Food & Beverage Magazine Industry Pulse: Autumn LTOs, Retail Expansion & Leadership Shifts

Welcome to this episode of the Food and Beverage Magazine Podcast, your monthly industry digest covering the biggest developments, product launches, and strategic shifts across food, beverage, and hospitality.In this September 2026 edition, we dive into:Seasonal LTOs and Menu Innovations: Gregorys Coffee celebrates its 20th anniversary with a Banana Foster platform and high-protein breakfast lineup; Hardee's rolls out its S'mores and Bacon Beast platforms across 1,400 units; Slim Chickens debuts a Dr Pepper Dry Rub LTO; and Insomnia Cookies hosts its 8th annual PJ Party promo across 360-plus locations.High-Impact Brand Collaborations and Pop Culture Tie-Ins: Paris Baguette partners with Dancing with the Stars for Mirrorball-themed croissants and drinks; Jollibee teams up with DreamWorks on Forgotten Island meal bundles featuring Calamansi Lemonade; Checkers and Rally's celebrates 40 years alongside Yung Gravy; and SPAM partners with Win Son Bakery on a Hot Honey LTO while becoming the official hot dog of U.S. Bank Stadium.CPG Growth and Major Retail Rollouts: Once Upon a Coconut lands full distribution across 2,200 Albertsons stores nationwide; Gorgie debuts its Berry Burst clean-label energy drink exclusively at Target; Grimaldi's Pizzeria launches its pasta sauce line at Walmart; and De La Calle rolls out a Dia de los Muertos tepache LTO across 8,000 doors.Operations, Supply Chain, and Leadership Moves: Holly Poultry opens a massive 80,000-square-foot retail plant in Maryland adding 140 jobs; Giving Kitchen appoints Carmen Jackson as Chief Operating Officer; and GoTo Foods restructures leadership across its 7,500-unit portfolio, tapping former McDonald's executive Lucy Brady to lead Jamba.Tune in for insider analysis and strategic takeaways driving the industry forward this season.

In this episode of the Food & Beverage Magazine Podcast, the editors dive into the September 2026 Visionary Horizons issue. Feature stories include cover star Kristin Cavallari on launching Fizzen to redefine the functional protein beverage market, alongside Manischewitz and Kosher.com exploring how traditional Jewish foods and recipes are connecting with a new generation. The conversation also covers Bulletproof's new Brain Octane C8 MCT Powder format, Cuss Worthy Cafe's model for experiential hospitality and community investments , EcoBev by DHL's sustainable solutions for unsaleable product recovery , Dan Abrams' Drinks with Benefits non-alcoholic trade summit, and Cray Protected's drink safety kits for nightlife venues. Plus, the hosts highlight Editor's Top Picks in artisan spirits, specialty foods, and restaurant technology.Visit fbmagazine.com for full articles and industry insights, and explore our network syndication at foodservice.media

Welcome to the latest episode of the Food and Beverage Magazine Podcast, hosted by the Editors of Food and Beverage Magazine. In this week's episode, we explore major distribution deals, international franchise agreements, and the technology and consumer trends reshaping the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors. We kick off with major business and distribution updates, starting with Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors expanding its reach into the Southeast through a strategic partnership with Inland Foods. We also discuss Red Robin's massive ninety-six million dollar refranchising push with the sale of one hundred and sixteen restaurants, TGI Fridays entering the Balkans with a new ten-unit franchise deal, and WOWorks expanding its footprint to two hundred and forty units with dozens of active locations in its development pipeline.Next, we look at seasonal flavor rollouts and products capturing consumer attention as we transition into the autumn months. We discuss the return of Jersey Mike's Hot Italian sub for the NFL season and PrimoHoagies bringing back its PrimoPilgrim limited-time offer, alongside Chocolove introducing an apple cider SKU to its fall lineup and Culture Pop launching a sparkling probiotic apple soda. On the CPG and grocery shelves, we cover Mars launching Cheez-It and Club crackers in convenient resealable canisters, Applegate's regenerative beef hot dogs posting a unique Omega fatty acid ratio, and Power Crunch relaunching under Ferrero with a refined protein formulation.Finally, we highlight operational milestones and major hospitality updates. We cover Chipotle expanding its global footprint by opening its first East Asian location in Seoul's Gangnam district, while luxury travelers look to Augustus Resort's new dining concept, Bistrot Villa Agnelli in Versilia. We also address critical supply chain developments, including food service operational costs surging as the ISM prices index hits a four-year high, and a massive consumer shift as GLP-1 medication users drive high demand for protein-rich frozen and refrigerated foods.For full articles on these stories, exclusive insights, and daily industry news, visit fbmagazine.com. Be sure to also check out our network syndication at foodservice.media, which gives brands, buyers, and operators a direct path to the categories that matter most. Thank you for listening, and remember to subscribe to the newsletter so you never miss the latest trends.