Ali Group has completed the acquisition of Bunn Commercial, formerly known as Bunn-O-Matic Corporation. Following the transaction, Bunn will join Ali Group’s portfolio of foodservice equipment companies and will operate within the Welbilt portfolio in North America. Founded in 1840, Bunn is a US-based manufacturer of dispensed beverage equipment, with its beverage business established in 1957 and incorporated in 1963. Headquartered in Springfield, Illinois, the company offers a portfolio spanning coffee and iced tea brewers, superautomatic espresso machines, grinders, beverage dispensers and water systems, serving both commercial and home markets. Bunn operates additional facilities across the US and has a presence in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China and the UK. Ali Group's chairman and CEO, Filippo Berti, said: “The acquisition of Bunn marks an important step in strengthening Ali Group’s leadership in the global coffee and beverage equipment sector and advancing our long term growth strategy". "Bunn brings a strong heritage, a culture of innovation and a highly complementary portfolio that expands our global capabilities. Together, we are well positioned to deliver even greater value to our customers and accelerate growth across key markets.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Top image: © Bunn

Lipton Ice Tea is expanding its flavoured iced tea line-up with the launch of a new Tropical variant, blending mango and passionfruit to tap into growing consumer demand for bold and exotic soft drink flavours. Rolling out now across grocery and convenience channels, the new product is designed to bring additional flavour variety to the iced tea category while targeting younger consumers seeking vibrant taste profiles. The launch also aims to broaden consumption occasions for iced tea, from meal deals to at-home refreshment. According to the brand, tropical flavours continue to perform strongly in the UK soft drinks market, providing an opportunity to extend the Lipton range beyond established variants such as peach. Clare Brosnan, brand director – hydration at Carlsberg Britvic, said: "Lipton has always championed great-tasting flavours that give shoppers a truly refreshing experience, and Tropical is no exception. With the existing popularity of tropical flavours across the category already, we’re confident shoppers will love our latest addition.” The new Lipton Ice Tea Tropical flavour will be available in several pack formats designed to capture different consumption occasions, including: 500ml bottle, 500ml price-marked pack and 1.25-litre bottle. The company said the range is intended to support both on-the-go purchases, such as lunchtime meal deals, and at-home consumption with meals. Lipton Ice Tea is produced and distributed in the UK by Carlsberg Britvic under licence from PepsiCo.

Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA has promoted Matthew Smith to president, effective immediately. Matthew Smith Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA is a vertically integrated coffee company supplying branded and private-label coffee, tea and drink mixes for both retail and foodservice channels. Smith will oversee the company’s commercial, operational and organisational priorities across the US business and lead the implementation of its strategic goals. He will work closely with CEO Scott Meader on the company’s long-term strategy and growth initiatives. Smith previously served as senior vice president of sales and marketing at Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA. During that time, he helped restructure the company’s commercial organisation and expand distribution across retail, foodservice and e-commerce channels. Before joining the company, Smith spent more than a decade at Voss Water, where he led North American sales and supported the brand’s growth across multiple channels. He has also held leadership roles at RNDC, Frito‑Lay and Nestlé Waters. According to the company, Smith has led efforts to restructure the sales organisation, strengthen partnerships with retailers across grocery, mass, club and foodservice channels, and improve commercial planning and collaboration between sales, marketing and revenue management teams. CEO Meader said: “Matthew has been a transformative force within our organization, solidifying our operations and driving significant gains. Having already made a profound impact on our performance, his strategic vision and deep expertise make him the ideal leader to propel our company through its next chapter of growth.” Smith added: “I’m honoured to step into the role of president at such an exciting time for Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA. We have a strong foundation, iconic brands and tremendous opportunities ahead. I look forward to continuing to work alongside our teams and partners to drive sustainable growth, strengthen our customer relationships, and unlock the full potential of our portfolio.”

