Across the B2B and hospitality sectors, demand for premium, sustainable water solutions has never been stronger. From offices seeking healthier hydration options to hotels and restaurants elevating guest experiences, water has become a strategic offering, not just a basic service. For distributors looking to expand their portfolio and capture this growing market, partnering with Waterlogic and Purezza represents a compelling opportunity. A strong value proposition for B2B and hospitality Waterlogic is globally recognised for its advanced point-of-use water dispensers, combining cutting-edge purification technology with reliability and ease of use. Meanwhile, Purezza Premium Water offers a refined solution tailored specifically for the horeca sector, enabling venues to serve high-quality still and sparkling water on-site, branded to enhance their identity. Together, these brands offer a complete ecosystem: B2B solutions for workplaces, healthcare and shared environments Hospitality-focused systems designed to elevate service while reducing plastic waste Proven technology, including Firewall UVC purification, ensuring exceptional water quality Capitalise on key market trends Businesses and hospitality operators are actively reshaping their operations around sustainability, cost efficiency and customer experience. Waterlogic and Purezza directly support these priorities by: Reducing reliance on single-use plastic bottles Lowering logistics and transport costs Delivering consistent, premium-quality water on demand Supporting ESG commitments and sustainability storytelling As regulations tighten and consumer expectations evolve, offering environmentally responsible solutions is no longer optional, it is a competitive advantage. Designed for distributor success Partnering with Waterlogic and Purezza means more than adding products to your portfolio. It means gaining access to a structured and supportive ecosystem designed to help you grow: Comprehensive training and onboarding Sales and marketing support, tailored for local markets Lead generation initiatives and campaign assets Technical expertise and after-sales service frameworks This enables distributors to confidently approach new segments, from corporate clients to high-end hospitality venues. A scalable business opportunity Whether you are an established distributor or looking to expand into new verticals, Waterlogic and Purezza offer a scalable model with recurring revenue potential, through equipment sales, installations, and ongoing service contracts. With increasing demand for sustainable, premium water solutions across Europe and beyond, the opportunity to differentiate your business has never been clearer. Take the next step Join a global network of distributors already delivering innovative hydration solutions to businesses and hospitality venues worldwide. If you are ready to grow your portfolio and lead in a rapidly evolving market, now is the time to partner with Waterlogic and Purezza. Become a distributor.

French anti-fraud officers have raided Perrier bottling and laboratory sites owned by Nestlé as part of an investigation linked to allegations surrounding the treatment of natural mineral water in France. The raids were carried out yesterday, 19 May, at two of its water facilities in Vergèze, southern France, where Perrier is bottled, as well as at a laboratory in the Vosges mountains. A Nestlé Waters spokesperson told Refreshment: “Unannounced inspections were carried out at two of Nestlé Waters’ sites in France on 19 May. We continue to cooperate fully with the authorities involved.” According to Reuters, the raids form part of an investigation launched after a consumer group filed a complaint with the Paris prosecutor alleging “deceit”. French broadcaster Radio France first reported the development. Perrier and several other mineral water brands have faced scrutiny since French media reports in 2024 alleged that producers had used water treatment methods intended to prevent contamination, potentially conflicting with regulations governing products labelled as natural mineral water. A French court rejected a separate consumer group case against Perrier in late 2025.

Minor Figures has announced the launch of its new barista oat bag-in-box solution, designed specifically for high-volume cafés, hospitality operators and automated coffee environments. The 5L bag-in-box has been approved by automated milk dispensing system provider UberMilk, and is the first plant-based oat solution to receive approval from the brand. Developed to support modern coffee service, the format helps operators to save time behind the counter, reduce carton waste and improve consistency during busy periods. The solution is designed for contract catering, café groups, universities and TUCO operations, hotels, and vending. Minor Figures’ reformulated, gluten-free Barista Oat drink has been optimised for coffee performance and tested by UberMilk in Germany across key quality and operational measures. These include foam texture, dispensing consistency and machine performance. Stuart Forsyth, co-founder and CEO of Minor Figures, said: “We help high-volume cafés reduce oat milk cost per cup and speed up service by replacing cartons with a professional, automation-ready format. As coffee service continues to evolve, cafés need solutions that help teams move faster, reduce waste and maintain consistency under pressure.” Forsyth added: “This is another breakthrough innovation for Minor Figures and a huge step forward for plant-based coffee service. Being approved by UberMilk reinforces the quality and performance of the product in professional café environments.”

