Rosa’s Thai Celebrates Songkran with Bangkok Trip Giveaway and Special Menu for April
Rosa’s Thai is marking Thailand’s Songkran festival with a UK‑wide promotion that includes a prize draw for a round‑trip flight and five‑night stay in Bangkok, two limited‑edition dishes, and daily free Pad Thai giveaways at three locations. Diners who book and eat at any of the chain’s 40+ restaurants between 1‑30 April are automatically entered, with each visit counting as an extra entry. The limited‑edition Larb Gai and Pineapple Fried Rice are themed around luck and prosperity, while the Pad Thai giveaway runs on the festival’s core dates. The campaign is partnered with Singha Beer and highlights the brand’s direct sourcing from Thailand.
Plant Based Meat Giant Beyond Meat Continues to Spiral Downwards
Beyond Meat posted a dismal fourth‑quarter, with revenue falling 19.7% year‑over‑year to $61.1 million and gross margin shrinking to 2.3%. Gross profit plunged to $1.4 million, while a $548 million non‑cash debt‑restructuring gain inflated net income to $410 million, masking an adjusted pre‑tax...
From Refugee to Hot Sauce Billionaire, No Ads Needed
This guy fled Vietnam with nothing in his pockets. Today, he has become the first hot sauce billionaire of America. His company Huy Fong's Sriracha does an annual revenue of $150M without any advertisements or sales team. Here's the story:
EU Asked to Include Microbial Proteins & Fermentation in Upcoming Biotech Act
Climate advocacy group WePlanet is urging the European Union to explicitly include advanced fermentation—single‑cell proteins, mycelium and precision‑fermentation products—in the upcoming Biotech Act II, slated for Q3 2026. The brief argues that Europe’s food system is overly dependent on imported soy and...
Alt Protein Strategies: ‘Identity Priming’ and Hybrid Meat
Researchers highlight two levers to accelerate alternative‑protein adoption: identity‑priming messaging that frames plant‑based foods as extensions of shared meat‑eater values, and hybrid meat products that blend plant and animal proteins. Experiments showed omnivores responded more positively to ads featuring a...
Bangkok-Based Coffee Startup Ve/La Expands Into Singapore
Bangkok‑born specialty coffee brand Ve/la is set to launch its first airport café at Changi Airport’s Terminal 1, slated for late summer 2026. The 24‑hour location will be the chain’s third international market after Thailand and London and will feature a...
Colombia Reported More than 650 Outbreaks in 2025
Colombia’s National Institute of Health reported 661 foodborne outbreaks in 2025, affecting 7,394 people. The overall number of outbreaks remained steady compared with prior years, but the total number of illnesses declined. Antioquia province accounted for the most incidents, registering...
FDA Warns New York Firm for Failing to Verify Safety of Imported Foods
The FDA issued a warning letter to Life Plus Style Gourmet LLC of Plainview, New York, citing major violations of the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). During a January 2026 inspection, the agency found the firm lacked a documented, maintained, and implemented FSVP...
Plant-Based Milk Options: What To Know Before You Choose
Plant‑based milks have moved from niche shelves to mainstream grocery aisles, capturing roughly 12% of total milk sales and growing about 20% year‑over‑year. While they offer dairy‑free options for lactose‑intolerant, vegan, or health‑conscious consumers, nutritional profiles differ widely across soy,...
Why Imports Won’t Fix Canada’s Beef Price Problem
The Canadian Cattle Association has petitioned Ottawa to limit beef imports as Mercosur trade talks advance, warning that cheaper South American beef could flood the market. Canadian beef prices have risen about 13‑14% year‑over‑year and sit roughly 40% above their...
Candy Brand Behave Bet Everything on TikTok Shop, Went Viral and Secured a Target Launch
In summer 2024, low‑sugar candy brand Behave faced bankruptcy with only 60 days of cash left. The founders pivoted to TikTok Shop, posting multiple daily videos until a viral post of their Super Sour Skulls sold out in three days...
Shuman Farms Energized to Kick Off 2026 Vidalia® Season
Shuman Farms kicked off the 2026 Vidalia onion season on April 13, shipping its RealSweet® and Mr. Buck’s Farm Fresh® varieties to retailers across North America through Labor Day. The company unveiled Shuman Farms University, a digital training program for produce teams,...
