Nestlé has announced the immediate dismissal of CEO Laurent Freixe following an internal investigation into a breach of the company’s code of conduct related to a personal relationship with a subordinate. Laurent Freixe The board has appointed Philipp Navratil, the head of Nespresso, as his successor, marking a significant leadership transition for the company. Freixe, who had been with Nestlé for nearly 40 years and took over as CEO just a year ago, was removed from his position after a thorough investigation into allegations raised through the company’s internal complaints system, 'Speak Up'. While initial findings deemed the claims unsubstantiated, persistent internal complaints prompted a second investigation, which confirmed violations of company policy regarding personal relationships in the workplace. Nestlé’s chairman, Paul Bulcke, highlighted the importance of maintaining strong governance and values within the organisation. “This was a necessary decision. I thank Laurent for his years of service at Nestlé,” Bulcke said in a statement of the company's website, reinforcing the company’s commitment to ethical standards. Freixe’s departure adds to the challenges Nestlé is currently facing, including slowing sales in its core businesses and increasing regulatory scrutiny. Earlier this year, French authorities raided Nestlé’s offices as part of an investigation into the company’s alleged use of unauthorised filtration methods in its bottled mineral water. Furthermore, the company faced a recall of frozen meals in the US due to contamination concerns, which raised questions about its quality control processes. Since taking the helm, Freixe had aimed to refocus the company on its core brands, which include well-known products like Kit Kat, Nescafé, and Purina pet food, amidst a backdrop of declining share prices and investor concerns. Nestlé's stock has seen a significant drop of over 40% since hitting a peak of SFr127 in 2022, leading to increased pressure on the management team to deliver results. Philipp Navratil, who began his career at Nestlé as an internal auditor in 2001, has held various leadership roles across Latin America and within the coffee sector, culminating in his recent position as the head of Nespresso. Philipp Navratil His appointment comes at a critical time, and his proven track record could help stabilise the company. Jean-Philippe Bertschy, an analyst at Vontobel, noted that Navratil’s leadership is encouraging for investors who have been anxious amid recent turmoil. Navratil's experience in managing high-profile brands and his understanding of Nestlé’s operational dynamics will be crucial as he steps into the CEO role. His immediate priorities are expected to include restoring investor confidence, addressing operational inefficiencies, and navigating the ongoing regulatory challenges facing the company. Navratil said: "I am honoured by the trust the board has placed in me, and it is a privilege to take on the responsibility of leading Nestlé into the future". "I fully embrace the company's strategic direction, as well as the action plan in place to drive Nestlé's performance. I look forward to working closely with the entire leadership of the company, in alignment with the board, chairman Paul Bulcke and chairman-designate Pablo Isla, to accelerate execution and to drive the value creation plan with intensity."

Flavour solutions company Monin has unveiled its latest product line, Pure, aimed at the burgeoning market for low- and no-sugar beverages in India. The new range, which features four natural flavours – including Mint, Red Fruits, Green Apple and Peach Apricot – was launched to meet the increasing demand for healthier beverage options among chefs, bartenders and culinary creators. The introduction of Pure comes at a pivotal time as the Indian beverage market sees a significant shift towards healthier choices. According to NielsenIQ, the low- and no-sugar drink segment doubled in 2024, reaching a market size of ₹700–750 crore (approx. $84-90 million) and accounting for 10% of the overall beverage landscape. This trend reflects a growing consumer preference for authenticity and transparency in food and drink products, a need that Monin aims to fulfil with its new offering. “India's food and beverage culture is evolving rapidly, and with Pure, we are giving bartenders, chefs, baristas and home creators the freedom to innovate without compromise,” said Germain Araud, managing director of Monin India. She continued: “Pure blends our expertise in flavour with the rising need for healthier options, ensuring we meet consumer demands for quality and taste”. Crafted using 100% natural fruit and plant-based extracts, each flavour in the Pure range is designed to provide a clean and versatile taste profile suitable for a variety of applications, including cocktails, mocktails, cold brews, iced teas, smoothies and desserts. The absence of added sugars, artificial sweeteners or colourants positions Pure as a health-conscious alternative in the competitive beverage market. The flavours include: Mint:   Crisp and cooling, ideal for iced teas and chilled drinks. Red Fruits:  Juicy berry notes perfect for spritzes and smoothies. Green Apple: Fresh and tangy, suitable for sodas and mocktails. Peach Apricot:  Soft and floral, excellent for iced teas and pastries. Each 700ml bottle is priced at INR 955 and will be available through Monin's extensive distributor network and leading ecommerce platforms such as Amazon. Since establishing a direct subsidiary in India in 2019, Monin has significantly invested in local operations, including a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility set to open in Telangana by March 2026. This facility will not only serve the Indian market but also cater to neighbouring South Asian countries, further solidifying Monin's presence in the region. Additionally, Monin has established a local R&D centre focused on tailoring flavours to Indian tastes and trends, alongside creative studios in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Tim Hortons has introduced a new line of protein beverages nationwide, giving customers a way to add an extra boost to their coffee run. The Protein Lattes, made with a lactose-free, high-protein dairy base, contain 20g of protein per medium hot drink and 17 grams in the iced version. Customers can also customise their lattes with flavour shots or opt to add the protein dairy to other Tims products, including coffee, tea, cold brew and iced cappuccinos. Carolina Berti, VP of category and innovation for Tim Hortons, said: "We're proud that millions of Canadians start their day with their favourite coffee from Tims and we're excited to now give them a new convenient option to add more protein to their favourite beverages – and with no compromise in taste". Alongside the protein line-up, the coffee chain is rolling out several seasonal additions. New hot and iced chai lattes, made with a real tea blend, are launching across Canada. Pumpkin spice drinks — including the Pumpkin Spice Iced Capp, cold brew, hot and iced lattes — are also making their annual return, alongside the Pumpkin Spice Filled Muffin. For those with a sweet tooth, Tim Hortons is adding a Salted Caramel Butter Tart to its bakery case, described as a twist on a Canadian classic with a flaky crust, gooey filling and sweet-salty topping.