US beverage brand Culture Pop Soda has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade, marking the company’s first lemonade-flavoured product. Founded in 2020 by beverage entrepreneur Tom First, Culture Pop produces functional sodas formulated with probiotics and fruit-based sweeteners. According to the company, the new drink offers a carbonated twist on the traditional lemonade category, which is often characterised by high sugar levels and sweet flavour profiles. Culture Pop said the launch aims to provide a more balanced alternative, combining raspberry and lemon flavours with a lighter sweetness. The beverage is sweetened with organic fruit juices from concentrate rather than refined sugar or artificial sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit. The formulation also includes organic herbs, spices and live probiotics intended to support gut health. The drink features a blend of raspberry flavour with tart lemon notes and a crisp finish, aligning with the brand’s focus on simple ingredients. First said: "It's everything people love about lemonade, without the 40+ grams of sugar or the artificial sweetener aftertaste. We wanted to create a sparkling version of lemonade that is flavourful, complex and delicious. Something you can reach for any day of the week. We made a Raspberry Lemonade the Culture Pop way." Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade is now available for nationwide shipping via the company’s website and Amazon, and is also rolling out at US retailers including Sprouts, Walmart and Albertsons/Safeway.

PepsiCo UK is investing £3.6 million to install a rooftop solar power system at its Southern Region Distribution Centre (SRDC) in Leicester, UK. The project, delivered with energy infrastructure specialist Ineco Energy, will see solar panels installed across 30,000 square metres of roof space, roughly the size of four football pitches. Once completed, the system is expected to generate the equivalent of 100% of the electricity required to run the logistics centre annually. The 3.56MWp solar installation is forecast to produce around 2.84GWh of renewable electricity each year, enough to power about 1,000 UK homes. Any surplus energy generated during the day will be used to support operations at the nearby Walkers crisps manufacturing plant. The project forms part of a broader series of sustainability investments across PepsiCo’s UK operations. Recent initiatives include switching to electric ovens at its Leicester site, installing more efficient manufacturing machinery in Coventry and upgrading fryers at its Brigg facility, home to Pipers crisps. Together, these upgrades have reduced the company’s greenhouse gas emissions by around 2,400 tonnes annually. The solar installation follows a £14 million upgrade of the Leicester distribution centre in 2021. The facility employs around 240 people and distributes products produced at PepsiCo’s six UK factories. Andy Smethurst, UK warehousing and logistics director at PepsiCo, said: “Leicester is already home to one of the world’s largest crisp factories, and now we’re delivering one of the most complex solar power systems, right here in the East Midlands. It’s a major milestone for PepsiCo UK and shows how we’re continuing to find new ways to power our sites and operate more sustainably.” Angus Rose, director at Ineco Energy, added: “Ineco is incredibly proud to be delivering this flagship solar project for PepsiCo. Once operational, it will be one of the largest rooftop systems of its kind in the UK food manufacturing sector, generating the same amount of electricity that the SRDC uses in a full year". "This project has required a collaborative and highly technical approach, and we’re delighted to now be moving into the construction phase. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with the PepsiCo team.” Construction of the solar system is underway and is expected to be completed by September 2026.

Carlsberg Britvic has introduced Tango Sours, a new zero-sugar line with ‘intense flavour’ under its popular Tango soft drinks brand in the UK. Catering to demand from younger consumers for sour flavours and more adventurous taste profiles, the range is available in two flavour variants: Watermelon and Tropical. It is described by the company as ‘delivering refreshment with a sour twist’. Tango Sours features bright, distinctive packaging that matches the brand’s new visual identity, revealed in January. The rebrand aims to drive stronger appeal among Gen Z consumers in particular. David Laidler, brand director of Carbonates at Carlsberg Britvic, said: “When we developed Tango Sours, we wanted a drink range that delivered on both stand-out visuals and intense flavour. With its striking design and punchy sour hit, the range is built to disrupt the fixture and command real attention on shelf.” Tango Sours is rolling out across the UK retail channel this month across two pack formats: 4x330ml multipack, priced at £4.09 RRP, and 1.5 litre bottles (priced at £3.35 RRP). An additional 500ml bottle format (£2.39 RRP) will join the range from May.

