The Costco Kirkland Milk Shoppers Say Is A Cheap Fairlife Dupe
Costco has introduced Kirkland Signature Ultra‑Filtered Reduced Fat Milk, a lower‑priced alternative to premium ultra‑filtered brands like fairlife. The 1.5‑gallon pack sells for $10.59, roughly half the cost of fairlife in many markets. While the Kirkland version contains slightly more calories and less protein, it retains the creamy texture and lactose‑reduced profile that consumers seek. The product arrives in Costco’s signature square jugs, which some shoppers find inconvenient but aid in shipping efficiency.
Botched IT Upgrade Ended Liquor Sales for the Entire State of Mississippi
Mississippi’s single state‑run liquor warehouse halted operations after a contractor installed an incompatible IT system and removed conveyor belts without staffing replacements. The glitch left 171,190 orders pending, a 21.7% drop from early February, and forced restaurants and stores to...
The Quickly Growing Coffee Chain That’s Actually Better Known for Another Drink
Blank Street Coffee, a Brooklyn‑origin coffee chain, has turned its matcha offerings into a growth engine, with half of its patrons now ordering the green‑tea drink. Matcha menu items surged over 30% year‑over‑year and social chatter about the brand’s rotating...
Zamboanga City Sardine Industry Appeals for Help
The sardine industry in Zamboanga City, which provides roughly 80% of the Philippines' fishery output, is pleading for government aid as soaring fuel prices have slashed fishing trips and strained canning operations. Seventeen local canneries now burn about 5.5 million liters...
La Fermière Launches LTO Yogurt Pots Designed By Alex Alpert
French yogurt brand La Fermière introduced a limited‑time terracotta yogurt pot on April 6, designed by New York visual artist Alex Alpert. The collaboration blends Alpert’s free‑flowing, city‑inspired illustrations with La Fermière’s seven core flavors, including Vanilla Bean and Matcha Lime. The...
How Beyond Meat Sank From a $14 Billion Plant-Based Protein Powerhouse to a Penny Stock
Beyond Meat, once valued at $14 billion as a plant‑based protein leader, has seen its stock tumble to penny‑stock levels and faces a Nasdaq delisting threat. The company recently appeased regulators by filing its 2025 annual report, but sales continue to...
Denver International Airport Elevates Passenger Experience with Innovative Concourse A Food Court
Denver International Airport opened a new Concourse A food court featuring Fat Sully’s Pizza, QDOBA, Chick-fil‑A and Shake Shack. The concessions are run by Skyport Hospitality in partnership with ACDBE‑certified Concessions of a Gladman, creating more than 250 local jobs. The...
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We Asked 3 Dietitians to Pick the Healthiest Sandwich Bread—And They All Chose the Same One
Three registered dietitians agree that 100 percent whole‑wheat sprouted bread is the healthiest sandwich loaf. They cite its high fiber, protein, and micronutrient profile, as well as a low glycemic response compared with refined breads. The experts also stress minimal added...
Are Ancient Grains Really Better for You?
Ancient grains like quinoa, spelt, and einkorn have surged in popularity, but scientists say their health edge over modern grains is modest. While wholegrain consumption consistently lowers disease risk, the age of the grain matters less than processing. Research shows...
What the Hell Happened to Wendy’s?
Wendy’s announced it will close roughly 300 restaurants – about 5‑6% of its total locations – after an 11.3% drop in same‑store sales at the end of 2025. The decline follows a turbulent leadership period, including the surprise hiring of...
The Only 3 Countries That Don't Officially Sell Coca-Cola
Coca‑Cola, the iconic American soft‑drink, is officially unavailable in only three nations: Cuba, North Korea and Russia. In Cuba, a U.S. trade embargo forces the beverage into black‑market channels, while locals sip a home‑grown cola called tuKola. North Korea’s repressive...
Produce Season’s Prodigal Return
Tender rejection rates in Fresno’s refrigerated market have surged from under 4% in early March to above 14% within a month, the highest since June 2023. USDA spot rates for produce shipments from central California to Chicago have climbed roughly...
Would Danone Sell Its Lifeway Stake?