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Food and Beverage Magazine Podcast, hosted by the Editors of Food and Beverage Magazine. In this week's episode, we highlight the intersection of local culinary favorites, national seasonal rollouts, and major leadership updates across the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors. We kick off in sports and stadium concessions with the exciting news that the legendary Shakespeare's Pizza is joining the local food lineup at Mizzou Stadium to elevate the game-day dining experience for Missouri fans. We also cover business changes as premium syrup and honey maker Runamok appoints a new CEO and CMO, paving the way for its founders to step back from daily operations while continuing their vision.Next, we look at the seasonal sweet treats and bold marketing campaigns capturing consumers as we head into autumn. We discuss the return of BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse's popular Spooky Pizookie, Tillamook's eye-catching giant cheddar loaf installation along historic Route 66, and Zaxby's rolling out its colorful Nerds Strawberry Milkshake across all one thousand locations. In addition, we unpack major menu collaborations, including Burger King launching a massive Dragon Ball Super limited-time offer across nineteen thousand units and Duke Cannon partnering with Mountain Dew for a Walmart-exclusive grooming collaboration.Finally, we explore regional expansion and concept innovations driving industry growth. We spotlight the Michelin-recommended Nan Xiang opening its newest soup dumpling location on Staten Island, Colony Grill planning units in Newington and South Windsor, and Traveler's Table bringing global cuisine to Fort Thomas. We also look at brand loyalty strategies, discussing Original ChopShop's push into the dinner daypart and Uno Pizzeria relaunching its Pizza Pass to reward dedicated diners.For full articles on these stories, exclusive insights, and daily industry news, visit fbmagazine.com. Be sure to also check out our network syndication at foodservice.media, which gives brands, buyers, and operators a direct path to the categories that matter most. Thank you for listening, and remember to subscribe to the newsletter so you never miss the latest trends.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Food and Beverage Magazine Podcast, hosted by the Editors of Food and Beverage Magazine. In this week's episode, we explore major mergers, seasonal menu launches, and technology platforms shaping the future of food, beverage, and hospitality. We kick off with major business moves, discussing Ferrero's strategic acquisition of the better-for-you brand Purely Elizabeth to deepen its breakfast footprint. We also explore massive franchise expansions and retail milestones, including Big Chicken opening its second Massachusetts location, Paris Baguette's aggressive goal of hitting one thousand US units by 2030, and Cousins Maine Lobster introducing its mobile concept to Des Moines.Next, we look at the seasonal product launches and flavor innovations driving consumer engagement this autumn. We spotlight Peet's Coffee bringing back its thirty-day Cold Brew Pass alongside its fall lineup, Philz Coffee's new Apple Cinnamon Roll and Pecan Pie cold brews, and Einstein Bros Bagels launching its pumpkin-infused menu. In the snacking and beverage aisles, we cover the limited-edition Reese's Peanut Butter Latte collaboration with The Nitro Bar, Hershey's expansion of its Halloween portfolio to twenty SKUs, and Waterloo Sparkling Water's eye-catching packaging refresh.Finally, we dive into the technology and logistics transformations redefining restaurant operations. We examine how Yanolja Cloud Solution is launching its AI concierge globally, Coco robots managing last-mile pizza runs for Little Caesars, and how POS systems are integrating directly with back-of-house intelligence platforms to cut down on missed QSR calls. We also travel to the high seas to highlight how Four Seasons Yachts is bringing premium wellness and longevity programming onboard with Lanserhof.For full articles on these stories, exclusive insights, and daily industry news, visit fbmagazine.com. Be sure to also check out our network syndication at foodservice.media, which gives brands, buyers, and operators a direct path to the categories that matter most. Thank you for listening, and remember to subscribe to the newsletter so you never miss the latest trends.

