All articles tagged with #food and beverage
Chick-fil-A is removing its popular Chicken & Waffles sandwich from most menus on November 14, 2026. However, select locations in Chicago, Tampa, and Raleigh will continue serving the item alongside four new waffle-based breakfast sandwiches starting November 16. This regional test aims to gather customer feedback on new protein combinations before a potential nationwide rollout.
Chick-fil-A is ending its nationwide Chicken & Waffles limited-time offer on November 14. Starting November 16, select locations in Tampa, Chicago, and Raleigh will test four new waffle-based breakfast sandwiches. The chain cites positive customer feedback for the fall menu as the reason for the regional expansion.
Kraft Heinz is selling its North American coffee division to private equity firm One Rock Capital Partners for $650 million. The company will retain a 30% stake and use $500 million in proceeds to pay down debt, aiming to refocus resources on core brands like Heinz and Kraft Mac & Cheese.
Baked by Melissa has launched its first at-home baking kits, including liners, pans, and mixes for signature bite-size cupcakes, exclusively at Target. The product line features flavors like Christmas Tie-Dye and Red Velvet, marking the dessert chain's entry into consumer packaged goods. This move aims to expand brand reach beyond its nine New York locations and capitalize on the holiday shopping season.
Costco has introduced a diverse range of new appetizers in 2026, catering to various tastes from spicy Mexican snacks to elegant charcuterie boards. The selection includes heat-and-serve items, fresh deli products, and online-exclusive gift sets, reflecting the retailer's continued focus on convenience and variety for members.
PepsiCo’s Lay's brand has launched its 'Holi-LAY'S' limited-time holiday collection, featuring five flavors inspired by traditional Thanksgiving dishes. The initial release, available nationwide on October 25, includes Roasted Holiday Turkey and Cheddar Scalloped-Style Potatoes. A Maple Bacon variety follows on November 8, while chocolate-covered Wavy chips debut at select retailers on December 1, expanding in 2027. The brand positions these snacks as both festive treats and gifts, citing survey data that 78% of consumers consider food a top holiday gift. A sweepstakes offering prizes like a Le Creuset multicooker began on October 26.
Lay’s has launched its 'Holi-LAY'S' limited-time holiday lineup, featuring five flavors inspired by traditional holiday dishes. The initial release, available nationwide on October 25, includes Roasted Holiday Turkey and Cheddar Scalloped-Style Potatoes. A Maple Bacon flavor follows on November 8, while chocolate-covered Wavy chips debut at select retailers on December 1. PepsiCo positions these snacks as both treats and gifts, noting that 78% of consumers consider food a great holiday gift. A sweepstakes offering prizes like a Le Creuset casserole multicooker begins October 26.
Chick-fil-A is launching its first new permanent sauce in ten years, the Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce, on November 16. The condiment combines the chain's classic mustard and smoky notes with spicy peppers and subtle sweetness. Available in standard cups and 8-ounce bottles, the release follows a year of customer research and earlier tests of spicy chicken strips in Georgia.
Mondelez International released five notable limited-edition Oreo flavors in 2026, including Banana Pudding, Deep Fried, Chicken and Waffles, a BTS collaboration, and Easter Colored Creme. The brand utilized a 'Twist-Lick-Vote' contest to determine which of three savory or sweet variants would return, while leveraging celebrity partnerships and seasonal themes to drive engagement. Although some releases faced polarizing reactions, the overall strategy emphasized consumer interaction and flavor experimentation.
True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 4, 2026, to restructure its operations and close 12 underperforming locations. The Scottsdale-based chain, which carries approximately $42.1 million in debt, is retaining 34 restaurants across 14 states. The company secured $20 million in debtor-in-possession financing from HumanCo to maintain operations during a court-supervised sale process aimed at finding a long-term partner. The restructuring follows a decade of expansion challenges, leadership turnover, and pandemic impacts, with the final day of service for closed locations occurring on October 4.
Jacob Komarow, known professionally as Roy Donk, has transformed Good Baklava from a concert side-hustle into a lucrative street-food brand. The 30-year-old entrepreneur, who is a high school dropout and former addict, now averages over $20,000 in monthly sales. His business gained massive traction after he offered free pastries to New York Knicks fans outside Madison Square Garden, leading to a New York Times profile and viral social media attention. Despite lacking a permanent storefront, Komarow supplies local cafes and sells online, aiming to take his first salary by late 2026.
The 2026 US Open in Queens has transformed its concession offerings into a high-end culinary showcase, featuring premium items like $100 caviar-topped chicken nuggets and $38 French dip sandwiches. The event now attracts major chefs and restaurants, including Salt Hank’s, Cosme, and Miznon, alongside traditional staples like the Honey Deuce cocktail. This expansion reflects a broader trend of integrating diverse, high-quality dining experiences into major sporting events to enhance visitor engagement and revenue.
Little Debbie has partnered with Los Angeles-based chocolatier Compartés to release three limited-edition chocolate bars inspired by its classic snacks. Priced at $12 each, the bars feature Cosmic Brownies, Oatmeal Creme Pies, and Honey Buns in gourmet formats. The collaboration targets consumers seeking a premium twist on childhood favorites, though the price point is significantly higher than standard snack boxes.
Oreo has released three limited-edition cookie flavors—Banana Pudding, Deep Fried, and Chicken & Waffles—allowing consumers to vote for the winner, which will return in 2027. The campaign, titled 'Twist, Lick, Vote,' began with presales on August 17 and reached retail stores on August 24. Voting closes on October 12, with results announced on October 13. Each vote enters participants into a sweepstakes for a year’s supply of original Oreos. The initiative marks a shift toward using limited-time offerings as a product development tool, engaging fans directly in flavor selection.
Ready-to-drink cocktail brand BuzzBallz has partnered with Pop-Tarts to release a limited-edition beverage collection featuring two flavors: Frosted S’mores and Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon. The collaboration targets millennial consumers by leveraging nostalgia for 1990s breakfast treats. Each drink contains 15% alcohol by volume and is priced at $3.99. The products are currently rolling out at retailers nationwide and are intended exclusively for legal drinking age consumers.