SSP Launches VV The Italian Experience At CVG
VV The Italian Experience, a Cincinnati‑based family restaurant, has opened a new outlet in Concourse B of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). The venue, launched in partnership with SSP America, serves signature Italian dishes such as piadina, pasta bolognese, and pasta alla genovese, along with wine and cocktails. Executives highlighted the concept’s deep three‑generation roots and its role in showcasing local culinary heritage to travelers. The addition aligns with CVG’s strategy to enrich the passenger experience with regionally authentic dining options.
The Trader Joe's Breakfast Find Shoppers Say Is Worth Every Penny
Trader Joe’s has refreshed its frozen breakfast bowl, featuring fluffy scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes with a subtle kick, cheddar cheese sauce, pork sausage and uncured bacon. The fully‑cooked meal heats in 2–3 minutes, delivers 20 g of protein and 380 calories, and is...
Home Stop Debuts Flagship Store in Delhi with Chef Vicky Ratnani’s ‘Art of Hosting’ Experience
Home Stop opened its flagship store in Delhi’s Moti Nagar, featuring a live “Art of Hosting” session led by celebrity chef Vicky Ratnani. The launch showcases a curated mix of premium groceries, tabletop design, and experiential retail, signaling a shift...
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Starbucks and Dutch Bros Take Different Paths to Growth – Placer.ai Blog
Starbucks’ "Back to Starbucks" turnaround is delivering a 4.9%‑5.9% lift in traffic over the last two quarters, signaling early momentum for the legacy coffee chain. Dutch Bros is generating double‑digit same‑store visit growth—12.3% to 17.9% YoY—through aggressive footprint expansion and a...
Devyani International Installs New Leaders for Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee to Drive Franchise Growth
Devyani International has named Sandeep Anand as head of Pizza Hut operations and Robinder Singh as head of Costa Coffee and its airport business. The appointments are designed to sharpen brand performance, boost franchise growth, and deepen customer engagement across...
Battle Royale Brewcade to Open Summer 2026 in Springfield, PA
Matt and Stephanie Courchain are set to open Battle Royale, a microbrewery‑arcade hybrid, this summer at 21 E. Springfield Road. The "brewcade" will serve small‑batch beers, seltzers and eight pinball machines, aiming to create a multigenerational hangout in Delaware County.
McKinsey: Cost Management and Volume Growth Top Dairy Processor Priorities
McKinsey’s 2026 dairy playbook finds cost management and volume growth are the top strategic priorities for processors in the United States and Europe. About 65% of U.S. executives rank cost control among their three most important objectives, while roughly 70%...
California Bills Propose Compostables Restrictions
California legislators advanced two bills targeting compostable packaging labeling. SB 1031, championed by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, aims to tighten definitions, study health impacts, and curb misleading "compostable except in California" claims. AB 1812, sponsored by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar‑Curry, would prohibit "compostable" or...
Industry Groups Flag Rising Chicken Imports From China
Chinese chicken meat shipments to the Philippines have surged, reaching 20,904 metric tons in 2025, according to USDA data. Although a ban on Chinese poultry has been in effect since 2014, industry groups allege that fully cooked products are being...
TruMoo's Star Wars Blue Milk Returns
TruMoo, the farmer‑owned dairy brand of Dairy Farmers of America, has relaunched its Star Wars Blue Milk, a vanilla low‑fat milk, nationwide on April 16 to coincide with May the 4th. The product delivers 9 grams of protein, eight essential nutrients, and is now...
Bento Launches Scallop Sushi Lineup Nationwide
Toronto‑based Bento Sushi is rolling out Canada’s first grab‑and‑go scallop sushi lineup, now stocked at Loblaw, Metro, Sobeys and other major retailers. The premium products are priced between roughly $8 and $12 USD, positioning them in the higher‑end ready‑meal segment....
Diners Are Becoming Less Loyal: Tillster
A Tillster survey of 2,144 U.S. diners shows brand loyalty slipping, with 45% changing their favorite restaurant in the past year, up from 33% in 2025. Consumers are cutting back on restaurant visits, favoring grocery and convenience‑store options, and 61%...