Elder Water, a new British spring water brand, has launched a closed-loop glass bottle system aimed at helping hospitality operators reduce single-use packaging. Founded by Island Poké founder James Gould-Porter, the company bottles spring water in reusable glass containers that are collected, refilled and redelivered through a circular distribution model. The brand describes the concept as the 'milkman of British spring water'. The water is sourced from a protected spring in Cheddar Gorge and is naturally high in calcium and magnesium. According to the company, the spring sits on certified organic land and offers one of the richer mineral profiles among UK sources. Elder is initially rolling out with sustainability-focused hospitality partners in London, including Tramp Private Members’ Club, as well as pubs such as The Merry Harriers and The Waterman’s Arms. Venues operated by Lunar Pub Group are also part of the initial rollout. The brand is backed by angel investors, including individuals previously involved with Soho House & Co and Mr & Mrs Smith, as well as a professional rugby player. Commenting on the launch, Gould-Porter said the company was created to address packaging waste in the bottled water sector. “After years in the industry, it became impossible to ignore the waste built into something as simple as bottled water," he said. "Elder exists to redesign that system, without asking venues to compromise on quality, experience or ease. Plus, we’re also offering them a saving vs traditional bottled water brands and added saving by removing disposal costs.” Elder’s model allows customers to place an order or subscription online, receive water in reusable glass bottles and return empty containers in crates during the next scheduled delivery, enabling the bottles to be washed and refilled. The launch comes as the hospitality sector faces increasing pressure to reduce single-use packaging, including the introduction of a 10p single-use glass tax per bottle. Elder says its system is designed to provide a circular alternative for restaurants, pubs, hotels and households seeking lower-waste options. The company’s long-term ambition is to develop a nationally scalable circular water system operating across multiple channels and sectors.

SandStar has unveiled a new AI-powered vending kiosk, the VRK, aimed at enhancing the unattended retail experience through computer vision technology and remote management capabilities. The VRK combines hardware and software designed to improve product recognition, operational efficiency and security in vending environments. The kiosk features a gloss-black design with a luminous handle and optional FIFO (first-in, first-out) shelving intended to maintain product rotation and organised displays. To reduce theft and product loss, the unit incorporates a four-camera monitoring system powered by real-time AI. The system detects camera obstruction and responds with visual and audio alerts. It also includes a dual-sensor locking mechanism designed to improve security when the kiosk is closed. At the core of the system is a self-learning AI engine that continually improves product recognition and transaction accuracy as more purchases are made. According to SandStar, the system becomes more precise over time as it processes additional transactions. The VRK also includes a proprietary 4G connectivity solution with unlimited data and continuous monitoring, intended to minimise downtime and maintain stable connectivity. Operational management is handled through SandStar’s OPS platform, which enables operators to monitor and control machines remotely. The system is designed to allow fleet-wide management from a single interface. Each unit is delivered pre-calibrated with plug-and-play functionality to reduce installation time. The SandStar VRK is available in the US and Canada.

Japan’s Lifedrink Company has announced plans to acquire two beverage-related businesses as part of a strategy to expand its sales channels. The company’s board of directors approved the acquisition last Thursday, 5 March 2026, with the transaction expected to be completed on Wednesday, 1 April 2026 through a newly established consolidated subsidiary. Under the deal, Lifedrink will acquire SD Next Co, which manages vending machine operations, and SD Bottlers Co, which operates beverage wholesale and related activities, from Sukima Depart Co. Lifedrink said the move aligns with its management strategy focused on the “evolution and deepening of max production and max sales”. The company has previously prioritised expanding production capacity through initiatives such as upgrading beverage factory facilities, building new plants and pursuing mergers and acquisitions. By acquiring the vending machine and distribution businesses, the company aims to strengthen its direct sales channels and reinforce its overall business foundation. SD Next, established in September 2023 and headquartered in Tokyo, oversees vending machine-related operations for affiliated companies. The group operates approximately 3,000 vending machines, with aggregated net sales of JPY 2.7 billion (approx. $17.9 million) in the fiscal year ended August 2025, up from JPY 2.5 billion (approx. $16.6 million) in 2023. Meanwhile, Osaka-based SD Bottlers, founded in 2003, focuses on wholesale, retail and international trade of beverages and alcoholic drinks, as well as the purchase and sale of vending machines. The company recorded net sales of JPY 5.1 billion (approx. $34.1 million) in the fiscal year ended February 2025, compared with JPY 3.5 billion (approx. $23.2 million) in 2023. The acquisition price for both companies has not been disclosed at the request of the counterparty. Following completion of the transaction, Lifedrink will hold 100% of the voting rights in each company. Lifedrink and Sukima Depart also plan to discuss potential future collaboration initiatives. The company said the acquisition is expected to have only a minor impact on its consolidated operating results for the fiscal year ending March 2026.

