Jonas Bros. Restaurant Shuts Down, Joins Celebrity Failures
Celebrity-owned Nellie's Southern Kitchen, opened by the Jonas family in June 2022 at MGM Grand, will close on or before June 1, 2026. The decision follows the lease’s end and a strategic shift toward the brand’s North Carolina location. The closure adds the Jonas brothers to a long list of stars whose dining ventures faltered despite strong initial buzz. Industry analysts cite soaring labor, supply‑chain volatility and weak consumer confidence as core challenges for such concepts.
Ryan Slemons Named Chief Development Officer for Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen announced that Ryan Slemons will become its chief development officer on May 4, overseeing real estate, design, construction, facilities and portfolio management. Slemons arrives with two decades of development experience, most recently as chief development officer at Unleashed Brands and...
Trump Removes Tariffs on Scottish Whisky After King Charles Visit
President Donald Trump announced the removal of the 10% tariff on Scotch whisky, framing it as a tribute to King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s recent U.S. visit. The decision follows months of lobbying by the Scotch Whisky Association and...
AgriFood Signals: US Farm Bill Passes, Halter Goes Off-Grid, Earlybird Closes Deeptech Fund
The latest AgriFood Signals roundup spotlights three headline developments: the U.S. farm bill cleared the House, opening the door for new agricultural policy; Halter launched a satellite‑based, fully off‑grid virtual fencing system; and Earlybird closed a record €360 million (~$390 million) deep‑tech...
Naturipe’s SnackBites Offer Protein, Fiber, Probiotics All in One Package
Naturipe Snacks has launched SnackBites, a portable snack that blends dried blueberries, all‑natural peanut butter and a probiotic blend to deliver protein, fiber and gut‑health benefits. The product arrives amid a surge in demand for fruit‑based, functional snacks as consumers...
Hussmann Introduces New Line of Refrigerant-Based Systems
Hussmann has launched a new line of commercial refrigeration systems that use low‑GWP A2L refrigerants, marking the first outdoor distributed A2L solutions in North America. The offering, part of the Evolve Technologies portfolio, includes compressors, condensers, evaporators and merchandising cases...
How Unhealthy Ultra-Processed Foods Are Designed and Marketed to Make Us Crave Them
New research maps the ultra‑processed food (UPF) ecosystem, showing how manufacturers blend refined carbs, fats and additives to trigger brain reward pathways and suppress satiety. The study identifies eleven reinforcing feedback loops—from product formulation to data‑driven marketing—that drive consumption, especially...
Lipman Family Farms Explains How Consumer Snacking Ideas Have Evolved
Lipman Family Farms says consumer snacking has moved from salty, sugary processed foods to fresh, whole‑food produce. The company attributes the shift to health consciousness, busy lifestyles and a growing gap between lunch and dinner. Lipman’s portfolio now includes snack‑ready...
Jack Daniel’s New McLaren F1 Collab Is a $600 Whiskey That Clocks in at Nearly 120 Proof
Jack Daniel’s has launched Halo MK1, a limited‑edition Tennessee whiskey created with its Formula 1 partner McLaren Racing. The 58.7% ABV spirit is bottled at 117.4 proof and priced at $600, making it the brand’s most premium release to date. It is...
MRA Pushes Back On MD Governor’s Pricing Comments
The Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) is contesting Governor Wes Moore’s description of the new Protection From Predatory Pricing Act, saying it mischaracterizes the law’s scope. Moore claimed the legislation bans individualized grocery pricing based on personal data, but MRA points...
Starbucks’ Loyalty Update Is Driving Frequency as Membership Grows
Starbucks revamped its Rewards program in March, shifting from heavy discounting to engagement‑focused benefits. U.S. active membership rose 4% YoY to a record 35.6 million, and the new 60‑point $2 discount now drives about one‑third of all point redemptions. The changes...
New York Poised to Become First State to Close Food Ingredient ‘Loophole’ Criticized by RFK Jr
New York lawmakers have approved a bill that would close the GRAS loophole by requiring food companies to submit safety data for ingredients they deem “Generally Recognized as Safe,” though the data would not be shared with the FDA. The...
Dunkin’ Dirty Soda Mixes Coffee Milk with Pepsi in New Summer Drink Menu
Dunkin’ introduced a limited‑time "Dirty Soda" that blends its coffee milk, Pepsi, and a sweet cold foam, debuting on its early‑summer menu on April 29. The drink rides the TikTok‑fuelled dirty‑soda craze, adding a coffee‑forward twist to the viral soda‑and‑cream...
