Mondelez, the owner of Cadbury, is reportedly exploring the potential acquisition of US confectionery giant Hershey.
Bloomberg reports that Mondelez has made a preliminary approach regarding a potential merger, but talks are still in the early stages, and there is no guarantee that a deal will be reached.
Last month, Hershey reported a decline in quarterly sales to nearly $3 billion (£2.3 billion) due to weaker demand. In contrast, Mondelez saw a nearly 2% increase in sales, reaching $9.2 billion (£7.
more »12/Dec/2024 09:35
McWin Capital Partners, the backer of Big Mamma Group, is currently in discussions to acquire the Gail’s bakery chain.
According to Bloomberg, the company is aiming to bypass the standard sale process for Gail’s.
McWin already supports Gail’s parent company, alongside the German pizza and pasta chain L’Osteria and the hospitality incubator White Rabbit Projects. Earlier this year, it also acquired the Sticks’n’Sushi restaurant chain for an undisclosed amount.
This comes amid reports that Gail’s has engaged Goldman Sachs to oversee an auction of the chain next year.
more »12/Dec/2024 09:00
Campari Group has appointed Simon Hunt as its new Chief Executive Officer, signaling a major leadership transition for the spirits company.
Hunt, an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, will assume the role after a comprehensive evaluation process by the board of directors.
Hunt will succeed interim co-CEOs Paolo Marchesini and Fabio Di Fede, who have been managing the company’s operations since the departure of the previous CEO.
Simon Hunt's official appointment is set for January 15.
more »06/Dec/2024 09:52
Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company plans to delist 11 beers due to declining demand. While the company expressed its commitment to cask ale and a sustainable future for this key aspect of British beer culture, the Campaign for Real Ale labelled the move as 'another example of a globally owned business wiping out UK brewing heritage'.
Eight cask beers and three keg brands will no longer be available to pubs. These include Banks's Mild, Banks’s Sunbeam, Bombardier (keg), Eagle IPA, Jennings Cumberland Ale, Mansfield Dark Smooth (keg), Mansfield Original Bitter (keg), Marston's Old Empire, Marston's 61 Deep.
more »02/Dec/2024 10:13
New research from Nestlé Professional reveals the key drivers and barriers behind UK consumers out of home dessert preferences. The ‘Breaking Dessert Barriers’ report offers insights to help operators better understand these trends, providing strategies to enhance dessert offerings, boost engagement and increase sales.
Cheesecake takes the top spot as the most popular dessert, followed by ice cream/sundaes, and chocolate fudge cake/brownie. While these traditional and classic dessert options evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort, the younger generation is showing a willingness to experiment with newer.
more »13/Nov/2024 14:36
KP Snacks has expanded into the nut butter market through its acquisition of Whole Earth Foods, a leading brand in the category.
Intersnack, the parent company of KP Snacks, has announced its acquisition of Whole Earth Foods from Ecotone UK, a French-owned group that also produces brands like Kallo rice cakes and Clipper Teas.
Terms of the deal were undisclosed.
Whole Earth has grown significantly since its acquisition by Ecotone in 2003.
more »07/Nov/2024 11:26
Cereal bar brand Boka Food has invested over £2 million to establish a 12,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Winchester, Hampshire.
Founded in 2016, the business faced an unexpected setback in 2022 when it lost its primary co-packer, leading to challenges in finding an operator capable of producing the cold-pressed bars it needs.
The new factory in Winchester has the capacity to produce 21 million bars annually in a single shift, with the option to add another production line if needed. Additionally.
more »05/Nov/2024 08:39
David Flochel, who has held several international leadership roles with major food and drink companies like Mars Drinks (Mars Inc.), Selecta Group, and Heineken UK, is set to become the new CEO of Quorn Foods. He will take on the role next month as Marco Bertacca steps down after five years at the helm.
Bertacca has led Quorn Foods since January 2020, steering the company through a series of challenging times, including the global pandemic, rising inflation, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
More recently.
more »23/Oct/2024 16:56
British sweet maker Swizzels has joined forces with Premier League football club, Nottingham Forest FC, to offer fans a sweet treat as they cheer on their team during matches.
Two varieties of Swizzels’ popular Squashies will be available to purchase on The City Ground concourses and across hospitality areas on home matchdays - Original Raspberry & Milk (140g) and Sour Cherry & Apple (140g)
The partnership will also see Nottingham Forest and Swizzels collaborate on activations across the Club’s digital platforms.
more »15/Oct/2024 12:27
Asda is extending its listing with healthy kids drink Radnor Fizz and rolling out a third flavour into its stores this week.
A perfect back to school drink and great value, Radnor Fizz Strawberry will be stocked as a 4x330ml pack with a retail price of £2.
Radnor Fizz is the UK’s leading School Compliant drinks brand and has been a favourite of children for over 15 years.