Welcome to this week's episode of the Food & Beverage Magazine Podcast! Join the Editors of Food & Beverage Magazine as we break down the major restaurant expansions, corporate acquisitions, and menu innovations reshaping the hospitality industry.Here is what we are covering on today’s program:Massive Mergers & Corporate Moves: First up, the Editors of Food & Beverage Magazine analyze Ferrero’s strategic acquisition of better-for-you breakfast brand Purely Elizabeth to deepen its U.S. breakfast footprint. We also dive into Chicken Salad Chick appointing GoTo Foods veteran Drew Travis as CFO during its aggressive expansion push, Chipotle's international milestone with its first restaurant opening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Red Robin's major $96 million refranchising strategy involving 116 of its locations.Menu & Retail Innovations: Discover how brands are winning back budget-conscious consumers. We discuss Red Lobster reviving its legendary Endless Shrimp deal with five fall flavors, Saladworks rolling out promotional "$6.99 Tuesdays", and Cracker Barrel launching its value-driven $9.99 fall chicken deals. On grocery shelves, we look at Sun-Maid wrapping its classic raisin six-packs in a Pokémon Pikachu design and the retail reunion of Club Crackers and Butter Wines for an exclusive co-promotion.Sustainability & Hospitality Tech: We round out the episode with a look at back-of-house advancements, including Power Knot relaunching its BCG Shredder line to streamline kitchen food waste processing. Plus, we explore how Galaxy Macau has partnered with Ant Bank to launch an innovative resort fintech services station, setting a new bar for digital guest convenience.As the Editors of Food & Beverage Magazine, we are committed to bringing you the actionable insights and trends driving the global B2B culinary market. Catch the full coverage of all these stories by visiting us at fbmagazine.com. For more daily news updates and operator resources, make sure your team is bookmarked at fbmagazine.com. To subscribe to our newsletter and keep up with what's next, head over to fbmagazine.com.

Welcome to this week's episode of the Food & Beverage Magazine Podcast! Join the Food & Beverage Magazine Editors as they take you behind the scenes of our blockbuster August 2026 issue. In this episode, we explore the trailblazing innovators, brands, and culinary concepts that are raising the standard of the hospitality industry. For the full stories and profiles featured in today's discussion, visit us at fbmagazine.com.Here is what we are covering on this week’s program:The New Standard for Spirited Wellness: The Food & Beverage Magazine Editors sit down to discuss our visionary cover star, Meagan Good, and her organic partnership with founder Keith Davis for Nebula9 Spirits. Discover how this ready-to-drink brand is crafting premium potato vodka infused with organic apple cider vinegar to appeal to today's wellness-minded consumer.Vision, Grit, and Hot Chicken: We dive into the remarkable hot chicken empire of David Mkhitaryan. Hear the story of the high school dropout who built Angry Chickz into a $100M-plus restaurant powerhouse based on passion, obsession, and unapologetic heat.Purpose-Driven Craft Brewing: We highlight Paskenta Mad River Brewing, one of the nation's few Indigenous-owned breweries. Owned by the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, they are carving out a distinct space in the craft beer scene by focusing on stewardship, community, and food-friendly ales.Pop Culture Partnerships & Indulgent Launches: Learn how Zevia is teaming up with GRAMMY-winner Cardi B for their "Real Talk Interpreter" campaign. Plus, we explore Black Tap NY's decadent new tower of CrazySundaes and Tender Crush's "5 Boroughs of Flavors" lineup celebrating National Chicken Tender Day.Experiential Dining and Elite Hospitality: From sbe's exclusive Katsuya Brentwood dinner honoring NBA All-Star Kawhi Leonard to the grand opening of The Addison in Midtown Manhattan, and the legendary waterfront views of The Boathouse on Naples Bay, we break down the venues setting the benchmark for guest experiences.As always, the Food & Beverage Magazine Editors are committed to bringing you the people, brands, and operational ideas shaping what's next in food, beverage, and hospitality. For more operator guides and trade secrets—including Michael Politz's Guide to Restaurant Success—be sure to visit fbmagazine.com. Catch the latest insights and read the complete coverage of all these stories at fbmagazine.com.

As the Food & Beverage Magazine Editors, we present the ultimate B2B industry digest tracking the major corporate realignments, retail expansions, and experiential hospitality trends currently driving the market. To stay competitive and access in-depth analysis on these breaking stories, industry leaders can visit fbmagazine.com.Corporate Turnarounds, Acquisitions, and Retail RestructuringWendy's Turnaround Strategy Underway: The fast-food landscape is shifting as Wendy's initiates a major turnaround plan under its new CEO. This restructuring comes as Wendy's Q2 U.S. same-store sales dropped by 7.0%, resulting in a projected shrinkage of its overall system by 245 units.Yum China's Billion-Dollar Pizza Hut Acquisition: In a massive international move, Yum China has acquired the Pizza Hut brand in China for $1.2 billion, consolidatng its market share and footprint.Haribo Enters U.S. Retail Market: Gummy giant Haribo has appointed a new CEO and officially opened its very first physical retail stores in the United States, marking a major milestone for its North American CPG expansion.Wine Industry Mergers & Acquisitions: Consolidation in the premium beverage market continues with the Northlight Wine Collective completing the acquisition of two BC wine labels.Our team of Food & Beverage Magazine Editors notes that