Food & Beverage News

Americans are obsessed with caffeine and energy, and c-stores are answering the call for more options. From energy shots to caffeinated waters to the ability to juice fountain drinks with energy shots, c-stores are one of the top places consumers look for energy on the go. “Caffeine fits c stores’ core strength: urgency, portability, and…

Restaurants once again have a choice about how they approach diners. For decades, restaurants have been able to react to diet trends with visible signals and callouts. Menus at Applebee’s carried Weight Watchers logos. Brands tied emotions to the calorie counts, such as Chili’s Guitless Grill. “Under 500 calories” badges appeared next to entrées. These…

Global chocolate makers, meanwhile, are scrambling for supplies. KONA, Ghana (AP) — Manu Yaw Fofie was born into the cocoa farming business, but the land bequeathed to him has become more of a burden than a blessing. A sharp fall in cocoa prices over the past year has left beans rotting in some West African…

The company has introduced a protein drink and plans to release a protein bar this summer. Beyond Meat is dropping “meat” from its name as it moves beyond the struggling market for plant-based burgers, sausages and tenders and expands into new categories like protein drinks. The company, rebranded as Beyond The Plant Protein Co. —…

Crazy Mountain will debut in select U.S. markets this year. The trio that co-founded tequila brand Casamigos more than a decade ago this week launched a new beverage brand targeting the alcohol-free segment. Crazy Mountain non-alcoholic beer, founded by actor George Clooney and entrepreneurs Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman, is a “premium non-alc lager-style brew”…

Top CPG executives said shoppers haven’t returned at the rates they expected, prompting some companies to roll back prices and prioritize innovation to rejuvenate growth. U.S. food manufacturers are warning of a prolonged downturn in spending as inflation and lingering global uncertainty give cash-strapped grocery shoppers little incentive to purchase more cereal, chips and cookies.…

Eight businesses, controlling or franchising 18 prominent chains, have left the Better Chicken Commitment pledge. Several restaurant chains, including KFC and the UK owners of Burger King and Nando’s, have withdrawn from a pledge to stop using fast-growing chicken breeds. According to a BBC report, eight businesses, controlling or franchising 18 prominent chains, have withdrawn…

Coca-Cola said it paused production for facility upgrades, and it aims to have the drink back on shelves later this year. Topo Chico Mineral Water is temporarily unavailable in the U.S. Production of the Coca-Cola-owned carbonated water brand is paused as the company makes upgrades to its water source and manufacturing facilities in Mexico. The…

A growing no/low industry is chipping away at booze’s hegemony. PARIS (AP) — As a French teetotaler, Justine Bobin knows how challenging it can be to not drink in a country where wine, beer and other boozy beverages still lubricate many social interactions, even if France is less hooked on alcohol than it used to…

The company indicated it would pivot from the split and invest in marketing, sales and product development. Kraft Heinz said Wednesday it’s pausing its plans to split into two companies. Steve Cahillane, a former Kellogg Co. chief who became CEO of Kraft Heinz on Jan. 1, said he wants to ensure that all of the…