AGP Executive Report

Restaurant & Retail Openings/Closures: Clover Food Lab will reopen select Boston and Cambridge locations for lunch starting June 9 after an investor deal, reversing its earlier plan to shut all 11 restaurants and its meal-box delivery. Fast Food Expansion: McDonald’s has submitted plans to convert a former Poundland site in Hornchurch, Essex, into a new restaurant expected to hire 120+ staff. Beverage & Brand Moves: Coca-Cola has launched a global review of its media, data science and technology business, with WPP Open X and Publicis Groupe both in the mix. Food Safety & Consumer Trust: A viral Bangkok clip alleges a Chinese restaurant refused Thai baht and demanded renminbi, reigniting scrutiny of foreign-run payment practices. Industry Leadership: A Restaurant Business podcast episode tackles whether the restaurant sector is facing a leadership vacuum and how fractional C-suite support can help. Local Food Culture: Burlington Wine & Food returns June 27 with 75+ exhibitors, tastings in two sessions, and seminars at Hula Lakeside. Events & Community: Corning’s Olive Festival car show registration opens for Oct. 10, featuring food and beverage vendors plus beer.

Retail & Grocery Expansion: Zellers is returning to Ontario with “Zellers 3.0” stores in Toronto (June 18, 80 Orfus Road) and Windsor (July, Tecumseh Mall), adding grocery alongside apparel and home, plus grab-and-go drinks and Italian Gigi items like pasta, sauces, olives and oils. Home Beverage & Loyalty: Drinkmate rolls out an upgraded Bubble Bucks loyalty program with new tiers, more ways to earn, and referral perks for its home carbonation customers. World Cup Foodservice Buzz: Adega Gaucha will host Brazil match viewing events in Orlando and Kissimmee, with a limited ticket option that bundles churrasco and drinks. Health & Food Policy: A new public-health push argues ultra-processed foods debates miss how people actually eat—amounts, frequency and dietary patterns matter. Food Safety & Enforcement: Louisville Metro ABC issued an emergency suspension for a Veronica’s Mexican Restaurant location tied to a fatal DUI crash, citing toxicology and eyewitness accounts. Functional Nutrition Investment: VitaHustle (Kevin Hart’s plant-based shake brand) secures growth equity funding from Axum Capital to expand operations and awareness. Pricing Watch: Armenia’s food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose 6.4% year-on-year in May, but fell 2.3% month-on-month.

Fast-Food Value Wars: McDonald’s is testing drive-thru voice AI again (“Archy”) while investors weigh it against Wendy’s on 2026 value and recovery prospects, as both chains push menu and tech upgrades to defend traffic. Restaurant Performance Pressure: Shake Shack cut its outlook after weaker-than-expected sales, citing macro headwinds, beef cost pressure, and higher distributor fuel surcharges. Cajun Brand Reset: Under new ownership, Razzoo’s is returning to scratch cooking to rebuild its Louisiana identity and flavor profile. Beverage Policy & Taxes: Pakistan’s food security minister says “smart taxation” is needed for beverages and juice, arguing current uniform excise duties don’t match sugar and nutrition differences. Coffee Trade Spotlight: Singapore’s National Coffee Championship returns July 15-17 alongside SIGEP Asia, aiming to connect top craft talent with buyers. Plant-Based Manufacturing Tech: Rockwell Automation is helping Spain’s Liquats Vegetals digitalize plant-based beverage operations for better visibility and energy transparency. Food Processing Equipment Demand: A new report forecasts steady growth for industrial food milling machines through 2033, driven by automation and advanced milling tech. Wine Market Reality Check: OIV data shows global wine consumption and vineyard area continue to slide, with demand softness and tariffs weighing on sales.

Wine & Hospitality Events: Sommlympics, the Oenophile Institute’s national wine competition, returns Jan. 10, 2027 at Hotel Phoenix in downtown Atlanta. Franchise & Beverage Trends: Aroma Joe’s rolls out “Dirty Soda” across 135 locations, built on bases like Dr Pepper, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Ginger Ale, with four signature flavor mixes. Coffee Expansion: Ziggi’s Coffee adds a third southern Minnesota drive-thru in Redwood Falls, opening June 9. Food Safety & Manufacturing: A case study highlights thermal imaging for filling-line and seal inspection to catch underfills and weak seals beyond visual checks. Brand/Market Moves: General Mills will sell Häagen-Dazs mainland China retail shops to an investor group including Ningji, keeping brand licensing for ice cream and gifting. Regulation & Public Health: San Francisco files a major lawsuit accusing major food and beverage makers of engineering a public health crisis tied to ultra-processed foods. Global Supply Chain: The Middle East conflict is driving fertilizer and energy disruptions, raising costs and food-security risks worldwide. Packaging Sustainability: Meadow targets hotels with a wall-mounted system using pre-filled aluminum canisters as a plastic alternative.

