James Beard Foundation Announces Restaurant and Chef Awards Nominees
The James Beard Foundation unveiled its 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards nominees, spotlighting a diverse slate that includes nine nominations for Los Angeles, four national nods for Philadelphia, and notable entries from Boise, St. Louis, and Mystic. Categories range from Outstanding Hospitality and Best New Bar to Emerging Chef and Humanitarian of the Year, with the Impact Awards honoring organizations serving hundreds of thousands of immigrants and food‑insecure families. The foundation has revamped its judging process, requiring video or essay submissions to emphasize equity, sustainability, and workplace culture. Winners will be announced on June 15 at Chicago’s Lyric Opera.
McCormick Merges with Unilever's Food Business
McCormick and Unilever have agreed to merge Unilever's food division, creating a combined entity valued at roughly $66 billion. The transaction, slated to close in mid‑2027, gives Unilever shareholders a 55% stake and McCormick shareholders 35%, with Unilever also receiving $15.7 billion...
Newfoundland Crab Harvester Union Back in on Snow Crab Price Talks as Fishing Season Start Date Nears
The Fish, Food, and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) has resumed negotiations with the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) over the minimum snow‑crab price for the upcoming Newfoundland and Labrador season after a delay caused by waiting for the 2026 total...
Canned Seaweed Drink OoMee Expands Retail Footprint to over 700 Stores Worldwide
OoMee, the canned red seaweed beverage founded by cancer survivor Alissa Miky, has expanded its retail presence to more than 700 stores worldwide. The brand leverages a proprietary ingredient called Seabiotics, offering a 20‑calorie, sugar‑free drink that claims to curb...
Mike’s Hard Lemonade Launches Mike’s Dirty Lemonade, New Platform
Mike’s Hard Lemonade unveiled a new “Made with Real Character” platform aimed at Gen Z consumers seeking authenticity. The centerpiece is Mike’s Dirty Lemonade, a 4.5% ABV non‑carbonated hard lemonade available in four distinct flavors. The brand will roll out the...
Marugame Udon to Open at Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga on April 2
Marugame Udon is set to open its 22nd U.S. restaurant at Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga on April 2, operating daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The new location features an open‑kitchen concept where diners can watch udon and tempura preparation, and...
Firehouse Subs Launches Franchise Incentive Programs Offering Up to $150,000 Per Restaurant
Firehouse Subs announced a suite of Development Incentive Programs that run through 2028, offering franchisees up to $150,000 per new restaurant. The plans include a “10 in 2 Incentive” with $100,000 per unit and a $500,000 bonus after ten openings,...
Cousins Maine Lobster to Launch Second Food Truck in Minneapolis
Cousins Maine Lobster is adding a second food truck to Minneapolis, slated for an April 10 debut. The move caps a successful first year in the Twin Cities and aims to satisfy rising local demand. The new truck will serve the...
School Is in Session for Produce Department Staffers
Retailers aiming to become produce destinations must invest in staff education to navigate climate‑driven quality swings, rising input costs, and fragile cold‑chain logistics. Shipra Pareek of NSF warns that extreme weather, longer transit times, and labor shortages amplify spoilage and...
Omani Aquaculture Output Rose Nearly 70 Percent in 2025
Oman’s aquaculture sector posted a near‑70% surge in 2025, delivering 9,240 metric tons of farmed fish. The output jump lifted production value 63.7% to OMR 20.3 million. Government‑backed projects, notably a OMR 23.5 million whiteleg shrimp farm, underpin the growth. Officials aim for OMR 351.6 million sector...
What Next for Modern Soda?
Modern soda, a term coined by Walmart in 2024, now emphasizes functional benefits over merely lower sugar. Brands such as Zevia, Olipop and Poppi are adding adaptogens, nootropics and other health‑focused ingredients to stand out. Experts say generic clean‑label claims...
Taylor Farms Knows Something About Meal Kits
Taylor Farms, a leading fresh‑vegetable producer, has entered the meal‑kit arena with two ramen kits – Miso Ramen and Classic Ramen. Both kits combine the farm’s signature crisp vegetables with noodles and broth, delivering a ready‑to‑eat bowl in under five...