World Animal Protection Report Finds 20 of 25 US Restaurant Chains Failing on Plant-Based Offerings
World Animal Protection’s Moving the Menu 2026 report graded 25 of the largest U.S. restaurant chains on plant‑based offerings, finding that 20 received failing scores and only five earned a C or higher. The assessment, covering burgers, chicken, sandwiches, coffee...
AGNE Deploys GoSpotCheck to Noost Shelf Visibility
Associated Grocers of New England (AGNE) is rolling out Form’s GoSpotCheck mobile platform across its network of more than 630 independent supermarkets in the Northeast. The tool captures real‑time shelf data during field visits, feeding instant analytics on planogram compliance,...
El Pollo Loco, Bread Zeppelin, Snooze Eatery
El Pollo Loco is rolling out new Loco Tenders in classic and spicy flavors on April 23, adding to a string of recent menu innovations that helped lift same‑store sales 2.1% in Q4. Bread Zeppelin, a Texas‑based bakery‑sandwich concept, is offering a free Zeppelin...
Stakeholders Say Codex Emergency Food Labeling Provisions Could Compromise Infant Formula Safety
At the 49th Codex Committee on Food Labeling in Ottawa, U.S.-led experts will review draft "Guidelines on the Application of Food Labeling Provisions in Emergencies." The proposals would allow temporary, risk‑based deviations from standard labeling for pre‑packed foods and non‑retail...
Buzzworks Chefs Train With Master Chefs Of Great Britain
Buzzworks’ culinary teams attended an elite patisserie masterclass organized by The Master Chefs of Great Britain at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh. The hands‑on session taught advanced pastry techniques, presentation standards, and creative innovation, forming part of a corporate sponsorship that...
Sensient Invests $250M to Expand Natural Food Dye Production
Sensient Technologies announced up to $250 million in capital to expand its natural‑color production, adding 28,800 sq ft to its 500,000‑sq‑ft St. Louis plant. The company aims to capture a $1 billion sales opportunity in the fast‑growing natural‑color segment as food makers shift away from...
From $125k Loan to $12B Franchise Empire
Jersey Mike’s founder Peter Cancro sold majority of sub chain to Blackstone for $8B in 2024. In 2025, Wingstop's former CEO took top job and has filed to go public. Details on Cancro skipping college and turning $125k loan into...
Apple Cider Vinegar: Myth or Weight‑Loss Reality?
In recent years, vinegar, and in particular apple cider vinegar, has been hailed and promoted for its weight loss properties. Is there some truth in these claims? Read the blog to find out more: https://t.co/pDA85IH7fx https://t.co/VPQGqKJUw0
This Five-Star London Restaurant Has Been Named the Best in the World
Ikoyi, a 14‑course spice‑focused restaurant on London’s Strand, has been crowned the world’s best restaurant in Food & Wine’s 2026 Tastemakers Awards. The accolade places the venue ahead of nine other global contenders and underscores London’s culinary clout, now home...
Corn Leads Export Inspections, Soybeans Follow
Export inspections for the week ending April 16 (mln bu): #corn 65.7, grain sorghum 8.0, #soybeans 27.5, #wheat 19.0 #oatt
Chain Restaurant Sales Slow to 3%, Coffee, Chicken Defy Trend
Chain restaurant sales slowed last year, growing 3%, the lowest rate of growth (non-pandemic) since the Great Recession. Weakening sales are pressuring unit economics. But there were some strong pockets of growth, like coffee and chicken. https://t.co/SbjC4xYbLk https://t.co/vkjYWyxlvf
Extortion in the Food Industry: Rat Poison in Baby Food Puts the Sector on High Alert
Authorities in Austria have confirmed that a 190‑gram jar of HiPP baby food tested positive for rat poison after a consumer alert. Police suspect the contamination is part of a targeted extortion scheme, an uncommon but potentially devastating tactic. HiPP...
Lidl to Open Its First Ever Pub, as Private Label Readies to Shake up Alcohol
Lidl is constructing its first‑ever pub in County Down, Northern Ireland, an 84 sqm venue that will serve 60 patrons and sell the retailer’s private‑label wines, beers, spirits and off‑trade alcohol. The project circumvents the region’s strict licensing rules after a High...
