In a move to bolster production capabilities, Carlsberg Britvic has announced a £20 million investment in a new soft drinks canning line at its Rugby factory. This expansion, which includes a building extension, will create 34 new jobs and brings the total investment in the site to over £60 million in the past five years. The new canning line will enhance the factory's production capacity, increasing output from 560,000 to 610,000 canned soft drinks per hour. This upgrade will facilitate the production of popular beverages, including Tango and Pepsi MAX, reinforcing Carlsberg Britvic’s position in the competitive soft drinks market. Located on the Glebe Farm Industrial Estate, the Rugby facility is already a major employer in the region, with the new roles in engineering and manufacturing expected to increase the workforce to over 430 employees. Recruitment for these positions is currently underway. Nigel Paine, VP of production at Carlsberg Britvic, said: “This investment underscores our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in our supply chain. By expanding our production capacity, we can meet the growing demand for our popular brands, create more jobs and enhance our operational efficiency.” This expansion follows a series of investments aimed at strengthening the company's production capabilities, including a £1.15 million investment earlier this year, a £13 million canning line in 2023, and a £27 million canning line in 2021. These efforts are part of Carlsberg Britvic’s broader strategy to enhance its supply chain and maintain its competitive edge in the beverage industry. John Slinger, MP for Rugby, added: “They are a significant employer in the Rugby community, and this announcement means more jobs for our area, opportunities for young people and of course more of some of the nation's favourite soft drinks”. Minister for Investment Jason Stockwood also commented on the announcement, describing it as a strong endorsement of the UK’s F&B sector, which is the largest manufacturing industry in the country. “Not only will their expansion boost production, but it will strengthen the supply chain and help drive economic growth,” he said. The Rugby factory benefits from its strategic location near packaging supplier Ardagh Group, facilitating efficient logistics through an underground passage for can deliveries. This setup not only enhances operational efficiency but also aligns with Carlsberg Britvic’s commitment to sustainability, supported by a government grant for green initiatives. Additionally, the company has invested £4 million in a new logistics hub located at Junction 12 of the M6, further optimising its supply chain.

Welsh brewery and meadery Hive Mind has released Second Breakfast, a coffee honey stout made in collaboration with Rave Coffee. Brewed with seven types of malt, Welsh honey, rolled oats and Rave’s signature coffee blend, the new beer is described as a light, sessionable autumn stout with roasted depth, smooth sweetness and balanced coffee bitterness. The aroma, according to the brewery, 'blurs the line between barista and brewer'. Hive Mind co-founder Kit Newell said: “This beer celebrates the natural kinship between roasted malt and coffee. Working with Rave was the perfect fit. We share the same commitment to authenticity, quality and flavour innovation. Collaborations like this aren’t just about brewing a beer, they’re about building connections with other independent makers who inspire us.” Second Breakfast joins Hive Mind’s range of honey-based beers, including Nectar, Big Smoke and The Pollinator. It is available from Hive Mind’s website, priced at £4.50 for a 375ml bottle.

PepsiCo is bringing a sweet twist to the savoury snacks aisle this Christmas with the launch of Doritos Gingerbread, the brand’s first-ever limited-edition festive flavour. Available from 6th October, Doritos Gingerbread combines the brand’s signature crunch with the warming spice of gingerbread. PepsiCo says the unique flavour pairing aims to blur the lines between sweet and savoury snacking, driving category disruption and impulse purchases during the key holiday trading period. The limited-edition Doritos variant headlines a wider seasonal line-up that also includes two new Walkers flavours – Emmental Cheese and Beef Wellington – both launching in five-pack multipacks. Meanwhile, Sensations Honey Glazed Ham returns to shelves in 150g sharing bags following strong seasonal demand in previous years. “Christmas is a time of togetherness and joy – and our festive snack range is designed to reflect just that,” said Rob Pothier, marketing director at PepsiCo. “With bold new flavours like Doritos Gingerbread, Walkers Emmental Cheese and Walkers Beef Wellington, we’re tapping into consumer curiosity for special flavours and formats while supporting retailers in driving sales during the festive season.” The limited-edition range will be available from 6th October. The Walkers 5-pack Emmental Cheese and Walkers 5-pack Beef Wellington will both retail at £2.15, while the Sensations Honey Glazed Ham will be available as a 150g share bag at £2.50 and the Doritos Gingerbread is a 180g share bag, also at £2.50.

