McDonald’s Can’t Meet Its 2030 Emissions Targets
McDonald’s disclosed that it missed a key emissions goal last year and now expects its 2030 climate targets to fall short, citing factors beyond its control. The fast‑food giant will invest $1 billion over the next decade to bolster supply‑chain resilience, emphasizing renewable energy, regenerative agriculture and landscape solutions. It did achieve 95.8% of its packaging goal for renewable, recycled or certified materials by the 2025 deadline. Despite setbacks, McDonald’s reaffirms a net‑zero emissions ambition for 2050.
Planta Exits Canada, but Remaining U.S. Units Show Signs of Turnaround
Planta announced the closure of its final two Canadian restaurants on May 19, marking a complete exit from the Canadian market. The plant‑based casual‑dining chain had filed for U.S. bankruptcy in May 2025 and was rescued by Anchorage Capital Group, which swapped...
English Wine Has Moved up a Notch – Here’s Why
English wine is gaining momentum as counties forge distinct regional identities. Kent’s Wine Garden of England collective, launched in 2018, unites nine vineyards for joint tours and events. In 2022 Sussex earned the UK’s first wine‑specific PDO, raising quality standards...
Trends to Watch According to the National Restaurant Association Show
Nation’s Restaurant News editors Sam Oches and Alicia Kelso recapped the National Restaurant Association Show, the largest food‑service expo in the Western Hemisphere, which attracted over 55,000 professionals and 2,300 exhibitors. They highlighted a wave of innovations ranging from “dirty” soda...
Award-Winning Chef's BBQ Chain Closes All Locations
Celebrity chef Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ chain has shut all six of its locations—including Atlanta, Nashville, and Charleston—effective May 3, 2026. The closures are linked to financial distress at his partner, Pihakis Restaurant Group (PRG), which faces roughly $13.7 million in lawsuits...
Disruptive New Fees Will Force Strategic Decisions on Much More than Packaging
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws in seven U.S. states, and pending legislation in others, are imposing new packaging fees on grocery retailers. The fees, which shift waste‑management costs to grocers, are projected to eat 1%‑2% of net sales, ranging from...
How the Food and Beverage Industry Is Rethinking Manufacturing Investments
Food and beverage manufacturers are tightening capital spending after a 26 % year‑over‑year drop that left only 48 projects announced in May 2025, the lowest level in a decade. Early 2026, however, saw a rebound as companies respond to surging demand for...
5 CPG Brands Fueling the Regenerative Agriculture Surge
Consumer appetite for environmentally friendly food is accelerating the regenerative agriculture sector, which reached $11.3 billion in 2025 and is forecast to hit $31 billion by 2034 at an 11.5% CAGR. Whole Foods Market emphasizes soil health, biodiversity and carbon capture as...
Michelin Scraps ‘Green Star’ for Sustainable Restaurants
Michelin announced on May 18 that it will retire the Green Star award, which since 2020 recognized restaurants for superior sustainable practices. The accolade allowed venues to display a clover logo and plaque, turning eco‑credentials into a marketing asset. In its...
New Conagra Innovations Found at 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo
Conagra Brands showcased a wave of new snack innovations at the 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo, reinforcing its $3.3 billion snacks portfolio. Highlights included Aaron Judge‑branded DAVID Seeds, BiGS Triple Blast sunflower seeds, and Slim Jim’s Cheese Mode and Honey BBQ...
AllO Secures $14M to Advance AI Restaurant Operating System
allO, a Munich‑based restaurant tech startup, closed a $14 million Series A round led by Zigg Capital to scale its AI‑driven operating system. The platform now integrates point‑of‑sale, payments, reservations and inventory for more than 1,000 active locations, marking a six‑fold increase...
RTD Sales Pass £700m in UK Off-Trade
Ready‑to‑drink (RTD) beverages surged in the UK off‑trade, posting 12% volume growth and a 17% rise in value to £704 million (≈$948 million) last year. The expansion was driven by cost‑of‑living pressure and a 44% shift of drinkers from traditional spirits. Meanwhile,...
