The World Coffee Innovation Awards are back for 2024, and the FoodBev Awards team is thrilled to introduce the first of its esteemed panel of judges! Meet Erwin Wetzel, returning to the judging panel for the second consecutive year. Read on to find out what Erwin will be looking out for this time... The coffee industry is a dynamic landscape, continually bringing in new technologies and practices aimed at perfecting the brew. The World Coffee Innovation Awards 2024 provides a platform to celebrate the people and companies driving this positive change. I am honoured to serve as a judge for these prestigious awards, focusing on innovations. Innovation is the engine of progress, and the coffee sector is brimming with groundbreaking advancements. This year, I am again very excited to see the entries. I am sure that a lot of entries will be linked to AI and machine learning, user experience enhancements or supply chain efficiency. For sure, sustainability will also play a key role with ethical sourcing and carbon footprint reduction just to name some. Recognising and celebrating these exceptional innovations will inspire others to follow suit, driving positive change within the industry. I eagerly await the award entries and the opportunity to discover the remarkable coffee initiatives that will shape the future of the industry. Learn more about FoodBev Awards and the World Coffee Innovation Awards 2024 by visiting the FoodBev Awards website: www.foodbevawards.com

UK vending operator Decorum Vending has upgraded 630 vending machines to Cantaloupe card readers. The majority of machines were primarily located in train stations and other travel sectors. This upgrade includes Cantaloupe's P66 contactless payment device and the P100 digital screen card reader, which accommodates both contactless and contact payments. According to the company, the move makes Cantaloupe the exclusive provider of cashless payment solutions for Decorum Vending, "facilitating seamless integration with Decorum's Vending Management System (VMS) and enhancing overall operational efficiency". Jeff Dumbrell, chief revenue officer of Cantaloupe, said: “Decorum’s confidence in Cantaloupe’s products and services underscores our commitment to expanding and supporting our international clients in the UK, building trust outside of our core North American market. By delivering reliable, seamless integration and exceptional customer service, we’ve been able to show Decorum and other potential UK-based clients that Cantaloupe can strengthen our position as a disruptive force in the market for cashless payment solutions.” Cantaloupe said that one of the stand-out features the company was able to offer was the integration with Televend and Vendo machines, enabling Decorum to manage machine performance, track sales and drive convenience on UK routes. Cantaloupe’s system ensures uninterrupted service, crucial for customer retention. Cantaloupe has also improved settlement times for Decorum Vending, enhancing financial management and operational efficiency. Its advanced cashless devices facilitate single-item refunds within a basket transaction and improve performance tracking, contributing to superior customer service and operational transparency. Declan Sewell, managing director with Decorum Vending, commented: "Partnering with Cantaloupe not only streamlined our operations but also significantly enhanced our bottom line. The seamless integration and reliability of Cantaloupe’s systems made everything just work effortlessly. Another major factor was the supportive relationship we've developed with the Cantaloupe team. It's not just about the financial savings — it's about partnering with a service provider who genuinely enhances our operations and makes doing business a pleasure.” Shaun Burger, managing director of EMEA at Cantaloupe, added: “Our advanced technology significantly boosts profitability and efficiency for our clients. With Cantaloupe's flexible payment and telemetry solutions, Decorum has notably improved its day-to-day operations and customer service. We're proud to support their commitment to superior service and driving key metrics for their business to stay competitive in the UK market.” #DecorumVending #Cantaloupe

Kind Snacks has launched six new savoury and sweet snack bars. The new savoury bars offer a blend of nuts with smoky and spicy notes, resulting in "a bold taste," said the brand. The flavours include Paprika Nuts & Mesquite Smoked Sea Salt, Roasted Nuts & Jalapeno and Rosemary Nuts & Sea Salt. Meanwhile, the Seeds, Fruits & Nuts Bars combine pumpkin and sunflower seeds with fruit flavours, offering a nutrient-dense and crunchy snack. The flavours include Strawberry Sunflower Seed, Orange Cranberry Pumpkin Seed and Dark Chocolate Raspberry Pumpkin Seed. The new bars are individually wrapped, ideal for snacks on the go. They are priced between $7.99 and $8.99 on Amazon and at retailers nationwide. #Kind #US