Oracle and NetSuite Deliver New AI&Powered Solution for Restaurant Operations
Oracle and NetSuite unveiled Oracle NetSuite Restaurant Operations, an AI‑enhanced platform that unifies inventory, procurement, scheduling, production, and cash‑management for restaurants. The solution integrates with Oracle Simphony Cloud and other POS systems, delivering real‑time visibility, actionable insights, and scalable workflows....
Cholula Sauce Maker McCormick Beats Quarterly Sales Estimates On Steady Demand
McCormick reported first‑quarter revenue of $1.87 billion, topping analysts' $1.79 billion estimate, while adjusted earnings reached 66 cents per share versus the forecasted 59 cents. Volume slipped 0.7% but price increases of 1.9% lifted margins, offsetting higher tariff costs. The company reaffirmed its 2026...
Hero Bread Now Available in 30 States with Target Expansion
Hero Bread announced its debut in roughly 400 Target stores across 30 states, adding both Super Target and Pfresh formats. The brand offers two sliced breads—Classic White with zero net carbs and Seeded with one net carb—each boasting high fiber,...
McCormick & Co., Unilever Reach Acquisition Agreement
McCormick & Co. announced an agreement to acquire the majority of Unilever’s Food business, creating a combined company with roughly $20 billion in annual sales. Unilever shareholders will receive shares representing 65% of the new entity’s equity, valued at $29.1 billion, plus...
JBS Net Income Grows by 13% in 2025
JBS SA reported a 13% rise in net income for 2025, reflecting stronger commodity pricing and operational efficiencies. In June 2025 the company launched a dual listing, debuting on the New York Stock Exchange while retaining its shares on Brazil’s...
Hellmann's Parent Company to Merge Food Business with McCormick
Unilever PLC announced a definitive agreement to merge its Foods division with McCormick & Co., creating a combined flavor business with roughly $20 billion in FY 2025 revenue. The transaction values Unilever Foods at $44.8 billion, reflecting an EV/Sales multiple of 3.6× and...
Study Links Diets High in Ultra-Processed Foods to Increased Heart Attack, Stroke Risk
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University analyzed NHANES data from 4,787 U.S. adults and found that individuals in the highest quartile of ultra‑processed food (UPF) consumption faced a 47 percent greater risk of cardiovascular disease, primarily heart attacks and strokes. The study,...
Papa Johns Launches Oven-Toasted Sandwiches
Papa Johns has introduced a new line of oven‑toasted sandwiches built on ciabatta‑style bread, debuting three varieties—Philly Cheesesteak, Chicken Bacon Ranch, and Steak & Mushroom. Each sandwich retails for $7.99, with a reduced price of $6.99 when customers pair two...
The Making of a Drive-Thru Record
Almost a quarter‑century ago, a McDonald’s in Cheyenne, Wyoming, set a drive‑thru benchmark by serving more than 400 cars in a single hour. The feat was achieved through relentless process obsession and a suite of emerging technologies that streamlined order...
A Potential Beef Blockage Is Looming
A possible work stoppage at the JB Swift beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado could create a significant supply‑chain blockage for U.S. beef. The disruption was discussed on the Working Lunch podcast, where Align Public Strategies’ Joe Kefauver and Franklin...
Sysco Makes a Huge Play for More Local Restaurants
Sysco announced a $29 billion cash‑and‑stock acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot, adding a network that serves roughly 725,000 local restaurants. The deal gives Sysco a foothold in the cash‑and‑carry segment, which it currently does not participate in, and is expected to...
Firehouse Subs Sweetens Franchise Incentives
Firehouse Subs has rolled out an expanded Development Incentive Program through 2028, offering $75,000 for opening a single restaurant and $100,000 for two or more. New tiers such as the 10‑in‑2, Grow A‑Gain and Accelerated Market incentives add bonuses up to...
DoorDash Invests in EV Startup with Plans to Automate More Deliveries
DoorDash is investing in Also’s $200 million Series C round and launching a multi‑year partnership to develop autonomous electric‑vehicle delivery units. The collaboration builds on DoorDash’s earlier Dot robot rollout and aims to create purpose‑built, small EVs that can navigate bike lanes...