China’s Cocktail Moment with Lucas Bols
Lucas Bols, the 1575‑founded Dutch cocktail maker, is scaling its presence in China’s on‑trade by partnering with venues such as JW Marriott rather than paying listing fees. The partnership delivers co‑created cocktail menus, structured bartender training, and seasonal activations, targeting...
Phytolon Raises $23.6M to Launch Yeast-Derived Beetroot Red Dye for Food
Israeli food‑tech startup Phytolon raised $23.6 million in a Series B round to launch a yeast‑derived beetroot red food colour approved by the U.S. FDA. The funding, led by an undisclosed strategic investor and backed by existing backers, will finance sales, supply...
Ron Viejo De Caldas Celebrates Best of Colombian Rum
Ron Viejo de Caldas, produced by the state‑owned Industria Licorera de Caldas (ILC), is redefining Colombian rum with high‑altitude aging, native white‑oak barrels and pristine mountain water. The brand commands about 82% of the domestic rum market and has earned...
Aussie Brewery Mountain Culture Gears up to Asia Expansion
Australian craft brewery Mountain Culture Beer Co will debut its Juice Trip hazy fruit‑enhanced line in China, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia this July. The launch targets on‑premise and off‑premise channels, from supermarkets to bars and online platforms. Internal...
Ways Brewers Can Improve Taproom Margins
A new report from the Brewer platform outlines how independent breweries can lift taproom profit margins by focusing on their best‑selling, high‑margin beers. It emphasizes that draught pours, seasonal repeatable offerings, and take‑home formats such as growlers generate the highest...
A Rising Tide Lifts All Proteins
The article traces protein’s evolution from 19th‑century fortification efforts to today’s booming functional‑food market. It highlights historic milestones such as the 1943 U.S. protein recommendation and the recent Dietary Guidelines urging protein at every meal. Market research forecasts the plant‑protein...
Toronto’s Big League Food Company Launches Shopify-Powered Wholesale Ordering Platform
Toronto‑based Big League Food Company (BLFC) has unveiled a Shopify‑powered digital wholesale portal that gives independent retailers a consumer‑grade ordering experience. The platform provides real‑time inventory across more than 700 Canadian products and offers free next‑day delivery on orders over...
T. Hasegawa Introduces Powdered Dairy-Free Flavor Technology for Plant-Based Formulations
T. Hasegawa USA has launched Hasemilk, a powdered flavor technology that replicates the taste and mouthfeel of dairy milk for plant‑based food and beverage formulations. The dry, flexible format comes in fresh whole‑milk, whole‑milk‑powder and skim‑milk‑powder variants and meets FDA...
Kraft Natural Cheese Debuts Lactose-Free Line
Kraft Natural Cheese introduced a new Lactose‑Free line featuring Mild Cheddar shredded, Mozzarella shredded, and Mozzarella string cheese. Each product contains 0 g lactose thanks to added lactase enzyme, preserving real‑dairy flavor. The shredded cheeses are packaged in resealable pouches, while...
Sodium-Rich Foods Are Also Important Sources of Key Nutrients, Complicating Reformulation Efforts
A University of Toronto study published in Nutrition Today finds that the foods contributing most sodium to the U.S. diet are also major sources of nutrients Americans under‑consume, such as potassium, calcium and vitamin D. Analyzing 2017‑18 NHANES data, the researchers...
Abcoffee Raises Rs 61 Cr in Pre-Series B Round Led by Kliff Ventures
abcoffee, a grab‑and‑go coffee chain founded in 2022, secured Rs 61 crore ($6.4 million) in a pre‑Series B round led by Kliff Ventures, with participation from Hero Enterprise Partner Ventures, Merisis Venture Fund and Stride Ventures. The funding will fuel expansion into new markets,...
EU Opens Public Consultation on Biotech Act II, Targeting Industrial Fermentation and Biomanufacturing
The European Commission opened a public consultation on a proposed Biotech Act II, extending the EU’s biotech framework to cover industrial fermentation, cultivated biomass, and precision‑fermentation products. Stakeholders from alternative‑protein and industrial‑biotech firms submitted feedback urging clearer labeling, safety assessments, and...
