Food and Beverage News and Headlines
Food and Beverage News and Headlines
PepsiCo’s snack unit Frito‑Lay faced soaring chip prices, with some Doritos bags topping $7, prompting Walmart to cut shelf space. After missing revenue targets by over $1 billion for two consecutive years, the company announced up to 15% price cuts in February 2026. Early tests showed double‑digit volume gains and increased shelf placement, but the ongoing Iran‑related oil shock threatens to blunt consumer response. PepsiCo’s market value has already shed more than $50 billion since its 2023 peak.
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...
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...
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...
The "Good Girl Snacks" segment is accelerating as health‑focused consumers gravitate toward low‑sugar, protein‑rich options. Emerging data shows GLP‑1 medications are reshaping appetite patterns, further driving demand for portion‑controlled snacks. Industry leaders such as McCormick, Mars, and Chobani are making...
A series of food‑industry announcements this week highlights both strategic talent moves and major consolidation. Webinars will examine how startups can thrive amid volatility and the growing impact of GLP‑1 drugs on consumer tastes. McCormick is in advanced talks to...
Laoban, a startup that automates restaurant operations with artificial intelligence, announced a $7.2 million Series A round. The financing was led by XYZ Ventures with participation from ABC Capital and several strategic angels. The capital will accelerate product development, bolster data‑science talent,...
Toto Foods’ co‑founders unveiled the company’s next iteration, a plant‑based, low‑sugar snack line built on an AI‑driven flavor platform. The launch is backed by a $20 million Series B round led by GV and includes a nationwide distribution deal with Target. The...
Khloud, a health‑focused snack startup, launched its first protein‑rich chip line, positioning the product as a high‑protein, low‑carb alternative to traditional potato chips. Each serving delivers roughly 15 grams of protein, sourced from pea and soy isolates, and is marketed...
Hershey reported 2025 sales of $11.7 billion, up 4.4 % as it outpaces rivals like Conagra and Kraft Heinz. CEO Kirk Tanner emphasizes the "next‑generation of snacking," blending legacy brands such as Hershey’s and Reese’s with newer better‑for‑you products like SkinnyPop and...
KFC has launched its first musical single, “Finger Lickin' Machine,” marking a shift from traditional jingles to a full‑length track. The song supports the rollout of the new Box Feasts, priced at $7, $9 and $11, under the Value Feast...
Croatia’s Fortenova Group has accepted Bosqar Invest’s binding offer to acquire 100 % of meat producer Pik Vrbovec, completing another step in its post‑Agrokor divestiture programme. The deal follows Fortenova’s debt‑cutting campaign that reduced gross debt to €650 m and its recent...
Hospital operators are losing a hidden stream of revenue because today’s diners expect instant, multi‑channel communication and often abandon a restaurant before a reservation is made. The article calls this the “silent guest” – prospects who browse menus or inquire...
Scientists at Rothamsted Research have used CRISPR/Cas9 to create wheat lines with dramatically lower free asparagine, achieving reductions of up to 93% while maintaining normal yield and protein levels. Field trials showed that bread and biscuits made from the edited...
Whole Foods Market is accelerating its UK footprint with a series of compact stores, highlighted by the new Angel location in London. Executive purchasing leader Jade Hoai says the retailer is reshaping its iconic American model to fit dense urban...
Del Taco is re‑introducing its 1990s‑era Big Fat Taco on buttery flatbread, accompanied by a retro collectible called Del Flipz. The limited‑time menu features five taco varieties, two breakfast options, and additional nostalgic treats like Dragon Fruit Blueberry Poppers and Mini...
Japanese gin defied the 2025 global spirits slump, with export value more than doubling to ¥8.2 billion, a 104 % increase. Ukiyo, a premium brand owned by Drinksology Kirker Greer, posted a 40 % CAGR from FY23 to FY25 and forecasts 35 % growth in...
2 Sisters Food Group has appointed Chris Tyas to head its Net Zero by 2035 strategy and advise on supply‑chain resilience. Tyas brings over 40 years of experience from senior roles at Mars, Nestlé and as chair of GS1 UK, as well as a stint...