Starbucks is set to incur approximately $400 million in restructuring charges as part of its ongoing ‘Back to Starbucks’ turnaround strategy, with the company also confirming a new round of corporate layoffs and office closures in the US. According to a Form 8-K filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Starbucks’ board approved further restructuring actions aimed at “revitalising coffeehouses and enhancing the customer experience” to support long-term growth. The company said the plan supports its previously announced goal of delivering $2 billion in cost savings initiatives, while continuing the shift of its international business towards a model in which nearly 90% of stores are licensed. As part of the restructuring, Starbucks will streamline its domestic and international support organisation and reduce the operational complexity of its Starbucks Reserve and Roastery business. A Starbucks spokesperson has confirmed that the company is laying off around 300 US corporate employees. Reuters also reported that Starbucks is consolidating several regional support office locations, including sites in Atlanta, Burbank, Chicago and Dallas. Reuters reported that Starbucks is reviewing its international support operations and expects further job cuts outside the US. Starbucks said the changes are intended to “sharpen focus, prioritise work, reduce complexity and lower costs,” adding that the cuts will not affect its coffeehouse operations, according to Reuters. The company expects most restructuring actions to be completed by the end of its current fiscal year, with a significant share of the associated charges expected to be recognised during fiscal 2026. Of the estimated $400 million in restructuring charges, approximately $280 million will comprise non-cash charges related to the impairment of long-lived assets, including lease assets tied primarily to Starbucks Reserve and Roastery locations and non-retail support facilities. The remaining $120 million will consist mainly of employee separation costs linked to optimisation of the company’s global support organisation. The latest restructuring measures come as CEO Brian Niccol continues efforts to revive sales growth and improve operational efficiency following several challenging quarters for the business.

Plant-based beverage brand Califia Farms is expanding its UK ready-to-drink (RTD) range with the launch of Blueberry Matcha Almond Latte, tapping into the rising demand for matcha across the country. The popularity of matcha in the West has surged in recent years, with Califia Farms noting its rapidly growing presence as a staple both in cafés and at home in the UK. This latest innovation, building on the success of the brand’s original Matcha Latte product, is positioned as a ‘first-to-market’ flavour innovation for the UK. It combines premium 0.4% single-origin Japanese matcha with a subtle blueberry profile, made from almond milk and designed to deliver a more ‘authentic and consistent’ flavour compared to blended alternatives. Califia Farms developed the product to meet growing demand for plant-based alternatives, convenient café-style drinks at home, and flavour innovation in the matcha segment. The SKU was specifically designed to drive trial among lifestyle consumers seeking premium, customisable beverages. It is also positioned as a lighter option within the RTD space, with low sugar content and containing 93 kcal per serving. Damien Threadgold, UK and EU general manager at Califia Farms, said: “Matcha has become one of the most relevant trends in the UK drinks category, but there is still significant headroom for innovation in retail”. “With our Blueberry Matcha Latte, we’re bringing something genuinely new to shelf – combining authentic Japanese matcha with a distinctive flavour twist to help retailers tap into that demand. It’s about delivering a premium, café-style experience in a convenient format that meets the needs of today’s shopper.” The 750ml multi-serve drink will be rolling out from 18 May 2026, available exclusively at Tesco for three months and priced at an RRP of £3.25.

Drip Water is seeking to raise between $3 million and $5 million through convertible bridge notes to support its US expansion strategy following a series of sports partnerships and retail launches across the American market. The lifestyle bottled water brand said the funding will be used to scale US operations, support inventory and logistics infrastructure, execute confirmed retail roll-outs and expand its operational teams across key markets. Founded in 2024 by Luke Davis, Paul Hayes and Matt Dodds, Drip has positioned itself as a culturally driven hydration brand operating across sport, entertainment, music, fashion and wellness. Drip said it has gained traction in the US retail market through confirmed launches in QuikTrip stores across Oklahoma and Kansas, ahead of broader roll-out plans covering more than 1,200 locations. The brand has also expanded onto Walmart's website and Amazon Marketplace. According to the company, it is also in advanced discussions with retailers and operators including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Spec’s, Wawa, Terrible’s, US Foods and Wynn Resorts. Drip’s initial US expansion strategy is focused on Texas, Nevada, Florida, Illinois and California, with the company targeting wider national growth by 2027. The company said its strategy centres heavily on combat sports and athlete-led partnerships, particularly through its UFC collaboration, which it believes can help drive visibility, credibility and retail access. Drip said it has also assembled a US executive team with experience across businesses including Campari USA, Q Mixers and Liquid Death. Davis said the company aims to position Drip as the global “water of sport”. Top image: © Drip Water

