Pernod Ricard Rolls Out Top Irish RTD Brand West Coast Cooler in the UK
French spirits group Pernod Ricard is introducing its flagship Irish ready‑to‑drink, West Coast Cooler, to the UK market. The sparkling wine‑based seltzer, offered in Original tropical fruit and Sunburst peach‑mango cans, will debut in Tesco stores this month at £2.25 per 250 ml. With 4% alcohol and under 100 calories, the product targets health‑aware consumers, especially women, through an influencer‑driven campaign focused on brunch and hen‑do occasions. The launch expands Pernod Ricard’s RTD portfolio and leverages the brand’s top‑selling status in Ireland.
Hannaford Refreshes Private Label Packaging Across Portfolio
Hannaford Supermarkets is rolling out a refreshed private‑brand packaging design, beginning in select markets in 2026 with a full portfolio rollout slated for 2027. The new look, driven by customer feedback, aims to make products easier to spot, convey clearer...
McDonald’s, Suppliers Work with NFWF on Grassland Conservation Grants
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative awarded $32.8 million in grants to six conservation partners, backed by McDonald’s USA, USDA’s NRCS and major beef and beverage suppliers. The program is part of a $200 million, seven‑year effort...
King’s Hawaiian Launches Ube Coconut Sweet Rolls Nationwide
King’s Hawaiian is rolling out its limited‑edition Ube Coconut Sweet Rolls to grocery shelves across the United States. The purple‑hued rolls combine real ube and coconut milk, contain no artificial dyes, and are sold in 12‑count bags and 24‑count twin...
Coca-Cola Revives ‘Hilltop’ Commercial and Releases Limited-Edition America250 Cans
Coca‑Cola has revived its iconic 1971 “Hilltop” ad with a gospel‑inspired remake called “Drink in America,” produced by WPP Open X and Ogilvy. The brand teamed with the America250 Commission for a nationwide 2026 campaign and introduced 52 limited‑edition mini‑cans, each...
Dunkin’ Exits an Entire Market in 2026 After 14 Years
Dunkin' will cease operations in India when its franchise agreement expires on Dec. 31, 2026, ending a 14‑year presence. Jubilant FoodWorks, the Indian franchisee, reported that Dunkin' contributed only 0.61% of its revenue in FY2025 and posted a loss of...
Chef Q&A: Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij
Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij, chef‑owner of Potong in Bangkok, became the first Thai and Asian recipient of the 2025 World’s Best Female Chef award. She frames her cuisine around five core elements—salt, acid, spice, Maillard reaction and texture—emphasising progression rather than...
Uncertainty Still Surrounds the GLP-1 Consumer
The food‑industry outlook remains hazy as GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs continue to alter consumer eating habits. Appetite‑suppressing medications are driving demand for lower‑calorie, high‑protein products, prompting manufacturers to rethink portfolios. Companies such as McCormick, Mars, and Chobani are responding with strategic...
Fighting Back: How Restaurants Are Reclaiming the Customer Relationship
Restaurants are actively fighting delivery‑platform dominance by building first‑party ordering channels, adopting B2B order‑management tools, and pursuing regulatory relief. Large chains such as McDonald’s and Domino’s have launched branded apps to capture customers directly, while independents turn to services like...
Fermtech Raises £2.5m for ‘Pioneering’ Sustainable Cocoa Alternative
Fermtech, a UK‑based food‑tech startup, announced a £2.5 million funding round to accelerate its fermentation‑derived cocoa alternative. The capital, sourced from impact‑focused investors, will fund scale‑up, regulatory approvals, and pilot manufacturing. The company claims its product mimics cocoa’s flavor and texture...
F-Gas Compliance Pressures Put Food and Drink Cooling Upgrades on Hold
Food and drink manufacturers face delays upgrading cooling equipment due to tightening F‑gas regulations. Aggreko's survey of 334 UK plant managers shows 94% expect moderate or major impact. The UK plans to cut HFCs by 98.6% by 2048, accelerating the...
London Smash Burger Restaurant MeatLiquor Has Shut More than Half Its Locations
London’s cult‑favorite smash‑burger chain MeatLiquor has shuttered more than half of its outlets, closing sites in Clapham Junction, Queensway, Islington, Brighton and Leeds. Founder Scott Collins, who warned the business would not turn a profit in the next financial year,...
