Diageo taps former Tyson, Clif Bar exec as North American CEO

Sally Grimes, who led the poultry giant’s $10 billion prepared foods division and led the snacking brand to its nearly $3 billion sale to Mondelēz, joins the Guinness maker as it continues to boost its premium offerings in the U.S.

By Chris Casey • Sept. 22, 2023

Big food’s regenerative agriculture pledges mostly just talk

Most businesses lack quantitative targets to reach their goals and only a few of them offer financial commitments to support farmers, according to a FAIRR investor network report.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 22, 2023

Explore the 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

Leftovers: Hidden Valley Ranch spices up meals with crunch sauce | Hershey brings seltzer sensation to Ice Breakers

The dressing brand’s collaboration with This Little Goat lets consumers boost the flavor of their favorite foods, and Chex Mix aims to satisfy the late-night munchies with pizza and taco options.

By Food Dive staff • Sept. 22, 2023

Meati Foods reduces staff by 10% as it focuses on profitability

The fermented meat company said the layoffs were not a result of the demand it has seen for its products.

By Elizabeth Flood • Sept. 22, 2023

Slumping demand forces 2 California plant-based startups to close

Hooray Foods and Nowadays join a growing list of companies in the category that have gone out of business or scaled back their growth plans.

By Elizabeth Flood • Sept. 21, 2023

Keurig Dr Pepper names ex-Mondelēz exec Tim Cofer as CEO

He will join the beverage maker as its COO on Nov. 6 before transitioning to the top post in the second quarter of 2024, replacing long-time head Bob Gamgort.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 20, 2023

Potential Hormel strike looms after Minnesota workers reject contract offer

Union members at the Spam maker’s largest facility say the company’s record profits are not being "shared fairly" with its employees.

By Nathan Owens • Sept. 20, 2023

Why Bettering saw an opening for luxury edibles

The company, which recently launched in Illinois, says its gummies contain minimal ingredients such as brewed tea and real fruits that prioritize a more consistent infusion of THC into the products.

By Chris Casey • Sept. 20, 2023

Hershey expands executive ranks with first chief technology officer

Deepak Bhatia, who previously worked at Amazon, brings expertise in automation, supply chain and artificial intelligence to the Reese’s manufacturer.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 19, 2023

Goodles refreshes leadership as it brings in $13M in Series A funding

The food brand known for its “better-for-you” boxed mac and cheese named a new CFO, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of sales.

By Howard Ruben • Sept. 19, 2023

How Chamberlain Coffee aims for broad appeal while catering to Gen Z

The viral brand, launched online in 2020 by YouTube star Emma Chamberlain, has expanded into retail while touting attributes popular across generations, such as accessibility and sustainability.

By Chris Casey • Sept. 18, 2023

Mondelēz quietly winds down brands it created in its SnackFutures VC arm

The snacking giant said it no longer sells Dirt Kitchen and CaPao, with the venture capital division shifting its focus to investing in already established startups.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 18, 2023

Leftovers: Pop-Tarts flips for pancakes | Somos debuts ready-made burrito kits

The Kellogg-owned brand is fulfilling breakfast cravings with its latest toaster treat flavor, and Kentucky Coffee is entering the RTD cocktail category with three flavors of whiskey-infused Hard Cold Brew.

By Food Dive staff • Sept. 15, 2023

Bacardi buys Ilegal to capture premium mezcal market

The liquor giant’s acquisition of the beverage brand comes amid growing interest in premium agave-based spirits.

By Chris Casey • Sept. 14, 2023

Canopy Growth’s BioSteel sports drink files for bankruptcy as cannabis firm looks to save cash

While the beverage has been growing rapidly and remains “an attractive asset,” Canopy’s CEO said it does not align with his business’ asset-light strategy. 

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 14, 2023

Hain Celestial to restructure business to boost growth, generate millions in savings

The changes mark the first major shakeup to the organic and natural products maker since CPG veteran Wendy Davidson took the helm as CEO in January.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 14, 2023

Molson Coors boosts its investment in Zoa Energy

The two companies partnered in 2021 following the launch of Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson’s co-founded energy drink brand.

By Chris Casey • Sept. 12, 2023

What Biden’s cannabis rescheduling review could mean for food and beverage

Analysts said the administration’s recommended update will not spur greater availability of items, even as demand for the products continues to grow.

By Chris Casey • Sept. 12, 2023

Kraft Heinz debuts a pouch that makes a microwaved grilled cheese crispy

The technology, part of a broader push at the CPG giant to boost innovation, will first appear in Lunchables before making its way to three other brands.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 12, 2023

Coca-Cola launches beverage created with the help of artificial intelligence

Coca-Cola Y3000 is the latest flavor to launch under the company’s Creations platform designed to highlight its signature soda while drawing in younger consumers.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 12, 2023

Danone joins corporate alliance to turn food waste into renewable energy

The dairy giant and other industry leaders are partnering with Vanguard Renewables to mitigate climate impacts by using anaerobic digesters on dairy farms.

By Nathan Owens • Sept. 11, 2023

JM Smucker to buy Twinkies manufacturer Hostess Brands for $5.6B

The purchase will deepen the jam and peanut butter maker’s presence in growing categories and consumer occasions focused on convenience. 

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 11, 2023

Eat Just’s Good Meat division fails to pay $30M worth of invoices

While it’s unknown why the cultivated meat company did not make the payments as ABEC claims, a source said the two sides are working to reach a settlement. 

By Elizabeth Flood • Sept. 8, 2023

Ofi combines cocoa with Asian flavors using AI

The company said the technology helped identify trends from Eastern cuisines — such as miso, yuzu and chili — that can be incorporated into confectionery applications.

By Chris Casey • Sept. 7, 2023

Coca-Cola to sell BodyArmor outside the US for the first time

The sports drink’s CEO said the launch of the beverage in Canada in 2024 is “just the start of our expansion to new countries and consumers.” 

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 7, 2023