Community Coffee has expanded its core product line with two new permanent flavoured coffees, Chocolate Lava Cake and Cinnamon Roll, as it responds to growing demand for dessert-inspired coffee blends. The family-owned US coffee brand said both new medium roast flavours are available now and contain no added sugar or sweeteners. The launch broadens its flavoured coffee portfolio with what the company described as bakery-inspired profiles developed in response to consumer feedback. Chocolate Lava Cake is described as a medium roast with semisweet and dark chocolate notes intended to evoke the dessert’s molten centre and rich cake base, while Cinnamon Roll features spiced cinnamon and icing notes designed to mirror a freshly baked pastry. The company said both flavours are allergen-free and made using a blend of South and Central American coffee beans. It added that the development of Cinnamon Roll focused on capturing a buttery, dough-like profile, distinguishing it from its existing Mardi Gras King Cake flavour. Kristi Crump, chief commercial officer at Community Coffee, said: “Chocolate Lava Cake and Cinnamon Roll are completely new to our lineup and are a direct result of customer feedback. They wanted the warmth and indulgence of their favourite bakery treats in every cup, so we created these 'from scratch' flavors to deliver that cozy feeling to their morning ritual." Tom Corley, CEO of Community Coffee, commented: “For over 100 years, Community Coffee has stood for quality, family and the joy of a great cup. Adding Chocolate Lava Cake and Cinnamon Roll to our permanent lineup reflects our commitment to growing with our consumers and bringing the flavours they love into their everyday ritual.” The new coffees are available through retail stores in the US, as well as online via Community Coffee’s website and Amazon, in ground and K-Cup formats.

Nestlé has announced new research showing that planting a mix of six robusta coffee varieties in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, can increase yields by up to 86% compared to the country’s commonly used local coffee variety, while also improving flavour and resilience to climate stress. The findings come from a multi-year study conducted by the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences in collaboration with Côte d'Ivoire’s Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA). Since 2018, researchers have evaluated 18 robusta coffee varieties across four coffee-growing regions in Côte d'Ivoire, assessing factors including yield, bean quality, flavour profile and drought tolerance under changing climate conditions. The six best-performing varieties – two developed by Nestlé and four by CNRA – were then tested as a combined varietal mix. According to the companies, further trials demonstrated that planting the six varieties together delivered the strongest overall performance, increasing yields while improving tolerance to climate-related stress and enhancing cup quality. Sensory testing also found that the robusta blend produced a smoother flavour profile, with reduced bitterness and fewer woody notes typically associated with robusta coffee. The six varieties have now been officially registered in Côte d'Ivoire and will be distributed to farmers through cooperatives participating in the Nescafé Plan, Nestlé’s sustainable coffee sourcing initiative. Hubert Coffi, agronomy manager for the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Côte d'Ivoire, said: “Côte d'Ivoire, the third-largest coffee producer in Africa, is feeling the effects of climate change, with shifting rainfall and rising temperatures impacting crop health and yield.” “Together with partners such as CNRA, we are exploring resilient coffee varieties to help protect farmers' livelihoods and ensure consumers can continue to enjoy great-tasting coffee in the future.” Nestlé said its coffee breeding programme in Côte d'Ivoire is led from its experimental farm in Zambakro, alongside local research partners and the company’s plant sciences department in Tours, France. The company added that farmers visiting the Zambakro site also receive training in regenerative agriculture practices aimed at supporting the long-term sustainability of coffee production. The project forms part of Nestlé’s wider coffee breeding efforts focused on developing higher-yielding, drought- and disease-tolerant coffee varieties for key coffee-growing regions.

