Wicked Kitchen Acquires Plant-Based Seafood Company Plant-based company Wicked Kitchen has acquired Current Foods, an alternative protein company that manufactures plant-based seafood for food service and fine dining locations in the US and Europe. “Current Foods is a perfect match for Wicked as a global-impact brand with the same mission and complementary products,” said Pete… read more
Food & Beverage News
Former Darden CEO: How to Create a Restaurant Culture of Aspiration
REGARDLESS OF INDUSTRY, ALL COMPANIES MUST LOOK INWARD TO FIND THE TALENT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED . . . It’s a fact. High talent turnover is inherent in the restaurant industry. It’s estimated that three out of four restaurant employees are planning to leave their job. Furthermore, the average restaurant loses $150,000 yearly in just… read more
The Complicated Business of Foodservice Coffee
Did you get used to making your own coffee at home during the pandemic, and now find yourself in an actual coffee shop less often? You’re not alone . . . . Brewed hot coffee consumption across restaurants, retail and other foodservice locations has not rebounded since the pandemic, according to Datassential’s BUZZ 2023 Annual… read more
The Sushi Surge Isn’t Letting Up
ACCORDING TO IBIS WORLD, THE NUMBER OF SUSHI RESTAURANTS IN THE U.S. HAS GROWN BY 4.8 PERCENT IN 2023 TO MORE THAN 19,600 BUSINESSES. In a 1991 episode of The Simpsons, Lisa convinces the family to try a new sushi bar restaurant—which was clearly a novelty not only for Homer but for the entire audience,… read more
U.S. Foods Tries Weekend Deliveries
Deliveries have been added on Saturdays and Sundays to provide more scheduling flexibility to employees, but customers have discovered a labor benefit as well Foodservice distributor US Foods is adding Saturday and Sunday deliveries in a handful of test markets as a potential plus for employees and customers. The three-market trial is intended to provide… read more
Branded merchandise a staple of modern marketing playbook for food brands and restaurant chains
‘We always aim to get people talking: Kitschy merch continues to drive buzz for food brands Case in point: When Panera wanted to promote its new toasted baguette sandwich line, it chose to launch a Fendi Baguette-inspired handbag, tied to New York Fashion Week. Called “the BAGuette,” the bright green spoof bag is embossed with… read more
USDA Proposes new rule for ‘Product of USA’ label
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed a new rule for “Product of USA” label claims on March 6. The rule would require that animals be born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the United States in order for meat, poultry, and egg products to bear the “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” label… read more
Kerry Innovation Center Explores Latest Culinary Trends
Often it takes a deep dive to plunge into an unknown ocean of new product opportunities. For bakers and snack producers, exploring the endless possibilities for innovation beneath the surface may also require them to navigate a sea of changes to their standard product development processes. For Kerry, engagement and discovery form the foundation for… read more
Starbucks’ Latest Innovation – Coffee and Olive Oil?
Starbucks Corp. is introducing Oleato, a line of beverages that combine arabica coffee with extra virgin olive oil. Oleato launched in Italy on Feb. 22 as a platform featuring such varieties as latte, expresso, cold brew, and iced cortado. The company plans to introduce the new platform in Southern California this spring and to Japan,… read more
Greek Entrepreneur Debuts Plant-Based Frozen Desserts Made with Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is the stealthy star ingredient in Wildgood, a new brand of non-dairy frozen desserts developed by a Greek artisanal ice cream maker. Sotiris Tsichlopoulos tapped his family’s olive groves to create a plant-based treat that has a creamy texture and low saturated fat content with no hint of olive oil taste…. read more