Burger King Tests King Size Sliders in Ohio, Oregon as $400 Million Sales Push
Burger King began testing a new King Size Sliders Box in Columbus, Ohio, and Portland, Oregon, as part of its $400 million “Reclaim the Flame” turnaround. The limited‑time offering features three flavor combos and aims to draw budget‑conscious diners back to the brand.
BYD Teams with KFC China to Roll Out 9‑Minute EV Flash Chargers at Drive‑Thrus
Chinese EV maker BYD has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Yum China to equip KFC drive‑thru locations with flash‑charging equipment that can replenish a vehicle from 10% to 97% in nine minutes. The rollout leverages BYD’s second‑generation Blade battery...
Manitoba Food Tax Cut Could Be Broadened, Budget Passes Key Vote in Legislature
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced that, starting July 1, the province will broaden its food‑tax exemption to include all items sold in grocery stores, such as snacks, ready‑made meals and soft drinks. The move does not extend the break to convenience...
Lactalis Canada Opens $16.4M Milk Receiving Bay at Ontario Facility
Lactalis Canada opened a new 180,000‑square‑foot milk receiving bay at its Winchester, Ontario cheese plant, investing $16.4 million. The facility increases milk intake capacity by 25 %, adding four truck bays and three independent receiving lines. The bay is part of a...
WTCE Reveals Steps to Sustainability Lineup
World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) has unveiled the exhibitor lineup for its "Steps to Sustainability" feature, spotlighting more than 20 suppliers delivering circular‑material products, waste‑reduction technologies, and lightweight inflight equipment. The curated trail, developed with sustainability ambassador...
Where First Watch Sources Its Coffee
First Watch sources its coffee beans from the Huila region of Colombia through Project Sunrise, a partnership with the Mujeres en Café collective of female farmers. The beans are hand‑picked, washed, fermented for 18‑24 hours, and meticulously sorted before being...
Six Forces Redefining Canadian Grocery
Canadian shoppers are increasingly favoring domestic products as tariffs reshape buying habits, while a surge in deal‑seeking behavior is expanding discount retail channels. Health‑focused consumers are pivoting to low‑cost proteins and fibre‑rich foods, prompting manufacturers to reformulate and retailers to...
Building Customer Loyalty in Hyper-Competitive Markets: A Hospitality Investor’s Perspective
In ultra‑saturated hospitality markets, where thousands of venues vie for the same diners, loyalty has become the decisive advantage. An investor‑backed Dubai restaurant built a devoted clientele by embedding daily guest feedback into every decision, rather than relying on periodic...
CDC Reports 180 Severe Illnesses Linked to Mushroom‑Infused Chocolate Across 34 States
The CDC’s latest MMWR report links 180 cases of severe illness in 34 states to Diamond Shruumz mushroom‑containing chocolate, resulting in 73 hospitalizations, 38 ICU admissions, 29 intubations and two deaths. The findings highlight the dangers of unregulated micro‑dosing edibles...
This Week in Grocery News: Empire’s ‘Strategic’ Deal, Discount versus Conventional
Empire Company announced the acquisition of Quebec discount retailer Mayrand, giving it a strategic foothold in the province’s discount and warehouse grocery market. FreshCo, Empire’s discount chain, is launching three new stores in the Halifax area, marking its first entry...
Restaurant Spend Growth Slows to 1.3% in March
BofA: Restaurant y/y spend growth decelerated m/m from 3.6% in February to1.3% in March https://t.co/JgRzPmGubV
Michelin Guide Launches Great Lakes Edition, Adding Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Five More Cities
The Michelin Guide announced a new American Great Lakes edition that will cover six Midwestern cities—Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh—starting in 2027. The move marks the guide’s latest push into regional U.S. markets and promises to spotlight local...
Ya Dough'n Pizza Scales to Multi‑State Brand Using Pre‑Order, Limited‑Menu Model
Ya Dough'n Pizza, founded by Garett Goodman, turned a COVID‑era backyard pop‑up that sold 25 pizzas a week into a four‑location brand. The company relies on weekly pre‑orders and a tight menu to test demand, and it now targets six...