US-based vending machine manufacturer VMFS USA has expanded its line-up with touchscreen vending machines featuring digital advertising capabilities and advanced ID verification, aiming to meet the demands of modern, unattended retail environments. The new units are designed to help businesses operate 24/7 while serving customers in regulated categories. The machines feature digital displays capable of showing video content, promotional material or third-party ads. Certain models also include ID scanning and facial recognition, giving operators the ability to control access to age-restricted products. VMFS USA’s latest offerings focus on niche food and speciality items, including boba tea, ramen and pizza. The machines are suited for high-traffic locations such as airports, college campuses and entertainment districts, providing self-service options without the need for on-site staff. All units are MDB-compatible, configurable through the company’s Custom Vending Machines platform and equipped with remote inventory monitoring, cashless payment and programmable screen content. Jose Perez, director of operations at VMFS USA, said: "These new models are a response to what our customers have been asking for – vending systems that serve specialised use cases while also offering more control and flexibility". The ad-enabled and age verification machines are currently available through the VMFS USA online store.

Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) is a proven and adaptable technology for removing solids, oils and other contaminants from wastewater – and is particularly valued in sectors such as food and beverage for its ability to handle seasonal load variations. Xylem RT Rental DAF systems are specifically engineered to efficiently remove Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Fats, Oils and Greases (FOG) from wastewater streams. To explore DAF’s role in modern treatment strategies, Refreshment spoke with Mohamed Sameh, business development manager for vertical expansion, water solutions and services at Xylem. Watch our Drinktec 2025 interview below: Mohamed also joined an in-depth technical session with FoodBev Media on tackling wastewater challenges in the food and beverage industry. The full webinar is available to watch on-demand below.

Lipton Teas and Infusions has agreed to transfer ownership of its two tea processing factories in Türkiye’s Rize region to local tea producer Öz-Gür Çay, pending approval from local authorities. The facilities, which handle drying and cutting of a minority portion of Lipton’s locally sourced tea, would continue to process tea leaves for the company under the proposed arrangement. Lipton said the move aligns with its global strategy to focus on its core activities of selecting, blending and selling tea, rather than owning processing factories. All finished Turkish tea, including that from the Rize sites, is already sent to Lipton’s blending and packaging facility in Sakarya. The €30 million state-of-the-art site opened earlier this year and remains central to the company’s operations in Türkiye. Top image: © Lipton Teas and Infusions

Campbell's cracker graham brand Goldfish has partnered with Peanuts – the classic comic strip created by Charles M Schulz – to release a limited-edition snack celebrating Peanuts’ 75th anniversary. The new product combines peppermint and cocoa flavours in graham snacks shaped like the signature Goldfish, alongside two new designs inspired by Snoopy – his face and paw. The brand says the seasonal product blends “holiday nostalgia with festive flavour”. Mike Fanelli, senior director at Goldfish, said: “Goldfish lovers look forward to our limited time offers, and we’re excited to give them something new to celebrate this holiday season. Goldfish and Peanuts bring together two family favorite brands. The nostalgic charm of Snoopy and the comforting taste of peppermint cocoa deliver a snack that will get the whole family into the holiday spirit.” The collaboration follows other themed partnerships from Goldfish, including tie-ins with Hello Kitty, Elf and Harry Potter. The limited-edition Goldfish Snoopy Peppermint Cocoa Grahams will be available from November at national retailers across the US for a suggested retail price of $3.69 per 6.1oz bag.