Retail Daily Minute | Starbucks Uplifts Chicago Stores, Ahold Delhaize Expands Pay-by-Bank & Edibles.com Enters Physical Retail
The episode spotlights three retail developments: Starbucks' pilot of a cozy, “uplifted” Chicago store under its Back to Starbucks strategy, Ahold Delhaize’s expansion of a pay‑by‑bank payment option across Giant Food and Stop & Shop, and Edibles.com’s launch of a...
McDonald’s to Add Energy Drinks, Crafted Sodas to US Menus, WSJ Reports
McDonald’s will add a Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer, a Dirty Dr Pepper and a Mango Pineapple Refresher to its U.S. cold‑drink menu, with a rollout slated for August. The chain plans to price the new beverages below rivals such as Starbucks, Dutch Bros and Sonic....
A2 Milk Lowers Financial Outlook, Cites Middle East Challenges
The A2 Milk Company lowered its FY2026 outlook, saying revenue, EBITDA and net profit will fall short of prior guidance. The downgrade stems from higher air‑freight costs linked to the Middle East conflict and slower customs clearance for infant formula...
Seedlab’s Bootcamp 13 Shifts Beyond ‘Better-for-You’ Products
Seedlab, Australia’s leading food‑tech incubator, has launched the thirteenth cohort of its six‑week Bootcamp, a springboard for early‑stage FMCG founders across Australia and New Zealand. While the program traditionally taught commercial fundamentals, this round signals a strategic pivot away from generic...
Keystone Hospitality Launches Chandelier, Upscale Surf‑and‑Turf Restaurant in DC
Keystone Hospitality announced that its flagship project, Chandelier, will open this summer at 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, offering a 400‑seat surf‑and‑turf concept with lavish décor. The venture marks the group’s biggest expansion yet and signals a new era for high‑end...
Global Food Systems May Be Functional - but They Are Far From Resilient
Global food systems can meet current demand but lack true resilience, leaving them vulnerable to shocks such as pandemics, geopolitical conflicts, and climate extremes. Recent crises—from COVID‑19 disruptions to the Ukraine war and severe weather events—have exposed bottlenecks in processing,...
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Understanding Shrinkflation: Causes, Examples, and How to Identify It
Shrinkflation—reducing product size while keeping prices unchanged—has become a common tactic in the food and beverage sector as companies grapple with rising raw‑material and labor costs. Notable examples include Mars cutting UK chocolate bars by 15% in 2017 and Walkers...
Chinese Milk Tea Brands Expand in US, South Korea as Southeast Asia Grows Crowded
Chinese milk‑tea chains are moving beyond the crowded Southeast Asian market, targeting South Korea and the United States. Over 60 brands operate more than 6,100 outlets in the region, but saturation is prompting a shift from rapid expansion to tighter...
Beef Export Update March 2026
Australia’s beef exports surged in March 2026, reaching 149,973 tonnes – a 33% increase year‑on‑year and 58% above the five‑year average. The United States remained the top destination with 42,043 tonnes, up 30% YoY and more than double the five‑year norm. China...
‘Two Aussie Icons’: Cadbury Old Gold Teams up with Bundaberg Rum for Limited-Edition Bark
Cadbury’s Old Gold brand has partnered with Bundaberg Rum to release a limited‑edition chocolate bar that blends 45% dark chocolate with a rum‑infused centre. The product, developed by agency Asembl, is now stocked across Coles, Woolworths and independent retailers nationwide....
Pentagon-Adjacent Pizzato Pizza Operating at 145% Capacity
🍕 Pizzato Pizza 2.2 mi from the Pentagon is at 145% capacity – Live pizza intel from https://t.co/Z23YL4qfIT $PPW
Why This Midwestern Craft Beer Has A Cult Following
Zombie Dust, a 6.5% ABV American Pale Ale from Indiana’s 3 Floyds Brewing, has maintained a cult following since its 2010 launch. The beer’s single‑hop formula, using only Citra hops, delivers a balanced bitterness and caramel‑rich malt backbone that appeals...
Can High-Fat Dairy Withstand the GLP-1 Effect?