Why Lion's Choice Won't Compromise on Its Signature Sandwich Despite Higher Beef Costs
Lion’s Choice, the St. Louis quick‑service chain famed for its roast‑beef sandwich, is refusing to alter its signature product despite a sharp rise in beef prices. CEO Fred Burmer explains that the company has introduced operational efficiencies and modest price adjustments...
Can Enzymes Really Reduce Bitterness in Industrial Bread?
Industrial bakeries are testing hydrolytic enzymes to directly reduce bitterness in bread, shifting flavour at the molecular level rather than masking it. Early internal trials report up to a 62% drop in perceived bitterness, especially in sandwich and toast breads...
Why Chocolate Costs so Much Now, when Cocoa’s Price Is at a Three‑year Low
Chocolate prices remain high this Easter despite cocoa falling to a three‑year low of about $3,165 per ton. The lag is due to manufacturers still drawing on cocoa inventories purchased at peak prices and to rising costs in packaging, oil,...
Supermarkets Take Centre Stage at Sustainable Seafood Awards
Australian supermarkets dominated the 2026 Sustainable Seafood Awards, with Aldi Australia securing the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s Best Responsible Seafood Retailer award for the fourth year in a row. Coles was honoured as the Marine Stewardship Council’s Best Sustainable Seafood Supermarket,...
Surfside Blueberry Lemonade and Half & Half Variety Pack
Surfside, a Stateside Brands label, unveiled a Blueberry Lemonade vodka RTD and a Half & Half Variety Pack featuring Iced Tea, Raspberry, Mango and Blackberry flavors. The new offerings arrive in spring, each 100‑calorie, 2‑gram sugar cans, priced at $10.99 for a...
Modernization Investments Improve Operator Safety
Food manufacturers are accelerating investments in digital tools, modern HMIs, and automation to boost operator safety while maintaining higher line speeds. Companies such as Rockwell Automation, Grote, and QAD Redzone are delivering training modules, video SOPs, and iPad‑based learning to...
Consumer Expectations Drive Innovation in Plastic Packaging
Consumer demand for portable, on‑the‑go beverage solutions is cementing PET as the packaging material of choice. PET bottles combine lightweight durability, cost efficiency, and versatile filling technologies, supporting single‑serve formats across water, tea, coffee and functional drinks. Sustainability pressures are...
Trending: A Redesigned No Frills, Dollarama's Price Strategy and More!
Canadian grocery retailers are revamping store designs, pricing policies and brand messaging. No Frills opened its first modern‑look store in Komoka, Ontario, while Food Basics debuted a similar aesthetic in Brampton. Dollarama’s CEO pledged to limit price pass‑throughs, tying adjustments to...
Jollibee to Open New Location on East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan
Jollibee announced a new restaurant at 14 East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan, slated to open on March 31, 2026. The outlet will be the brand’s third Manhattan location, positioned between Fifth and Madison Avenues near Grand Central Station. It will operate daily from...
Heineken Leads Alcoholic Beverage Sports Sponsorship Spending in EMEA for 2025
Heineken spent $163.93 million on 43 sports sponsorship deals in EMEA during 2025, representing 26.5 % of all alcoholic‑beverage brand spend in the region. Soccer accounted for the bulk of the investment, delivering 72.4 % of total sponsorship value. Europe dominated the market,...
Bringing Health Through Food
Danone Canada, originating from the early‑1900s Delisle yogurt brand, has evolved into one of the nation’s largest food and beverage companies. Its flagship Boucherville plant now produces more than one‑third of all dairy yogurts sold in Canada, and the firm...
This Year, Easter Traditions Take a Back Seat to Value
In 2026 Canadian Easter meals are being reshaped by price pressures. Retail data shows turkey under $2 per pound and ham now cheaper, while lamb has surged to $5‑20 per pound, making it a premium item. Chocolate prices also rose...
How Food Manufacturing Process Visibility Protects Product Quality and Profitability
Food manufacturers are turning to in‑tank vision and integrated visibility systems to eliminate blind spots during critical process stages. By adding sanitary sight glasses, LED lighting, cameras and wiper assemblies, operators can detect fouling, incomplete cleaning, and formulation drift before...
