owned by Tilray Brands, is entering the ready‑to‑drink (RTD) market with its Wonderland line, debuting two 200 ml, 10% ABV cocktails – Pear Drop Margarita and Fizzy Toffee Apple Martini – in Sainsbury’s and online. The brand leans on nostalgic...
U.S. Grocery Coffee Prices Hit All-Time Average High in April
U.S. grocery‑store coffee prices reached an all‑time high of $9.72 per pound in April 2026, the highest level recorded since the BLS began tracking the metric in 1980. The price rose from $9.60 in March, reflecting a 39% increase since...
Packaging Innovations: Lytt’s Lit Containers, Duni’s Paper Is the New Black
Boston Beer’s Lytt Electric Coolers debut in resealable, glow‑in‑the‑dark 6.8‑ounce plastic bottles, marking the brewer’s first foray into recyclable plastic packaging. Sweden’s Duni Group rolls out black paper trays and bowls that replace hard‑to‑recycle black plastics while remaining PFAS‑free and...
PepsiCo’s Muscle Milk Flexes Rebrand in Crowded Protein Drink Space
PepsiCo is revamping its Muscle Milk protein drinks by cutting the ingredient list by about 50% and removing artificial sweeteners, flavors and colors. The reformulation boosts protein to 26 grams in the regular line and up to 42 grams in the Pro...
Sprite Vs Slice: What Sets These 2 Lemon-Lime Sodas Apart?
Sprite, a 60‑year‑old lemon‑lime staple, continues to dominate the U.S. market with over 40 grams of sugar per 12‑ounce can and a broad portfolio that includes zero‑sugar and tea‑infused variants. Slice, originally launched by PepsiCo in the 1980s, was revived in...
“There Is No Second Chance to Create a Good First Impression” – Heura Foods CEO Marc Coloma on the Plant-Based...
Heura Foods CEO Marc Coloma says the plant‑based sector offers no second chance to make a strong first impression, underscoring the brand’s push to stand out. The Spanish company is broadening its business model by launching its own private‑label products and...
Blackstone, CD&R ‘Eyeing The Magnum Ice Cream Company’
Blackstone and Carlyle‑backed CD&R are in the early stages of evaluating a bid for The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), the recently spun‑off Unilever ice‑cream arm. The rumor sparked a near 12% rally in TMICC’s London‑listed shares, which have risen...
Everything You Should Know About the Future of Futuristic Food Technology
The article outlines emerging food‑tech trends that could reshape the Food & Beverage sector. It highlights predictive AI and data analytics as catalysts for smarter inventory, delivery and customer experiences. It also foresees online delivery evolving into multi‑channel, data‑driven platforms...
Microplastics and Plastic Bottles: How Worried Should We Be?
A recent Earth Action study estimates that 1,000 tonnes of micro‑ and nanoplastics migrate from food packaging into consumables each year, roughly a gram per high‑use individual. PET beverage bottles are highlighted as major contributors, especially when subjected to handling, heat,...
Off-Premise Blitz: Turning Pandemic Survival Tactics Into Long-Term Growth Engines
The Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit highlighted how off‑premise dining has moved from a pandemic stopgap to a core growth engine. Brands are deploying double‑make lines, AI‑driven timing models, and geofencing to deliver a frictionless guest experience across dine‑in, takeout,...
U.S. Beverage Bottlers React to ‘Perfect Storm’ of Cost Pressures
U.S. beverage bottlers are confronting a perfect storm of cost pressures, with raw‑material, freight and energy expenses climbing roughly 15% year‑over‑year. To protect margins, they have begun modest price hikes of about 4% and are accelerating automation and specialty‑product launches....
Celsius Holdings’ Plan for Acquired Rockstar Brand Takes Stage
Celsius Holdings, now the third‑largest U.S. energy drink brand, is leveraging its 2023 purchase of Rockstar from PepsiCo to broaden its portfolio. The company unveiled a "Live Loud" brand identity that blends Celsius' health‑focused image with Rockstar's aggressive, music‑and‑sports‑centric vibe....
Noteworthy Launches: ARIH. Fresca Hard. Bubly Pop. Plezi. Tropicana Hydrate. Hoplark. Slice Dirty Soda.
