Food & Beverage News

Only 14% of brands saw growth in purchasing intent among consumers, with legacy players securing the biggest boost, according to Morning Consult. In a year marked by inflation and slower consumer spending, it was tough for food and beverage brands to log growth in 2026. A Morning Consult survey of 2,800 brands spanning industries across…

Retailers are expanding RTD assortments and rethinking shelf space as consumer demand grows across liquor- and malt-based offerings. C-store retailers are noticing a surge in ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, with John Parduski, director of merchandising for Onvo, which operates more than 40 locations in Pennsylvania and New York, noting that the current state of the segment…

Ex-KFC U.S. CMO Nick Chavez is building on existing brand love for the beverage chain with culture-hacking campaigns and a loyalty app that is social by design. Since its 2017 founding, 7 Brew has quickly established itself as a restaurant brand to watch, with a drive-thru model that serves up more than 20,000 possible drink…

Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson Foods has committed $1 million over the next two years to the Harvest to Hallways initiative, an effort to improve childhood nutrition and food access. The funding will help expand student access to healthy school meals, support nutrition education and strengthen meal access in rural communities. The commitment will be distributed over…

PURCHASE, NY. — PepsiCo., Inc. delivered 79 billion portions of diverse food ingredients, including whole grains, plant-based proteins, fruits and vegetables in 2025, according to its latest ESG report. The total is more than halfway to the company’s goal of delivering 145 billion portions annually in its global convenient foods portfolio by 2030. The report…

The Association’s 2026 Restaurant Beverage Trends report reveals that consumers are seeking drink-centric experiences and restaurants are working to meet the demand. Beverage innovation has moved front and center at restaurants, as the demand for new flavors, expanded menus, and beverage-centric experiences continues to rise. And that innovation is becoming a growth driver for restaurants.…

Pumpkin has long dominated the fall beverage lineup, but this year, several chains have put apple into the mix. Nutty flavor profiles like pecan are also trending. But have no fear, there’s still plenty of pumpkin around in both food and drink. In other news, Condado Tacos sticks with the more summery peach, Pollo Campero…

Ash Bhumbla comes over from Tyson Foods to run Hormel’s financial strategy, capital allocation and long-term growth objectives. Hormel Foods Corp. has named Ash Bhumbla to be its new executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Sept. 8, 2026. Bhumbla will take the reins from interim chief financial officer Paul Kuehneman, who will remain…

Four people have been hospitalized. NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials say a food-poisoning outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts and involving multiple germs has sickened people in 15 states. State officials announced the outbreak earlier this week, saying they documented more than three dozen cases in Minnesota and Wisconsin. On Friday, the U.S. Centers…

Key Points Drink giants from Starbucks to Coca-Cola are introducing functional beverage products like protein coffee and prebiotic sodas. The $160 billion functional drinks market reflects demand from health-conscious young consumers. Social media has also turned functional drinks into a “status symbol,” Olivia Ferdi, co-founder of wellness drinks startup TRIP, told CNBC. Starbucks Beverage brands…