Japan-Australia Meeting Strengthens Region's Food Security

Australia continues to strengthen its relationship with Japan, helping to unlock more export opportunities for Australian farmers and producers and supporting strong agricultural supply chains.

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry First Assistant Secretary for Trade and International Dr Jared Greenville delivered an opening message on behalf of Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins, alongside Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Norikazu Suzuki, at the inaugural Japan-Australia Food Security Talks.

Japan is a valued partner and Australia’s third largest export market for...

Costco Expands Nationwide Delivery on Uber Eats

Uber Technologies, Inc. and Costco today announced a major national expansion of their U.S. partnership, bringing Costco delivery through Uber Eats to millions of more customers in 47 states, up from 17. Nearly 600 Costco locations are now available on Uber Eats, bringing on-demand and scheduled delivery through the Uber Eats app to even more Costco members.

Costco members can now get all their Costco favorites—from fresh produce and bulk groceries to household essentials and those only-at-Costco finds—delivered with Uber Eats, whether they’re...

Hunt Brothers Pizza Grows C-Store Footprint to 11,000+ Locations in 33 States, Marks 35 Years

Hunt Brothers Pizza is marking 35 years in business with a milestone that reflects the brand’s continued growth across the convenience channel, surpassing 11,000 locations in 33 states.

The family-owned company positions the brand as a turnkey foodservice option for retailers, offering a branded made-to-order pizza program intended to support in-store foodservice sales through standardized operating procedures and specified ingredient requirements.

Scott Hunt, CEO of Hunt Brothers Pizza, said the company was founded...

USPOULTRY Seeks BRI Preproposals to Examine PFAS in Potable Water at Poultry Processing Facilities

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and the USPOULTRY Foundation are seeking research preproposals to examine the presence and potential movement of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in incoming potable water supplies used at poultry processing facilities. As federal and state agencies expand PFAS monitoring and establish drinking water standards, additional scientific information is needed to better understand whether PFAS present in incoming water may contribute to residues elsewhere within poultry processing systems.

Through its Board Research Initiative (BRI), USPOULTRY aims to characterize...

Rancher’s Premium Smokehouse Partners With Houchens Food Group to Expand Across Its Vast Retail Foot

Rancher’s Premium Smokehouse, the nation’s fastest-growing national smoked sausage brand, has partnered with Houchens Food Group to bring its authentic Texas smokehouse flavors to shoppers across Houchens’ expansive retail network beginning in October.

Through the new partnership, Rancher’s will expand into IGA, Price Less IGA, Food Giant and Save A Lot locations operated by Houchens Food Group. As part of the rollout, Rancher’s is taking over shelf space previously occupied by an established national sausage competitor, marking a significant retai...

Harris Teeter Announces $253 Million Investment to Enhance Stores and Expand Footprint 

Harris Teeter announced today it will invest approximately $253 million over the next three years to refresh and modernize select stores across the Charlotte, N.C. area. The investment also includes the development of three new stores.

The investment includes stores throughout the Charlotte metro area, with renovations and enhancements planned for locations such as Fort Mill and Rock Hill, S.C., and Matthews, Waxhaw, Concord and Huntersville, N.C., along with many other communities across the region. These improvements are designed to make shopping easier...

Farmers Push for Farm Bill Passage in Washington, DC

Farmers and ranchers are in Washington, DC this week, urging senators to pass the farm bill. Chad Smith tells us farmers are targeting all 100 senate offices.

Smith: The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with other agriculture organizations, brought farmers and ranchers to Washington DC this week to advocate for farm bill movement in the Senate. Addie Yoder, a Missouri corn and soybean farmer, talked about what they hope to accomplish this week on Capitol Hill.

Yoder: We are really hoping to accomplish a positive vote for the...

PS Seasoning Adds Four Kits as Home Meat Processing Gains Momentum

PS Seasoning is expanding its home meat processing lineup with four new kits for sausage, snack sticks, bacon and jerky, targeting consumers looking to get into meat processing without developing formulations or sourcing ingredients themselves.

The launch comes as protein remains a growing priority for consumers. According to The Power of Meat 2026 from FMI and the Meat Institute, protein has grown in importance for 42% of Americans, while 45% of shoppers say they are trying to prepare more meals containing meat or...

ADM Expands Regenerative Agriculture Programs to More Than 4.6 Million Acres

ADM’s regenerative agriculture programs reached more than 56,000 farmers across 4.6 million acres in 2025, as the company continues to expand efforts to connect on-farm practices with demand for lower-carbon agricultural products.

