Keurig Dr Pepper has introduced more than 35 beverage varieties for 2026 across its carbonated soft drinks, teas, waters, energy and juice drink portfolios, alongside several returning and seasonal offerings. Among the new flavour launches, Canada Dry is expanding its Fruit Splash line with Strawberry, combining ginger ale with strawberry flavour and a splash of real juice in a national rollout from February. Meanwhile, Bai is introducing Bai Barù Blood Orange nationwide the same month, offering a tangy blood orange flavour in its antioxidant-infused water beverage range. 7Up Endless Summer Mandarin Orange, exclusive to Kroger, blends mandarin with classic lemon-lime for a seasonal citrus profile. Mott’s is entering the zero-sugar segment for the first time with a new Zero Sugar Juice Drinks line launching nationwide in March alongside refreshed packaging. Energy drink innovation features prominently. Ghost Energy is launching new 8.4oz cans in OG, OG Colada, Strawberry Watermelon and Welch’s Grape, and expanding its 16oz range with Blue Raspberry, Iced Tea Lemonade (Walmart and Circle K exclusive), Strawbango, Bubblicious Strawberry Splash (Kroger exclusive) and Welch’s Grape-Cran. C4 Energy is introducing Mango Fuego, Hawaiian Punch Berry Blue Typhoon (Circle K exclusive), Pink Lemonade as a limited-time offer and Cherry Cola exclusive to Casey’s. Bloom Sparkling Energy is adding Summer Splash, a strawberry lemonade flavour, while Black Rifle Energy is releasing GrapeX and Tiger Strike, a limited-time citrus-tropical blend. Across partner brands, Electrolit is expanding its hydration range with Cherry Ice and Strawberry Kiwi multipacks, with an additional 7-Eleven exclusive flavour planned. In ready-to-drink coffee, La Colombe Draft Latte is adding Strawberry Mocha and S’mores to its seasonal line-up, followed later in the year by Pumpkin Spice and Peppermint Mocha. Additional flavour innovation includes Bloom Pop, developed with Nutrabolt, which will launch Root Beer Float, Peach Pineapple and Rocket Blast varieties this summer. Fan favourites make a comeback Returning limited-time and seasonal flavours include Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut, which comes back in April, and Snapple Two Hundred Fif-Tea Party, a summer blend of raspberry tea and lemonade. 7Up Shirley Temple will return for the holiday season with pomegranate and lemon-lime flavours, while A&W Root Beer Float arrives for a limited time beginning in July. Polar Seltzer is also bringing back fan favourites Strawberry Créme and Toasted Coconut nationwide, offering lightly sweet, dessert-inspired sparkling options for consumers. Separately, Snapple will introduce a refreshed visual identity beginning in March, featuring updated graphics and logo elements. All 2026 CSD innovations will be offered in both regular and zero-sugar options.

White Castle has installed a new automated kiosk at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), expanding its on-the-go offering for travellers in the Fort Myers area. Located in the airport’s renovated terminal food court, the unit serves freshly heated, ready-to-eat beef and chicken Sliders on demand. The site is part of RSW’s transition to a vending-focused dining model designed to serve high-traffic passenger flows efficiently. The kiosk launch is part of a partnership with Just Baked and Evolvending. Through Evolvending’s airport industry relationships, the partners are expanding to additional locations. The fully automated unit offers a menu of White Castle retail Sliders, including the Original Slider, Classic Cheese Sliders, Cheddar Bacon Cheese Slider and Chicken & Cheese Slider. Orders are prepared hot and ready with minimal wait. Sarah Paulson, director of retail marketing, innovation and licensing at White Castle, said: “Airports are all about speed, convenience and reliability, and this automated kiosk at RSW lets us deliver the White Castle experience in a world-class facility in a way that fits how people travel today". "By combining automation with our iconic Sliders thanks to our partnership with Just Baked and Evolvending, we’re meeting travelers where they are and rethinking what airport dining can look like.” Valentina Ellison, CEO of Evolvending, added: “We’re excited to launch our exclusive partnership with White Castle at Southwest Florida International Airport. This location showcases the future of airport dining through its unique design and restaurant-quality food delivered through automation.” The RSW installation adds to White Castle’s presence in airports. The company operates an automated kiosk at Boston Logan International Airport and plans to expand to additional US airports. White Castle’s retail Sliders are sold in grocery and club stores locally and across all 50 states, made with the same ingredients as its restaurant Sliders, including a 100% beef patty steamed on a bed of onions.