Daring Foods Enters Australian Retail With Woolworths Listing
US plant‑based chicken maker Daring Foods has entered the Australian market, securing shelf space for its Original and Cajun Plant Chicken Pieces at Woolworths, the country’s largest supermarket chain with over 1,000 stores. The move follows v2food’s acquisition of Daring...
Streets’ Bubble O’Bill and Banana Paddle Pop Pair with Macro Mike
Macro Mike has teamed up with Australian confectionery brand Streets to release a limited‑edition line of plant‑based protein powders modeled after the Bubble O’Bill and Banana Paddle Pop ice‑cream flavors. The powders, formulated with almond and faba bean protein, provide...
Ferrero Builds Growth Beyond Confectionery Through Brand Innovation
Ferrero is expanding beyond confectionery by leveraging iconic brands into frozen desserts, spreads, biscuits and better‑for‑you snacks, creating new consumption occasions and higher basket values. The move is supported by manufacturing upgrades at its Lithgow plant, including a world‑first vertical...
Komerz Wins UK Omnichannel Distribution Mandate for AQUA Carpatica
Kommerz has secured a full omnichannel distribution mandate for Romania’s premium mineral water brand AQUA Carpatica across the UK’s wholesale, grocery and digital channels. The partnership follows a 16‑month Amazon UK run that lifted sales from roughly £250,000 ($320,000) to...
Even at Home, American Shoppers Are Flocking to Japanese Supermarkets
Japanese supermarkets are rapidly expanding across the United States, especially in California, where chains like Tokyo Central, Osaka Marketplace, and Mitsuwa now operate 15, 13, and 13 stores respectively. The growth is fueled by millennial and Gen Z shoppers seeking immersive,...
The Coffee Club Launches Biggest Loyalty Overhaul in 35 Years
The Coffee Club has rolled out its most significant loyalty overhaul in 35 years, launching a $3 membership trial in South Australia that offers instant pricing discounts on food and drinks. The program replaces the existing Club App and VIP...
Bloomberg Reports PepsiCo Preparing New Snack Price Increases for Late June
Bloomberg reports that PepsiCo will raise prices on its single‑serve chip bags by 10‑20 cents, with the changes slated for late June. The increase follows a recent decision to cut prices on larger family‑size bags by up to 15 percent....
Franchising Has Quietly Made Countless Americans Rich
Greg Flynn, a Stanford MBA graduate, built a franchise empire after the dot‑com boom, buying eight Applebee’s and eventually operating more than 3,000 outlets across seven brands in three countries. His portfolio now exceeds $1 billion in value, making him the...
The Little Brewery Seal Many Beer Drinkers Miss, And Why It Matters
The Brewers Association launched the Independent Craft Brewer Seal in 2017 to help drinkers spot truly independent breweries. To qualify, a brewery must produce no more than six million barrels a year and be owned less than 25 percent by non‑craft...
Alcohol Charities Warn 99p Buzzballz Shot ‘Designed to Appeal to Children’
Alcohol charities have condemned the new 99p (≈$1.26) BuzzBallz ready‑to‑drink shot, saying its low price, sweet flavours and TikTok‑style branding are crafted to lure under‑age drinkers. The product is being sold from a 99 Liquor Whip ice‑cream van on university campuses and...
Crémant Gains Popularity in UK as Tesco Reports 73% Sales Increase
Tesco announced a 73% jump in Crémant sales, the French sparkling wine, during the latest quarter. The surge outpaced overall UK retail sales, which fell 1.3% in April, highlighting a niche growth area. Analysts attribute the rise to younger consumers...
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Malaysia's McDonald's Plans MYR1bn Investment and 100 New Restaurants by 2030
McDonald's Malaysia unveiled a MYR1 billion ($252 million) five‑year investment plan that will fund 100 new restaurant openings and a major upgrade of existing sites. RM600 million ($151 million) is earmarked for new locations, while RM400 million ($101 million) will modernise outlets and expand digital capabilities...
Why Coffee Is Make-or-Break for Alt Dairy
Plant‑based milks have turned coffee shops into a proving ground, letting consumers sample alternatives without buying a full carton. Brands like Oatly, Alpro and Rude Health are prioritising barista‑grade functionality—foam stability, texture and flavor neutrality—to win over professionals. Sustainability remains...
Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $170 Million Two-Phase Expansion for Barilla’s Livingston County Manufacturing Facility
Governor Kathy Hochul announced a two‑phase, nearly $170 million expansion of Barilla’s pasta plant in the Town of Avon, Livingston County. Phase One will cost $145 million and add a 52,000‑square‑foot building with a new production line and three packaging lines, plus a...
Is the Era of Skimpflation Over?
Skimpflation describes manufacturers swapping premium ingredients for cheaper substitutes while keeping shelf prices steady, a practice that has flown under the consumer radar compared with the more visible shrinkflation. The tactic has long been justified by inflationary pressure and cost‑sensitive...
Wakefern Expands Domestic Kosher Beef Program at ShopRite Stores
Wakefern Food Corp. is rolling out a direct‑sourcing program that expands fresh domestic kosher beef at select ShopRite stores. The new offering includes a broader range of OU‑Glatt certified cuts—bone‑in, boneless, steaks, roasts and offals—sourced from family‑owned U.S. cattle ranches...
Pricing Strategies Keep Cava Growing Amid Slowing Restaurant Sales
Cava reported a 9.7% same‑store sales increase and 32.2% revenue growth in Q1 2026, adding 72 net new stores to reach 459 locations. The chain kept core menu prices flat despite a 1.4% cost rise, boosting accessibility for price‑sensitive diners....
Swissveg Price Comparison 2026: Plant-Based Milk Achieves Price Parity in Swiss Retail
Swissveg’s 2026 price comparison shows plant‑based milk in Swiss supermarkets has almost reached price parity with conventional dairy, while yoghurt and cheese alternatives remain noticeably costlier. Vegan milk now represents roughly one‑fifth of total milk sales at major retailers, reflecting...
US Meat Prices Signal Strain in Beef, Stability Elsewhere
The Market Intel report shows beef retail prices surged to a record $9.64 per pound, a 13% year‑over‑year rise driven by the lowest cattle inventory in 75 years and higher live‑weight weights. Pork prices rose modestly, yet production now outpaces...
Inline Plastics Makes Grab-and-Go Easier with 6-Ounce Round Inserts
Inline Plastics unveiled the CC6R, a 6‑ounce round insert that slots into existing 12‑ounce and 16‑ounce cups. The design lets food operators keep components separate until the point of sale, preserving freshness, texture, and visual appeal. By adding a mid‑size...
French Senate Inquiry Hits Out at Large Retailers
The French Senate’s latest inquiry accuses the nation’s four dominant grocery chains—Leclerc, Carrefour, Intermarché and Coopérative U—of predatory practices that skew value away from farmers and manufacturers. An analysis of six months of profit margins shows retailers capture roughly 40% of...
Guest Article: Building the Next Generation of the Global Meat Trade as a Sovereign Mandate
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), outlines a plan to build a digitized global meat ecosystem that can serve as the foundation for a broader protein trade network. The article highlights shifting geopolitics that are...
Vitamin Shoppe COO on Omnichannel and AI Opportunities
The Vitamin Shoppe’s COO, Andrew Laudato, outlined an omnichannel strategy that treats its 650 U.S. stores as distribution hubs, enabling buy‑online‑ship‑from‑store (BOSS) fulfillment and same‑day delivery. The retailer pairs this network with AI tools, from Microsoft Copilot for staff productivity...
Swedish Biotech and AI Firm Join Forces to Drive Down Precision Fermentation Costs
Swedish biotech firm Curve and software specialist Digital Tvilling have partnered to create an integrated biomanufacturing platform that combines AI, graph‑based modelling and digital‑twin technology. The system captures data from every precision‑fermentation run, feeding it into a shared learning model...
Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Red Robin
Taco Bell is rolling out a cold‑brew coffee line, featuring flavored foams, at roughly 30 Live Mas Cafe locations in Southern California, Houston, Dallas and Las Vegas, as part of a push to hit $5 billion in beverage sales by 2030. Pizza Hut is...
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to Drop Plant-Based Milk Surcharge
The Los Angeles‑based Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf announced it will eliminate the extra charge for plant‑based milks starting June 3. The decision follows a high‑visibility PETA campaign that mobilized more than 20,000 supporters and secured a direct meeting with company...