US Congressional Committee Holds Hearing on Equivalency Standards for Foreign Shrimp
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on the Safer Shrimp Imports Act, a bill that would require foreign shrimp producers to meet FDA-equivalent food safety standards before entering the U.S. market. Currently, about 90% of shrimp...
Beefing Up the Bottom Line: Smarter Protein Strategies for 2026 Menus
Restaurant operators facing labor shortages and rising food costs are rethinking beef as a profit driver for 2026 menus. Experts from Butchers of America advise purchasing whole subprimals and performing in‑house butchery to capture trim, bones and secondary muscles, turning...
The Sustainability Shift: Packaging, Chemicals, and Equipment That Reduce Waste Without Raising Costs
Foodservice operators face mounting pressure to meet sustainability expectations while protecting thin margins. The article outlines practical sourcing strategies—right‑sized packaging, concentrated chemicals, and high‑efficiency equipment—that cut waste and lower utility, labor and disposal costs. By focusing on total cost of...
Mormon Culture Hits Fast Food: McDonald’s Puts Dirty Soda on Menu After ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Takes Trend Viral
McDonald’s announced three new "crafted" dirty sodas—Sprite Berry Blast, Orange Dream and Dirty Dr Pepper—launching on May 6, marking the fast‑food giant’s entry into a trend rooted in Utah’s Mormon community. The concept, which blends soda with flavored syrups and cold...
Indonesian Exports to China Rise, Cushioning the Blow of Disrupted Middle East Shipments
Indonesian seafood exporters are turning to China as shipments to the Middle East stall amid the Iran‑Israel conflict. Chinese demand for high‑value species such as grouper, snapper and shrimp remains strong, keeping export volumes robust. Indonesia’s seafood trade to China...
Naughty Prawn Debuts at Seafood Expo Global Less than a Week After Launching Brand
Jakarta‑based Naughty Prawn, founded by tech entrepreneur Alex Farthing, launched its own branded whiteleg prawn line at the 2026 Seafood Expo Global just a week after the brand’s debut. The company operates two farms on Bangka Island, employing AI‑driven automation...
10 Walmart High-Fiber Finds That Belong In Your Shopping Cart
Walmart’s shelves now feature ten curated high‑fiber products, ranging from OLIPOP prebiotic soda to Mission Carb Balance tortillas, each delivering 6‑10 grams of fiber per serving. The list includes Banza Cheddar Elbows, Oroweat Double Fiber Bread, Oats Overnight shakes, Kashi Gut...
Hands-On Approach Toward Supplier Contracts Steadies Angry Crab Shack Amid Tariffs, Fuel Price Spikes
Angry Crab Shack has shifted from relying on Sysco to negotiating long‑term contracts directly with crab and shrimp suppliers as it expands across the U.S. and into London. The proactive sourcing strategy lets the chain lock in prices, hedge against...
Raw Farm E. Coli Outbreak Ends; Congress Questions Why FDA Never Used Mandatory Recall Authority
The FDA and CDC have declared the E. coli O517:H7 outbreak linked to Raw Farm raw cheese over, after nine illnesses, three hospitalizations and one HUS case were reported across three states. Epidemiologic data pointed to Raw Farm’s raw cheddar and...
Protein: Beating the Formulation Challenges
Protein is becoming a cross‑category buzzword, now appearing in carbonated drinks such as the newly launched Proda soda. Formulating protein in a low‑pH, carbonated matrix is technically difficult, often causing chalkiness, bitterness or cloudiness. Proda solved the issue with whey...
Taco Bell and KFC Generating Returns From New Concept Tests
Yum Brands is accelerating menu innovation for Taco Bell and KFC, focusing on sauces and specialty beverages to capture the “choice therapy” trend. KFC’s Saucy concept, featuring 11 signature sauces, has grown to about 10 Florida locations and is slated...
It’s a Plague on Bars Across the Country. And Without a Serious Intervention, It’s Only Going to Get Worse.
The cocktail world is in a maximalist phase, with drinks overloaded by elaborate garnishes that often obscure the beverage itself. Leading mixologists like Anton Kinloch, Dominic Dijkstra, and Shingo Gokan argue that garnishes must earn their place by adding aroma,...