Grön Debuts PIXLZ Gummy Clusters
Grön has launched PIXLZ, a line of cannabis‑infused gummy clusters that combine THC, minor cannabinoids and curated terpene blends into three distinct "modes" aimed at energy, focus or relaxation. The three flavors—Blue Razzeberry, Tropical Rush and Berry Blast—deliver specific cannabinoid...
Fibre over Protein? Danone on Changing Consumer Demands in Functional Foods
Functional food consumers are moving beyond protein to prioritize fibre, driven by social‑media trends and a desire for gut‑health benefits. Danone reports that nearly seven‑in‑ten shoppers are actively increasing fibre intake, with more than 20% checking labels for fibre content....
Sardinemaxxing: Nutrient‑Rich Canned Fish Trend Explained
What is “sardinemaxxing” and should you try it? These canned fish pack a nutritional punch, making them the latest food craze online. https://t.co/KHN7poPizf @Northeastern https://t.co/cfaYQE52ZI
ButACake, Azuca Launch RTD Cherry Hibiscus Elixir in New Jersey
Azuca and ButACake have introduced the Cherry Hibiscus Elixir, a ready‑to‑drink cannabis beverage, in New Jersey. The 7.5‑oz can contains 5 mg THC and delivers effects within five to fifteen minutes thanks to Azuca’s TiME INFUSION and ACTiVATOR technology. The launch...
Beans & Brews Coffee House Opens Seven New Locations in Early 2026
Beans & Brews Coffee House opened seven new stores in the first 100 days of 2026, marking its most successful development period ever. Six of those locations launched in Q1 across Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Texas, with five opening in...
Hungry Boar Expands Range with Introduction of Two New Five-Pack Multipacks Into Tesco’s Chilled Aisle
Hungry Boar, the high‑protein meat snack brand, is adding two new five‑pack multipacks to Tesco’s chilled aisle starting 13 April 2026. The multipacks, available in Flamin’ Piri Piri and Original Pork, contain five 30‑gram sticks and are priced at £4 (about $5)....
Chopstix Announces Latest Store Opening at Preston Fishergate, Lancashire
Chopstix, the fast‑growing Asian quick‑service restaurant, announced the opening of its first store in Preston, Lancashire. The Fishergate location seats 50 guests, features order‑kiosks and a delivery focus, and will create 20 local jobs. The launch follows a rapid rollout...
EmpowerFresh Deploys AI Produce Ordering Platform At Kowalski’s Markets
EmpowerFresh has rolled out its AI-driven produce inventory and ordering platform at Kowalski’s Markets, the upscale Minnesota grocery chain. The system provides predictive forecasting, real-time inventory visibility, and automated ordering to reduce shrinkage and increase product turns. Store teams received...
PizzaExpress Brings Its Marry Me Chicken Pizza to Supermarkets Nationwide
PizzaExpress is expanding its chilled‑pizza portfolio by releasing the Marry Me Chicken pizza in Sainsbury’s stores nationwide on 15 April 2024. The pizza, first launched in restaurants in February as a Valentine’s Day special, features a hand‑stretched wood‑fired crust, béchamel sauce,...
Blank Street Lands on the West Coast
Blank Street, the New York‑born coffee chain famed for TikTok‑driven matcha drinks, is launching its West Coast debut with four Los Angeles County locations, two opening in June. The venture‑capital‑backed brand, now valued at roughly $500 million, has refined a scalable hospitality model that...
C-Store Operators Shift Focus From Fuel to In-Store Conversion
Convenience‑store operators are moving beyond fuel as the primary traffic driver, focusing instead on converting pump visits into higher‑margin in‑store sales. Analysts note that foodservice, beverages and ready‑to‑eat items now generate the bulk of profit and customer loyalty. Leaders such...
Step Change Innovations Partners with AWG to Launch Wellness Product Platform
Step Change Innovations LLC has teamed with retailer‑owned cooperative Associated Wholesale Grocers to debut a new wellness product platform branded as Wellwerks and Nüwerks. The launch features more than 60 functional foods, beverages and nutraceuticals packaged as a single in‑store...
Are Sugar Substitutes Healthier than the Real Thing?