Danone, which owns about 23% of kefir maker Lifeway Foods, has made two failed acquisition bids totaling $283 million and $307 million in 2024. After a lawsuit and a series of negotiations, the companies signed a cooperation agreement in October 2025 that...
Independent Supermarkets Struggle to Keep Prices Down as Iran War Hurts
The Iran‑Israel conflict has driven up global fuel and fertilizer prices, raising supply costs for Australian farmers and grocery distributors. Independent chains such as Drakes Supermarkets are absorbing extra supplier charges, while smaller retailers face new minimum delivery fees that...
How Much Pizza The Average American Eats Every Month
Pizza remains a daily staple for most Americans, with industry analysts estimating roughly three billion pies are sold in U.S. restaurants each year. A Pizza Hut survey translates that volume into an average of three pizza meals per person per month,...
The ‘Snackflation’ Breaking Point: Why Your $7 Bag of Chips Is About to Get Cheaper
PepsiCo’s Frito‑Lay division is reversing five years of aggressive price hikes by slashing snack prices 15 percent across its core brands, including Lay’s, Doritos and Cheetos. The move drops an 8.5‑ounce bag of Doritos from $6.29 to $5.49 and an...
Infant Formula Recall: Is There a Future for Cereulide‑contaminated ARA Oil?
In early 2026 Nestlé and other major infant‑formula makers recalled hundreds of batches after third‑party ARA oil was found contaminated with cereulide, a toxin that triggers nausea and vomiting. The European Union only in late January established a safety threshold...
Want Cafe-Quality Lattes at Home without Buying an Expensive New Coffee Machine? Jura's New Gadget Upgrades Your Drinks with Perfectly...
Jura has launched a standalone milk‑frothing gadget that promises café‑quality lattes without the expense of a full espresso machine. Priced around $199, the device works with any Jura coffee maker and creates silky micro‑foam in about 15 seconds. It features...
I Thought I Understood China. Then I Ordered a Craft Beer
China's craft‑beer scene has exploded from a single brewery in 2008 to over 2,000 outlets by 2020, spreading beyond first‑tier metropolises into second‑tier cities like Foshan. The surge is driven by a growing middle class willing to pay five times...
Google Introduces AI-Powered Restaurant Booking as Search Evolves Into Action
Google has launched an AI‑driven restaurant reservation feature in the UK, embedding end‑to‑end booking capabilities into its AI Mode search interface. Users can ask the AI to locate suitable venues, check availability and confirm a table without leaving the search...
Shake Shack Unveils Restaurant Technology Initiative Focused on AI, Loyalty and Unified Commerce
Shake Shack announced Project Catalyst, a comprehensive technology initiative aimed at modernizing its digital, data and operational infrastructure as it pursues growth to 1,500 company‑owned restaurants. The program partners with cloud‑native platform Qu to upgrade POS and kitchen display systems,...
Lindsay Rolls Out Latin-Inspired Jarred Olives At Albertsons
Lindsay, the flagship brand of Bell‑Carter Foods, launched a trio of Latin‑inspired jarred olives—Sofrito, Pimiento Picantito, and Escabeche—in mid‑March. The olives, priced at $2.99, debuted at select Albertsons stores and are positioned for snacking, cooking, and entertaining. Bell‑Carter, a century‑old...
DoorDash Shuts Down Zesty and Brings Restaurant AI Discovery Into Core App
DoorDash is retiring its AI‑driven restaurant discovery app Zesty, moving its personalized recommendation and conversational search tools into the main DoorDash app. Launched in December 2025 in New York and the Bay Area, Zesty will go offline on April 17...
The US State With The Most Chick-Fil-A Locations Isn't Georgia Or California
Chick-fil-A’s footprint is most concentrated in Texas, which now hosts 518 restaurants—almost twice the number in the next‑closest state, Florida, which has 279 locations. The chain announced a $50 million investment to build a new distribution center in Lubbock, expanding its...
Wendy’s Brings Back Popular Burger
Wendy’s announced the comeback of its Pretzel Bacon Pub Burger, a fan‑fav item that left the menu in 2022. The burger won a social‑media “Bring it Back” bracket, promising a quarter‑pound beef patty with bacon, pretzel bun and beer‑cheese sauce....