‘Industry Must Rethink Creatine Messaging for Women’: Dr. Sue Kleiner
Dr. Sue Kleiner warns the supplement industry of a missed opportunity by continuing to market creatine as a male‑centric performance aid. She argues that messaging should pivot to metabolic health, daily functional strength, and fertility benefits that resonate with women at...
93-Year-Old Sandwich Chain Has Closed Half of Its Restaurants
Primanti Bros., the 93‑year‑old sandwich chain famous for fries‑topped subs, has cut its footprint roughly in half, now operating about 20 locations versus more than 40 before the pandemic. The closures, which include two Pittsburgh‑area sites and out‑of‑state stores in...
Snappy Technologies Rolls Out System to Unify Delivery Marketplaces
Snappy Technologies unveiled a new integration platform that consolidates disparate food‑delivery marketplaces into a single unified system. The solution leverages a standardized API to aggregate orders, inventory, and driver data across services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Early pilots...
Q1 2026 CRAFT BEER DATA SHOT 💉
The first 13 weeks of 2026 confirm that the craft‑beer category remains under pressure, with overall volume continuing to slip while price hikes sustain revenue. Growth is confined to specific niches rather than broad‑based recovery, echoing the 2025 data that...
Sivetz Expands Into Electric Heat with Peachey Roasters
Oregon‑based Sivetz Roasting Machines and Kansas‑based Peachey Roasters have merged under the Sivetz brand, re‑introducing electric‑heat fluid‑bed coffee roasters. The unified lineup adds 4‑kg and 9‑kg electric models alongside the flagship SRM15 gas‑fired roaster, all sharing common PLC control and...
KFC’s Colonel Dances in the Name of Affordable Fried Chicken in New Ads
KFC introduced a new music‑driven campaign featuring the single “Finger Lickin’ Machine,” starring Colonel Sanders dancing to promote its Value Feast menu. The ad includes an extended music‑video style spot and limited‑edition physical copies handed out in Los Angeles to...
Marriott Makes The Switch To Coca-Cola, After 34 Years Of Pepsi Exclusivity
Marriott International announced it will replace Pepsi with Coca‑Cola as the exclusive soft‑drink provider across its global portfolio, ending a 34‑year partnership that began in 1992. The original Pepsi deal was driven by a loan arrangement rather than consumer preference,...
Ahold Delhaize USA Rolls Out Pay By Bank Option For Online Orders
Ahold Delhaize USA has extended its partnership with Fiserv to launch Pay by Bank on the e‑commerce sites and mobile apps of The Giant Co., Giant Food and Stop & Shop. The new option lets shoppers link their bank accounts for...
Dirty Mountain Dew Hits Shelves Nationwide
Mountain Dew (PepsiCo) has released Dirty Mountain Dew, a dirty‑soda‑inspired carbonated drink, across the United States. The product ships in 20‑ounce bottles and 12‑packs of 12‑ounce cans, with both full‑sugar and Zero Sugar formulations. The launch leverages a 600% year‑over‑year...
Starbucks Launches Protein Cold Foam in ‘UK First’ After US Success
Starbucks has introduced its protein‑rich cold foam topping to UK outlets, marking the brand’s first rollout of the product outside the United States. The foam, which delivers about five grams of protein per serving, is positioned as a low‑calorie, dairy‑free...
German Doner Kebab Appoints Former Costa and Chipotle Exec as Chair
German Doner Kebab (GDK) announced the appointment of John McCarthy, a former senior executive at Costa Coffee and Chipotle Mexican Grill, as its new chair. McCarthy brings a track record of scaling fast‑casual concepts, digital transformation, and franchise development. The...
Dollar Shave Club Swipes at Competition in First Women’s Grooming Push
Dollar Shave Club announced a new women’s razor and grooming line, entering a market valued at roughly $1.8 billion. The launch is backed by a dual‑track ad campaign: a traditional filmed spot and an AI‑generated video that lampoons pastel‑laden competitors. CEO...
Bakkafrost Sees Revenues Drop Nearly 5% in 2025
Bakkafrost, the Faroe Islands' leading salmon producer, reported 2025 revenues down nearly 5% year‑over‑year, falling to DKK 5.2 billion. The decline was driven by weaker salmon prices and a modest drop in export volumes despite stable production capacity. EBITDA contracted to DKK 1.1 billion,...