The company’s fourth annual regenerative agriculture report, released today, covers programs spanning 11 countries and 10 crops. Compared with regional benchmarks, ADM said the programs resulted in approximately 946,000 metric tons of CO₂e reductions.

The scale of the programs reflects the growing role regenerative agriculture is playing in...

ANALYSIS: The September Split That Can Occur Between Domestic and Imported Boneless Beef

First, domestic offerings have increased seasonally into fall. Cow slaughter rises and fed-cattle kills run heavy just as summer grilling demand fades, so lean and fat trim availability grows into a softening market.

Second, fat trim specifically has been volatile especially to the downside. The 50s market clears on immediate processor demand, so once that demand softens, price gaps have opened fast; several years show the weighted average dropping significantly in a single...

Chipotle Expands Apprentice Program as Restaurant Growth Accelerates

Chipotle Mexican Grill is expanding its Apprentice program as the fast-casual chain builds out the management pipeline it needs to support continued restaurant growth.

The company expects to open 350 to 370 new restaurants in 2026 and is targeting 7,000 restaurants across the US and Canada over the long term. As part of that expansion, Chipotle aims to have an Apprentice in each of its more than 4,200 company-owned restaurants by the end of 2027.

Apprentices currently support about three-quarters of Chipotle’s restaurants. The company...

Chef Boyardee Launches New National Brand Campaign, Marking the Next Champter for an American Icon

Chef Boyardee®, the iconic food brand that has been feeding American families for nearly a century, today announced the launch of a new national brand campaign, marking the latest step in a year of significant innovation and investment.

Since joining Hometown Food Company in 2025, Chef Boyardee has moved quickly to build on its deep brand equity while expanding what the brand can offer today's consumer. In 2026, Chef Boyardee returned to the national stage through a major NASCAR partnership, entered the...

Agriculture Moves Towards Innovation, Green Development, and Intelligence at CIFTIS

In the golden month of September, Shougang Park in Beijing is buzzing with activity. The 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) has arrived as promised, with new technologies, new products, and new concepts taking the stage one after another. In the exhibition halls, agricultural elements stand out and capture attention.

This year's CIFTIS has, for the first time, established an Agricultural Socialised Services Zone, with the themed exhibition area "Agricultural Zhongguancun: Services to Every Field and Every Household" presenting related innovative practices and achievements. This is no longer just a place to display fruit and specialty produce for sale, but

Government of Canada Announces Farm Credit to Strengthen Food Security and Grow the Economy

The world is changing rapidly, trade shifts, global conflict, and climate change are all putting growing pressure on our food security systems. In response, Canada is charting a new course. We are building our strength at home and diversifying our partnerships abroad - creating new opportunities for long-term growth, resilience, and investment.

Today, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced the launch of Farm Credit Canada's (FCC) $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund, and $150 million to Velocity Agri...

USMEF Heartland Team Visits Japan

A team of 24 leaders and producers from beef, pork, corn and soybean organizations from across the U.S. visited Japan last week as part of the U.S. Meat Export Federation's Heartland Team.

The group visited retail and foodservice locations, a beef tongue processing facility, a culinary school and a slaughter and processing facility with a wagyu auction in the heart of Tokyo.

“The Japan consumer is very much like the American consumer. They really value high-quality beef,” Travis Maddock of the North Dakota Beef Commission noted. “Most of the beef they...

White Castle Loyalty Program Saved Customers $5.1 Million in Past Year

White Castle is kicking off a new year of value beginning Sept. 15 with the launch of Craver Nation Rewards Season 3. This follows a winning Season 2 — spanning Sept. 2025 to Sept. 2026 — which delivered $5.1 million in savings to members through exclusive deals and offers.

Season 3 of Craver Nation Rewards, White Castle’s free-to-join customer loyalty program, brings new Quests, rewards and opportunities to level up, along with special offers throughout the year. To celebrate the launch, members...

Hain Celestial to Refocus on North American Business, Divests International Brands

As of September 14, Hain Celestial’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings call highlighted portfolio changes, tariff-refund benefits, and mixed demand trends across food and beverage categories, according to an earnings call transcript. At the same time, company leaders announced a definitive agreement to sell their international business to a private equity firm, Aurelius, for $323 million in cash.