4 Tech Tools Food Brands Are Using to Enhance Inventory, Demand Planning
At the Food Manufacturing Summit, experts highlighted four tech tools reshaping inventory and demand planning for food brands: digital twins, RFID, cold‑chain solutions, and advanced planning systems. They stressed that data quality is the single biggest lever for supply‑chain performance,...
Jersey Mike’s Could Go Public
Jersey Mike’s Submarines is preparing for an initial public offering after filing a confidential S‑1 with the SEC. The sandwich chain expanded from 2,387 stores in early 2023 to 3,227 locations by early 2026, driven by a majority‑stake purchase by...
Is Microwave Popcorn Ready for Disruption? Opopop Thinks So
Opopop, a Colorado‑based popcorn startup founded in 2018, is moving from a direct‑to‑consumer model into mass retail with a Walmart rollout after a successful Target test. The company has reengineered its premium, flavor‑wrapped kernel kits into single‑use microwave bags that...
Chef Marcelo Fukuya Opens $900,000 Fine‑Dining Spot in São Paulo’s Complexo JK
Renowned chef Marcelo Fukuya inaugurated his eponymous restaurant in São Paulo’s Complexo JK on March 17, backing the venture with a R$4.5 million ($900,000) investment. The new venue offers a high‑priced omakase tasting and à‑la‑carte options, marking the chef’s first independent space after...
FTC Launches Nationwide Probe of Delivery-App Fees Amid $1 M NYC Settlement
The Federal Trade Commission opened a public comment period on “unfair or deceptive fee practices” in online food and grocery delivery, while New York City settled a nearly $1 million dispute with a delivery app. Regulators aim to force clearer pricing,...
KFC, Wingstop and Dozens of Chains Launch $4.20 4/20 Promos, Tapping Cannabis‑linked Consumer Surge
KFC, Wingstop and a slate of other restaurant brands announced a wave of $4.20‑themed promotions for April 20, the unofficial 4/20 holiday. The offers, ranging from pot‑pie combos to hot‑box wing meals, aim to capture a consumer base that increasingly...
Zaxbys Puts ‘Giant’ Chicken Finger Wraps on the Menu
Zaxby's is rolling out Giant Chicken Finger Wraps in three flavors—Chicken Bacon Ranch, Buffalo Blue, and Asian Zensation—nationwide from April 27 through July 5. Each wrap packs three hand‑breaded chicken fingers, mixed greens, carrots, red cabbage, and a signature sauce, and can be ordered...
The Technomic Top 500: Another Tough Year for Chain Restaurants
Technomic’s 2026 Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report shows U.S. chain sales rose just 3% to $451.5 billion, lagging the 3.8% menu‑price inflation and marking the slowest growth since the Great Recession. Median sales growth was only 2.5%, translating to a 1.3% real‑dollar...
Fresh Fizz Organic Soda Doubles Its Retail Footprint As It Enters National Distribution With Sprouts Farmers Market
Fresh Fizz, an organic soda brand founded by Yoni and Rebecca Schwartz, has secured its first national retail account with Sprouts Farmers Market, placing its products on roughly 500 Sprouts shelves. The launch includes a range of artisanal flavors—such as...
In‑N‑Out Burger Launches Its Own University to Groom Future Leaders
In‑N‑Out Burger has opened a dedicated training campus, In‑N‑Out University, near its original Baldwin Park site to prepare employees for management roles. The program, closed to the public, reflects the chain’s long‑standing emphasis on internal promotion as it scales to more...
‘We’re Not Nespresso’: Inside Green Mountain Coffee Roasters’ New Campaign
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, part of Keurig Dr Pepper, launched the "That's Green Mountain Good" campaign on April 20, featuring a new mascot—a green mountain goat named Bruce—to highlight farm‑grown coffee origins. Developed by a Publicis Groupe‑led team, the 30‑second spot...
Amazon Turns ‘Jury Duty’ Hot Sauce Fiction Into Real‑World Sale
Amazon has listed the fictional “Rockin’ Grandmas” hot sauce from the second season of its reality series “Jury Duty” for sale on its marketplace. The product moves from a scripted plot point to a real‑world SKU, illustrating how streaming content...