Iran War: FAO Food Commodity Price Index Rises in March
The UN’s FAO Food Price Index climbed to 128.5 points in March, a 2.4% month‑on‑month rise marking a second consecutive increase. All five commodity groups – cereals, vegetable oils, meat, dairy and sugar – posted higher prices, led by a...
Drumstick Teams with WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes for New Creative Platform
Drumstick has teamed with WWE superstar Cody Rhodes to launch a new creative platform, "Lick it. Flip it. Drumstick it." The campaign, timed for WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, combines a national TV spot, social media content, and the return of the...
Lifeway to Offer Retro-Inspired Wellness House in Palm Springs
Lifeway Foods is debuting a retro‑inspired wellness house in Palm Springs on April 10, marking the brand’s 40th anniversary. The pop‑up blends 1980s‑1990s design with modern wellness, featuring probiotic‑rich bites, a pool‑side setting, and performances by Debbie Gibson and Autograf. Hosted...
Entrepreneur Acquires Honey Creek Legacy, Rebrands As Legacy Maker Farms
Entrepreneur Steven Hershberger led an investor group to acquire Honey Creek Legacy and rebrand it as Legacy Maker Farms, a premium USDA‑Prime beef producer based in Fairmount, Indiana. The company is deploying the AI‑powered predictive intelligence platform ELI, developed by...
Evangelion Sapporo Beer Features Eva 01 and 13 on the Cans
Sapporo Breweries has launched a limited‑edition Kuro Label beer line featuring Evangelion Units 01 and 13, with the 350 ml cans showcasing Unit 01 and the 500 ml cans displaying Unit 13. The partnership also includes a range of merchandise—coasters, tote bags, T‑shirts, and a bar glass—priced...
More Bakeries Launch High Protein Bread Products
Bakery manufacturers are rapidly introducing high‑protein breads, bagels, and tortillas, responding to a surge in consumer demand for protein‑rich foods. Products such as Nature’s Own Life Wheat+Protein loaf and Sola Protein soft white loaf deliver between 10 and 22 grams...
Nelson-Jameson Begins Expansion Project to Bolster Cold Storage, Logistics
Nelson-Jameson announced a major expansion of its Fairview, Pennsylvania distribution center to increase cold‑storage capacity for dairy cultures. The project targets faster, more reliable deliveries to Northeast food manufacturers while cutting dry‑ice consumption through localized shipping routes. It also aligns...
Tyson to Close Hillshire Brands Plant in Georgia
Tyson Foods announced the closure of its Hillshire Brands plant in Rome, Georgia, effective May 31, affecting 168 employees. The facility, acquired in the 2014 $8.5 billion Hillshire deal, had been producing Nature Valley granola bars for General Mills under a single‑customer...
Tetra Pak Launching $22M Facility to Support Food, Beverage Innovation
Swedish packaging giant Tetra Pak has broken ground on a $22 million innovation facility at its Denton, Texas campus, adjacent to its U.S./Canada headquarters. The new 12,000‑sq‑ft product development center and 3,000‑sq‑ft customer innovation space will double the site’s R&D capacity and...
How Bel Defied Global Snacking Headwinds
Bel Group has outperformed a weak global snacking market by leaning into healthy‑snack innovation and strategic capacity expansion. The French multinational rolled out plant‑based Boursin, probiotic Babybel portions and limited‑edition flavors while doubling production in Vietnam and South Dakota. Acquisitions...
Inline Plastics Unveils 4-Compartment Clamshell to Keep Foods Fresh, Separate, and Secure
Inline Plastics has launched the TSSB4CD, a four‑compartment clamshell that uses anti‑migration technology to keep flavors separate and maintain product integrity. The package includes a tamper‑evident tear strip and a leak‑resistant perimeter seal, enhancing food safety and security for grab‑and‑go...
American Heart Association Issues a Different Take on Dietary Guidance
The American Heart Association released its 2026 Dietary Guidance, urging Americans to replace most meat with plant‑based proteins, choose low‑fat dairy, and prioritize whole grains while limiting red meat, full‑fat dairy, animal fats, and refined grains. The guidance also recommends...
German Winemakers Rewrite The Rules Of Riesling In A Warming World
German winemakers are confronting accelerating climate change by adopting high‑tech solutions and revising centuries‑old practices. Harvests now arrive in September, frost events are occurring earlier, and extreme floods threaten vineyards. The industry is testing solar‑panel canopies that temper ripening, introducing...
