Finances and Deals: Page 6


  • Beyond Meat's The Beyond Burgers in their packaging.
    Image attribution tooltip
    (Drew Angerer/Staff) via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Beyond Meat posts positive growth for first time in 3 years

    Despite quarterly sales volumes taking a hit, CEO Ethan Brown told analysts in an earnings call Wednesday that the company’s price hikes led to profitability.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Nov. 7, 2024
  • lifeway kefir
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Lifeway Foods, Inc.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Lifeway Foods rejects Danone’s $283M ‘opportunistic’ takeover offer

    The keifer maker said its board determined that the “proposal substantially undervalues” the company and was not in the best interest of its shareholders.

    By Nov. 5, 2024
  • Trendline

    Mergers and acquisitions

    Declining sales and slowing consumption have more companies divesting brands, opening the door for smaller players and private equity firms to expand their portfolios.  

    By Food Dive staff
  • Snacking brands made by PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division on a grocery store shelf in Washington, D.C.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Food and beverage M&A activity appears to be picking up: CoBank

    Consumer interest in better-for-you snacking and struggles in plant-based meat alternatives could make these sectors attractive for dealmaking, the bank cooperative noted.

    By Nov. 4, 2024
  • cheez it crunch
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Kellanova
    Image attribution tooltip

    Kellanova sales rise as shareholders approve Mars merger

    The Cheez-It manufacturer expressed optimism for a strong 2025 as it continues to see robust demand for its snack products.

    By Updated Nov. 4, 2024
  • Almonds are seen growing on trees
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Kind Snacks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Campbell’s and Kind receive USDA support to advance regenerative agriculture for key ingredients

    The soup giant secured $3.4 million in USDA funding for tomato growers in California and Kind Snacks announced milestones for sustainable almond farming.

    By Nov. 4, 2024
  • Celsius energy drinks at a convenience store in Boca Raton, Florida
    Image attribution tooltip
    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Celsius Holdings boosts innovation, production capacity with $75M co-packer purchase

    The beverage company said the acquisition provides it with the flexibility to grow in a competitive energy drink market forecast to reach $30 billion in five years.

    By Nov. 1, 2024
  • A package of Lactalis USA's Président Feta cheese.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Lactalis USA
    Image attribution tooltip

    Lactalis USA spending $55M to expand feta cheese production

    The 38,000-square-foot manufacturing line, which will be operational in 2027, comes as the cheese variety grows in popularity with American consumers.

    By Oct. 30, 2024
  • guinness 0.0
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Diageo
    Image attribution tooltip

    Diageo doubles nonalcoholic Guinness production

    The Irish brewer said increased investment will help grow the reach of Guinness 0.0 as consumers increasingly opt to moderate their drinking.

    By Oct. 29, 2024
  • politics
    Image attribution tooltip
    Adeline Kon/Food Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    Political donations from 15 of the largest US food and beverage makers plunge

    Contributions from entities associated with these companies totaled $4.5 million during the 2024 election cycle compared to $8.2 million four years ago.

    By , Oct. 28, 2024
  • hormel
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Hormel
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hormel sells its heath foods business for undisclosed amount

    The Spam manufacturer said the unit, which makes offerings for consumers facing conditions such as diabetes and cancer, is “very solid and can grow with the right partner.”

    By Oct. 25, 2024
  • Cans of Ghost Energy drinks.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Ghost.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Keurig Dr Pepper to buy energy drink brand Ghost for more than $1B

    The acquisition expands the beverage giant’s presence in the fast-growing category and deepens a portfolio that also includes water, soda, coffee and juice.

    By Oct. 24, 2024
  • Jif lineup
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of The J.M. Smucker Company
    Image attribution tooltip

    J.M. Smucker to sell Voortman cookies for $305M

    The deal with Brownie Brittle's owner, Second Nature, is the latest effort by the CPG giant to refine its portfolio and concentrate on its biggest growth opportunities.

