Major Carl’s Jr Franchisee in California Files for Bankruptcy
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 volume in 2025 was $1.4 million, trailing McDonald’s and close to Burger King. The case reflects broader stress in the quick‑service restaurant sector as consumer discretionary spending softens.
Skip Partners with Loblaw for Grocery Delivery
Skip, the Canadian delivery platform, announced a partnership with Loblaw Companies Limited, integrating 13 of Loblaw's banners—including No Frills, Loblaws, and Real Canadian Superstore—into its grocery delivery network. The collaboration enables coast‑to‑coast, on‑demand grocery fulfillment for a broad range of products,...
Shake to Elevate Launches ‘Guilt Free’ Seasoning Line
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...
Good Girl Snacks Gaining Momentum
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...
Webinar Will Highlight Startups Innovating in Fast-Changing Environments
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 Raises $7.2 Million
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,...
Co-Founders Launch the ‘Next Iteration’ of Toto Foods
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...
Is ‘Lab-Grown’ Meat Actually Safe?
In 2023 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the first lab‑grown chicken for sale after it passed safety assessments. Cultivated meat is produced by culturing animal cells in bioreactors, yielding a product nutritionally close to conventional meat but with...
Khloud Debuts Protein Chips
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...
Dirty Gut Launches Probiotic Chocolate Bites
Dirty Gut has introduced Probiotic Chocolate Bites, a new line featuring three flavors—Rich Dark, Sea Salt Crunch and Classic Milk—each 10‑gram bite delivering 2 g of fiber and 1 billion live probiotics. The product sells for $42.99 per six‑bag pack and is...
Hershey’s CEO Stays ‘Hungry’ for Growth as Snack Giant Outpaces Rivals
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 Drops Its 1st Single ‘Finger Lickin' Machine'
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...
Fortenova Accepts Takeover Bid for Croatia Meat Group Pik Vrbovec
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...
The Silent Restaurant Guest and the Revenue You’ll Never See
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...
CRISPR-Edited Wheat Leads to Reduced Acrylamide Without Yield Loss
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’s Jade Hoai on Translating the Iconic US Brand Into London Bricks and Mortar
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...
Unilever-McCormick Deal Puts Supply Chain Execution at the Center
Unilever plans to merge its food division with McCormick, creating a global platform that combines Knorr, Hellmann’s and McCormick’s spice and condiment brands. The deal targets roughly $600 million in annual cost savings through tighter procurement, manufacturing and transportation execution. By...
Del Taco Leans Into 90s Nostalgia with Return of Big Fat Tacos, Del Flipz
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...
Why Japanese Gin Is Thriving Amid the Global Spirits Slump
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 Hires Former Defra Stalwart to Front Its Net-Zero Strategy
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...
Why Has Chick-Fil-A's Sales Growth Slowed?
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...
Gas Prices Do Impact Restaurants, Particularly Full-Service
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's Latest Investor Knows How to Grow Restaurant Chains
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 Takes a New Step with Its Marketing: An Entire Music Track
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 Makes $29 Billion Deal to Acquire Restaurant Depot
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 Pigs Fed New Menu As Beijing Weans Farmers Off US Soy
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...
FSIS Retracts Public Health Alert Tied to Dino Nuggets
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 Plant-Based Butters, Cream Cheeses, Will Return to Shelves in May, Says New Owner
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...
Tate’s Launches Key Lime, Brings Back Blueberry Cookies
Tate’s Bake Shop rolled out two limited‑time cookies for spring: Key Lime Pie, a citrus‑forward treat with white‑chocolate chips, and Blueberry Crisp, a revived flavor featuring freeze‑dried blueberry pieces. Both products are being shipped to national retailers such as Whole...
PÜR Gum Founder Jay Klein on Growth and Dragons’ Den
Jay Klein’s PÜR Gum has evolved from a Toronto startup in 2010 to a global better‑for‑you confectionery brand, now available in over 50 countries and 50,000 retail locations. The sugar‑free gum, which uses xylitol and avoids artificial additives, drives annual...
How ‘GLP-1 Friendly’ Claims Are Regulated in the UK and EU
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...
LatAm Cuisine Firm El Latino Signs Private-Equity Deal
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...
Olive-Distilled Vodka Debuts with Martinis in Mind
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...
Laggan Bay Opens as Islay’s 11th Distillery
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...
Legal and Industrial Experts Highlight F&B Hazard Hotspots
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 Expands Private-Label Brand with Regenerative Organic Certified Pasture-Raised Eggs
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 Unveils Second Gran Reserva Rum
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...
Market Feels Volatile, but Food Price Index Trending Lower
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 Aims for Whisky Definition
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...
Vagabond Wines Brings Largest Flagship Venue to Soho
Vagabond Wines, part of the Majestic Wine Group, will launch its largest flagship—a 6,300 sq ft self‑pour wine bar—at 14‑16 Ganton Street in Soho this summer. The venue will feature more than 120 wines by the glass, many sourced from vineyards within...
Egg Market Gives Cal-Maine ‘Real-Time Test’
Cal‑Maine Foods, the United States’ largest egg producer, is facing a real‑time market test as egg prices spike and supply chains tighten. The company reported a 15% price increase in its core egg portfolio, driven by rising feed costs and...
One of London’s Best Pizzas Is Coming to a Bar in Hackney Wick
Dough Hands, famed for some of London’s best pizza, is expanding its pop‑up residency from the South London pub scene to All My Friends bar in Hackney Wick, launching on May 7. The new venue will serve the signature 20‑inch pies...
Popcorn Shed Expands Range with Gluten-Free Snack Packs in Five Dessert-Inspired Flavours
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...
Hood River Distillers Buys Crater Lake Spirits
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...
Resilient but Restless: Fast Casuals Outpace Industry as 2026 Competition Heats Up
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...
How the Whole-Grain Trend Went Wrong
The whole‑grain movement, propelled by 1990s nutrition advice and reinforced by the Dietary Guidelines, turned wheat, oats and rice into a health‑selling label. Yet definitions of a "whole‑grain food" differ among the FDA, the Whole Grain Council and government guidelines,...
Sun Pacific Unlocks New Insights Through NIQ Collaboration
NielsenIQ and Sun Pacific have signed a new agreement to apply retail measurement and analytics to Sun Pacific’s fresh‑produce portfolio. The partnership will deliver deep, data‑driven insights into shopper behavior, seasonal patterns, and competitive performance across categories such as Cuties...
Drinks Firms Pull Wireless Festival Sponsorship over Kanye West Booking
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...
Lofted Spirits President Steps Down
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 Backs Plant-Based Dairy Producer The Bridge to Accelerate European Growth
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,...