Buffalo Wild Wings Celebrates Return of $9.99 Bottomless Apps with DJ Khaled Promotion
Buffalo Wild Wings is re‑launching its Bottomless Apps program nationwide on April 7, pricing the shareable starter platter at $9.99 for up to four guests. The rollout is anchored by a new digital commercial featuring DJ Khaled, whose “ANOTHA ONE!” catchphrase underscores...
Domino's Pairs New Slice Sauce with Shinola Accessories
Domino's is unveiling Slice Sauce, which will come with the chain's Handmade Pan or Parmesan Stuffed Crust Pizza. And customers who buy either of those pizzas between now and May 7 will get special access to buy special edition Shinola...
California Pushes ‘Non-UPF’ Seal as Certifications Multiply and Confusion Grows
California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and the Environmental Working Group have introduced Assembly Bill 2244, which would create a voluntary “California Certified” non‑ultra‑processed food (non‑UPF) seal overseen by the state Department of Public Health. The seal mirrors the USDA Organic model,...
Cacao Pods and ‘Ugly’ Potatoes Powering the Upcycled Foods Movement
Upcycled foods, made from food‑system byproducts, are surging as a sustainable snack category. A Precedence Research report valued the global market at $63.8 billion in 2025 and forecasts $124.39 billion by 2034, with North America accounting for 39% of sales in 2024....
Wayne-Sanderson Farms Promotes Executives in Supply Chain, Operations
Wayne‑Sanderson Farms, the United States' third‑largest poultry producer, announced two senior promotions effective April 1. Aaron Leach will serve as chief commercial and supply chain officer, overseeing sales, marketing, R&D and supply‑chain functions. Michael Crump will become chief operations officer, responsible for live...
Starbucks Launches Highly-Caffeinated Refreshers
Starbucks introduced Energy Refreshers, a new line of its popular cold drinks with caffeine levels ranging from 100 mg to 175 mg, alongside a year‑round mango‑strawberry flavor. The higher‑caffeine variants sit between the brand’s low‑strength Refreshers and its traditional brewed coffee, aiming...
How Traditional Grocers Are Trying to Narrow the ‘Value Gap’ with Discount Competitors
Traditional grocery chains are abandoning generic low‑price messaging in favor of targeted promotions, private‑label price comparisons, and longer‑term discount programs. Surveys show only 13% of shoppers trust these stores to offer the lowest prices, prompting retailers like Wegmans, Kroger and...
NYC Bagel Bosses: Bagel Bosses of NYC on Tradition, Trends, and the Future of Bagels
In this lively episode recorded at the New York Restaurant Show, host Michael Schatzberg chats with three NYC bagel entrepreneurs—Melanie Frost of Es a Bagel, Matt Palmer of Zucker's Bagels, and Matt Kliegman of Black Seed Bagel—about their origins, growth...
Danone Bets on Nutrient Quality, Not Quantity, as Consumers Look to Food for Health
Danone is redefining better‑for‑you food by emphasizing nutrient quality, digestibility and gut health rather than simply boosting macronutrient grams. The company is positioning itself as an educator, helping shoppers navigate complex nutrition claims while delivering formats and textures that fit...
Major Carl’s Jr Franchisee in California Files for Bankruptcy
Friendly Franchisees Corporation, a 65‑unit Carl’s Jr. operator in California, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy through multiple subsidiaries. The filing affects roughly 11 % of the brand’s 588 California locations but the franchisor says it won’t impact other restaurants. Carl’s Jr.’s average unit...
Skip Partners with Loblaw for Grocery Delivery
Skip, the Canadian delivery platform, announced a partnership with Loblaw Companies Limited, integrating 13 of Loblaw's banners—including No Frills, Loblaws, and Real Canadian Superstore—into its grocery delivery network. The collaboration enables coast‑to‑coast, on‑demand grocery fulfillment for a broad range of products,...
Shake to Elevate Launches ‘Guilt Free’ Seasoning Line
Shake to Elevate, a health‑focused beverage brand, has introduced a new line of "guilt‑free" seasonings aimed at consumers seeking clean‑label flavor solutions. The range features zero added sugar, reduced sodium, and plant‑based protein blends, packaged in recyclable containers. Launch partners...