The Cheesecake Factory Surprises with Strong First Quarter
The Cheesecake Factory reported a stronger-than-expected first quarter, with same‑store sales up 1.6% year‑over‑year, surpassing its 1% forecast. Total company revenue rose over 5% to $978.8 million, and the chain projects Q2 revenue of $990 million to $1 billion. While overall traffic slipped...
Pilgrim’s Pride Earnings Fall in Q1 Despite Steady Chicken Demand
Pilgrim's Pride reported Q1 FY2026 profit of $101.4 million, or 43 cents per share, a sharp drop from last year's $296 million and $1.24 per share, while revenue modestly rose 1.6% to $4.5 billion. The company cited steady chicken demand, affordable pricing, and ample...
Chipotle Expands Drone Pilot, Accelerates Equipment Package Deployment
Chipotle is accelerating its technology rollout, installing a high‑efficiency equipment package in more than 600 restaurants and targeting 2,000 locations by year‑end. The chain has also deployed visual Chipotle Kitchen digital displays in 100 sites, with a full rollout planned...
Wish You Could Reseal Your Canned Beverage? Now You Can.
Re:Lid USA has introduced a resealable, recyclable aluminum can lid in partnership with beverage incubator L.A. Libations, debuting a canned water product that can be closed up to 14 times. The lids, featuring a 0.2‑gram thermoplastic seal, will first appear...
Survey of U.S. Food Handlers Reveals Food Safety Knowledge Strengths, Opportunities to Improve Training
The National Environmental Health Association surveyed 2,751 U.S. food‑service workers, finding an overall food‑safety knowledge score of 84 % (median 88 %). Hand‑washing, illness reporting and personal hygiene topped the results, while time‑and‑temperature control, safe food preparation, cleaning and storage lagged behind....
With the Arrival of Goop Kitchen, Is New York Food Going Full L.A.?
Goop Kitchen, Gwyneth Paltrow’s health‑focused fast‑casual chain, opened its first New York City location on West 46th Street, instantly breaking the brand’s previous sales records. The takeout‑and‑delivery‑only concept, which already operates 14 sites from Los Angeles to the Bay Area, is drawing strong demand...
Hershey Says GLP-1s Are Driving Higher Gum and Mint Sales
Hershey reported an 8% rise in first‑quarter sales of its Ice Breakers gum and mint line, linking the boost to the growing cohort of GLP‑1 drug users who experience bad‑breath side effects. The company said the functional‑snacking tailwind helped lift overall...
Ibotta Outlook: Shoppers Reallocate Spend Heading Into Summer 2026
Ibotta’s 2026 Summer Outlook reveals shoppers are moving spend from convenience and discretionary items toward staples and at‑home consumption before Memorial Day. A 25.1% rise in gas prices has led 20.9% of consumers to cut grocery budgets, yet overall basket...
University of Wisconsin-Madison Setting up Artisanal Meat Processing Workshop
The University of Wisconsin‑Madison will host an artisanal meat processing workshop June 9‑11 in its Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery building. The three‑day program blends traditional “old world” sausage techniques with modern manufacturing technology and rigorous food‑safety standards. Award‑winning sausage...
Why Solo Dining Is Starting To Become More Popular
Solo dining in the United States has surged, with OpenTable data showing a 64% increase in one‑person reservations since 2019. Analysts link the rise to remote‑work schedules, Gen Z’s lower partnership rates, and a growing emphasis on self‑care amid digital fatigue....
The Buc-Ee's Snack Box Fans Buy When They Can't Make The Trip
Buc‑ee’s, the Texas‑born travel‑stop chain famed for clean restrooms and massive fuel pumps, now offers its signature Beaver Nuggets through a $50 six‑pack snack box sold on Walmart.com. The box bundles three larger bags—13‑oz Original, 10‑oz Cinnamon Sweet, and 10‑oz...
Sprouts’ Holds Steady in Q1 with a Focus on Affordability
Sprouts Farmers Market posted a 4% rise in Q1 net sales to $2.3 billion, buoyed by six new store openings. However, comparable‑store sales slipped 1.7%, reflecting lingering pricing challenges. The retailer is rolling out selective price cuts on staple items and...