Singapore Food Agency Publishes List of Approved Novel Foods
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) released a comprehensive list of 14 novel foods approved for sale through October 2025, reinforcing its role as a regulatory pioneer in sustainable protein. The list features four cultivated‑meat products—including Eat Just’s serum‑free chicken, Vow’s cultured quail,...
Prego Has a Dinner-Conversation-Recording Device, Capisce?
Prego has teamed with nonprofit StoryCorps to launch the Connection Keeper, a round puck that records family dinner conversations onto a 16 GB microSD card. The device, which has no Wi‑Fi or AI features, is limited to fewer than 100 units...
The Farmer's Dog Reinvented Dog Food. Walmart Takes It Mainstream
The Farmer's Dog, a fresh, human‑grade dog food startup, is launching a personalized meal‑plan service on Walmart.com, moving beyond its direct‑to‑consumer model. Founded by Jonathan Regev and Brett Podolsky after a home‑cooked rescue of a sick dog, the company now...
China Produces the World’s Tea, but Brands Lag Behind
China remains the world’s largest tea producer, outputting 3.92 million metric tons in 2025 and exporting 418,800 tons worth about $1.6 billion. Despite the volume, Chinese tea commands an average price of $4‑5 per kilogram, far lower than Sri Lankan black tea ($6‑8)...
Rival Foods Partners with THIS for Plant-Based Steak Launch in UK
Rival Foods has teamed with UK plant‑based brand THIS to launch a new plant‑based steak in Britain’s major supermarkets. The steak is built from fibers created with Rival’s patented Shear Cell technology, delivering a texture that mimics real beef. At...
Soules Kitchen Offering Two Styles of Refrigerated Meals
Soules Kitchen, the ready‑meal arm of Soules Food Group, launched two refrigerated meal lines—Classic and Premium—targeting grocery shelves across the United States. The Classic line offers budget‑friendly, 6‑8‑ounce portions with familiar comfort‑food flavors, while the Premium line features chef‑crafted, high‑protein...
Canary Tomato PGI Aims to Support Gran Canaria Producers
The Canary Islands Institute of Agri‑Food Quality (ICCA) has awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status to the “Canary Tomato,” creating legal protection for the product. Backed by exporters’ association FEDEX, the move seeks to reposition the tomato in the European...
Loopworm Says Its Silkworm-Based Feed Ingredients Are Now Carbon Negative
Loopworm announced that its silkworm‑derived feed ingredients, LoopMeal and LoopOil, are carbon‑negative, removing 2.56 kg CO₂e per kilogram produced. An independent life‑cycle assessment by PwC India, conducted to ISO 14040/44 standards, benchmarked the products against soy and fish meals across 18 impact...
Analysis | 2026 Is the New 2016: Why Avocados Are Still Winning the Cart
Mission Produce highlights that avocados have moved from a occasional treat in 2016 to a weekly staple in 2026, propelled by omnichannel shopping. USDA data shows 21% of U.S. households now shop both online and in‑store, with avocado repeat purchases...
Clan Campbell Smooth Shot Vanilla Targets High-Energy Moments
Stock Spirits Group is introducing Clan Campbell Smooth Shot Vanilla, a blended Scotch whisky liqueur flavored with vanilla and bottled at 25% ABV. The 700 ml bottle will debut in France at a recommended retail price of €13.40 (about $16) and...
China's Q1 Grain Imports Rebound, yet Lag Recent Highs
🇨🇳China’s Q1 2026 grain imports rebounded sharply on the year but remained below the bigger volumes seen in recent years. Still, it's a supportive trend for exporters. However, soybean and pork imports weren't quite as robust as in Q1 2025. https://t.co/NEI8MRwGDR
Allana Group Forms JV with Captain Fresh to Retail Animal Protein Products
Allana Group and global seafood firm Captain Fresh have launched Indian Retail Alliance Private Limited, a joint venture in which Allana holds a 51% stake and Captain Fresh 49%. The JV will create an organised, pan‑India fresh‑protein retail ecosystem covering...
Jameson Signs Alan Curbishley for Drinkaware Campaign
Jameson has relaunched its Know Your Score initiative for a second year, teaming up again with UK alcohol charity Drinkaware and featuring former EFL manager Alan Curbishley as the face of the campaign. The program offers a free three‑minute online...