Recent research challenges the perception that sugar substitutes are a harmless alternative to sugar. While they are marketed to reduce calories and protect dental health, multiple studies now link artificial sweeteners to gut microbiome disruption, increased appetite, and potential metabolic...
Silva Appoints Charlie Dilworth as Head Chef to Lead Anniversary Menu in Mayfair
Silva, the Mayfair Mediterranean restaurant celebrating its first anniversary, has hired 29‑year‑old Charlie Dilworth as head chef. Dilworth arrives from a Michelin‑starred background, most recently senior sous chef at Lita, and will debut a new menu on 28 April. The refreshed...
Why Some Bar Operators Are Voicing Concerns About QR Code Ordering
Wetherspoons founder Sir Tim Martin warned that QR code ordering is "robbing punters of banter at the bar," a critique amplified by the chain’s size—about 815 pubs and 42,000 employees across the UK. While QR‑based menus speed service, improve order...
Taylor Farms Releases Latest Impact Report, Highlighting Efforts to Nourish Both People and Planet
Taylor Farms, the leading North American producer of ready‑to‑eat salads, issued its 2026 Impact Report highlighting advances in sustainable packaging, food safety, renewable energy, and community food donations. The company replaced rigid plastic lids with compostable film and introduced a...
Matangi’s Marbled-Beef Marvel: Mark Story Throws a Tomahawk over Fire
Matangi Butchery in Hawke’s Bay showcases a premium Black Angus ribeye tomahawk, dry‑aged up to 21 days and priced at NZ$116.84 (≈US$70). The farm credits genetics, pasture‑based farming and careful ageing for the beef’s high marbling, likening its terroir to...
Frosted Flakes Costs Almost $2 More for About 2 Ounces Less
Shrinkflation is hitting everyday staples as manufacturers raise prices and reduce package sizes. A 24‑ounce box of Frosted Flakes now costs $5.48 for only 21.7 ounces, a $1.50 increase for 2.3 ounces less. InvestorsObserver estimates the practice could add roughly...
Publix Intensifies Its Battle with Kroger in Kentucky
Publix announced three new 55,000‑sq‑ft stores in Richmond, Versailles and Bowling Green, bringing its Kentucky footprint to about a dozen locations by year‑end. The expansion deepens its incursion into Kroger‑dominated territory. Publix reported fiscal‑year sales of $62.7 billion, up 5 % YoY, and...
A Nationwide Candy Recall Just Landed in the FDA’s Highest-Risk Category
The FDA has issued a Class I recall—the agency’s highest‑risk level—for Nuts.com’s Espresso Malted Milk Balls after testing revealed undeclared wheat and soy allergens. The recall covers roughly 10,190 pounds of product sold in both one‑pound sealed pouches and 20‑pound bulk...
Menu Prices Continue to Outpace Surging Inflation
Consumer prices jumped 0.9% month‑over‑month in March, the strongest rise since June 2022, while the Core CPI rose 0.2%. Restaurant menu prices edged up only 0.2% MoM, marking a 3.8% year‑over‑year increase that remains well above the overall inflation rate but...
Grocery Prices Drop for the First Time Since Government Shutdown
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that grocery prices fell 0.2% month‑over‑month in March, marking the first decline since the government shutdown. Four of six major grocery‑store food‑group indexes dropped, led by meats, poultry, fish and eggs, cereals and...
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Value Menus Are the Top Driver of Frequency for QSR Diners
Two‑thirds of Americans visit a quick‑service restaurant at least monthly, and 30% dine weekly, driven primarily by value menus. A YouGov study shows 66% of weekly QSR diners cite value or discount menus as the top motivator, outpacing clean dining...
KFC’s Saucy Is Expanding to Texas
KFC’s Saucy concept, launched in Orlando in December 2024, is expanding beyond Florida with its first Texas location in Frisco slated for later this year. The brand now operates ten Florida sites and has five additional openings planned, while Yum Brands recently...
Op-Ed: Is MSC Certifying Sustainability or Endorsing Risk?
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has recertified the Antarctic krill fishery as sustainable, even though the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) shut the season three months early after reaching its 620,000‑ton catch limit. Scientists warn...