Korean food makers Paldo and Hy introduced Arih, a Western‑Korean fusion brand co‑created with BTS, debuting exclusively at Walmart stores and Walmart.com on April 24. The line features a Postbiotic Energy Drink and a Dual Biotic Soda, each offered in seven...
Naked Farmer CEO Jordan Johnson
In this episode, James Cook talks with Jordan Johnson, founder and CEO of Naked Farmer, about how the fast‑casual chain delivers farm‑fresh, seasonally‑driven meals across multiple Southeast markets. Johnson explains the brand’s model of partnering directly with local farms, rotating...
Miyamaso Wins Third Michelin Star, First New 3‑Star in Osaka‑Kyoto Since 2020
Chef Hisato Nakahigashi’s Miyamaso secured a third Michelin star in the 2026 Kyoto‑Osaka guide, the first new three‑star venue in the region since 2020. The award highlights a shift in the culinary hierarchy of Japan’s historic food corridor and underscores...
Affordable Indulgence, Pass the Plate, the Micro Community Effect, and Other Dining Trends
Quench’s 17th Food & Beverage Trend Report highlights four emerging forces reshaping restaurants: family‑style “Pass the Plate” dining, “Affordable Indulgence” pairings of budget basics with premium treats, the “Micro Community Effect” of niche, values‑driven audiences, and AI‑powered predictive demand forecasting....
Compounding Value: Blending Butter for Maximum Menu Impact
Butter consumption in the U.S. hit a historic high in 2024, up 21% over the past decade, while one in five diners now want more flavored butters on menus. Flavored compounds such as honey, lemon, buffalo, and miso have seen...
Golden Waffles Launches Protein, Fiber Boost Packs
Golden Waffles announced Protein and Fiber Nutritional Boost Packs, pre‑portioned add‑ins for its fresh‑baked waffle program. The packs deliver a “good source” of protein (5‑6 g) or fiber (≈2.9 g) per half‑waffle serving, meeting FDA standards. They require no new equipment or...
Sazerac Brings 99p Shot Brand to UK
Sazerac is rolling out its 99 shot brand across the UK, pricing each 50 ml serving at 99p (about US$1.34). The launch features 20 flavours, with Apple, Blue Raspberry and Cherry as the flagship options, all at 15% ABV. A 90s‑themed...
English Wine Goes Digital at Artelium
Sussex-based Artelium Wine Estate has unveiled a digital cellar door that lets customers worldwide purchase its wines and arrange international delivery. The platform combines shipping, wine‑club memberships and curated collections, extending the vineyard experience beyond a physical visit. By creating...
US Lawmakers Request Broad Section 301 Investigation Into Foreign Seafood
U.S. Representatives Troy Carter and Clay Higgins have asked the U.S. Trade Representative to launch a broad Section 301 investigation into unfair practices across the global seafood supply chain. The request targets more than 20 exporting nations and is backed by...
Less Sugar, More Pressure: Scotland’s HFSS Rules Force a Food Industry Rethink
Scotland’s Food (Promotion and Placement) Regulations take effect on 1 October 2026, barring high‑fat, sugar or salt (HFSS) products from prime‑shelf spots, checkout displays and multibuy promotions in stores over 2,000 sq ft. The rules mirror England’s 2022 restrictions, which previously impacted roughly £18 bn...
Opinion: Food Producers Are Being Judged by Hidden Algorithms and Not All Are Evidence Based
The article warns that food producers are increasingly judged by health‑scanning apps that rely on proprietary, undisclosed algorithms, producing inconsistent product scores. It contrasts these opaque systems with evidence‑based frameworks such as NOVA and Nutri‑Score, which offer transparent, published methodologies....
Inside Mars' £80m Chocolate Factory Upgrade
Mars is investing £80 million (about $102 million) to overhaul its Slough, Berkshire factory, the UK’s second‑largest Mars site. The upgrade lifts daily capacity to 5 million chocolate bars – roughly double the 2025 output – and introduces robotics, AI‑driven digital systems and...
Retailers and Brands Celebrate 2026 FIFA World Cup
Lay’s, the official snack partner of FIFA World Cup 2026, is rolling out four limited‑edition chip flavours—Bacon Poutine, Cheese Soufflé, Steak & Chimichurri, and Cheese & Onion—across Canada and globally beginning mid‑May. The brand also launches a contest that awards two tickets to a Canadian...