UBS projects 40 million global GLP‑1 users by 2029, with roughly 18 million in the United States, where one in eight adults already take weight‑loss drugs. Despite the surge, USDA data show record butter consumption (6.8 lb per person) and steady cheese (41.9 lb)...
Copenhagen's Pagoda to Host 15 Michelin Stars in 2026 Pop‑Up Showcase
The Pagoda in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens will stage seven Michelin‑starred pop‑up restaurants in 2026, bringing together a total of 15 Michelin stars. The unprecedented program underscores Denmark’s rising profile in elite gastronomy and draws global attention to the Scandinavian food...
Nut‑Free Pesto Startup Besto Scales to 60 Stores, Targeting Allergy‑Sensitive Consumers
Kaureen Randhawa launched Besto, a fresh, nut‑free pesto, and within a year the brand secured placement in about 60 stores across 17 states. The startup’s emphasis on perishable, ingredient‑transparent products aims to capture allergy‑sensitive shoppers and health‑focused consumers.
Chipotle-Style Chain Shuts Restaurants, Exits Key Market
Mo' Bettahs, the Hawaiian fast‑casual chain known for plate lunches, announced the closure of all its Kansas City metro locations, effectively exiting a market it entered in 2022. The shutdown comes after the brand, now backed by private‑equity firms Trive...
Why Bordeaux Is Winning Over Younger Wine Drinkers
U.S. restaurants are seeing a surge in Bordeaux sales, especially among Millennials and Gen Z diners. Sommeliers at venues like Vinyl Steakhouse and Avra Madison are curating lists that spotlight Bordeaux bottles priced between $125 and $400, with several standout...
The Costco Kirkland Milk Shoppers Say Is A Cheap Fairlife Dupe
Costco has introduced Kirkland Signature Ultra‑Filtered Reduced Fat Milk, a lower‑priced alternative to premium ultra‑filtered brands like fairlife. The 1.5‑gallon pack sells for $10.59, roughly half the cost of fairlife in many markets. While the Kirkland version contains slightly more...
Botched IT Upgrade Ended Liquor Sales for the Entire State of Mississippi
Mississippi’s single state‑run liquor warehouse halted operations after a contractor installed an incompatible IT system and removed conveyor belts without staffing replacements. The glitch left 171,190 orders pending, a 21.7% drop from early February, and forced restaurants and stores to...
Certain German Foods Carry Highest Lead Risk, Study Shows
Not all foods are equal when it comes to lead exposure ⚠️ New findings from German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment highlight which ones matter most in Germany. Read the full study 👉 https://t.co/quvJDx1qlI
Pasqal and True Nexus Team Up to Model Food Proteins with Quantum Computing
Pasqal and True Nexus have launched a strategic partnership to apply neutral‑atom quantum computing to food‑protein modeling. The joint effort will create the first fully vectorized, dynamic 3D model of protein gelation, a breakthrough that could shift alternative‑protein development from...
Diyafa Acquires Majority Stake in Richard Kering’s Luxury Hospitality Portfolio
Abu Dhabi‑based Diyafa, an International Holding Company associate, completed a deal to acquire a majority stake in Richard Kering’s luxury hospitality portfolio, encompassing The Ivy Brasseries, Caprice Holdings’ fine‑dining brands and Pearly Clubs’ private members’ venues. The transaction positions Diyafa...
Shake Shack Rolls Out Project Catalyst to Power AI‑Driven Loyalty and Unified Commerce
Shake Shack announced Project Catalyst, a technology overhaul that adds AI‑powered loyalty, unified commerce and edge‑based POS upgrades. Partnering with cloud‑native platform Qu, the chain aims to scale to 1,500 company‑operated restaurants while tightening direct guest relationships.
The Quickly Growing Coffee Chain That’s Actually Better Known for Another Drink
Blank Street Coffee, a Brooklyn‑origin coffee chain, has turned its matcha offerings into a growth engine, with half of its patrons now ordering the green‑tea drink. Matcha menu items surged over 30% year‑over‑year and social chatter about the brand’s rotating...
Zamboanga City Sardine Industry Appeals for Help
The sardine industry in Zamboanga City, which provides roughly 80% of the Philippines' fishery output, is pleading for government aid as soaring fuel prices have slashed fishing trips and strained canning operations. Seventeen local canneries now burn about 5.5 million liters...