Marc Busain, president of the Americas for Heineken, will step down effective 1 October 2025, to assume the role of chief executive officer at Lipton Teas and Infusions. This dual announcement underscores Busain's extensive experience in the consumer packaged goods sector and sets the stage for new leadership at both companies. Busain has been a pivotal figure at Heineken for over 30 years, having joined the company in 1995. His career trajectory includes a series of key roles across Europe, Africa and the Americas, culminating in his appointment as president of the Americas in 2015. Under his leadership, the Americas region experienced remarkable growth, with revenues, operating profits and net profits all doubling during his decade-long tenure. Notable achievements include the successful integration of Brazil Kirin, which has positioned Brazil as Heineken's largest market for both Heineken and Amstel brands. Dolf van den Brink, Heineken's chairman of the executive board and CEO, praised Busain's contributions: “Marc leaves behind a remarkable legacy in the Americas, where he cultivated a winning culture rooted in trust and empowerment”. As Busain transitions to Lipton Teas and Infusions, he will lead a brand renowned for its rich heritage and diverse product offerings. Jean-Remy Roussel, chair of the supervisory board at Lipton, expressed confidence in Busain’s capabilities, noting his track record of delivering growth and strong commercial acumen. “I have every confidence that the world’s leading tea business is in good hands,” said Roussel. Upon Busain's arrival, current CEO Pierre Laubies will return to the supervisory board after a year at the helm. Laubies has previously served as Chair and played a crucial role in establishing Lipton as an independent entity in 2022. Reflecting on his new role, Busain commented: “It is a tremendous pleasure to join a company with responsibility for such a collection of storied and much-loved brands. Tea, in all its varied forms, is an exciting growth category, and I look forward to working with the talented team at Lipton to ensure there’s a tea for everyone.”

Celsius Holdings has deepened its partnership with PepsiCo in a deal that will see the functional energy drink maker take on a wider portfolio and a more prominent strategic role in the US market. PepsiCo first purchased an 8.5% stake in Celsius in 2022 , paying $550 million through a preferred stock deal. Under the latest agreement, PepsiCo will acquire $585 million in newly issued convertible 5% preferred stock in Celsius, increasing its ownership to around 11% on an as-converted basis and securing the right to nominate an additional board member. Celsius will take over the US and Canada rights to the Rockstar Energy brand from PepsiCo, while PepsiCo retains ownership of Rockstar internationally. The company will now serve as PepsiCo’s “strategic energy lead” in the US, overseeing Celsius, Alani Nu and Rockstar Energy brands. PepsiCo will handle distribution for all three labels in the US and Canada. The deal also transfers Alani Nu, acquired by the US food and drink giant in February 2025 , into PepsiCo’s North American distribution system, expanding its retail and foodservice presence. Celsius said adding Rockstar Energy will help broaden its offering to appeal to consumers who prefer traditional energy drink formats, complementing the modern positioning of Celsius and Alani Nu. John Fieldly, chairman and CEO of Celsius Holdings, said: “Stepping into the role of PepsiCo ’s strategic energy drink captain in the US is expected to be a pivotal milestone in our journey to shape the future of modern energy and grow our brands within a leading beverage distribution system". "With a proven functional beverage portfolio and a stronger long-term partnership with PepsiCo , we believe that Celsius Holdings is well-positioned to deliver greater innovation, sharper execution and sustained brand growth. Together, we will reach more people, in more places, more often, with a total energy portfolio that offers options for every consumer and creates greater value for all our stakeholders.” Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages US, added: “This agreement marks the next step in PepsiCo reshaping its brand portfolio to position us for long-term growth. Energy is an important growth category, and we believe this move with our partner Celsius creates a stronger multi-brand energy portfolio that is better positioned to serve different consumer cohorts. This transaction creates an aligned incentive structure for both parties to bring their individual expertise to better compete in the energy category.” The companies said the arrangement will enable a unified commercial strategy, streamline planograms, prioritise SKUs and expand geographic reach across retail and foodservice channels.

