Utah-based drink chain Swig coined “dirty soda” back in 2010. Fifteen years later, the trend is fueling innovation everywhere from PepsiCo to McDonald’s, infusing the sluggish beverage category with new life. “Dirty soda” drinks use pop as a base, followed by flavored syrups, cream or other ingredients. While Swig claims credit — and the trademark…
In an aerial view, a Cracker Barrel sign featuring the old logo hangs on a sign outside of a restaurant on Aug. 27, 2025 in Florida City, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty Images Cracker Barrel Old Country Store said Wednesday the restaurant chain is focusing on enhancing its experiences for guests after it faced intense…
Potbelly Sandwich Shop on October 3, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky. Raymond Boyd Sandwich shop chain Potbelly will be acquired by convenience-store operator RaceTrac in a $566 million all-cash deal, the company announced Wednesday. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of the year. Shares of Potbelly shot up more than 30% following…
Semma restaurant in New York, NY. Courtesy: Steven Hall Executive Chef Vikas Khanna has plated hundreds of thousands of dinners over the past 20 years — and he’s seen firsthand just how much Indian cuisine has evolved in the U.S. Khanna, a world-renowned Indian restaurateur, created Junoon, his high-end Indian restaurant in New York City,…
Keurig Dr Pepper will acquire Dutch coffee and tea company JDE Peet’s in a roughly $18 billion deal that could give a boost to the U.S. giant’s struggling coffee business, the two companies said Monday. Shares of Keurig Dr Pepper fell roughly 8% in early trading, while the stock of JDE Peet’s closed up 15%…
Chipotle is teaming up with drone delivery leader Zipline to test autonomous food delivery. Beginning Thursday, select customers in the greater Dallas area will have the option to use the so-called Zipotle delivery through an early access program in the Zipline app. Zipline’s autonomous aircraft will deliver orders to customers’ homes from a Rowlett, Texas Chipotle…
Packages of M&M’s milk chocolate candy are stacked at a Costco Wholesale store in San Diego, California, on July 12, 2025. Kevin Carter | Getty Images News | Getty Images Candy maker Mars said Wednesday it has partnered with biotech company Pairwise to speed up the development of more resilient cocoa using CRISPR-based gene editing…
Chipotle Mexican Grill’s new Adobo Ranch dip Source: Chipotle Mexican Grill Restaurant brands are hoping hot new menu items will drive visits among younger costumers. Hot, in this case, is literal. Spicy items like chicken sandwiches, seasoned sides and sauces are cropping up more often on menus at major fast-casual and quick-service chains. The idea…
Pepsi Prebiotic Cola. Courtesy: PepsiCo PepsiCo on Monday announced that it will launch a prebiotic cola under its namesake soda brand, starting this fall. Pepsi Prebiotic Cola comes just four months after the beverage giant announced its $1.95 billion acquisition of upstart Poppi. Soda consumption has broadly fallen over the past two decades in the…
Connor Blakley Jams founder Jams The classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich is getting a modern day upgrade and backing from some top athletes. Jams, a new company created by 26-year-old Connor Blakley, launched Monday and hopes to take on Smucker’s Uncrustables as the next locker room and lunch box staple. Like Uncrustables, the sandwiches…