these high-stakes financial maneuvers signal an aggressive realignment of corporate restaurant and retail strategies to combat cooling consumer spending. Read our complete editorial breakdowns of these corporate moves at fbmagazine.com.Hospitality Innovation and Experiential Dining ConceptsRooftop Hospitality in West Hollywood: Elevating the urban dining experience, Sun Rose West Hollywood has launched two new upscale rooftop concepts—featuring a coastal Pacific concept and an omakase dining experience—delivered in partnership with Saga.Big Chicken Expands Standalone Footprint: Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken brand is accelerating its regional growth with the opening of its first standalone Maryland location in Gambrills. This launch pushes the rapidly growing system past the 40-unit milestone and kicks off a dedicated DMV (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) expansion plan.Resort Fintech Integration in Macau: Bridging hospitality and financial technology, Galaxy Macau has partnered with Ant Bank to launch a specialized resort fintech services station, streamlining luxury guest transactions.Agricultural Innovations and Sustainability TrendsGlobal Dairy Sustainability Forum: Dairy leader Yili Group hosted its Global Dairy Sustainability Forum at the World Dairy Summit in Hohhot, focusing on industry-wide environmental strategies ahead of the critical 2030 sustainability transition.Pivot Bio's State Fair Showcase: Highlighting breakthroughs in sustainable agriculture, Pivot Bio’s Grati tractor is hitting the road, rolling into several Midwest state fairs to connect directly with the agricultural community.European Berry Quality Wins Consumer Trust: The latest European Berry Swing survey reveals that European berries are increasingly winning over consumer market share, scoring exceptionally high on metrics of quality and trust.As Food & Beverage Magazine Editors, we remain dedicated to providing the actionable insights, market forecasting, and operator guides that hospitality executives need to navigate a rapidly evolving industry. For daily news updates, industry trend reports, and deep-dive executive interviews, be sure to bookmark fbmagazine.com.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Food and Beverage Magazine Podcast, hosted by the Editors of Food and Beverage Magazine. In this week's episode, we explore major mergers, financial results, and product launches shaping the industry. We kick off with massive acquisition news as Couche-Tard moves to acquire ABKA Group's 13,000 stores for 8.6 billion dollars, alongside Sargento's acquisition of La Terra Fina to expand its deli dips portfolio. We also cover Tyson Foods posting its Q3 2026 results and Corteva raising its full-year guidance after a strong first half.In restaurant and hospitality news, we discuss expansions and brand milestones, including Popup Bagels breaking into the Nevada market, Fogo de Chao expanding in Arizona, and Jollibee bringing its famous Chickenjoy to downtown San Francisco. We also touch on SeaWorld adding horror IP to its Howl-O-Scream food and beverage nights.For the consumer packaged goods and functional foods sectors, we dive into Truheight launching protein energy waffles, Mondelez rolling out a Chips Ahoy mystery limited-time offer, and Bush's Beans dropping a limited-edition beans on toast kit. Additionally, we look at how technology is impacting the industry, highlighting Avocados from Mexico deploying a new AI answer engine for consumers.For full articles on these stories, exclusive insights, and daily industry news, visit fbmagazine.com. Be sure to also check out our network syndication at foodservice.media, which gives brands, buyers, and operators a direct path to the categories that matter most. Thank you for listening, and remember to subscribe to the newsletter so you never miss the latest trends.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Food and Beverage Magazine Podcast, hosted by the Editors of Food and Beverage Magazine. In this week's episode, we explore a massive wave of new product launches, restaurant expansions, and technology investments shaping the industry. We kick off in the consumer packaged goods and beverage sectors, looking at the new three-SKU co-branded crisp line from Pringles and Buffalo Wild Wings. We also cover Mission Craft Cocktails' launch of their new Pickle Rita ready-to-drink beverage at major retailers, Old Forester's Triple Char release, and Z Natural Foods launching a new Chocolate Goat Whey Protein.For restaurant operators and hospitality leaders, we examine major expansions and brand milestones. We discuss Shelby's Shawarma expanding into the US with 37 locations, the Broken Yolk Cafe's push into the Midwest, and Whataburger celebrating its 76th anniversary with app-exclusive deals. We also look at the intersection of technology and dining, highlighting how Lightspeed is linking POS data to Meta ads for brick-and-mortar retailers, and Converge AI's new workflow platform targeting multi-unit operators.Finally, we dive into the supply chain, agriculture, and acquisition news driving the global market. We unpack Phytokana closing a 25 million dollar round to build a pulse protein facility in Alberta, and HF Foods entering the Canadian market with the acquisition of Searay Foods. We also discuss Cellar Insights launching a data project that pays growers to build a potato spoilage warning library, and Southern Champion Tray naming Tyler Siira as its new president.For full articles on these stories, exclusive insights, and daily industry news, visit fbmagazine.com. Be sure to also check out our network syndication at foodservice.media, which gives brands, buyers, and operators a direct path to the categories that matter most. Thank you for listening, and remember to subscribe to the newsletter so you never miss the latest trends.