Shaken Udder is entering the functional dairy drinks space with the launch of a new high-fibre milkshake range. The new Shaken Udder Fibre range will debut exclusively in Tesco stores nationwide from 13 May, launching in two flavours, Mint Choc and Banana, in a 330ml ready-to-drink format. Designed to combine functional nutrition with the brand’s signature thick and creamy texture, the range targets consumers seeking convenient ways to increase fibre intake without compromising on taste. The launch comes as fibre gains traction as a key wellness priority among UK consumers. Despite growing awareness around gut health, Shaken Udder noted that 96% of people in the UK are still not consuming enough fibre in their diets. The Mint Choc variant contains 8.9g of fibre per bottle, providing just under 30% of the recommended daily fibre intake for adults, while Banana delivers 7.6g per bottle, equivalent to around 25% of daily requirements. In addition to fibre fortification, the milkshakes provide nearly 50% of the recommended daily calcium intake and are made without artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners. The products are formulated using real mint extract and bananas, aligning with continued demand for cleaner-label ingredients. The new range reflects growing convergence between indulgence and functionality within the chilled dairy category, where brands are increasingly incorporating digestive health, protein and nutrient claims into mainstream products. Rob Reames, CEO of Shaken Udder, said: “Consumer interest in fibre continues to grow and as the UK’s number one premium and fastest growing milkshake brand, we are bringing something new to the category that still puts quality and taste at the heart of the product with the added bonus of fibre." Founded in 2004 by Jodie and Andy Howie, Shaken Udder initially built its reputation through festival sales before expanding into retail. The brand secured its first grocery listing with Harvey Nichols in 2008 and is now stocked across all major UK supermarkets, wholesalers, schools, cafés and farm shops. Its wider portfolio includes classic milkshake flavours such as Chocolush, Vanillalicious and Raspberry Ripple, alongside protein-enhanced and ambient product ranges. The company was acquired in 2025 by Spanish food business Idilia Foods as part of the group’s strategy to expand its presence in the UK beverage market. Shaken Udder Fibre will retail at £2.30 per bottle.

Mini Melts USA has partnered with The Magnum Ice Cream Company to expand the availability of frozen treats through a nationwide roll-out of branded vending machines in the US. Set to launch in summer 2026, the partnership will see Mini Melts operate Magnum-branded automated retail machines across high-traffic locations including entertainment venues, transit hubs and retail sites. The machines will stock a selection of products from The Magnum Ice Cream Company’s portfolio, including Good Humor novelty bars and Ben & Jerry's ice cream pints, alongside Mini Melts’ signature beaded ice cream products. The collaboration combines Mini Melts USA’s frozen vending and distribution network with Magnum’s portfolio of ice cream brands, as the companies look to expand access to premium frozen desserts beyond traditional retail channels. Dan Kilcoyne, founder of Mini Melts USA, said the partnership would create “a powerful platform to delight consumers in new and convenient ways”. Bryce Carroll, senior commercial development manager at The Magnum Ice Cream Company, described the agreement as “an important step” in expanding the company’s reach beyond the traditional freezer aisle. The companies said the initiative is designed to create new out-of-home consumption occasions while also introducing Mini Melts products to additional locations across the country.

Waterloo Sparkling Water has introduced three limited-edition flavours for summer, expanding its portfolio with seasonal offerings inspired by nostalgic American desserts and drinks. The new line-up – which includes, Apple Pie à la Mode, Coconut Lime Cooler and Root Beer Float – has been launched ahead of the summer season and in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Developed in collaboration with Flavortown inspiration from Guy Fieri, the range aims to recreate classic summertime flavours in zero-calorie sparkling water format. Apple Pie à la Mode combines tart green apple notes with warming spice and vanilla flavours, drawing inspiration from the traditional state-fair dessert. Coconut Lime Cooler blends creamy coconut and key lime flavours for a tropical-style beverage designed to evoke poolside refreshments, while Root Beer Float recreates the flavour profile of the classic dessert drink with herbal spice notes and vanilla undertones. The limited-time flavours are rolling out at retailers nationwide throughout the summer.

US-based Royal Cup Coffee and Tea has completed its acquisition of Farmer Brothers, bringing together two long-established coffee and tea businesses under the Royal Cup name. The deal, which was first announced in March, expands Royal Cup’s national footprint and strengthens its position across foodservice, hospitality and retail channels. The combined business will also operate a route-based distribution and equipment service network serving sectors including healthcare, convenience and private label across the US, Caribbean, Mexico and Canada. The merged company will remain headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, with Royal Cup president and CEO Chip Wann continuing to lead the business. “Today officially marks the beginning of a new chapter for Royal Cup and Farmer Brothers – one built on decades of combined experience and a genuine dedication to the people and customers we serve,” Wann said. “I couldn't be more proud of both organisations, and I look forward to the work ahead as we come together and grow.” As part of the transaction’s completion, Farmer Brothers president and CEO John Moore, CFO Vance Fisher and vice president and general counsel Jared Vitemb will exit the company. Royal Cup acquired all outstanding shares of Farmer Brothers in an all-cash transaction following shareholder approval of the merger agreement at a special meeting on 1 May 2026. Braemont Capital partner Wali Bacdayan said the acquisition supports Royal Cup’s strategy to build a larger national coffee platform. “This highly complementary acquisition accelerates Royal Cup’s strategy to build a scaled, national platform in the coffee industry,” Bacdayan said. “The closing of this acquisition represents a significant milestone, and we look forward to continuing to support the team as they move into this next phase.”