Kerry Group is set to open its first Pennsylvania manufacturing facility in Hanover Township, Northampton County. The multi-million-dollar plant will focus on coffee roasting and extraction and is expected to create 61 new jobs. The company is leasing a former Martin Bauer Group building and will retain 16 employees from the previous operation. The state of Pennsylvania is supporting the project with $516,880, including a $316,880 Pennsylvania First grant and a $200,000 WEDnetPA grant for workforce training. Kerry has also been encouraged to apply for the Manufacturing Tax Credit Program. John Cahalane, president and CEO of Kerry North America, said: “With this acquisition, Kerry is enhancing production capabilities and leveraging advanced technologies to meet the rising demand for all-natural coffee ingredients across multiple markets, ultimately driving business growth and innovation". "We are especially proud to partner with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, whose support has been instrumental in making this expansion possible. This collaboration reinforces our belief that Bethlehem is the right place to grow our coffee business and deepen our commitment to sustainable nutrition and local community development.” Lehigh Valley hosts more than 100 international companies, with food and beverage producers forming a major part of the region’s manufacturing sector. Other global brands in the area include Coca-Cola, Ocean Spray, Boston Beer Co, Freshpet, Just Born, Bakerly/Norac Foods and Bimbo Bakeries. Gov Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania secretary of community and economic development, Rick Siger, highlighted the Kerry investment as a boost to the state’s manufacturing and food production industry and local job market.

Popeyes has announced plans to expand its presence in Mexico with over 300 new restaurants across the Northwest, West, Central and Southeast regions over the next decade. The expansion will be led by several regional franchise groups: Star Louisiana in Jalisco, Border Crunch in the Northwest, Grupo Euro in the Central region and Grupo Berny in the Southeast. Duncan Montero, president of Restaurant Brands International (RBI) for Latin America and the Caribbean, said the agreements reflect confidence in Mexico’s growing quick-service market and the experience of the local franchisees. "Mexico represents a tremendous growth opportunity for Popeyes," Montero said. "And we're thrilled to be partnering with experienced and passionate franchisees who share our vision." "Our unique New Orleans-style menu, including Popeyes famous chicken – freshly prepared, marinated for at least 12 hours, battered and breaded by hand with our seasonings, and slow cooked to perfection – resonates deeply with guests. We're confident in our ability to win in Mexico over the long term." The roll-out is expected to create thousands of jobs and bring Popeyes’ chicken sandwich to new areas. The brand currently operates in more than 45 countries, with recent openings in Costa Rica, Italy and the Balkans.

Javvy Coffee has expanded its Protein Coffee line-up at Sprouts Farmers Market with the launch of two new products. The new offerings include Collagen Creamer Sweet Cream and Coffee Concentrates in original, French vanilla and caramel flavours. The Javvy Sweet Cream Collagen Creamer (priced at $26.99) is a coconut-based creamer designed for both hot and iced coffee. Each serving provides 11g of collagen and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which support hair, skin, nails and joint health. Meanwhile, the Javvy Coffee Concentrates (priced at $24.99) allow consumers to make customised coffee drinks quickly by adding 1-2 teaspoons to water or milk. Each serving contains 80mg of caffeine and is made with 100% real coffee, with no added sugar or artificial ingredients. The new products are available at all Sprouts Farmers Market locations across the US.

Diet Coke has relaunched two previous favourite products in the UK and US markets, as the ongoing nostalgia trend continues to drive innovation across the food and beverage industry. In the UK, Diet Coke has announced the comeback of its Diet Cherry Coke, first launched in the 1980s. The fan-favourite flavour has now returned to British supermarket shelves, featuring packaging inspired by its original retro look. With cherry reported as the flavour of the year, Diet Cherry Coke offers the familiar taste of Diet Coke with a hint of the trendy drupe. It marks the first new flavour launch from Diet Coke in the UK in seven years. Rob Yeomans, vice president of commercial development at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB, said Diet Coke has a loyal customer base in the UK, pointing to Kantar data showing that 32% of its drinkers are “not only brand-exclusive, but would drop out of cola if Diet Coke wasn’t available”. “Combine this with the fact that cherry flavours have delivered 55% of value sales growth across total colas over the past year, and it’s clear that the return of Diet Cherry Coke gives us a great opportunity to excite shoppers and drive further growth,” he added. For a limited time, Diet Cherry Coke is available at Tesco stores nationwide in 24 x 300ml multipack cans, 500ml bottles and 2L bottles. Elsewhere, in the US, Diet Coke has brought back its Retro Diet Coke Lime product, returning to shelves on 6 October. This builds on the successful relaunch of Retro Diet Cherry Coke in the US earlier this year. The drink features a zesty lime-flavoured twist on classic Diet Coke, described as a ‘breakout favourite’ when it first launched. Like the cherry variant, Retro Diet Coke Lime launches in nostalgia-inspired, neon lime packaging. Giving a nod to the past, it is designed to spark excitement among ‘longtime loyalists’ while introducing younger shoppers to the drink. The launch is available for a limited time only, hitting the shelves in 12-pack cans and single 20oz bottles across the US while supplies last.