Aquaculture Representative Group Drops Lawsuit Against Washington Net-Pen Ban
The Northwest Aquaculture Alliance (NWAA) has withdrawn its lawsuit challenging Washington State’s ban on commercial net‑pen aquaculture. The ban, finalized in January 2025 after a rulemaking process by the State Board of Natural Resources, follows a decade of litigation sparked by...
Simply Good Foods Posts 15% Sales Jump as OWYN Adds $33.8M in Q2 2025
Simply Good Foods (SMPL) posted $359.7 million in net sales for Q2 2025, a 15.2% increase year‑over‑year, powered by the first full‑year contribution from its OWYN acquisition ($33.8 million). The company flagged lower gross margin, tariff headwinds and a sharp decline in its...
Barron Trump’s $1 Million Yerba Mate Launch Targets Premium Ready‑to‑Drink Market
Barron Trump, a 20‑year‑old NYU sophomore, has filed a private‑placement SEC filing raising $1 million to launch Sollos Yerba Mate, a pineapple‑coconut flavored ready‑to‑drink beverage slated for a May 2026 debut. The venture, incorporated in Delaware and registered in Florida, positions...
The Hot New Restaurant Tech Trend: AI Agents
Two major restaurant‑tech vendors, PAR Technology and Square, launched AI‑driven agents that can autonomously surface insights, run marketing campaigns, schedule staff and manage inventory. PAR’s "PAR Intelligence" bundles an Insights Agent, Offers Agent and Developer Assist Agent, while Square’s Managerbot...
Protein Soda: Why the New Craze Is Going From Strength to Strength
Protein sodas are emerging as a functional beverage, packing roughly 10 g of protein in a standard 12‑oz can while retaining the familiar soda format. The category targets everyday health‑conscious consumers rather than gym‑focused macro‑trackers, positioning itself as a low‑calorie, low‑sugar...
Tilapia Imports From Vietnam Surpass Brazilian Export Totals for the First Time, Alarming Local Industry
Brazil’s February imports of Vietnamese tilapia fillets topped 1,300 metric tons, outpacing the country’s own exports for the first time. The imports, valued at roughly $8 million, represent about 56% of Vietnam’s monthly tilapia revenue and are driven by a preferential trade...
Bacteria From Bumblebees Can Produce Vitamin B₂ in Soya Drinks
Researchers at Denmark's Technical University (DTU) used a droplet microfluidics platform to screen the bumblebee gut microbiome, identifying a Lactococcus lactis strain that ferments soy drinks while producing vitamin B₂. The transparent soy medium and fluorescence‑based detection cut screening time from...
FDA Delays Approval of Two Natural Food Dyes Over Safety Objections
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a delay in approving two natural food colorants—beetroot red and spirulina extract—citing objections from consumer groups and safety experts. Critics say the agency skipped key carcinogenic and heavy‑metal assessments, putting manufacturers and shoppers...
New Orleans Ranks Fourth on Food & Wine’s 2026 Best U.S. Cities for Food & Drink
Food & Wine’s 2026 Best U.S. Cities for Food & Drink list places New Orleans at fourth, highlighting a celebrated French Quarter hotel bar and a Michelin‑starred Warehouse District restaurant. The ranking underscores growing national recognition for the city’s culinary...
Gut-Friendly, Prebiotic or High Fibre? Navigating the Terminology
Poppi, the gut‑health soda, launched in the UK in February offering 3 g of fibre per can but cannot label itself as prebiotic due to strict local regulations. The UK’s health‑claim register limits wording, requiring at least 6 g of fibre per...
Better-for-You Becomes Bread Industry's Priority
Bread manufacturers are pivoting toward "better‑for‑you" products as traditional packaged loaf sales continue to slip, with center‑store bread revenues down 2.4% to $11.5 billion in the 52‑week period ending Feb. 22, 2026. Companies like Flowers Foods and Grupo Bimbo are launching high‑protein,...
How to View the Meat Case Through the Eyes of the Consumer
Danette Amstein of Midan Marketing defines value‑based meat as products that solve specific consumer problems, blending price with convenience, nutrition, and trust. For the 17% of shoppers identified as “Convenience Cravers,” time‑saving features like oven‑ready or pre‑marinated items justify higher...