Federal Inaction on Food Additives Pushes States to Act
California’s Food Safety Act, set to take effect on Jan. 1 2027, bans four controversial additives—BVO, potassium bromate, propylparaben and Red Dye 3—mirroring EU restrictions. After the state move, the FDA reversed its stance, revoking BVO in August 2024 and formally banning Red Dye 3...
What Brand Is Behind Walmart's Great Value Peanut Butter?
Walmart’s Great Value peanut butter was originally produced by ConAgra, which was identified as the supplier during a 2007 recall. After ConAgra sold its private‑label business and later divested the Peter Pan brand to Post Holdings, the manufacturing footprint shifted....
Taste the Movie in 4DX with New Super Mario-Themed Popcorn Upgrade at Cineworld
Cineworld is rolling out a limited‑edition Super Mario‑themed Galactic popcorn topper, priced at £1.99 (about $2.53), to complement its 4DX immersive cinema format. The topping—featuring Candy King rainbow mix, giant snowies and Fizz Wiz strawberry popping candy—adds a taste dimension to the motion‑seated,...
Virginia Distillery Company Launches Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish in the UK
Virginia Distillery Co., the family‑owned American single‑malt producer, has launched its Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish in the United Kingdom. The whisky, priced at £50.95 (about $65), is a 100% malted‑barley expression bottled at 46.5% ABV and finished in virgin...
English Rum Vapoura Achieves B Corp Certification
Vapoura, a super‑premium English rum brand, secured B Corp certification with a score of 91, well above the 80‑point threshold. The achievement places the company among only 68 UK‑based alcohol brands with the certification. Since its 2024 launch, Vapoura has...
Restaurants Say Trump's Move to Kill the Penny Will Cost Them $168M. Here's Why Consumers May Soon Feel the Pinch
President Donald Trump’s decision to cease penny production has forced retailers, especially restaurants, to confront a cash‑change dilemma. The National Restaurant Association estimates that rounding transactions could cost the industry up to $168 million annually, roughly 3‑5% of cash‑based sales. With...
Whiskey Judges Describe the World’s Best Bourbon as ‘Vanilla Cookie’—And It Only Costs $40
New Riff Distilling’s Bottled‑in‑Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon was crowned World’s Best Bourbon at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards, beating higher‑priced competitors. The award‑winning spirit retails for about $40 and is available nationwide. Judges praised its complex nose of lemon zest...
The Brand Tightrope of the Summer: How to Make a Patriotic Sales Pitch for America250 that Won’t Make Anyone Mad
Coca‑Cola has launched a year‑long "Drink in America" video campaign to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary, echoing the iconic 1971 “Hilltop” ad. The spot showcases a modern, diverse tableau of American life while the nation grapples with deep partisan...
Costco Recalls Cookies over Missing Nut Allergy Warning
Costco has issued a recall of its Traditional Madeleines after discovering a labeling error that omitted a tree‑nut warning. The affected packages, sold between March 30 and April 6, actually contain chocolate hazelnut‑filled cookies, which are not disclosed on the label as...
What Does McDonald's Do With All Its Leftover Food?
McDonald’s has built a multilayered food‑donation system that routes unsold menu items and excess ingredients to local charities. In 2020, the chain redirected more than 9 million pounds of food to U.S. food banks, and a regional franchise group in Ohio...
New England Restaurant & Bar Show 2026: Set To Deliver AI Insights, Big-League Inspiration and Real-Time Solutions for Operators
The New England Restaurant & Bar Show returns April 26‑27 in Boston, gathering over 300 exhibitors to showcase the latest foodservice products, AI‑driven software, and beverage innovations. Organizers highlight that restaurant costs have risen roughly 35% since the pandemic, prompting...
Aubrey’s Corner Arrives in NJ as Designer Emma Montgomery Brings Vision of “New American Ease” To Life
Emma Montgomery, founder of Emma Montgomery Design, led the interior transformation of Aubrey’s Corner, a new neighborhood restaurant in Summit, New Jersey. The design emphasizes flexible, bar‑forward spaces, warm oak and brass finishes, and curved banquettes that shift from bright...
