USA: Keurig Dr Pepper acquires energy drink brand Limitless

Keurig Dr Pepper, the soft drinks and coffee firm, has acquired the caffeinated sparkling water brand Limitless for an undisclosed sum, according to a BevNET report. Founded in Chicago in 2016, Limitless produces calorie-free, sparkling water containing 35mg of caffeine per 12oz can. Reportedly inspired by “a passion for finding the cleanest caffeine possible”, the line […]
USA: Lindt & Sprungli to close Russell Stover manufacturing plant

Chocolate giant Lindt & Sprungli is to close a manufacturing plant operated by its subsidiary Russell Stover in Montrose, CO, with the loss of up to 400 jobs. The move is said to form part of changes to the company’s production, retail and distribution networks, which will also see the expansion of plants in Corsicana, TX […]
USA: Quinoa Corporation acquires Pamela’s

Quinoa Corporation, a business trading as Ancient Harvest, has acquired US gluten-free peer Pamela’s, according to a statement from the former’s private equity investor Encore Consumer Capital. The deal, described as combining “two heritage gluten-free pioneers”, “more than doubles the business under Quinoa Corporation’s management, strengthens its ability to expand its retail footprint, and combines the […]
USA: Golden Island Jerky factory to close following sale to Jack Links

A factory in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA that manufactured products under the Golden Island Jerky brand is set to close following the sale of the company to meat snacks firm Jack Links, according to a report in the Orange County Register. The decision to close the factory was announced in December, and Jack Links has now confirmed […]
USA: Hershey to launch plant-based Krave jerky

Hershey, the US confectionery and snacks firm, has announced it is moving Krave, the meat jerky firm it acquired in 2015, into the vegan foods space with the launch of Krave Plant-Based Jerky. Said to features a taste and texture similar to that of Krave Gourmet Meat Cuts, Krave Plant-Based Jerky is described as being made […]
USA: Molson Coors to close California brewery

Molson Coors, the North American brewer, has announced it is planning to close its factory in Irwindale, CA, with production scheduled to cease by September. The firm said the move followed its recently-announced plans “to revitalize and restructure the business to get back on track”. Molson Coors added that it had entered into an agreement with rival brewer Pabst, giving […]
USA: Diageo makes minority investment in spirit alternative Ritual

Diageo, the leading alcholic drinks firm, has announced it has made a minority investment in the spirit alternative business Ritual via its accelerator arm Distill Ventures. The investment marks a futher foray by Diageo into alcohol-free spirits, following its previous acquisition of a majority stake in Seedlip, described as the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit brand. […]
USA: Bimbo acquires Lender’s Bagels business

Bimbo, the Mexican bakery giant, has acquired the Lender’s Bagels business from US food firm Conagra Brands via its subsidiary Bimbo Bakeries USA. Announcing the divestment in a press release, Conagra Brands said the transaction included the Lender’s brand and related intellectual property, as well as a production facility in Mattoon, IL, and inventory. Founded in […]
USA: PepsiCo to take stake in Ethiopian crisps firm Senselet

PepsiCo, the US-based snack foods firm, has taken a significant stake in the Ethiopian crisp firm Senselet. Veris Investments, the private equity fund which founded Senselet in 2015, said it would continue to maintain a minority interest in the firm and would partner with PepsiCo to further grow the business and develop potato sourcing programmes […]
USA: Coca-Cola takes full control of Fairlife JV

Coca-Cola, the soft drinks giant, has announced it has taken full control of the Fairlife dairy brand after agreeing a deal for the remaining 57.5% stake in the business from its joint venture partner Select Milk Producers. Fairlife came to prominence in 2014, when Coca-Cola announced it was entering the dairy sector with a new premium brand of […]