Just Ice Tea has raised $9 million in Series B financing to accelerate national retail growth and product innovation, including the launch of Watermelon Lime White Tea and Peach White Tea. Investors in the round include Robert Trone, co-founder of Total Wine & More, Taste Tomorrow Ventures, and senior leadership from Big Geyser of NYC, Polar Strategic Ventures and several other distributors. Founded in 2022 by Seth Goldman, Barry Nalebuff and Spike Mendelsohn, the brand produces ready-to-drink organic, Fair Trade teas made with recognizable ingredients and no artificial additives. The company plans to expand from 12,000 to 17,000 retail stores nationwide in 2026, a 40% year-over-year increase. Its bottled and canned teas will be stocked at retailers including Kroger, Publix and Albertsons. To support the expansion, the brand has added more than 100 regional distributors, including Reyes Beverage Group, Hand Family Companies and Odom Corporation. In 2025, the brand doubled its store presence with rollouts into Target, CVS Pharmacy, Wegmans and Harris Teeter. Goldman said: “We are grateful for this strong support as we dramatically expand our retail footprint. It’s wonderful to build a foundation with accomplished entrepreneurs in the beverage retail sector whose support will further propel Just Ice Tea’s next phase of hypergrowth.” Trone added: “Seth and his team have already built a great brand that is gaining significant traction with customers and consumers alike. I look forward to joining the board and supporting Just Ice Tea as it realises its vision and mission.” Alongside the funding, the new flavours include: Watermelon Lime White Tea:   made with organic watermelon, cucumber and lime, available beginning this month. Peach White Tea: made with organic white tea and oolong blended with peach and sweetened with organic cane sugar, at 50 calories per can, planned for a summer launch. The brand will showcase Watermelon Lime White Tea at Natural Products Expo West (4-6 March) in Anaheim, California. American chef Spike Mendelsohn said: “This new flavour was inspired by the quality of the organic watermelon puree we have sourced from California. Blended with our delicate white tea and a touch of lime, it brings the juicy summer vibes we’re all looking for.” Just Ice Tea is operated by Goldman and Mendelsohn. The company sources Organic and Fair Trade Certified ingredients globally, and its more than 17 flavours are formulated with “Just Sweet Enough” sweeteners or no sweetener.

Jurahas launched the C3, a fully automatic coffee machine for espresso and black coffee. The new unit features a full-size brewing unit, Professional Aroma Grinder (PAG), and Pulse Extraction Process (PEP) for dense crema. A dual-cup function brews two servings in two cycles. Measuring 10.2 x 12.8 x 17.2 inches, the C3 has wave-inspired design elements on the front panel, water tank and cup grille. The machine uses a four-button Easy Control Panel. An optional Wi-Fi Connect accessory pairs with the Jura Operating Experience (JOE) app for remote control, customisation and instructional content. The C3 comes in Piano White and exclusive Piano Black at privately held retail company Sur La Table. Jura machines retail from $1,199 to $5,999.

Glacier Fresh, a home water filtration brand, has launched Coolon, a countertop cold water dispenser that provides instant filtered drinking water without plumbing or professional installation. Designed for modern households, Coolon offers a plug-and-play solution that fits in kitchens, home offices, apartments and shared living spaces. The dispenser uses advanced nano-filtration technology to reduce contaminants while retaining essential minerals for improved taste. It features intuitive controls, preset dispensing options, a compact footprint and smart maintenance indicators, including a filter replacement alert. Glacier Fresh developed Coolon to address common barriers to at-home hydration, such as space constraints and the need for installation. The product aims to make clean, cold water more accessible, supporting healthier and more sustainable daily habits. Allen, product manager at Glacier Fresh, said: “With the launch of Coolon water dispenser, we focused on removing everyday barriers that often make drinking better water more complicated than it needs to be. Coolon reflects our belief that clean, cold water should be easy to access and adaptable to how people actually live today.” Coolon expands Glacier Fresh’s home hydration portfolio, which includes refrigerator filters, pitchers and undersink reverse osmosis systems. The Coolon Countertop Cold Water Dispenser is available to buy through Glacier Fresh's website.

