HPAI Control Zones Lifting in Michigan, Leaders Say Lack of Vaccine Progress Is Concerning
The Michigan Allied Poultry Industry announced that control zones on turkey farms affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been lifted after roughly a two‑month quarantine. Producers receive indemnity and cleaning assistance but no compensation for lost production. Industry leaders warn that a USDA‑approved vaccine, expected last July, has not materialized. The outbreak impacted more than 77,000 turkeys on Kent County farms in March.
There’s a Pizza Price War Going on, and Domino’s Is Feeling the Pain
Domino’s Pizza reported earnings that missed expectations as a deep‑discount price war sweeps the U.S. pizza sector. Competitors such as Pizza Hut and Papa John’s are offering aggressive coupons and value deals, pressuring margins and prompting forecasts of possible store...
Pokeworks Leans Off-Prem with Innovative Poke Dish
Pokeworks launched Poke Bombs on April 21, a grab‑and‑go poke offering that packs sushi‑grade fish, rice and inari tofu into portable pockets. The two‑piece product is sold in‑store and via online ordering, targeting busy consumers. The rollout follows a record‑breaking...
Starbucks to Report Q2 Earnings as Analysts Hope Turnaround Efforts Gained Steam
Starbucks is set to report fiscal Q2 results on Tuesday, with analysts forecasting about $9.14 billion in revenue and adjusted earnings per share of $0.43. The consensus expects same‑store sales to grow 3.7% after the company posted its first North‑American same‑store...
Chipotle Taps Industry Vet Fernando Machado as Chief Brand Officer
Chipotle Mexican Grill announced Fernando Machado as its chief brand officer, effective June 1. Machado, a former CMO of Restaurant Brands International and Activision Blizzard, is known for high‑profile campaigns like the Moldy Whopper. He succeeds Chris Brandt and will lead global...
Fresh Thyme Market Launches MyThyme Rewards Points to Help Customers Save More
Fresh Thyme Market introduced MyThyme Rewards Points, a new tier of its loyalty program that awards 10 points for every dollar spent with no earnings cap. Existing members are automatically enrolled, while new shoppers receive a 10,000‑point (≈$10) bonus after...
“Sustainably Caught” And the Expanding Risk of Food Marketing Claims
A putative class action filed in the Central District of California alleges Target’s “Good & Gather” tuna marketed as “sustainably caught” misleads consumers. The complaint invokes California’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act, arguing the claim inflates...
Rising Costs, Falling Margins: Why Restaurants Must Deploy Workflows, Not Just Robots
Restaurant operators face soaring food costs (+34%) and labor expenses (+39%) since the pandemic, tightening margins across the sector. To combat labor shortages and meet guest expectations, many are turning to robotics for repetitive front‑of‑house and back‑of‑house tasks. Kura Sushi,...
11 Grocery Store Items That Aren't Quite What They Say On The Label
The Takeout’s guide reveals that many everyday grocery staples are mislabeled or diluted, from ultra‑filtered honey and fake wasabi to imitation crab and blended olive oil. It explains how manufacturers use processing tricks, cheaper ingredients, and misleading terminology that can...
The Power of the Right Tomato: Driving Flavor, Efficiency and Margins Across the Menu
Rising labor costs and volatile food prices are squeezing restaurant margins, prompting operators to seek ingredients that simplify kitchen workflows. Orlando Foods’ Ciao tomatoes, harvested at peak ripeness in Southern Italy and canned immediately, deliver consistent flavor, color, and natural...
At Silicon Valley’s Retail Epicenter, “Asia Live” Reimagines the Dining Experience as Cultural Theater
Asia Live, a 15,000‑square‑foot immersive dining and cultural marketplace, will debut on June 1, 2026 at Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara. Founded by George Chen and Cindy Wong‑Chen, the concept expands their China Live model into a multi‑station "culinary theater" that spans Chinese,...
Buchanan’s Celebrates Latino Community, Culture Ahead of World Cup
Buchanan’s, a Diageo Scotch brand, has launched a World Cup‑centric campaign with Latin music star Rauw Alejandro, featuring his new track “Dando Vueltas.” The initiative includes a music video, a limited‑edition bottle designed with Kids of Immigrants, and the “Buchanita” cocktail served...