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In Family Dining, Closing Early Is Good Business
Family‑dining chains that limit service to breakfast and lunch are outpacing traditional three‑daypart concepts. Technomic data shows daytime‑dining brands posted 11.6% sales growth in 2025, while full‑day chains slipped 0.3%. Eggs Up Grill exemplified the trend, delivering a 32.3% sales jump on...
No Name Still Generates Buzz Nearly 50 Years After Its Launch
No Name continues to refresh its private‑label image nearly five decades after debut, expanding its Naturally Imperfect produce line and the Simple Check clean‑ingredients symbol. The brand recently rolled out the Grocery Goss campaign, a retro‑styled activation with physical tabloids,...
All-You-Can-Eat Deals Are Back at Restaurants Like Red Lobster and Applebee’s. Here’s How to Get Your Money’s Worth.
All‑you‑can‑eat bottomless deals are back at chains like Applebee’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and Red Lobster as diners grapple with inflation‑driven budget constraints. Restaurant sales rose 2.7% year‑over‑year in April, trailing the 4.9% gain in total retail, prompting promotions such as...
Here's What We're Excited to See at the 2026 National Restaurant Association Show
The 2026 National Restaurant Association Show kicks off at Chicago’s McCormick Place, marking the 105th edition and drawing over 53,000 food‑service professionals from 100 countries. More than 2,000 vendors will occupy roughly 700,000 square feet—about the size of 12 football...
McDonald’s Japan Reveals Saint Seiya Collab
McDonald’s Japan is rolling out three new sandwiches tied to the 40th anniversary of the iconic manga Saint Seiya. The fast‑food giant will serve the items in limited‑edition packaging that showcases the series’ characters. The collaboration coincides with the franchise’s milestone...
South Australia Joins Michelin Guide, First Australian State Featured
South Australia will be the inaugural Australian state featured in the Michelin Guide, with inspection teams already evaluating venues across Adelaide and regional hubs. The first list of starred restaurants is slated for release in October 2026, a move hailed...
Spanish Chefs and Culinary Experts Bring Premium Gastronomy to Manila
Spain Fusion: The Premium Experience, hosted at The Westin Manila on April 20, gathered top Spanish chefs, including Albert Adrià and Ricard Camarena, alongside local talent Chele González. Organized by Vocento Gastronomía and backed by Foods and Wines from Spain,...
M&S Celebrates 40 Years of Canned Cocktails with Retro G&T, New Tequila Mixes and UK Tinnie Trends Research
Marks & Spencer marks the 40th anniversary of the UK’s first supermarket canned cocktail with a limited‑edition retro St Michael Gin & Tonic and a suite of new ready‑to‑drink tequila mixes. The retailer now moves more than 15 million cans a year – roughly...
Grocery Inflation Hits Highest Level Since Mid-2023
U.S. grocery inflation surged in April, with food‑at‑home prices rising 2.9% year‑over‑year, the fastest pace in almost three years. Tomato prices jumped nearly 40%, the highest rate among all food‑at‑home categories. Meat, produce and coffee also posted double‑digit gains, while...
Premier Foods Results Takeaways – M&A Appetite May Be Whetted as Debt Ratio Hits All-Time Low
Premier Foods reported a record‑low net debt ratio of 0.6, signaling a strengthened balance sheet. Free cash flow jumped 15% year‑over‑year, giving the company ample liquidity for strategic moves. The upbeat results sent the shares up about 8% in trading....
Ingredion Makes $3.7B Offer to Buy Ingredients Rival Tate & Lyle
Ingredion has tabled a £2.7 billion (≈ $3.7 billion) offer to acquire UK‑based Tate & Lyle, proposing up to 615 pence per share – a 64% premium to the previous close. The bid must be formalised by June 11 under UK takeover rules, after several prior...
Centre Explores PLI Scheme for Seafood MSMEs to Boost Exports
India's Fisheries Department announced plans to design a production‑linked incentive (PLI) scheme specifically for seafood micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The initiative aims to boost the share of value‑added seafood in exports and expand the exporter base from roughly...
Chicken of the Sea Tests Sustainability Waters, but Will Consumers Bite?
Chicken of the Sea has become the first major U.S. seafood brand to certify its entire tuna portfolio with the Marine Stewardship Council, leveraging Thai Union’s $200 million SeaChange 2030 sustainability program. The MSC label, which now covers all SKUs, positions sustainability...