Italy’s premium coffee brand, Illy, is rolling out its new self-service concept – Illy On The Go – targeting retail, foodservice, leisure, education and convenience sectors amid rising demand for automated coffee formats. The bean-to-cup machines, made from 95% recycled materials, including 30% coffee grounds, serve Illy’s 100% Arabica blend, known for its smooth, velvety flavour. The company aims to install 1,000 units over the next five years. The global self-serve coffee bars market was valued at nearly £4.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to approach £7 billion by 2029. Consumers increasingly seek premium, espresso-style drinks without compromising on quality, particularly younger and professional demographics. The UK will be the first market for Illy On The Go. The machines will be introduced in partnership with Beanology, combining Illy’s coffee expertise with Beanology’s automated solutions. Retailers and foodservice operators will benefit from full installation, servicing and brand support. Marcello Canetti, managing director at UK&I at Illy, said: “We know a growing number of consumers are looking for convenience in their coffee. However, consumers simply aren’t willing to compromise on taste or ethics." "At Illy, we’ve spent decades perfecting our premium blend of 100% Arabica beans, and we’re proud to bring our signature taste to a self-serve machine. The Illy name will give both consumers – and our retail and foodservice partners – confidence that their coffee will always be of a barista-level quality, whatever the format.” The machines also reflect sustainability priorities, aiming to minimise waste while offering an ethical coffee option. Kerry Burvill, founder of Beanology, added: “Demand for on-the-go coffee has evolved rapidly, with customers now expecting café-quality drinks delivered through reliable, automated formats. Beanology was developed to meet that need with innovative machine solutions." "Our partnership with Illy brings a clear point of difference to a market that now expects a higher standard.”

Amie Thuener Keurig Dr Pepper has appointed two new independent directors and unveiled governance changes as it moves closer to completing its acquisition of JDE Peet’s  and prepares to separate into two standalone businesses. The beverage group says Amie Thuener, vice president, corporate controller and chief accounting officer at Alphabet, and William 'Bill' Newlands, the outgoing president and chief executive of Constellation Brands, will join its board effective March 2. The appointments come as Keurig Dr Pepper approaches the expected early second-quarter close of the JDE Peet’s transaction and advances plans to separate into two publicly listed entities – a North America-focused 'Beverage Co' and a 'Global Coffee Co' housing the combined coffee assets. In parallel, KDP said it will split its existing Remuneration & Nominating Committee into separate Nominating & Governance and Compensation Committees, a move aimed at tightening oversight during what Chief Executive Tim Cofer described as a pivotal phase of transformation. William 'Bill' Newlands The governance reshuffle also coincides with a leadership change at Constellation Brands. The Corona and Modelo owner said it has appointed Nicholas Fink as president and chief executive officer , effective 13 April 2026, as Newlands prepares to step down and retire from its board. Thuener brings three decades of accounting and financial reporting experience, including oversight of global reporting and M&A finance at Alphabet, and will sit on KDP’s Audit & Finance Committee. Her appointment comes as KDP prepares for the financial complexity of integrating JDE Peet’s and executing a subsequent spin-off. Newlands, who has led Constellation Brands for more than seven years and previously served as its chief growth officer and chief operating officer, will join KDP’s Nominating & Governance Committee. His track record in premium beverage alcohol and large-scale brand building is likely to be viewed as strategically relevant as KDP seeks to sharpen the positioning of its future Beverage Co while scaling its global coffee platform. KDP, which generates more than $15 billion in annual revenue across the soft drinks, coffee, water, juice and mixers categories, has warned that risks remain around completing the JDE Peet’s acquisition and subsequent separation within the anticipated timeframe, as well as potential operational disruption and transaction costs.

Five Star Breaktime Solutions has acquired refreshment services operator AM Coffee Services, expanding its coffee service operations in Shreveport, Louisiana, and supporting regional growth. Founded in 1981 by Mary Moore, AM Coffee developed into a local refreshment provider serving workplaces across the Shreveport area. Her son, Price Moore, assumed leadership following her retirement nearly 20 years ago and has managed the company since. The acquisition adds nearly 90 coffee and refreshment service locations, which will be integrated into Five Star’s existing Shreveport operations. The company said the transition is intended to maintain uninterrupted service and customer support. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Welsh Government has laid the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026, marking a significant step toward introducing a nationwide system for returning drinks containers for recycling and reuse. The scheme aims to build on Wales’ strong recycling performance by reducing litter, cutting waste and supporting the transition to a circular economy. It forms part of the government’s commitments under Beyond Recycling and Net Zero Wales. Ministers said the scheme has been designed to meet Wales’ needs while maintaining interoperability with systems planned across the UK. Unlike the approach previously taken by the UK Government, the Welsh scheme will include glass bottles. This difference in scope required an exclusion from the UK Internal Market Act, which has now been agreed by the UK Government and devolved administrations. From launch, the Welsh DRS will cover single-use PET plastic bottles, aluminium and steel cans and glass bottles. The scheme also establishes a pathway toward reuse systems, supported by industry pilots, with the aim of aligning with international best practice. To support an aligned UK-wide launch in October 2027, the Welsh Government accelerated development of the regulations. Elements consulted on previously – including future reuse targets – will be introduced through subsequent regulations. Discussions on further exclusions under the UK Internal Market Act are already underway. To support implementation across the UK, Wales has proposed creating an interoperability taskforce with the UK, Scottish and Northern Irish governments, working alongside industry-led Deposit Management Organisations. The government said it will continue working with local authorities, industry and stakeholders to ensure effective delivery. The regulations, which will now be considered by the Senedd, establish the framework for the scheme, enable the appointment of a Deposit Management Organisation and define its purpose and scope. From 1 October 2027, the scheme will apply to drinks containers ranging from 150ml to 3-litres. Although glass bottles will be included from the outset, they will be exempt from labelling requirements and carry a zero-pence deposit during a four-year transition period, allowing industry time to adapt while reuse systems are phased in. The scheme will also allow consumers to donate deposit refunds to charity, providing additional social and community benefits. Subject to Senedd approval, the regulations will enable Wales to launch the DRS on 1 October 2027, reinforcing its position as a leader in circular economy policy and waste reduction.