Buffalo Trace’s Sister Distillery A. Smith Bowman Dropped Its First Rye Whiskey in 16 Years
A. Smith Bowman, the Virginia sister distillery of Buffalo Trace, has launched its first rye whiskey in 16 years. The Abraham Bowman Special Release #26 is an 11‑year‑old rye bottled at 110 proof, part of the limited‑edition collection and priced at $80. The release...
Could Rhode Island Bill Hit Aldi As It Expands New U.S. Format?
German discount grocers Aldi and Lidl are expanding rapidly in the U.S., with Aldi targeting 180 new stores in 2026 as part of a $9 billion rollout to 3,200 locations by 2028. Rhode Island lawmakers have introduced a bill limiting self‑checkout...
In a Heavy Value Environment, Loyalty Is Harder to Come By
New Tillster data shows 45% of U.S. diners changed their favorite restaurant in the last year, a sharp rise from one‑third in 2025. Despite a surge in loyalty‑program participation—71% of consumers report using them—overall diner loyalty is slipping as inflation...
Why Some Celebrity Restaurants Last 30 Years and Most Die in 18 Months
5WPR’s Hospitality Celebrity Index uncovers a stark bimodal survival pattern for celebrity‑backed hospitality venues. Approximately 60‑70% of celebrity restaurants close within five years, yet those that survive often operate for three decades. The study credits a three‑partner model—celebrity equity, creative...
How Yum Brands Executives Work Together on Value
Yum Brands leveraged Taco Bell’s proven value‑pricing playbook to help fast‑casual chain Habit Burger & Grill design a $6, $8 and $10 value menu. The collaboration, facilitated through Yum’s in‑house Collider platform, also inspired KFC’s $7‑$11 Box Feasts and $5 bowls. Taco...
DoorDash Expands Delivery with Regional Retailers
DoorDash announced new grocery delivery partnerships with FreshDirect, Brookshire Grocery, Harps Food Stores, Market of Choice, and Empire Co. in Canada, adding more than 1,000 Sobeys‑branded stores across ten provinces. The deals let DoorDash drivers fulfill FreshDirect orders and integrate...
Hybrid Meat Could Outpace Pure Plant-Based on Climate Impact, Industry Expert Argues
Dr. Briony Sayers of ingredient distributor ACI Group argues that hybrid meat—products that blend up to 30% plant protein with animal meat—can deliver greater climate benefits than fully plant‑based alternatives because they require no change in consumer shopping habits. By...
Dr. Will’s to Launch Two Products Into Sainsbury’s
Dr. Will’s is debuting its Classic Mayo in Sainsbury’s stores nationwide on May 3, pricing the 170 g jar at £3 (≈$3.80). The retailer will also stock the brand’s Buffalo Hot Sauce in 300 locations for £3.50 (≈$4.50). Both products join Olive Oil...
Columbia, RNDC Enter LOI for Pacific Northwest Distribution Rights
Columbia Distributing and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) have signed a non‑binding letter of intent for Columbia to acquire wine and spirits distribution rights in Oregon and Washington, plus an asset arrangement in Alaska. The deal would extend Columbia’s total‑beverage...
Outlaw Ocean Project Teases New Aquaculture Investigation During Congressional Hearing
The Outlaw Ocean Project testified before the Congressional‑Executive Commission on China, previewing its upcoming "Food for Feed" report that examines forced‑labor and environmental abuses across the global aquaculture supply chain. The investigation mapped roughly 1,400 fishmeal plants, traced feed shipments...
Peruvian Anchovy Small-Scale Purse Seine Fishery Shooting for MSC Certification
Peru’s small‑scale purse‑seine anchovy fishery has entered the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification process, led by Compañía Americana de Conservas and Corporación Leribe. The effort builds on a fisheries improvement project launched in 2016 by the NGO CeDePesca, which has...
Four Regional Grocers Join DoorDash Platform
DoorDash announced that four regional grocery chains—Brookshire Grocery Co., FreshDirect, Harps Foods and Market of Choice—are now available on its platform, adding more than 200 new stores to its marketplace. The partners span Texas to Oregon, expanding DoorDash’s grocery selection...