Nicola West The UK soft drinks market is thriving, currently valued at over £13 billion, with milkshakes contributing a substantial £650 million to that figure. Once seen as a niche indulgence, milkshakes are now a dynamic category, evolving in response to shifting consumer habits and broader lifestyle trends. Nicola West, head of frozen milkshake brand F’real, shares her perspective on how milkshakes are evolving within the soft drinks market. Milkshakes have always held a special place in consumers’ hearts as a nostalgic treat. But today, they are more than just a sweet indulgence – they are becoming a convenient, on-the-go option for busy lives. Increasingly, consumers are picking up a shake not only to satisfy a craving but also to fit into their daily routines. Whether it’s a long drive, a hectic commute or a quick break between errands, milkshakes are emerging as the perfect pick-me-up. Historically, many purchases have come from convenience retailers like One Stop and Co-op, enjoying the grab-and-go experience. More recently, the growth of delivery platforms such as UberEats and Deliveroo has added another route to purchase, allowing milkshakes to reach consumers at home. This expansion into delivery doesn’t replace the in-store experience, it complements it. In fact, in-store remains the main channel, particularly where the purchase is part of an interactive or personal moment. Nostalgia and consumer choice In our digital-first, health-conscious era where smartwatches nudge us to take more steps and apps track every bite, treats still hold an essential place in our routines. We can’t be 'good' all the time, and indulgent moments offer comfort, joy and a sense of escape. Milkshakes deliver exactly that. They are a reminder that balance is key, and that a little indulgence can go a long way in brightening someone’s day. Nostalgia plays a powerful role in consumer decision-making. While innovation in flavour is important, the best-sellers remain the timeless classics: strawberry, chocolate and vanilla; the triple threat no milkshake menu should be without. These flavours evoke memories of childhood, simpler times and familiar comforts. Trend reports also highlight the rise of nostalgic NPD, with launches inspired by retro favourites gaining traction across categories. Another strength of milkshakes is their versatility. They are not confined to a single occasion – they’re enjoyed mid-morning, at lunch or as an evening treat. Lunchtime, however, stands out as the key ‘milkshake moment,’ with over a third of purchases occurring between 11am and 3pm. This midday window is a prime opportunity for consumers to pause, recharge and indulge, whether it’s part of a daily routine or a Friday reward. For some, it’s a ritual; for others, it’s a spontaneous celebration of that halfway point in the day. The broader soft drinks market is also seeing dynamic growth, especially in frozen and chilled beverages. Smoothies and fruit-based drinks are leading the charge, reflecting a growing demand for refreshment that feels both indulgent and wholesome. Innovation on the horizon Looking ahead, category innovation opportunities are endless. Whether its expanding flavour ranges, exploring functional or plant-based options, and trialing new formats to enhancing the in-store experience, brands must stay ahead of the curve. This means paying close attention to consumer behaviour, monitoring wider market trends and exploring new approaches within the category. Indulgence often resonates most when it remains simple, satisfying and accessible. In today’s fast-paced and digitally driven world, those moments of indulgence matter more than ever. For the wider soft drinks market, milkshakes are thriving rather than just surviving, reflecting consumer appetite for flavour, fun, and the freedom to treat themselves.