King's Hawaiian, Van Leeuwen Collaborate with Ube Coconut Sweet Rolls Launch
King's Hawaiian has partnered with Van Leeuwen Ice Cream to launch a limited‑edition Ube Coconut ice cream and an ice‑cream sandwich featuring the bakery’s new Ube Coconut Sweet Rolls. The custom flavor blends Filipino‑inspired ube and coconut with Van Leeuwen’s...
Vitafoods Europe Show Floor Preview: H-N
Vitafoods Europe’s H‑P showcase highlighted a wave of novel ingredients aimed at metabolic health, mitochondrial function, and consumer‑friendly formats. HealthTech Bio Actives unveiled Leanara, a GLP‑1 companion ingredient to preserve muscle and energy, alongside bioidentical B12 and vascular flavonoids. Kaneka,...
Food Giants Hit with Consumer Lawsuit Calling Ultraprocessed Ingredients Addictive
A consumer lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Wisconsin targets Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo and eleven other packaged‑food giants, alleging their ultra‑processed products are deliberately engineered to be addictive. The complaint seeks $1 billion in damages and links the companies' marketing...
Juicy Lucy Expands Distribution of Cheese-Stuffed Burgers
Juicy Lucy is extending its frozen cheese‑stuffed burger line to select Target stores in California, Arizona and soon Utah, as well as Harris Teeter locations in North and South Carolina. The brand, which debuted its patties in the Upper Midwest in...
Houseman’s Ned Baldwin Expands to Brooklyn
Chef Ned Baldwin, founder of the cult‑favorite Houseman in Manhattan, has launched his second venue, Zoli, in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood. Housed in Amant’s former warehouse, the restaurant is positioned as a "museum restaurant," blending art installations with a constantly evolving,...
Sage X3 Helping Food, Beverage Manufacturers Tackle AI and Compliance Challenges
Food and beverage manufacturers are turning to Sage X3 to solve mounting inventory, compliance and AI adoption challenges. At Sage Future 2026, Yakima Chief Hops and Enzymedica highlighted how granular lot‑level tracking and location visibility slashed stockouts and cut procurement...
First Wholesaler Achieves End-to-End Supplier-DC-Store Traceability Using ReposiTrak’s Cutting-Edge Technology
ReposiTrak announced that a leading Southern wholesale grocery cooperative has become the first wholesaler to achieve full supplier‑to‑store traceability using its Touchless Traceability solution. The system captures FDA‑required key data elements electronically from suppliers at shipment and from receivers at...
April Launch Pad: Personalized Wellness, Ingestible Beauty and Gut Health
April’s launch roundup highlights a surge in gut‑centric and beauty‑from‑within products. Trace Minerals introduced a creatine‑electrolyte powder that pairs 5 g of creatine with sugar‑free flavors for performance and hydration. Designs for Health debuted a single‑donor probiotic aimed at restoring keystone...
New CEO Leads on Juice Burst Rebrand
Purity Soft Drinks is rebranding as The Juice Burst Drinks Co. to spotlight its flagship Juice Burst line, now a staple in UK grocery aisles. The transition will roll out over the coming months, supported by a major consumer campaign...
Seaboard Sees Potential for Prairie Fresh, Garozzo’s Sausage to Go Beyond KC
Seaboard Foods’ Prairie Fresh brand has launched an Italian‑style ground sausage made with Garozzo’s Ristorante, aiming to deliver restaurant‑quality flavor to grocery shelves. A taste test convinced product‑innovation director Eric Hamilton the sausage was “surreal,” prompting a Kansas City rollout...
When Paper Packaging Fails the Sustainability Test
Paperisation is gaining momentum as brands chase consumer trust in paper over plastic, exemplified by Bel Group’s pledge to shift all Babybel products to paper packaging by 2027. The transition reveals technical hurdles, especially for wet or oily foods that...
AI Robots Automate Tray Assembly for Fresh Produce Packing
Chef Robotics unveiled an AI‑driven system that automates tray assembly for fresh‑produce packaging. The platform uses computer‑vision‑guided piece‑picking for whole fruits and a weight‑based scooping module for items like corn and peas. It supports three placement strategies—offset, multi‑item, and stacked—to...
Fresh Analysis Reveals Farm Stops Are Poised to Shake up Local U.S. Food Economy
Farm Stops, a nascent retail model that lets local farmers drop off produce for daily consumer sales, are gaining traction across the United States. Fewer than 36 locations currently operate, yet Kalibrate’s location‑intelligence data shows they attract 70% of visitors...