Containing real fruit juice.
more »15/Oct/2024 11:57
Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has announced plans to close a 150-year-old brewery in Wolverhampton, putting nearly 100 jobs at risk.
According to current proposals, Bank's Brewery is set to close in autumn 2025 as part of a restructuring plan.
Beer has been brewed at the site since 1875, and it currently employs 97 people.
CMBC stated that the decision was driven by the end of a licensing partnership and a steady decline in cask ale volumes over the past several years.
more »14/Oct/2024 16:27
Kellanova has reported plans to create 130 jobs at its cereal production facility in Wrexham, North Wales.
The company which manufactures the cereal, has announced it is investing £75m at its site in Wrexham.
The Wrexham plant currently employs 350 people and is responsible for producing well-known cereal brands such as Special K, All-Bran, and Fruit 'n Fibre.
Kellanova's decision to move the production of Corn Flakes and Crunchy Nut from its Greater Manchester plant to the Wrexham site will double the Welsh factory's capacity.
more »07/Oct/2024 10:27
Convenience food supplier Tiffin Sandwiches is expanding its capacity with a new manufacturing site in the UK, a project expected to generate approximately 400 jobs.
Tiffin is constructing a new factory in Bradford, located in the north of England, where the company already operates its current production and distribution facility, as well as its commercial offices.
The company, which supplies sandwiches, wraps, paninis, and salads to the hospitality sector, is investing £8-10 million ($10.
more »01/Oct/2024 10:23
Pernod Ricard has acquired a minority stake in Almave, a non-alcoholic blue agave-based spirit brand co-founded by Formula One star Lewis Hamilton.
Pernod Ricard describes Almave as embodying the 'confluence of three accelerating global trends': the rising popularity of tequila, the growing demand for non-alcoholic beverages, and the increasing consumer desire for authenticity in their drink choices.
The French wine and spirits giant plans to leverage its brand-building expertise and global distribution network to expand Almave into various international markets.
more »03/Sep/2024 09:43
Ferrero UK has introduced Nutella Ice Cream Tubs to its lineup, now available at Morrisons stores across the UK.
The 470ml tubs feature hazelnut-flavored ice cream swirled with Nutella and topped with a layer of the classic spread.
The launch builds on Nutella’s expansion beyond spreads, following its successful ventures into biscuits and bakery products.
A spokesperson for Ferrero said: “Early strong performances across Europe confirm the potential of Nutella Ice Cream here in the UK.
more »22/Aug/2024 10:18
Scotland’s first illy Caffè has officially opened at the Edinburgh Food Hall Bonnie & Wild, taking a prime retail spot in the St James Quarter. It joins an esteemed lineup of award-winning chefs and kitchens.
This move marks the latest innovation at the Bonnie & Wild food hall, where a dynamic array of menus, kitchens, and retailers are complemented by frequent pop-ups and events.
Bonnie & Wild is currently hosting a 10-week pop-up with Chulo’s Stuffed Cookies, a beloved family favorite that has returned to the Edinburgh food hall for the summer holidays.
more »09/Jul/2024 07:07
A new Managing Director has been appointed at the largest soft drinks producer in Wales.
Simon Knight has assumed the role of Managing Director at Knighton-based Radnor Hills, with former Managing Director William Watkins stepping into the position of CEO.
Simon has worked as a consultant for Radnor Hills for the past two years, having been recommended by the Welsh Government.
He brings over 30 years of experience in the FMCG industry.
more »06/Jun/2024 07:28
Weetabix parent company Post Holdings has appointed a new managing director for the cereal brand as it names a new leader of its refrigerated retail unit.
Effective from 1st October, Colm O'Dwyer, the current Commercial Director, will assume the position of Managing Director for the manufacturer. Sally Abbott, the incumbent, will transition to a strategic advisor role leading up to her planned retirement on 31st March 2025.
O'Dwyer joined Weetabix from Coca-Cola Enterprises in the UK in 2016.
more »05/Jun/2024 12:19
Soft drinks manufacturer Radnor Hills has scooped an award for its Sustainable Values in this year’s Wales Food and Drink Awards.
The Knighton-based company, which produces a range of still, sparkling and deliciously flavoured drinks all made with exceptionally pure spring water sourced from its boreholes, puts environmental sustainability at the heart of the company.
They were announced as the winner of Wales Food and Drink Awards’ Sustainable Business of the Year at an event held at Brangwyn Hall in Swansea.
more »28/May/2024 11:43
New research from Nestlé Professional offers a deep dive into the ever-evolving landscape of ice cream preferences. With ice cream being the UK’s second favourite dessert when eating out and a current market value of £605 million in out of home, 'The Inside Scoop’ report offers invaluable consumer insights. It highlights emerging trends and provides operators with top tips to help maximise their presence in the category.
Based on a survey of 1,007 consumers, this report delves into the current state of the ice cream market, uncovers what's driving growth and what consumers are eating and where.
more »24/May/2024 09:34