Kerry Facility Expansion Helps Meet Demand for Lactose-Free Dairy
Kerry announced a major expansion of its Carrigaline, Ireland biotechnology plant, boosting industrial‑scale production of lactase enzymes. The upgraded facility now supports processing of over 2 million tonnes of milk each year, helping dairy producers meet soaring demand for lactose‑free and...
The Unfortunate Thing That Happens To Leftovers At Raising Cane's
Raising Cane's, a fast‑casual chicken chain, is reportedly discarding 20‑60 pounds of food each day per location, according to Reddit posts from current and former employees. The waste stems from strict food‑safety standards that require chicken to be served within...
Chili’s New Margarita Comes with Dragonfruit Popping Boba
Chili’s is rolling out a limited‑time Popping Boba Margarita as part of its Margarita of the Month lineup, debuting April 30 and running through May. The $6 cocktail blends Lunazul Blanco tequila, Deep Eddy lemon vodka, watermelon syrup, house‑made sour and...
Precision Fermentation and the Shift to Designed Food Manufacturing
Precision fermentation lets food manufacturers produce proteins, enzymes and flavors using microbes, removing reliance on traditional agriculture. The technology’s primary advantage is operational control—shifting quality management upstream to design consistency rather than post‑production testing. While the market is projected to...
Puratos Makes Progress on Cultured Cocoa Product
Puratos announced it will commercialize the world’s first chocolate ingredient made with cultured cocoa, targeting U.S. professional customers by the end of 2026. The product is being co‑developed with California Cultured through Puratos’ food‑tech arm Sparkalis, leveraging early‑stage investment in...
How to Market Instore Bakery Products in GLP-1 Era
GLP‑1 appetite‑suppressing drugs are now used by about 13% of U.S. adults, prompting industry concerns about baked‑goods demand. A 2026 ABA survey of 1,500 consumers, including 400 GLP‑1 users, found these shoppers actually engage more with bakery categories, eating meal‑related...
Hormel, LSI Whole Bird Business Transaction Completed
Hormel Foods Corp. completed the sale of its whole bird business to LSI Foods for roughly $1.2 billion in cash. The deal transfers Hormel's turkey, chicken and related processing assets across the United States to LSI, creating one of the nation’s...
Swig Inks 25-Unit Deal to Bring 'Dirty Soda' To South Florida
Swig, the Utah‑based dirty soda chain, signed a franchise agreement to open 25 locations across South Florida, targeting Port St. Lucie, Palm Beach and Stuart, with the first store expected by the end of 2026. The deal is led by multi‑unit...
Breaking the ‘Boom-and-Bust Cycle’ in Domestic Recycled Plastic Markets
The U.S. PET recycling sector lost roughly 25% of its capacity as seven of the 30 major facilities closed in the past year, intensifying a volatile boom‑and‑bust cycle. Simultaneously, rising virgin resin prices from the Iran‑related oil shock and a...
Small Batch Farms Enters Online Beef Market
Small Batch Farms, a family‑owned beef producer in Eldon, Missouri, has launched an online boutique that sells premium, pasture‑raised beef, jerky and freeze‑dried liver treats directly to U.S. consumers. The new direct‑to‑consumer platform, smallbatchfarms.com, offers nationwide shipping and subscription options....
Empowering Customers to Reduce Food Waste Through Optimised Merchandising
Walmart teamed with the Consumer Goods Forum’s Food Waste Coalition to pilot a new merchandising approach for near‑expiry bakery items. The dual‑channel strategy combined a public‑facing digital education hub with dedicated in‑store “Save Some Dough” fixtures in more than 100...
Greater Omaha Packing Receives Environmental Award From Meat Institute
Greater Omaha Packing Co. received the Meat Institute’s Environmental Achievement Award for its water‑conservation and wastewater‑management initiatives. The honor was presented at the Institute’s Environment, Labor, and Safety Conference. CEO Henry Davis highlighted substantial investments in treatment infrastructure and process...
University of Idaho Opens New Meat Science Lab for Processing Education
The University of Idaho inaugurated its $17.5 million, 12,750‑square‑foot Meat Science & Innovation Center on April 10, drawing more than 300 guests. The state‑of‑the‑art facility houses a Vandal Brand Meats storefront, smokehouses, a fabrication room, a modern classroom, and a test kitchen,...
What Are Hotel Buffets Really Serving—Experience or Excess?