Meat Processing Upgrade: Vermont Packinghouse (VPH) in North Springfield was sold to a new group led by Louis Helbling, aiming to keep more New England beef and pork processed and packaged in-state. Festival & Hospitality: Manchester Food & Wine Festival wrapped up over Memorial Day weekend, spotlighting Vermont wines, spirits and craft beverages, while a separate piece highlighted Celtic Collection culinary director Peter Fuchs winning a Worldchefs Congress President’s Medal. Beverage Business Moves: Coca-Cola is exploring a potential India IPO for its Hindustan bottling unit in 2027 and may sell part of its stake; in Australia, Lion plans to stop James Boag brewing in Launceston by November, shifting production to other states. Food Safety & Legal Pressure: An energy drink wrongful-death lawsuit in Texas has distributors denying responsibility after a teen’s death, keeping scrutiny on caffeine products aimed at young people. Sustainability at Events: Sweden’s Vätternrundan will use Duni Group plastic-free paper cups and trial composting solutions for on-site food and packaging waste.

QSR Value Wars: New spending/retention data suggests McDonald’s-style $5 meal promotions pulled traffic but didn’t build loyalty, with most major chains seeing retention fall since the value push began in 2024. Franchise Deal Watch: Mas Restaurant Group sold 44 Houston-area Taco Bell locations to Ghai Restaurants, a move that reshapes unit counts for the franchisee. Restaurant Finance: A new explainer warns that merchant cash advance loans can trap operators with costly repayment terms, especially when margins are thin. Better-for-You Snacks: SunOpta is expanding its Omak, Wash. fruit-snack line, adding $25M in capacity to meet rising demand for real-fruit, no-artificial-color products. Beverage & Brand Moves: Fee Brothers is rolling out shelf-stable, water-soluble fat-wash flavors (bacon, butter, roasted duck) aimed at speeding cocktail prep. Hospitality & Local F&B: States are extending bar/restaurant hours for the World Cup, while Aroma Joe’s and other operators roll out summer promos and giveaways. Food Industry Signals: US manufacturing activity grew for a fifth straight month in May, including food, beverage & tobacco among expanding sectors.

Food Safety & Waste Tech: Canada is testing small sensors and camera-based systems to spot spoilage earlier, aiming to cut its ~$58B avoidable food waste problem. Public Health: A study links climate change to more drug-resistant Salmonella, with rising temperatures and shifting rainfall tied to higher antimicrobial resistance genes. Food Fraud Watch: IIT-BHU research says carrot extract can help “fake ghee” pass some quality tests—raising concerns about what’s actually in the jar. Retail & Consumer Costs: Japan expects June price hikes on 1,078 food and beverage items as supply crunches and higher input costs ripple through categories like seasonings and processed foods. Beverage Industry Moves: Solos expands NoLo dealcoholization capacity in Switzerland via Rimuss & Strada and Dealco Swiss, targeting premium alcohol-removed wine. Market & Supply Chain: Oilseed demand for edible oils, animal feed and biofuels is driving growth in the global oilseed market, with Asia Pacific leading. Hospitality & Drinks: Spokane Cocktail Week returns with dozens of bars and restaurants spotlighting local mixology through June 7.

Food Safety Crackdown: The UK Food Standards Agency says DNA testing found 73 meat-and-fish products with undeclared species, including ham pineapple pizzas containing turkey, lamb curries with 60%-100% cow DNA, and goat meat actually containing mutton—fueling renewed pressure on food crime enforcement. New Openings: Enchanted Cottage Café is set to open in Billericay, expected in early June, with hiring underway for barista and food service roles. Local Hospitality Funding: Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority is ramping up restaurant incentives via FAB-REP, including a $590,000 package for Vinyl Room that blends music, tech sound, and a snacky menu. Beverage Trends: All Día launches real tequila canned cocktails at 2.5% ABV and 50-60 calories, aiming at the low-alcohol, wellness-shift crowd. Business Moves: Cal-Maine Foods expands prepared foods with the Van’s Foods acquisition, targeting growth in better-for-you frozen breakfast. Fraud Warning: South Africa’s police warn diners and suppliers to verify “SAPS” food orders after fake requests were placed in the name of a Walmer station. Drink Retail Buzz: Starbucks is reportedly bringing back its s’mores Frappuccino (and a new cold brew) for a June 30 return.