McVitie’s has launched a new cocoa-flavoured version of its popular Rich Tea biscuits. Known as The Cocoa One, the variant offers a crisp, cocoa-flavoured biscuit that falls under the government's HFSS guidelines. The new flavour follows the success of McVitie’s "The Light Ones" range, which includes lower-sugar versions of Digestives and Rich Tea biscuits. According to the company, these lighter options have collectively generated nearly £10 million in sales, indicating a strong consumer preference for healthier snacking alternatives. Available at Tesco, The Cocoa One is priced at £1.79 for a 300g pack. #McVities #RichTea #UK

Thai beer brand Chang has introduced its coffee-infused beer to the UK market. Chang's 'Espresso Lager' – which has a 4.8% ABV – combines premium lager with rich coffee flavours, featuring intense coffee aromas, gentle bitterness and a subtle roasted finish. This beer, which has won 11 international gold medals in four years, was previously only available in Asia. The lager is crafted using high-quality malt, hops and water, and is infused with Arabica and Robusta coffee beans sourced from Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The result is a smooth, rich beer "with an authentic coffee profile," said Chang. The coffee-infused beer will be available to purchase on Amazon and through the brand's website. #Chang #UK

Danish brewing giant Carlsberg has agreed to acquire UK-based soft drink company Britvic for £3.3 billion, in a deal that will expand Carlsberg's bottling operations across Europe. The acquisition, which has the recommendation of Britvic's board, will allow Carlsberg to gain a stronger foothold in the UK market, where it is currently the fourth-largest brewer. The acquisition comes after Britvic previously rejected a $3.95 billion (approx. £3 billion) takeover bid from Carlsberg in June. The board had turned down a proposal worth £12.50 per share from the beer giant, saying it "significantly undervalued Britvic and its current and future prospects." Britvic is the UK bottler for PepsiCo brands, while Carlsberg already serves as PepsiCo's bottler in several other European markets. "This transaction creates an enhanced proposition across the UK and other markets in western Europe," said Carlsberg CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen. "We are excited about expanding our global partnership with PepsiCo, and believe the long-term opportunities will be very beneficial for both companies." Under the terms of the deal, Carlsberg will pay £12.90 per Britvic share in cash, plus a special dividend of 25 pence per share. This represents a premium of around 36% to Britvic's closing share price on June 19, the day before speculation of Carlsberg's interest emerged. Carlsberg said it has identified £100 million in cost savings over five years from the acquisition. The deal will also give Carlsberg a larger platform in the UK, where it currently lags behind market leaders such as AB InBev and Heineken. Separately, Carlsberg announced on Monday that it has agreed to take full control of a brewing joint venture it previously held with UK group Marston's. The Britvic acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024. Carlsberg was advised by Nomura International, while Britvic was represented by Goldman Sachs. Britvic, whose brands include Robinsons, Fruit Shoot and Tango, traces its history back to the 1930s when a chemist in Chelmsford, Essex, began producing soft drinks. The company is currently PepsiCo's exclusive bottler in the UK. Top image: © Britvic #Carlsberg #Britvic #PepsiCo #Europe

UK-based coffee company Little’s has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a new chocolate coffee pod variety pack. Ideal for mocha fans, the variety pack includes Mexican Chocolate with its pure, nutty profile and Rich Mocha for those craving indulgent, creamy sweetness. Each pack contains five of each pod, catering to diverse chocolate cravings. The Nespresso-compatible pods are produced in Devon using smooth and rich 100% Arabica coffee packed in recyclable aluminium capsules. Little's flavour-infused coffee is vegan-friendly, has four calories per cup and contains no added sugar. Little’s full range is available on its website, and selections can also be found at major retailers like Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Amazon, Ocado, Selfridges & Co, Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Booths, Whole Foods and Holland & Barrett. #Littles #UK

TH International, also known as Tims China, the exclusive operator of Tim Hortons coffee shops in China, has secured up to $65 million in financing from its founding shareholders, Cartesian Capital Group and Restaurant Brands International (RBI). The funding includes $50 million in convertible notes, with $40 million issued at closing and the remaining amount to be funded over the next seven months, contingent on certain conditions. The three-year notes are convertible into newly issued preferred shares of Tims China, which can then convert to ordinary shares at a price based on 110% of the volume-weighted average price. In addition, RBI acquired the fast-food chain Popeyes business from Tims China for $15 million. Simultaneously, Tims China has resolved the deferred payment owed to former Popeyes China shareholders by issuing a $15 million convertible note. Yongchen Lu, CEO of Tims China, said: “We are pleased to announce this major funding package, which underscores the commitment of our founding shareholders to this dynamic business. This year will be a pivotal one for us, and fortifying our balance sheet is an important step forward towards ensuring our long-term success in this highly competitive market. This transaction enables us to drive growth in and intensify our focus on our core Tim Hortons brand.” #TimsChina #RBI #Popeyes #China