MDARD Encourages Animal Owners to Continue Taking Steps to Prevent HPAI as Wild Birds Migrate

While highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has not been detected in Michigan's domestic animals since March 2026, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) encourages animal owners to remain vigilant and take preventative measures as wild birds start their fall migration.

"Since the current outbreak of HPAI began in February 2022, wild birds have been prominent carriers of this virus, serving as the most common cause for the spread of this disease. As wild birds have started to migrate this year, the virus...

Alveo Technologies Partners with Alliance Global (AGBL) to Expand Access to Avian Influenza Testing 

Alveo Technologies, Inc., a global leader in rapid, point-of-need molecular diagnostics for early disease detection, today announced a distribution agreement with Alliance Global (AGBL) to bring the Alveo Sense Poultry avian influenza test to farmers, integrators and public health officials across the Africa, Central Asia and a portion of the Eastern Mediterranean at a time when the threat of bird flu has never been more urgent.

Avian influenza is spreading at alarming rates, infecting more than 208 million domestic birds in the U.S. alone...

MLA Launches Information Hub for Next Generation of Beef Genetics

Australian beef producers, breeders and industry stakeholders can now access a dedicated online resource explaining the development of one of the most significant advancements in the nation's livestock genetics system with the launch of Meat & Livestock Australia's (MLA) Multibreed Beef Genetic Evaluation Information Hub.

The new hub brings together information on the development of multibreed beef genetic evaluation, a major red meat industry strategic initiative designed to give producers the tools to compare the genetic merit of cattle across breeds and make more informed breeding decisions.

MLA Managing Director, Michael...

Sonny’s BBQ Brings Back Porktoberfest With Six Weeks of Pulled‑Pork Deals, Cruise Sweepstakes

Sonny’s BBQ is bringing back Porktoberfest, its annual fall promotion built around the chain’s signature slow-smoked pulled pork. The campaign runs from September 21 through October 25, with six weeks of deals for loyalty members and a cruise sweepstakes designed to build engagement. 

This year’s promotion is tied to Sonny’s BBQ Rewards, the company’s free loyalty program, and includes weekly offers aimed at driving repeat visits.

"Every fall, Porktoberfest is our love letter to pulled pork, and to...

TGI Fridays Takes Aim at Value Dining With New 3 For All Menu

TGI Fridays is leaning into the value battle with a new 3 For All Menu that gives guests a full-size appetizer, entree and drink starting at $11.99, while adding premium choices and exclusive menu items at higher price points.

The offering is designed to give guests more choice than a traditional value bundle, with entree options spanning $11.99, $13.99 and $16.99. The lineup includes familiar favorites such as Cheeseburgers and Chicken Quesadillas, along with Crispy Chicken Sandwiches, Caesar salads...

SPAM® Brand Turns Up the Heat with New SPAM® Hot Honey Flavored and Win Son Bakery Collaboration

The SPAM® brand today announced the launch of SPAM® Hot Honey, a new full-time addition to its lineup of more than 10 varieties, bringing a sweet-and-spicy twist to the iconic canned meat. To celebrate, the SPAM® brand is teaming up with Win Son Bakery, the acclaimed Brooklyn eatery known for its fearless, modern approach to Taiwanese cuisine. Fans can get their first taste of the new flavor through two...

ANALYSIS: US Pork Exports Ease in July Amid Mexico Restrictions and Increasing Competition in Korea

US pork exports declined in July, with total shipments reaching 528.7 million pounds, down 2.1% from June and 4.6% from July 2025, according to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) data. The year-over-year (YOY) decline reflected weaker shipments across several major destinations, including Mexico, South Korea, and China. Mexico, the largest destination for US pork, fell 8.4% month over month (MOM) and 1.5% YOY. According to a report from the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF), July shipments to Mexico continued...

ANALYSIS: US Cattle Imports Reopen at Limited Pace as Sanitary Risks Persist

US cattle imports from Mexico have resumed under the phased reopening of Agua Prieta-Douglas, although movement remains gradual and limited. USDA data show 2,453 head entering during the week of August 24 and only 104 the following week, bringing year-to-date imports to 2,557 head versus 229,520 during the same period in 2025...

Nebraska Farm Bureau - White House Unveils Additional Actions Focused on Cattle Producers

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Sept. 4 aimed at strengthening the U.S. cattle and ranching industry amid historically low cattle numbers and growing consume demand for beef. The order directs several federal agencies to conduct a comprehensive review of regulations and policies affecting ranchers, with recommendations due within 90 days on ways to improve producers' financial viability and market access.