Fast-Food & Coffee: McDonald’s UK is adding a Vanilla Matcha Frappé to its chilled menu from June 2, while Dunkin’ is pushing National Donut Day with limited free tote bags for customers buying at least six donuts on June 1. Beverage Policy & Regulation: The Hemp Beverage Expo returns in Austin with industry groups warning that a looming Nov. 12 policy deadline could reshape the THC beverage market. Food Safety & Consumer Trust: Tunisia’s watermelon scare spread via social media after a family tragedy; officials say watermelons weren’t to blame, but hygiene and proper storage after cutting remain the key takeaway. Global Ingredients & Trade: Spain’s olive oil sector is ramping up a two-year push in China, targeting major cities and retailers/restaurants to grow extra virgin adoption. Sustainability & Packaging: Texans for Clean Water renews calls for deposit recycling to stop beverage containers escaping into waterways. Local Food Culture: Tokyo’s metro is backing matcha to help preserve tea farming as sencha fields give way to housing. Tequila Spotlight: Augusto Joven was named world’s best Blanco Tequila at the Global Spirits Masters.

Trademark & Hospitality: A federal judge ruled Philly’s oldest wine school couldn’t prove its rival violated its trademark, keeping the “Philly Wine School” fight in court. Dairy Shift: Kwality Walls is moving its India ice-cream portfolio to milk-based products, phasing out vegetable-fat “frozen dessert” positioning. Reuse Infrastructure: TOMRA installed cup return machines at Freiburg Central Station in Germany, linking automated returns to the RECUP system. Circular Economy Awards: The New European Reuse Alliance named its first “Reuse Champions,” spotlighting reuse leaders across policy, education and industry models. Food Supply Strain: In Cuba’s Ciego de Ávila, residents reportedly had bread only two days in May as flour deliveries fell to “negligible” levels. Beverage Retail & Trends: A Virginia Beach shop is leaning into “dirty sodas” with sugar-free-heavy syrups, creams and cold foams. Restaurant Economics: Sysco’s claims that independents are doing better drew pushback from an independent restaurant coalition citing closures and survey risk. Airline Dining: Hawaiian Airlines is moving main-cabin meals to a pre-order menu model starting July 1 with chef-curated options. Legal/Brand Watch: Dr. Brown’s Co. asked a Missouri judge to declare it doesn’t infringe soda trademarks tied to Dr. Brown’s Beverage Co.

Food Safety: FDA issued a Class I highest-risk warning tied to Wawa Beverage Company’s voluntary recall of four drinks over undeclared milk allergens, including Wawa Iced Tea Lemon and Diet Lemonade. Retail & Expansion: Wawa opened its first Wilmington-area store in North Carolina, with plans for about 90 stores statewide and dozens already under contract. Packaging & Industry: Nampak reported mixed results, with resilient growth in its beverage packaging business offset by a downturn in diversified operations. Beverage Trends: Rum cocktails are gaining momentum as younger legal-drinking consumers explore rum’s range and craftsmanship. Consumer Health: A fiber “maxxing” push is gaining traction as many Americans fall short on daily fiber targets, with gut health driving demand. Local Hospitality: Milwaukee’s Red Arrow Park may soon get a new downtown beer garden, with an outdoor start and indoor food-and-beverage space for winter. Innovation & Drinks: Night-shift physician Dr. Thomas Jeider launched Night Shift Energy, aiming to offer energy drinks designed for healthcare workers rather than gym-and-gamer stereotypes.

FDA Shake-Up: The FDA commissioner’s departure is tied to pressure over food and drug policy fights, including a crackdown on artificial food dyes and scrutiny of drug TV ads. Food Prices in Focus: Japan expects June price hikes across 1,078 food and beverage items, with seasonings and processed foods hit hardest as supply costs ripple through. Retail Beverage Strategy: Prepared drinking water is being reframed as a strategic retail category, not just a low-margin commodity. Restaurant Economics: Operators are raising menu prices as protein and seafood costs climb, with “check creep” starting to pressure traffic. Plant-Based Pullback: The plant-based boom is cooling fast, with Clover Food Lab closing remaining locations and signaling the fad’s retreat. Alcohol Rules: Thailand extends alcohol sales hours, while Royal Gazette updates in Rayong tighten permitted windows and require screening measures. Industry Moves: Red Robin agrees to sell 30 locations for $23.5M in a refranchising push, aiming to strengthen its balance sheet.