Smoothie King has expanded its menu in the US with the launch of its first nationwide food range. Following a trial in Dallas-Fort Worth, the “Power Eats” range is now available at more than 1,200 locations nationwide, with further items set to launch in early 2026. The initial rollout includes three varieties of Loaded Toast – Peanut Butter, Chocolate Hazelnut and Avocado – alongside two grab-and-go Protein Boxes: Eggs & Cheese and Peanut Butter & Fruit. Additional products, including Egg Clouds in three flavours (Veggie, Turkey Sausage and Turkey Bacon) and Savory Chicken Tenders in Zesty Garlic or Spicy Habanero, will be introduced later this year before the full menu becomes available nationwide. “This menu has been over a year in the making, and we’re thrilled to finally share it with guests nationwide,” said Claudia Schaefer, chief marketing officer at Smoothie King. “Every item was intentionally crafted to not only pair perfectly with our smoothies, but to embody our vision of making the world a better place by nourishing healthy habits, all while celebrating the delicious and nutritious flavors and convenience our guests love.”

Breville has expanded its espresso machine line-up with the launch of Oracle Dual Boiler. The model is designed for home users seeking both automation and manual control, enabling them to switch between a fully automated workflow and hands-on espresso preparation. The new machine offers 15 preset café-style drinks, from espresso and flat white to iced lattes and espresso martinis. In auto mode, preparation is reduced to three steps – grind, brew and milk – while manual mode allows greater customisation of pre-infusion, blooming, brewing and milk texturing. The Oracle Dual Boiler features Breville’s largest touchscreen to date – a 5.7-inch display – alongside Wi-Fi connectivity for remote power-on, reheating and software updates via the Breville+ coffee app. New to the range is an Auto Dial-In system, which monitors each extraction and automatically adjusts the grind size for the next shot. The integrated grinder uses Baratza European precision burrs with 45 grind settings. A triple heating system enables simultaneous espresso extraction and milk texturing, supported by the Auto MilQ steam wand with dairy and alternative milk settings. Additional features include a heated group head for temperature stability, a stainless-steel heated cup tray, an updated lighting system, and an automated descaling process. Con Psarologos, portfolio general manager for coffee at Breville, said: "Breville revolutionized home espresso with the original Oracle in 2014, and with the launch of the Oracle Dual Boiler, we're excited to take that next step in espresso innovation. Combining the best elements of our past models with new features, the Oracle Dual Boiler is our most advanced machine yet – offering home baristas the perfect blend of precision, control and convenience." The Oracle Dual Boiler will be available in brushed stainless steel, sea salt and black truffle finishes, retailing at $2,999.95 through Breville’s website and selected retail partners.

Vox AI, a conversational voice AI platform designed for drive-thru and operational automation in quick-service restaurants (QSRs), has raised $8.7 million in seed funding. The funding round was led by global venture capital firm Headline, with participation from True, Simon Capital and returning investor Souschef Ventures. The funding brings Vox AI’s total raised to $10 million and will support international growth, including the opening of a new San Francisco office. Founded in October 2023, Vox AI targets the $1 trillion global QSR market, aiming to address challenges such as labour shortages, high turnover and increasing operational complexity. Its multilingual AI platform enables customers to place drive-thru and mobile orders without human assistance, while also providing staff with real-time inventory alerts and shift guidance. The company says its technology can process orders in over 90 languages, integrate into existing QSR tech stacks without disruption and self-optimise based on accents, menu synonyms, background noise and site-specific acoustics. Vox AI, co-founder and CEO Maurice Kroon, said: “Vox AI is pushing voice technology far beyond generic Natural Language Processing. We’re not just improving voice technology. We’re building a new industry standard for how guests interact with fast-food chains and QSR brands they love and how restaurant staff run them. Our goal is to make voice the de facto interface for every QSR location – without the need to upgrade their current hardware.” According to Vox AI, early deployments with major fast-food chains have delivered up to 17-times ROI, reduced drive-thru wait times, boosted upselling opportunities and improved customer satisfaction.  Dominic Wilhelm, partner at Headline, commented: “We are thrilled to partner with the Vox AI team to power the future of drive-thru and QSR ordering to not only improve companies’ bottom lines, but also reduce employee turnover and improve customer satisfaction.” Top image: © Vox AI