    By Oct. 22, 2024
  • molson coors
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Molson Coors
    Image attribution tooltip

    Molson Coors completes 4-year upgrade of Colorado brewery

    The Coors Banquet brewer said the modernization effort will result in less waste and help it save money.

    By Oct. 21, 2024
  • Brands owned by J&J Snack Foods, including Icee and SuperPretzel.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from J&J Snack Foods.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    The stealthy snacking giant behind Dippin’ Dots, Icee and other treats

    While J&J Snack Foods may not be a household name, the company has drawn praise for its “unique collection” of category-leading brands and nearly recession-proof business model.

    By Oct. 21, 2024
  • A row of king-sized Hershey chocolate bars sit on the shelf in a store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hershey invests $500M to improve cocoa farming struggles

    The confectionery giant is working with cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire to partner with growers as a way to standardize cocoa cultivation and lift profits.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 17, 2024
  • A package of Mini Butterfinger.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Ferrero.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Ferrero’s Butterfinger debuts first major innovation in nearly a decade

    The Salted Caramel bar, which debuts in April, is the first limited-time offering for the century-old brand under the Nutella owner. Similar changes are expected for Crunch and Baby Ruth.

    By Oct. 15, 2024
  • the duckhorn portfolio
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Duckhorn Portfolio
    Image attribution tooltip

    Butterfly Equity to buy Duckhorn Portfolio wines for nearly $2B

    The deal is part of a larger consolidation in the high-end wine category as brands adapt to harsh market conditions and changing consumer tastes.

    By Oct. 7, 2024
  • moet hennessy french bloom
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Moët Hennessy
    Image attribution tooltip

    Moët Hennessy invests in nonalcoholic wine brand

    The luxury beverage maker’s partnership comes after it reported declining revenue in the sparkling wine category in the first half of 2024.

    By Oct. 7, 2024
  • Cultured meat company Meatable's founders in a field with cows
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Meatable
    Image attribution tooltip

    Meatable preps for Series C funding round, hires new CTO

    The cultivated meat startup is eyeing its next phase of growth with an invite-only January open-house including investors, government officials and strategic consultants.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 7, 2024
  • A still frame from a video of manufacturing Kraft Heinz ketchup.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Kraft Heinz
    Image attribution tooltip

    Food companies have ‘bought the AI hype’ but some are unable to deliver: expert

    While optimism remains, the chief technology officer at IFS said manufacturers should hone in on what they need to solve with artificial intelligence.

    By Oct. 3, 2024
  • Boxes of Urban Legend doughnuts
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Urban Legend.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Mondelēz’s VC arm buys minority stake in healthier doughnut brand

    The investment in UK-based Urban Legend expands the Oreo maker's presence in the better-for-you bakery space and builds on efforts to expand in cakes and pastries.

    By Oct. 1, 2024
  • Snacking brands made by PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division on a grocery store shelf in Washington, D.C.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    PepsiCo to acquire tortilla-chip maker Siete Foods for $1.2B

    The acquisition expands on the New York company’s efforts to improve the healthiness of its snacking portfolio as consumers watch more closely what they eat.

    By Oct. 1, 2024
  • Jars of Rao's pasta sauce.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    ‘Sauce is boss’: How Campbell Soup is turning Rao’s into its next $1B brand

    While the premium brand has branched out into pasta, frozen entrees, pizza and soup, executives said about 75% of sales will come from its fast-growing jarred sauce.

    By Oct. 1, 2024
  • anheuser busch
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Anheuser-Busch
    Image attribution tooltip

    Anheuser-Busch invests $16M in facility to boost drinks ‘beyond beer’

    The beer giant aims to expand production of its canned cocktail brands.

    By Sept. 30, 2024
  • ritual
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Diageo
    Image attribution tooltip

    Diageo acquires nonalcoholic spirits brand Ritual

    The company is expanding its presence in the zero-proof beverages market with a brand that sells alternatives to gin, whiskey and tequila.

    By Sept. 30, 2024