Wendy's Updates Spicy Chicken Sandwich with New Recipe, Panko Breading
Wendy's has refreshed its Spicy Chicken Sandwich, swapping the classic coating for a panko‑style breading infused with nine spices and a new Southern‑inspired mayonnaise. The sandwich now arrives on a toasted potato bun, and the same upgrades extend to the...
Taco Bell Lets Fans Vote on Its First Global Taco Offering
Taco Bell is launching its first Global Taco Vote, letting U.S. Rewards members choose between a Thai‑inspired Kickin' Chicken Taco and an Indian Butter Chicken Taco for a limited‑time rollout later this year. Voting runs daily from March 26 through April 1...
Chicken Takes over Menus as the Protein of Choice
Amid rising beef costs and strong consumer demand for protein, chicken has become the focal point of new menu offerings across fast‑food and fast‑casual chains. Wendy’s debuted a revamped Spicy Chicken Sandwich featuring a marinated, panko‑breaded breast on a sweet...
Recent Restaurant Deals Show Where the Industry Is Headed
This week’s restaurant finance briefing highlights recent equity deals for Nothing Bundt Cakes and Dave’s Hot Chicken, signaling a growing investor appetite for niche bakery and fast‑casual concepts. The coverage also notes that rising fuel costs are squeezing full‑service operators,...
Sushi by Bou Wants to Bring Omakase to the People
Sushi by Bou, a sub‑$100 multi‑course omakase concept, is positioning itself as a hotel amenity that can fit into luggage closets, emphasizing a speakeasy vibe. The brand is part of Thompson Restaurants’ multi‑brand portfolio, which plans to introduce franchising to...
Burger King Is Having a Moment
Burger King is experiencing a notable upswing after years of uneven performance. The chain has poured capital into refranchising, operational efficiencies, and high‑impact marketing, culminating in a viral moment featuring its president that amplified brand awareness. Meanwhile, industry peers such...
IHOP Expands Its Signature Omelette Platform and Recharges Coffee Program
IHOP is rolling out a Bold BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed ‘N Stacked Omelette, a new sustainable medium‑roast coffee, an iced coffee lineup, and a BLT on its $6 Everyday Value Menu. The omelette mixes pancake batter into the eggs and...
Wendy's Plans a Better Menu, Starting with Its Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Wendy’s unveiled upgraded Classic and Spicy Chicken Sandwiches featuring a new nine‑spice panko coating, sweet‑potato bun and mayo. The rollout is part of a broader menu overhaul aimed at reversing an 11.3% same‑store sales decline that hit the chain in...
Sysco to Acquire Restaurant Depot for $29.1B
Sysco announced a $29.1 billion cash‑and‑stock acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot, adding 166 cash‑and‑carry warehouses and access to roughly 725,000 independent restaurants. The deal values Restaurant Depot at a 14.6‑times EBITDA multiple, with shareholders receiving $21.6 billion in cash and 91.5 million Sysco...
Açai Leader SAMBAZON Eyes Japan, Middle East to Drive Next Growth Phase
Brazilian superfood leader SAMBAZON, which controls roughly half of the global açaí market, is leveraging its unique jungle‑based processing plant to accelerate growth in Japan and the Middle East. Sales in Japan have tripled over the past two years, while...
Middle East Focus: Hunter Foods Spicy Chips, Gulf Exports and Matcha Nuggets
Hunter Foods rolled out ultra‑spicy premium chips aimed at true chilli lovers across the Middle East, while UAE‑based Farm Fresh introduced matcha‑infused chicken nuggets, signaling a push toward bold, functional snacking. Estonia is leveraging its ‘Northern Standard’ brand to meet...
Zero, Diet Extensions Keep Carbonated Soft Drink Market Fresh
The U.S. carbonated soft‑drink market reached $55.8 billion in 2025, with full‑sugar colas flatlining while zero‑sugar and diet extensions surged. Diet CSDs posted 11.8% year‑over‑year growth, narrowing the gap with regular sodas. Functional variants, especially prebiotic sodas, are delivering double‑digit growth...