The order also takes several steps related to predator management, directing the Interior Department to evaluate whether gray wolves and Mexican wolves have met the...

PODCAST: Episode 46 - Grain Disruption and Plastics Complexity, Feat. Benoît Fayaud & Greg Potter

Canada Regains Market Access for Beef Exports to the Dominican Republic

Today, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced that the Dominican Republic (DR) has approved imports of Canadian beef and beef products, including offal, from cattle of all ages. This decision restores access to an important Caribbean market for the first time since 2003, when the DR imposed restrictions following Canada's initial case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

The DR reopened its market following an audit of Canada's beef inspection system conducted by the Dominican Republic's General Directorate of Medicines, Food and Health Products (DIGEMAPS) and the General Directorate...

FMI Issues Statement on August 2026 CPI Food Price Numbers

Today, FMI – The Food Industry Association commented on the August Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which show flat food-at-home inflation for August and a 2.2% increase over the last 12 months. FMI Vice President, Tax, Trade, Sustainability and Policy Development Andy Harig offered the following statement.

“The August CPI numbers bring some modest relief for grocery shoppers, with food-at-home inflation holding steady from July, though households continue to navigate the impact of higher prices throughout the economy. The...

Applebee’s Celebrates National Cheeseburger Day with One-Day $8.99 Burger & Fries Deal

Applebee’s® is bringing back its fan-favorite National Cheeseburger Day deal, offering guests a Classic Burger or Classic Cheeseburger served with Fries for just $8.99 on Sept. 18. Available for dine-in and To Go, the one-day offer gives guests the opportunity to enjoy a Handcrafted Burger and fries for less than $9.*

Applebee’s Handcrafted Burgers feature a juicy, all-beef patty topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles on a Brioche bun. Guests can choose between...

Pei Wei Asian Kitchen Named Best Fast-Casual Chain by Reviewed

Pei Wei Asian Kitchen, the fast-casual Asian dining concept known for its wok-fired flavors and made-to-order meals, has been named the Best Fast-Casual Chain in the Reviewed 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, earning national recognition from consumers and reviewers alike.

The award celebrates Pei Wei's long-standing commitment to delivering fresh, flavorful Asian cuisine with the speed and convenience today's diners expect. Since opening in 2000, Pei Wei has distinguished itself by offering customizable rice and noodle bowls prepared...

ANALYSIS: Broiler Hatchery Expansion Loses Some Momentum Heading Into Fall

US broiler hatchery activity continues to run above year-ago levels, but the margin has narrowed considerably since the spring. Through the week ending 8/29, eggs set came in at 250,686 thousand and chicks placed at 194,367 thousand, both still positive year-over-year (YOY), but at gains of less than 1% compared to the 3–3.5% readings that characterized late April and early May. That the industry remains above 2025 at all is still meaningful, given that last year represented a record...

Expana's Weekly Top 10

Supply is getting tighter, and the knock-on effects are showing up everywhere. This week’s Top 10 tracks how weather disruption, geopolitics and stubbornly high input costs are rewriting sourcing playbooks and keeping pricing power elevated, from farm inputs through to finished goods. As companies pivot procurement from savings to security, markets are flashing warning signs with delayed harvests and constrained availability, that could force firms to make tough choices on production and margins.

The Supply Squeeze Intensifies: from fertilizer and procurement to grains and sugar...

Restructuring, Expansion and Fall Menu Innovation Take Center Stage in Foodservice

Over the past two weeks the foodservice sector has been defined by strategic reshuffling and targeted growth moves, with operators pruning portfolios and investing in efficiency while franchise and international expansion continue apace. At the same time seasonal promos and menu innovation are ramping up, compliance actions are reminding operators of labor risks, and seafood is surfacing as a prominent, high-visibility category.

Restructuring and compliance drive industry moves

Sysco reaffirmed its fiscal 2027 guidance, projecting net sales growth of about...

Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending September 11, 2026

US President Trump said he expects the US-Iran war to end after the November midterms, while tensions continue to disrupt energy routes.

Iran-aligned Houthis have advanced to Perim Island and Dhubab near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, following their seizure of Mocha and the Hanish Islands, raising risks to Red Sea shipping and Saudi oil exports.

Meanwhile, Brent crude has topped $100/barrel amid growing concerns over prolonged supply disruptions. 

