Food Industry M A

Hain Celestial is selling most of its international business to AURELIUS for $323 million

Ella's Kitchen, Hartley's, Linda McCartney Foods and New Covent Garden soups move to private equity owner AURELIUS in an all-cash deal announced Sept. 14.

Drinks are the most visible expression of the wellness shift through 2026

Zappi tracks emerging functional platforms, while Morning Consult shows this year’s limited growth skewing toward beverages and familiar brands.

A $22 million Malaysia plant cut two months off Cadbury's supply chain

Making chocolate crumb in Malaysia instead of importing it from Australia and South Africa cuts at least two months from Cadbury's lead time, per CNBC.

Top 100 beverage companies report calls mergers and acquisitions the new normal

Beverage Industry's Top 100 lost familiar names to M&A, Hain Celestial is selling a $323M unit, and this week's launches lean on limited editions.

Alternative protein specs are shifting from imitation to repeatable, processing-focused quality

A Science|Business report backed by EIT Food says the next wave of alternative proteins will be judged on taste, price, and processing, not novelty.

44% of higher-income shoppers are buying more private label

Simon-Kucher finds higher-income U.S. shoppers are increasing private label buying faster than lower-income shoppers, forcing retailers and suppliers to plan

Restaurant kitchen automation is moving from robots to connected equipment

Sweetgreen’s $450k–$550k Infinite Kitchen and the National Restaurant Association Show’s KI winners point to one shift: automation that plugs into POS and reduc

GLP-1 users cut food spend

PwC and Acosta Group data point to smaller baskets, more protein, and fewer impulse snacks, changes operators can now validate in loyalty and menu data.

Outback’s 600-manager reset puts kitchen discipline back at the center

Outback’s return to manager conferences pairs service tweaks with equipment lifecycle and store design bets.

Sweetmore’s Fantasy Baking deal shows food M&A is buying plant capacity

A late-August run of deals points to a practical target: more lines, more sites, and faster fulfillment.

GEA’s new changeover assistant shows food plants where digital is paying off

GEA’s Changeover Assist targets changeover waste and downtime as food plants prioritize WMS, monitoring, and edge-to-cloud MES under tight budgets.

Tim Garrett - The Business Case for Frozen Beverages

Learn why frozen beverages boost profits, drive incremental sales, and enhance customer experience while requiring minimal operational effort for your business.

What is a Frozen Carbonated Beverage

Frozen carbonated beverages are low-cost, high-margin drinks made of water, CO2, and syrup. Learn why they're profitable for food service operations.

Quick Service Restaurants

Rising labor costs and consumer demand for frozen beverages force QSR operators to weigh equipment trade-offs between upfront cost and total cost of ownership.

FBD Frozen | 77X Frozen Cocktail Series

FBD Frozen's 77X Frozen Cocktail Series uses a closed bag-in-the-box system for precise dosing, simplified cleaning, and faster service in bars and restaurants.

How is the Frozen Beverage Market Evolving and Why Should Businesses Pay Attention Now?

Taco Bell - Eindhoven, NL

Learn how Taco Bell Eindhoven uses exterior and window signage to drive frozen beverage awareness and trial in competitive retail environments.

What are the benefits of a Closed Sealed System?

Learn how closed sealed systems reduce contamination risk and maintenance labor for frozen beverage dispensers in foodservice operations.

What Type of Businesses Benefit the Most from a Frozen Beverage Program?

Convenience stores, QSRs, and theaters drive revenue with frozen beverage programs. Learn which business types benefit most and why execution matters.

Why Should I Sell Frozen Carbonated Beverages vs a Slush Product?

Frozen carbonated beverages deliver 70-80% margins and require minimal maintenance versus slush products.

The Largest U.S. Cyclospora Outbreak on Record Just Hit Nine States. It Is a Live Test of Food Traceability.

The largest known U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak expanded to nine states Friday, with 1,947 confirmed cases and recalled product distributed across at least 27 states. For food and beverage operators, it is a live test of lot-level traceability at a moment when FSMA 204 enforcement has been deferred. Here is what procurement and food safety teams should be doing this week.

Shrink sleeve packaging: winning the shelf before winning the sale

Shrink sleeve packaging gives emerging brands 360-degree coverage and bold graphics to compete with established brands.

Shrink sleeve packaging: a cents-level investment with premium brand returns

Shrink sleeves cost more per label than traditional options, but viewed against retail price, that gap can shrink to a fraction of a percent. Learn how brands weigh packaging cost against brand equity and shelf impact.

Premium Positioning Starts With Premium Packaging: The Case for Shrink Sleeve Labels

For brands competing in crowded categories, packaging is not an afterthought. It is one of the most direct signals a product sends to a buyer before any…

Early collaboration on shrink sleeve embellishment projects leads to better outcomes

Involving shrink sleeve specialists early in packaging development reveals creative possibilities and prevents missed opportunities that late-stage involvement…

How variable data printing turns shrink sleeves into personalized brand platforms

How variable data printing enables millions of unique shrink sleeve variations from one template, turning labels into personalized brand platforms at scale.

FDA slows synthetic-dye phase-out as 160 food and ag groups press for USMCA renewal

FDA revises its petroleum-based dye removal timeline, while nearly 160 food groups push for USMCA renewal ahead of a July 1 review deadline.

Food Dye Phase-Out: Voluntary Pledges Grow, But Advocates Say Progress Falls Short

Major food brands are pledging to drop petroleum-based dyes by 2027, yet consumer advocates and regulators say meaningful gaps in commitment persist.

The Produce Distribution Industry Needs Flexibility, Empathy, and a New Generation of Talent

Produce distributors must rethink operations and attract fresh talent to survive tightening margins and mounting supply chain pressures

Value Meals Are Fast Food’s Summer Strategy. What’s the Long Game Amid Persistent Inflation?

Quick-service restaurants bet that affordable combos can rebuild customer loyalty while protecting margins in an uncertain economic climate