Topo Chico has launched Topo Chico Sabores Passion Fruit, a new sparkling water featuring real fruit juice and added minerals for taste. The product delivers a fruit-forward passion fruit profile with a crisp, carbonated finish. The beverage is packaged in a slim aluminium can and is intended to be consumed chilled, either on its own, on-the-go or with meals. Each 12oz can contains 10 calories, with no added sugars or artificial ingredients. Topo Chico Sabores Passion Fruit will be available in US markets from 16 February at national retailers including Kroger, Walmart and Target. Suggested retail pricing is $1.99 per single can and $8.99 per eight-pack, depending on retailer.

Refresco, the global independent beverage solutions provider, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SunOpta in an all-cash transaction valued at $6.50 per share. Under the terms of the agreement, SunOpta will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Refresco following the close of the transaction, which is expected in the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary regulatory, court and shareholder approvals. SunOpta’s shares will be delisted from Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock Exchange upon completion. Refresco CEO Steve Presley said: “SunOpta represents an exceptional strategic addition to our portfolio. The acquisition is highly complementary and significantly broadens our position in the fast-growing plant-based beverages category." "It enhances our North American capabilities and supports a more balanced global footprint, while expanding our offerings to both retail and branded customers.” The deal also brings SunOpta’s out-of-home customer base and capabilities into Refresco’s platform, strengthening its reach across retail, foodservice and branded channels. For SunOpta, the transaction marks the next phase in a multi-year transformation into a focused supply-chain and innovation partner in the better-for-you food and beverage space. SunOpta CEO Brian Kocher added: “This strategic combination validates our vision of transforming SunOpta into a premier solutions partner in the high-growth better-for-you food and beverage space". "This partnership with Refresco provides the resources and scale to unlock SunOpta’s full potential and accelerate the next chapter of our growth journey.” SunOpta has built strong platforms in plant-based beverages, broths and better-for-you snacks, serving major brands, retailers and foodservice operators across North America, with a focus on sustainability, food safety and quality. The transaction has been unanimously approved by both boards of directors and will be implemented through a court-approved plan of arrangement under Canadian law. SunOpta has announced it will suspend quarterly earnings calls and discontinue quarterly and annual financial guidance in light of the pending transaction. The acquisition further consolidates the beverage co-manufacturing and solutions space, particularly in plant-based beverages, one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry. By combining Refresco’s global scale and manufacturing footprint with SunOpta’s specialised capabilities in plant-based and better-for-you products, the deal positions the combined business to serve growing demand from retailers, branded manufacturers and foodservice operators seeking scalable, sustainable beverage solutions. If approved, the transaction will create one of the most comprehensive independent beverage solutions platforms in North America, Europe and Australia, with a strengthened portfolio spanning carbonated drinks, juices, RTD teas, waters, energy drinks, sports drinks and plant-based beverages.

Lactaid has officially expanded beyond milk and ice cream with the launch of new Lactaid Creamers, further extending its lactose-free dairy portfolio. The new line brings Lactaid’s signature lactose-free dairy positioning to the morning coffee routine, delivering the taste and texture of real dairy creamers, made with 100% real milk and cream, just without the lactose. The creamers are formulated with only five simple ingredients, are free from artificial flavours and gums and are designed to offer rich, indulgent flavour without compromising clean-label expectations. The new Lactaid Creamers debut in three flavours: French Vanilla, Caramel and Sweet Cream. The launch reflects Lactaid’s broader strategy to expand its presence across everyday consumption occasions, from traditional dairy staples like milk and ice cream to coffee customisation. According to the brand, the expansion aligns with growing consumer demand for functional dairy products that accommodate lactose intolerance without sacrificing taste or quality. Retail distribution for the creamers begins this month, with products merchandised in the dairy aisle alongside Lactaid’s full line-up of lactose-free dairy offerings.