Manitoba Food Tax Cut Could Be Broadened, Budget Passes Key Vote in Legislature
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced that, starting July 1, the province will broaden its food‑tax exemption to include all items sold in grocery stores, such as snacks, ready‑made meals and soft drinks. The move does not extend the break to convenience...
Lactalis Canada Opens $16.4M Milk Receiving Bay at Ontario Facility
Lactalis Canada opened a new 180,000‑square‑foot milk receiving bay at its Winchester, Ontario cheese plant, investing $16.4 million. The facility increases milk intake capacity by 25 %, adding four truck bays and three independent receiving lines. The bay is part of a...
WTCE Reveals Steps to Sustainability Lineup
World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) has unveiled the exhibitor lineup for its "Steps to Sustainability" feature, spotlighting more than 20 suppliers delivering circular‑material products, waste‑reduction technologies, and lightweight inflight equipment. The curated trail, developed with sustainability ambassador...
Where First Watch Sources Its Coffee
First Watch sources its coffee beans from the Huila region of Colombia through Project Sunrise, a partnership with the Mujeres en Café collective of female farmers. The beans are hand‑picked, washed, fermented for 18‑24 hours, and meticulously sorted before being...
Six Forces Redefining Canadian Grocery
Canadian shoppers are increasingly favoring domestic products as tariffs reshape buying habits, while a surge in deal‑seeking behavior is expanding discount retail channels. Health‑focused consumers are pivoting to low‑cost proteins and fibre‑rich foods, prompting manufacturers to reformulate and retailers to...
Building Customer Loyalty in Hyper-Competitive Markets: A Hospitality Investor’s Perspective
In ultra‑saturated hospitality markets, where thousands of venues vie for the same diners, loyalty has become the decisive advantage. An investor‑backed Dubai restaurant built a devoted clientele by embedding daily guest feedback into every decision, rather than relying on periodic...
This Week in Grocery News: Empire’s ‘Strategic’ Deal, Discount versus Conventional
Empire Company announced the acquisition of Quebec discount retailer Mayrand, giving it a strategic foothold in the province’s discount and warehouse grocery market. FreshCo, Empire’s discount chain, is launching three new stores in the Halifax area, marking its first entry...
Grön Debuts PIXLZ Gummy Clusters
Grön has launched PIXLZ, a line of cannabis‑infused gummy clusters that combine THC, minor cannabinoids and curated terpene blends into three distinct "modes" aimed at energy, focus or relaxation. The three flavors—Blue Razzeberry, Tropical Rush and Berry Blast—deliver specific cannabinoid...
Fibre over Protein? Danone on Changing Consumer Demands in Functional Foods
Functional food consumers are moving beyond protein to prioritize fibre, driven by social‑media trends and a desire for gut‑health benefits. Danone reports that nearly seven‑in‑ten shoppers are actively increasing fibre intake, with more than 20% checking labels for fibre content....
ButACake, Azuca Launch RTD Cherry Hibiscus Elixir in New Jersey
Azuca and ButACake have introduced the Cherry Hibiscus Elixir, a ready‑to‑drink cannabis beverage, in New Jersey. The 7.5‑oz can contains 5 mg THC and delivers effects within five to fifteen minutes thanks to Azuca’s TiME INFUSION and ACTiVATOR technology. The launch...
Beans & Brews Coffee House Opens Seven New Locations in Early 2026
Beans & Brews Coffee House opened seven new stores in the first 100 days of 2026, marking its most successful development period ever. Six of those locations launched in Q1 across Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Texas, with five opening in...
Hungry Boar Expands Range with Introduction of Two New Five-Pack Multipacks Into Tesco’s Chilled Aisle
Hungry Boar, the high‑protein meat snack brand, is adding two new five‑pack multipacks to Tesco’s chilled aisle starting 13 April 2026. The multipacks, available in Flamin’ Piri Piri and Original Pork, contain five 30‑gram sticks and are priced at £4 (about $5)....
Chopstix Announces Latest Store Opening at Preston Fishergate, Lancashire
Chopstix, the fast‑growing Asian quick‑service restaurant, announced the opening of its first store in Preston, Lancashire. The Fishergate location seats 50 guests, features order‑kiosks and a delivery focus, and will create 20 local jobs. The launch follows a rapid rollout...