Chick-fil‑A has posted two consecutive years of modest sales growth, signaling a slowdown after a decade of rapid expansion. Analysts point to a ceiling in unit volume as the chain approaches market saturation in key regions. Elevated gasoline prices are...
Rising gasoline prices, now hovering around $4 per gallon amid the Iran conflict, are beginning to suppress restaurant traffic, especially for full‑service and family‑dining chains. Black Box Intelligence data shows traffic drops from a 2% baseline to 2.4% once gas...
Prince St. Pizza, a fast‑growing by‑the‑slice Sicilian‑style pizza concept, has secured backing from one of the original and largest franchisees of Dave's Hot Chicken. The investor plans to accelerate expansion through a mix of company‑owned stores and franchising, leveraging the...
KFC launched a 90‑second music single titled “Finger Lickin’ Machine” to promote its new Value Feast menu, featuring bundled meals priced at $7, $9 and $11. The ad, produced by agency Highdive and music house Heavy Duty, showcases Colonel Sanders...
Sysco Corp. agreed to acquire Jetro Restaurant Depot for $29.1 billion, using $21 billion of new debt, $1 billion cash, and issuing roughly 19.1% of its shares. The deal adds more than 160 warehouses across 35 states to Sysco’s network, expanding its reach...
Chinese pig farms are rapidly adopting fermented feed made from locally sourced brans, pumpkin vines and wine lees to cut reliance on imported soy protein, which accounts for 80% of China’s soy use. Feed costs, which represent 70% of pig‑rearing...
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) retracted its April 1 health alert for Walmart Great Value fully cooked Dino‑shaped chicken nuggets after determining the product poses no public health risk. The original alert was triggered by elevated trace lead...
Miyoko’s core plant‑based butters and cream cheeses will return to select U.S. retailers in May after being acquired by Prosperity Organic Foods. The acquisition followed Miyoko’s entry into an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors last November, ending a period...
Weight‑loss drugs targeting the GLP‑1 pathway are reshaping consumer demand for smaller, nutrient‑dense portions, prompting food manufacturers to explore “GLP‑1 friendly” labeling. In the EU, such phrasing is classified as a health claim and, without an approved application, is unlikely...
El Latino, a Doral‑based Latin American food producer, has partnered with private‑equity firm Apex Capital to accelerate its U.S. expansion. The deal brings Apex’s food‑industry expertise, derived from Grupo Mariposa, while keeping founder María Elena Ibañez as president. El Latino’s...
Ammos, a premium vodka distilled from hand‑picked black olives and rare Vakhalou lemons, launched in London targeting the Martini market. The spirit undergoes a two‑week maceration and low‑temperature vacuum distillation, preserving citrus oils and olive salinity. Packaged in a custom...
Ian Macleod Distillers has officially opened Laggan Bay Distillery on Islay, marking the island’s 11th whisky producer. The first cask was filled on 2 April 2026 by managing director Leonard Russell, his son Tom, and distillery manager Malcolm Rennie. Laggan Bay aims...
Food Manufacture’s webinar “Hidden Hazards in Food Production” on 23 April brings together legal, industrial‑vacuum and hygiene experts to expose concealed risks such as dust, crevices and outdated processes. The panel will discuss real‑world cases, regulatory implications and practical mitigation strategies...
Natural Grocers has launched a private‑label line of Regenerative Organic Certified pasture‑raised eggs, adding to its expanding house‑brand portfolio. The eggs meet Regenerative Organic and Certified Humane standards, emphasizing soil health, animal welfare, and farmworker fairness. Priced at $7.99 per...
Eminente, the Moët Hennessy‑owned Cuban brand, has launched its second Gran Reserva rum, a 10‑year‑old expression finished for four months in Sauternes wine casks. The spirit emerges at 43.2% ABV, higher than typical Cuban rums, and showcases honey, apricot, tropical...
The latest Food Price Index posted a modest decline, easing pressure on an otherwise volatile market. The index fell about 1.2% year‑over‑year, reflecting softer commodity costs. Meanwhile, industry giants are reshaping the landscape: McCormick is in talks to acquire Unilever’s...