Reformulation Push: ADM is expanding its Erlanger, Kentucky innovation capacity, investing $26M this year to help food brands cut sugar and add “better-for-you” nutrients while keeping taste consistent. Corporate Leadership: Husky Technologies (GPGI) named Mohammad Kanaan CFO and Karen Stone CHRO, signaling a push for financial rigor and culture change. Food Safety: A salmonella-linked powdered milk recall tied to California Dairies has expanded nationwide, now pulling in additional items sold at Kroger, Walmart, Target and Aldi. Value & Deals: Del Taco relaunches a $1 starting Value Menu with 10+ items, betting on budget-friendly cravings. Beverage & Sustainability: Iraq’s plastic waste problem is worsening as recycling stays under 20%, with most plastic ending up in dumpsites. Hospitality Pressure: Waitangi’s iconic Whare Waka Cafe in New Zealand is closing amid tourism and cost-of-living strain. Functional Confectionery: Gum demand is surging as consumers seek sugar-free and functional benefits, not just breath freshening.

Market Watch: Specialty salts are forecast to climb from US$4.7B in 2026 to US$7.1B by 2033 as consumers keep pushing for premium, natural, mineral-rich options across food, wellness and personal care. Menu Strategy: Mad Greens is rolling out a major menu reset—overhauling 80% of its lineup with 20 new salads, warm bowls, wraps and sides—to compete on craveable flavor, not just health claims. Food Safety & Recalls: The FDA/FSIS expanded a powdered-milk recall tied to California Dairies, pulling multiple products sold at Aldi and other major retailers, with more items possible. Retail & Hospitality: Cinnabon is upgrading its beverage platform nationwide by pairing with Seattle’s Best Coffee to drive beverage attachment and franchisee performance. Alcohol Policy: Shreveport revoked a grocery store’s liquor license after a shooting and reports of illegal drug sales, while another Shreveport bar was cited for underage drinking after a graduation party. Pricing Pressure: US grocery prices face renewed inflation risk from weather, tariffs, and supply shocks, with Iran war and El Niño potentially worsening affordability into 2027.

Airport Retail & Dining Expansion: Avolta won a 12-year deal with Norfolk International Airport for nine new retail and food & beverage outlets, including four hybrid dining-and-shopping concepts, aiming to lift passenger spend with national brands plus local concepts. Trade Show Spotlight: THAIFEX-ANUGA ASIA 2026 opened in Bangkok with buyers from 130+ countries, adding a dedicated area for emerging brands and new products, as Thailand pushes its “future food hub” agenda. Food Safety in Schools: South Africa’s school nutrition system is under pressure as experts call for tighter hygiene, storage, and monitoring across kitchens and supply chains to prevent outbreaks. Sweetener Deal: Heartland Food Products agreed to buy Whole Earth Brands’ Americas business, bringing Equal under Heartland’s umbrella and expanding its low-calorie and sugar-reduction portfolio. Restaurant Industry Stress: Clover Food Lab will close all 11 locations and its meal-box delivery, blaming inflation, thin margins, and limited ability to raise prices. Sustainability in Beer: Protein Industries Canada backed a project to upcycle brewers’ spent grain into new high-value ingredients via Terra Bioindustries and Great Western Brewing. Functional & Wellness Drinks: Upstate Elevator’s Yuzu Lemonade THC Spritz leans into “functional spritz” positioning with 5mg/10mg options and added adaptogens. EU Clean Heat Funding: The European Commission selected 65 industrial heat projects for about €400m, including food and beverage sector sites, to cut fossil-fuel heat use.

Sports-to-sips marketing: Wawa is teaming with the Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot, Gritty, for a limited-edition “Gritty Smoothie” (mango, pineapple, tart cherry) sold at Wawa stores in the Philly area during the playoff run. Sustainability engineering: A new look at flexible packaging argues caps and spouts can drive real recycling and material-reduction gains—if designers optimize weight, sealing, and manufacturing efficiency, not just swap materials. Policy pressure on businesses: California’s Senate passed SB 1123 to speed up regulations with major public benefits, as lawmakers push back on what they call federal rollbacks. Food & drink on the move: Pike Place Market is piloting “Sip & Savor,” letting visitors roam with ID-checked alcohol in designated cups. Local openings & events: Fort Worth names Mitch Whitten president/CEO of its convention-focused DMO, while North Vancouver readies Canada Soccer House with big-screen match viewing and tiered programming.