Below is Expana’s weekly summary of the war’s most significant effects on global commodities. For the latest real-time updates, follow the Middle East Conflict tag...

Texas Iberico Launches 'Iberico on the Go' Premium Pork Snacking Sticks

Texas Iberico today announced the national launch of its Original Iberico Pork Snacking Sticks. Supported by the “Iberico on the Go” campaign, the new product brings the distinctive flavor and quality of the company’s 100% purebred Iberico pork, raised in the Texas Hill Country and made in Texas.

Iberico pork has long been celebrated by chefs and sought after in specialty charcuterie, but many American consumers have yet to experience the difference that premium pork and heritage breeds can offer. Texas Iberico created the...

Checker & Rally's Turn 40 and Cranks the Flava all the Way Up with Yung Gravy

Forty years ago, Checkers & Rally's hit the fast-food scene with a simple idea: boring had no place on the menu. Now, the iconic drive-thru brand is celebrating four decades of doing things differently with its 40th Flava Versary - a flavor-packed celebration featuring craveable new menu items, plenty of Famous Seasoned Fries and a new anthem created in collaboration with rapper Yung Gravy.

Checkers & Rally's has been maxing out flavor since the '80s, and for its milestone anniversary...

Hormel Foods Appoints Paul Kuehneman as Chief Accounting Officer

Hormel Foods has appointed Paul Kuehneman as its chief accounting officer. He will lead the company’s accounting organization and oversee its tax function, creating greater alignment across the finance organization and supporting the company’s finance strategy and operations.

Kuehneman brings more than three decades of experience to the role. He most recently served as interim chief financial officer and controller, helping guide the company through a leadership transition.

"Paul is a respected leader whose deep understanding of our business, financial expertise...

ANALYSIS: US Turkey Exports Rise in July as Global Buyers Return

Based on data from the USDA, July’s total turkey exports were up 8.8% year-over-year (YOY) and 22.0% month-over-month (MOM), far outpacing the 5-year average increase from June to July of 6.1%...

ANALYSIS: Brazil's August 2026 Beef Exports Down As China Trade Nearly Halts on Quota Exhaustion

According to the latest data released by Brazil's Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services (MDIC), total beef exports reached 195,714 metric tons (MT) in August 2026, declining 14.1% month-over-month (MOM) and 27.1% year-over-year (YOY). This is the lowest monthly volume recorded since February...

Sysco Reaffirms 2027 Guidance, Raises Mid-Term Growth Targets

Sysco is reaffirming its fiscal 2027 guidance while raising its mid-term growth targets, citing momentum in the business and a new multi-year AI-powered efficiency program. The company delivered solid results in fiscal 2026, helping set the stage for the reaffirmed outlook.

According to Expana’s report, Sysco’s sales rose 3.9% to $84.7 billion in 2026, while US Foodservice sales increased 4.4% to $15.4 billion and International Foodservice sales grew 6.7% to $4.2 billion.

"We finished fiscal 2026 with momentum, and that...

Wagamama Revamps US Menu with Customizable Formats and Expanded Drinks Lineup

Wagamama is overhauling its US menu, adding 26 dishes, 15 Asian-inspired beverages and more customizable formats as the pan-Asian chain looks to widen its appeal with American diners.

The rollout includes several seafood additions, among them Thai Chili Shrimp Bao Bun Tacos, poke bowls with fresh ahi tuna and Thai Chili Shrimp, and Salt + Pepper Calamari as a new shareable item. The company is also expanding its ramen and salad offerings, giving guests more ways to tailor meals...

New Wildlife Hospital to Bolster Western Australia's Bird Flu Response

The Cook Labor Government has committed $1.5 million in funding to the South West's first dedicated wildlife hospital as part of Western Australia's bird flu response.

The Margaret River Wildlife Hospital is set to open in late October and will significantly increase WA's capacity to treat native wildlife, support wildlife rehabilitation and respond to wildlife emergencies such as bird flu.

It is a partnership between WA Wildlife and Wildlife Recovery Australia and will provide specialist care for sick, injured and orphaned native animals, including threated species, filling a longstanding service gap outside the metropolitan...

MLA - Majority of Beef Producers Remain Committed to Herd Plans as Calf Numbers Hold Firm

Australian beef producers are largely maintaining their herd plans while adjusting cattle sales in response to livestock readiness, seasonal conditions and market opportunities, according to the latest Beef Producers Intentions Survey (BPIS) Pulse Survey.