Alberta introduced Bill 24, the Alberta Whisky Act, to create an official "Alberta Whisky" designation. The legislation mandates that every step of production, from mashing to bottling, occurs within the province and that water and at least two‑thirds of the...
UK snack brand Popcorn Shed has launched a new gluten‑free range of single‑serve snack packs in five dessert‑inspired flavours, including Classic Caramel and Carrot Cake. Each 24‑gram pack contains fewer than 120 calories and retails for £1.99, positioning the line...
Oregon‑based Hood River Distillers announced the acquisition of the Crater Lake Spirits portfolio from Bendistillery for an undisclosed amount. The deal adds gin, flavored vodka and rye whiskey, along with the Timberline Vodka and Forthwest Whisky brands, to HRD’s existing...
Fast‑casual restaurants outperformed other dining segments in 2025, posting a 3% traffic gain in the U.S. and a 0.8% global increase despite inflation and cautious consumer spending. Growth stemmed mainly from brand expansion and higher‑quality menu offerings, while average visits...
Diageo and AB InBev have withdrawn their sponsorship of the 2026 Wireless Festival after Kanye West was announced as the headline act. The controversy surrounding West’s recent antisemitic remarks and extremist imagery prompted other sponsors, including Pepsi, Rockstar Energy, and...
Pete Marino, president of Lofted Spirits, will depart at the end of June after three years leading the Kentucky whiskey maker. Under his tenure the company’s brands more than doubled, the portfolio was streamlined, and new tasting rooms and state...
Ambienta has acquired a majority stake in Italian plant‑based dairy specialist The Bridge, marking its second investment from the Small Cap Fund. The Bridge, founded in 1994, generates about 80% of revenue from international markets and operates a fully vertical,...
AB InBev has launched its Mexican lager Modelo Especial in the UK, rolling it out simultaneously in draught form for pubs and in bottles and cans for retail. The brand is being positioned as an ultra‑premium offering, highlighted by gold‑foil...
Hacha’s original Dalston bar will shut its doors on 25 April 2026, exactly seven years after opening. The closure leaves the brand without a permanent venue after the Brixton site closed in February 2025 and the Bermondsey location folded after...
Koan, a two‑Michelin‑starred restaurant in Copenhagen, has unveiled a £2,000 prestige wine and Champagne programme centred on rare Krug selections, including the 2009 Clos du Mesnil served by the glass. The offering pairs the 18‑course Korean‑Danish tasting menu with vintage wines...
The UK food sector has set bold climate, health and nature targets, but leaders now question whether they can execute them at speed. A new "Execution at Risk" report finds that capability—not strategy—is the main bottleneck, especially within commercial, marketing,...
The UK Champagne market posted its first growth since 2021, with shipments rising 1.9% to 22.7 million bottles in 2025. Volume increased 9% after a 6% decline the previous year, yet overall value fell nearly 6% as producers absorbed higher costs....
UK wine producers face steep duty hikes, packaging taxes and rising logistics costs, pushing overall volume growth negative. Amid this downturn, rosé wine stands out, recording a 3 % volume increase and a 5 % rise in value, generating £882 million in sales....
Rosebank Distillery has renewed its three‑year partnership with Celtic Renewables, extending the agreement to 2029. The deal channels the distillery’s pot ale by‑product to Celtic’s Grangemouth biorefinery, where 500 tonnes of bio‑based chemicals are produced each year. Since the collaboration began,...
Pernod Ricard has completed the sale of its Mumm sparkling wine operations in the United States to Trinchero Family Wine and Spirits, and simultaneously divested its Kenwood winery in Sonoma to F Korbel & Bros. Both deals, finalized in April 2026, remove...
The Curing Barn, a Devon‑based charcuterie producer, has recalled its 60 g British Bresaola after testing revealed Listeria monocytogenes. The affected items carry product code WLRC J1Z2 0WD0 J85J and a use‑by date of 10 June 2026. Consumers are instructed to return the packs in‑store for...