Netherlands Caps Weekly Meat Intake at 300 G, Targeting Climate and Health Goals
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre announced that the 2026 “Wheel of Five” dietary guidelines will limit recommended meat consumption to 300 g per person per week – a 40% reduction from the previous advice. The move also caps red meat at 100 g...
U.S. Consumers Embrace Meat as Healthy, Boosting Retail Sales
A new industry survey finds 75% of U.S. shoppers now consider meat and poultry a healthy staple, up from 64% in 2020, fueling a surge in meat sales. The shift fuels optimism for retailers but sparks pushback from health experts...
Domino's Pizza China Adds 147 Stores in Q1, Hits 1,462 Outlets Across 72 Cities
Domino's Pizza China announced a net addition of 147 stores in Q1 2026, bringing its total to 1,462 outlets in 72 cities and expanding into 12 new markets. The move, driven by its 4D strategy, also saw loyalty program membership...
Marketing as a Compounding Asset
Marketing is being reframed as a compounding asset rather than a pure cost center, especially in the beer sector where brands seek cultural relevance and mindshare beyond the point of purchase. Companies are leveraging unconventional partnerships—such as soccer jerseys, heritage...
La Fermière Launches LTO Yogurt Pots Designed By Alex Alpert
French yogurt brand La Fermière introduced a limited‑time terracotta yogurt pot on April 6, designed by New York visual artist Alex Alpert. The collaboration blends Alpert’s free‑flowing, city‑inspired illustrations with La Fermière’s seven core flavors, including Vanilla Bean and Matcha Lime. The...
How Beyond Meat Sank From a $14 Billion Plant-Based Protein Powerhouse to a Penny Stock
Beyond Meat, once valued at $14 billion as a plant‑based protein leader, has seen its stock tumble to penny‑stock levels and faces a Nasdaq delisting threat. The company recently appeased regulators by filing its 2025 annual report, but sales continue to...
Denver International Airport Elevates Passenger Experience with Innovative Concourse A Food Court
Denver International Airport opened a new Concourse A food court featuring Fat Sully’s Pizza, QDOBA, Chick-fil‑A and Shake Shack. The concessions are run by Skyport Hospitality in partnership with ACDBE‑certified Concessions of a Gladman, creating more than 250 local jobs. The...
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We Asked 3 Dietitians to Pick the Healthiest Sandwich Bread—And They All Chose the Same One
Three registered dietitians agree that 100 percent whole‑wheat sprouted bread is the healthiest sandwich loaf. They cite its high fiber, protein, and micronutrient profile, as well as a low glycemic response compared with refined breads. The experts also stress minimal added...
Michelin-Star Chef Michael Fojtasek to Open Two Restaurants at Houston's Burn Club
Chef‑owner Michael Fojtasek announced plans to open two restaurants—Campfire, a casual eatery, and an unnamed fine‑dining concept—at the proposed Burn Club golf course in Houston. The project, led by hospitality veteran Grover Smith, uses a nonprofit structure to blend high‑end...
Taco Bell Turns Top General Managers Into Growth Engine, Driving 7% Same‑Store Sales Rise
Taco Bell’s U.S. chief operating officer Michelle Beasley said the chain’s Golden Bell awards program, which honors 150 top general managers, helped lift fourth‑quarter same‑store sales 7% and drove 19% sales growth at award‑winning stores in 2025. The initiative treats...
Are Ancient Grains Really Better for You?
Ancient grains like quinoa, spelt, and einkorn have surged in popularity, but scientists say their health edge over modern grains is modest. While wholegrain consumption consistently lowers disease risk, the age of the grain matters less than processing. Research shows...
What the Hell Happened to Wendy’s?
Wendy’s announced it will close roughly 300 restaurants – about 5‑6% of its total locations – after an 11.3% drop in same‑store sales at the end of 2025. The decline follows a turbulent leadership period, including the surprise hiring of...
The Only 3 Countries That Don't Officially Sell Coca-Cola
Coca‑Cola, the iconic American soft‑drink, is officially unavailable in only three nations: Cuba, North Korea and Russia. In Cuba, a U.S. trade embargo forces the beverage into black‑market channels, while locals sip a home‑grown cola called tuKola. North Korea’s repressive...