Nestlé-owned brand Coffee Mate has launched its new orange cream pop-flavoured Duo creamer, inspired by nostalgic childhood memories and popular TikTok trends. This seasonal creamer, featuring orange and vanilla cream notes, aims to enhance summer coffee routines. Leonardo Aizpuru, Nestlé's VP of brand marketing for the beverage division and business unit, said: “When it comes to pushing boundaries and turning trending flavours into delicious and crave-worthy creamers, our fans know that only Coffee Mate can consistently deliver on taste innovations that elevate the everyday coffee experience, any time of year". "This limited-edition creamer is inspired by childhood summers – with every sip, the sweet and citrusy flavour of our orange cream pop-flavoured Duo creamer will evoke nostalgic memories of ice cream trucks and hot summer days.” Available exclusively on the brand's website, the creamer will be released in limited quantities, priced at $2.17 per 16oz bottle. #Nestlé #CoffeeMate #US

According to Reuters, the Philippines' fast-food chain Jollibee Foods has announced plans to acquire a majority stake in South Korean coffee chain Compose Coffee for $340 million. Reuters said that this marks Jollibee's largest acquisition in terms of store numbers as it continues to bolster its presence overseas. Jollibee Worldwide Pte, a unit of Jollibee, will purchase 70% of Compose Coffee for $238 million, with an additional 5% acquired by its majority-owned Titan Fund. The remaining 25% stake will be retained by private equity firm Elevation. Founded in 2014, Compose Coffee operates 2,470 franchised stores with a debt-free balance sheet and strong cash returns and profit margins. The acquisition will expand Jollibee's global store network to 10,000 locations. Juan Paolo Colet, managing director at investment bank China Bank Capital in Manila, said: "This is a good move by Jollibee to further expand its global footprint and take advantage of attractive opportunities in promising markets". He also mentioned that the acquisition is anticipated to increase cash flow and deliver long-term value to shareholders. #JollibeeFoods #ComposeCoffee #SouthKorea

Healthy Smart Mart, a US provider of refreshment solutions, has introduced a fully contactless shopping experience for workplace break rooms. The new contactless shopping model allows employees to quickly and easily purchase snacks and beverages without waiting in line, saving time and reducing congestion during peak hours. The Healthy Smart Mart system offers 24/7 accessibility, enabling staff to access a wide range of products anytime. This ensures employees with diverse work schedules always have access to refreshments "to stay energised and productive," said the company. In addition, the micro market is said to enhance hygiene and safety in communal spaces by minimising physical contact points within break rooms. The contactless shopping experience reduces direct interaction with surfaces and people, lowering the risk of spreading germs. Its system uses data-driven insights to optimise stocking and product offerings. By analysing purchasing patterns and preferences, Healthy Smart Mart tailors its inventory to better meet employees' needs and preferences, enhancing satisfaction and convenience. #HealthySmartMart #US

Local Kitchens, a tech-enabled multi-brand restaurant company, has raised $40 million in a new funding round led by venture capital firm General Catalyst. The Series B round also included participation from existing investors Human Capital, Pear VC and DoorDash co-founder Stanley Tang, who has also joined Local Kitchens' board of directors. Founded in 2020 by alumni of the DoorDash founding team, Local Kitchens operates a unique model that brings together multiple restaurant brands in a single kitchen optimised for mobile ordering. The company manages all food preparation in-house, differentiating itself from ghost kitchens and virtual brand concepts. "No matter how much technology disruption there is, the future of restaurants is still about great food and great service – and that starts with investing in our employees," said Jon Goldsmith, CEO and co-founder of Local Kitchens. The company claims its model allows it to achieve 50% more sales per human hour than traditional restaurants, while also offering better wages to address industry labour challenges. Kyle Doherty, managing director at General Catalyst, said Local Kitchens' approach "empowers consumers, supports workers, and uplifts local restaurants" in a landscape transformed by demand for convenience and digital integration. Since its Series A round in 2021, Local Kitchens has scaled its business fivefold and achieved unit-level profitability, with one in ten households in the San Francisco Bay Area having tried the service. The new funding will be used to expand Local Kitchens' footprint beyond its current Northern California base, with plans to enter the Los Angeles market and beyond California. Tang added: "The trend towards on-demand dining is undeniable. With Local Kitchens, we're building the infrastructure to create needed efficiencies for the industry." Image credit: Local Kitchen website