The survey found 83% of producers have maintained the herd intentions they reported in April, while Australia's 2026 autumn calf drop remained largely unchanged at 2.49 million head.

MLA Senior Market Analyst Emiliano Diaz said the results show producers remain confident in their longer-term plans while responding to conditions within their individual...

Import Cargo’s Peak Season Not Over Yet

This year’s extended peak season is continuing, with a final bump expected this month that could push September just over the line to be the busiest month of the year for import volume at the nation’s major container ports, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“We thought the peak season would be mostly behind us by now, but that’s not the case,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Some of the shift...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...

ISM Names Neal Couture as Next CEO

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) has named Neal J. Couture, CAE, FASAE, as its next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), bringing more than 25 years of association leadership experience to the organization as supply-chain professionals navigate technology shifts, workforce changes and continued economic uncertainty.

Couture will take over October 1, succeeding interim CEO Debbie Fogel-Monnissen, who will work with him during the transition.

Most recently, Couture served as CEO of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing. According to the announcement, during his...

Wingstop Kicks Off Football Season with New Lemon Pepper Trio and Its First-Ever Wing Pass

Football season is back, and Wingstop is bringing more flavor to fans' game day rituals with the Lemon Pepper Trio, alongside new ways to fuel the watch party all season long.

For the first time, Wingstop is taking its iconic Lemon Pepper beyond the original dry rub with two bold new expressions crafted by Wingstop's Flavor Experts, giving fans three ways to get their Lemon Pepper fix:

• Original Lemon Pepper: Zesty lemon and cracked black pepper, the iconic...

QDOBA Signs 17-Unit San Diego Development Deal as Franchise Expansion Accelerates

QDOBA Mexican Eats is adding 17 restaurants in San Diego County under a new development agreement with Hyperion Brands LLC, a San Diego-based multi-unit operator, as the Mexican fast-casual chain continues to push franchise-led growth.

The deal expands QDOBA’s presence in California and follows an agreement announced earlier this year with an experienced QSR operator to develop restaurants in Ventura and Santa Barbara.

QDOBA currently has approximately 875 restaurants systemwide and is targeting roughly 2,000 locations, with plans to open about...

Cargill Helps Food Manufacturers Accelerate Product Development Processes 

Cargill met with industrial food manufacturers at Foodist Istanbul 2026, held at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center from September 1 to 4, 2026. Bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retail purchasing representatives and decision-makers from different areas of the food industry, the fair provided Cargill with an opportunity to strengthen existing customer relationships and establish contacts for new collaborations.

As they respond to changing consumer expectations, manufacturers need to pursue multiple objectives simultaneously, including controlling costs, developing clean-label products with improved nutritional value, maintaining production efficiency...

Circana, DoorDash Partnership Aims to Measure Incremental Value of Retail Media

Circana has entered into a new partnership with DoorDash to provide independent measurement of advertising performance on the delivery platform, giving consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands a way to assess whether Sponsored Products and Sponsored Brands are generating incremental sales.

The collaboration comes as retail media advertisers increasingly look for standardized measurement that connects ad exposure with actual purchasing behavior.

"As retail media matures, most networks offer incrementality solutions for their own ecosystem, but marketers also need measurement they can compare and contrast across networks...

Fortifi Expands Separation Portfolio with SEPAmatic Acquisition

Fortifi Food Processing Solutions is widening its processing technology lineup with the acquisition of Germany-based SEPAFood Solutions GmbH, known in the market as SEPAmatic.

The deal adds a well-established supplier of separation and processing equipment for red meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, cheese and dairy to Fortifi’s portfolio. For seafood processors, the move strengthens Fortifi’s position in a key part of the value chain: recovering more usable product while protecting quality.

SEPAmatic is best known as a global supplier of low-pressure belt...

The Retail Rundown: Meat Case Momentum Meets Football Season

Labor Day has come and gone, but summer is still lingering in much of the country. Warm temperatures are keeping grills in use even as consumers turn their attention to football, back-to-school routines, and heartier fall meals. 

For retailers, that overlap creates an opportunity to keep grilling staples prominent while gradually introducing the roasts, chops, and other cuts that typically gain momentum as temperatures drop. 

The 2026 NFL season officially starts today, putting game-day favorites such as wings, burgers, hot dogs, and ribs in the spotlight. Football promotions...