Hotel breakfast buffets remain a key driver of guest satisfaction, offering speed, variety and a visual cue of hospitality. However, they also generate significant food waste, contributing to roughly 8‑10% of global greenhouse‑gas emissions. Recent research shows that waste can...
This Popular North London Italian Restaurant Is Opening a Second Location
Family‑run Italian restaurant Rossella, a Muswell Hill staple since 2012, is launching a second location in Kentish Town (N10) on May 12. The new venue will replicate the original’s cosy vibe while expanding the menu with steak salads, putanesca salmon...
Walmart’s Grocery Sales Growth Slows
Walmart’s U.S. grocery segment posted $285 billion in net sales for fiscal 2026, a 3.4% year‑over‑year increase and 59% of total company revenue. Growth slowed to roughly 3% after 4% and 11% gains in the two prior years, and the retailer’s...
Food Lion Pulls Back the Curtain on Its Loyalty Program
Food Lion’s MVP loyalty program has become a cornerstone of the chain’s recent growth, helping it achieve 53 consecutive quarters of comparable‑store sales expansion. The program now serves over 1 million monthly active customers, delivering personalized discounts automatically at checkout and...
Study Finds Cold Plasma Treatment Reduces Peanut Allergenicity
Researchers at McGill University demonstrated that cold plasma treatment can slash the immunoreactivity of whole peanut protein by nearly 70 percent after a 25‑minute exposure. The process altered protein structures, making them more digestible while preserving functional properties essential for...
US Stocks: Domino's Pizza Sees Weak Annual US Sales as Diners Curb Spending, Shares Slump
Domino's Pizza cut its U.S. same‑store sales outlook for fiscal 2026 to low‑single‑digit growth, down from a prior 3% rise expectation. The chain reported first‑quarter U.S. comparable sales of just 0.9%, well below analysts’ 2.72% forecast, and earnings per share...
SN Top 10: Should Walmart Be Scared when It Comes to Grocery?
Walmart’s grocery market share slipped below the 20% mark for the first time in years, settling at 19.9% according to Numerator data. Costco continued its ascent, reaching an 8.2% share and moving into third place behind Walmart and Kroger. Kroger’s...
Keurig Dr Pepper, Nestlé USA Extend Strategic Partnership
Keurig Dr Pepper and Nestlé USA have renewed their strategic partnership, extending the manufacturing and distribution agreement for Starbucks K‑Cup pods across the United States and Canada. The deal builds on the 2020 collaboration and adds new programs aimed at...
Baby Food Brand Recalls Jars over Undeclared Allergen
HiPP Organic UK is recalling its 7‑plus‑months Vegetable Lasagne baby food (190 g jars, batch B49311, best‑before 31 January 2027) after the ingredient list failed to display celeriac in bold, breaching UK allergen‑labelling rules. The recall affects only this specific batch and product...
Magnum’s ‘Multisensorial’ Ice Cream Tops FMCG NPD Chart
Worldpanel’s Innovation Advantage report ranks Magnum’s new “Utopia” ice cream at the top of the FMCG new‑product launch list, attributing $3.8 million of category incrementality. The study evaluates launches by the incremental spend they generate, finding that nearly half of new...
Tiba Tempeh Brings Whole-Bean Snack Bites to UK Chilled Aisles
UK plant‑based brand Tiba Tempeh is debuting Protein Bites, a chilled, single‑portion snack made from whole‑bean tempeh. The bites deliver 20 g of protein per 100 g, high fibre and natural ingredients, and come in 60 g (£1.50 ≈ $1.9) and 45 g (£1.30 ≈ $1.6) packs. The...
Applebee’s Franchisees Sue Chain over Dual-Branding Exclusivity
Apple Texas Restaurants and Apple Houston Restaurants have filed a federal lawsuit accusing Dine Brands of breaching franchise exclusivity clauses by opening dual‑branded IHOP‑Applebee’s locations in Texas trade areas they control. The plaintiffs argue the new concept, which Dine touts...
Pizza Hut Is Closing Hundreds of Restaurants: See an Updated List of Doomed Locations for 2026
Yum Brands is accelerating its "Hut Forward" turnaround by closing roughly 250 underperforming Pizza Hut restaurants in the United States, with more than 50 sites already shuttered according to a Fast Company analysis. The closures are slated for completion by...