PepsiCo is bringing one of its most recognisable snack brands into the culinary world with the launch of its first restaurant concept dedicated to Lay’s, opening in Madrid, Spain. The concept, called Pilla Tortilla, centres on Spain’s iconic tortilla (potato omelette) reimagined with Lay’s potato chips as a signature ingredient. Developed in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Miguel Carretero, the restaurant represents the first time PepsiCo has launched a full dining concept around one of its food brands. The opening forms part of PepsiCo’s Food Ventures initiative, a global business unit designed to expand the company’s presence in the away-from-home channel and create new meal occasions for its brands. “Pilla Tortilla is the first restaurant project by PepsiCo and Lay’s anywhere in the world,” said Pol Codina, general manager and senior vice president of PepsiCo Food Ventures. “With this opening in Madrid, PepsiCo is expanding its food and culinary focus and delivering on our diversification and growth strategy in the away-from-home channel.” The Food Ventures unit, based in Barcelona, aims to develop ready-to-eat concepts that connect PepsiCo’s snack brands with consumers in new contexts, both on-the-go and in foodservice environments. The Pilla Tortilla concept will debut with two formats: a full bar-restaurant offering dine-in, delivery and takeaway, and a separate takeaway-only kitchen. The menu focuses on tortilla served in different formats, including slices (pinchos), sandwiches and whole tortillas, with customisable toppings such as spicy sausage with brie and honey, anchovies with Lay’s, crispy pork belly with alioli and salsa brava, Iberian ham with gazpacho and pulled pork. The restaurant also incorporates Lay’s into other menu items, from starters like fish and chips with Lay’s Salt & Vinegar and marinated mussels with lime mayonnaise and Lay’s, to side dishes and desserts that combine sweet and savoury flavours, such as chocolate with Lay’s or goat’s cheese with honey and dulce de leche ice cream. Menu development was led by chef Miguel Carretero, who heads the restaurant Santerra and earned a Michelin star in 2024. Carretero worked with the PepsiCo brand team to refine the tortilla recipe and integrate Lay’s chips in a way that complements the dish while preserving its traditional character. “Lay’s is part of the collective imagination of many generations, and bringing its identity into such an emblematic recipe as tortilla was an exciting challenge,” Carretero said. “The result is a tortilla that’s instantly recognisable, but with a twist.” Erica Lascorz, senior director of innovation marketing at PepsiCo Europe, added: “We wanted to go beyond the typical snack moment and turn something as familiar as eating tortilla into a unique concept, ‘grabbing a tortilla’, a special shared moment with an authentic brand experience.”

Bloomberg has reported that Centurium Capital Partners is in advanced talks to acquire Nestlé’s Blue Bottle Coffee, citing people familiar with the matter. According to the report, the private equity firm – which previously backed the turnaround of Chinese coffee chain Luckin Coffee – is finalising details of a potential deal for the speciality coffee roaster and retailer. Late last year, Nestlé announced that it was reportedly exploring the sale of Blue Bottle Coffee , as part of a broader strategic review initiated by new CEO Philipp Navratil . The sources, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private, said an agreement could be reached soon, although negotiations are still ongoing and a transaction is not guaranteed. Blue Bottle Coffee was founded in Oakland, California, in 2002 and currently operates cafés across the US, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Nestlé acquired a 68% stake in the company in 2017 for approximately $425 million. Luckin Coffee, established in 2017, operates around 31,000 stores, making it the largest coffee chain in China. Refreshment has contacted Centurium for a comment.

Reborn Coffee has appointed Jung Jae Lim as co-chief executive officer. Lim brings more than 20 years of experience in logistics and supply chain management. In the role, he will lead initiatives across logistics, transportation and supply chain operations, focusing on strengthening distribution capabilities, improving service reliability and cost efficiency, and supporting the company’s expansion through enterprise partnerships and scalable infrastructure. According to the company, Lim has secured logistics partnerships with companies operating in the US and Mexico. The agreements are expected to generate an estimated combined monthly volume of more than 1,550 units and an annual logistics revenue potential of around $20 million. Jay Kim, co-CEO of Reborn Coffee, said: “Lim’s depth of logistics leadership and operational execution experience strengthens our leadership team at an important time in our growth. His track record across complex supply chain environments adds meaningful capability as we pursue a disciplined approach to scale, execution and long-term value creation." "As co-chief executive officer, Lim will be authorised to take such actions, execute such documents and cause the preparation and filing of such public disclosures as may be necessary or appropriate to advance the Company’s strategic initiatives and operational objectives.”