Chick-fil-A will open its first permanent restaurants in the UK and Singapore later this year, marking the start of a combined $175 million investment in the two markets over the next decade. The US-based fast-food chain plans to open five UK sites within its first two years in the market and invest more than $100 million in the country over ten years. Its first restaurant will open in Leeds in autumn 2025, led by Mike Hoy, who has extensive restaurant industry experience. In Singapore, Chick-fil-A’s debut location – set to open in late 2025 – will be operated by local restaurateur Chyn Koh. The launch represents the company’s first site in Asia and is part of a $75 million, ten-year investment plan. Chick-fil-A operates more than 3,000 restaurants worldwide, serving a menu centred on chicken sandwiches and sides, with a focus on hospitality and locally-led community engagement. “Expanding in both Europe and Asia is a meaningful milestone for Chick-fil-A,” said CEO Andrew T Cathy. “The investments we’re making in the UK and Singapore not only present opportunities for our business, but are also a chance for us to bring what makes Chick-fil-A special to new places – great food and remarkable hospitality, our unique franchise model and the positive impact we have in communities.” Each restaurant is expected to create 70-120 jobs through local hiring. As part of its community impact initiatives, Chick-fil-A will donate $25,000 to non-profits in each country to mark the openings and will offer surplus food donations through its Shared Table programme. The company’s expansion will follow its “local owner-operator” franchise model, under which independent operators run a single restaurant and are involved in day-to-day management. Team members in the new UK and Singapore outlets will be eligible for training, leadership opportunities and academic scholarships through Chick-fil-A’s Remarkable Futures programme, which awarded $27 million to over 15,000 staff in 2025.

Luscombe, a producer of premium soft drinks, has introduced a new beverage, Apple & Ginger, in celebration of its 50th anniversary. This launch highlights the company's focus on natural ingredients and traditional flavour combinations. The new drink blends organic English apples with organic Peruvian ginger, aiming to provide a balanced flavour profile that reflects Luscombe's commitment to quality. Scott Cooper, managing director of Luscombe, noted that the combination is both nostalgic and contemporary, tapping into a heritage of orchard fruit and spice that has been popular for centuries. Apple & Ginger is produced using organic apples sourced from local orchards, which are pressed to create a naturally sweet juice. This juice is then mixed with ginger and Dartmoor spring water, resulting in a beverage that is gluten-free and vegan-friendly, without any artificial additives or sweeteners. The drink is available in two sizes: 270ml (RRP £2.79) and 740ml (RRP £3.95). Luscombe encourages consumers to explore different serving options, including serving it chilled over ice or warm with spices.

Water plays a pivotal role in every stage of food and beverage production – from ingredient processing and cleaning to equipment sanitation and final product formulation. But as water use intensifies, so do the challenges surrounding its treatment and disposal. Facing tightening environmental regulations, rising operational costs and increasing pressure to meet sustainability goals, food and beverage producers are looking for smarter, more efficient ways to manage wastewater – and that's where Xylem can help. Join us for an exclusive free webinar where Xylem’s water treatment experts will explore the key water-related challenges facing the food industry today and offer practical solutions using Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) technology. What to expect: An overview of industry-specific wastewater challenges  – including fats, oils, grease (FOG), solids and organic loading. A guided introduction to DAF technology  – how it works, where it fits in your treatment process and what benefits it offers. Real-world case studies  – see how food producers across various sectors have successfully implemented DAF to improve treatment efficiency, reduce sludge volumes and comply with discharge limits. Whether you're an operations manager, environmental engineer or sustainability lead, this session will provide valuable insights into how you can optimise your water treatment process and turn regulatory pressure into operational advantage. Webinar Details: 🗓️ 9 September ⏰ 15:00 💻 Online – registration required 👉 Register here  for free Why attend? With decades of experience in industrial water treatment, Xylem is a global leader in helping food and beverage companies tackle complex water issues. From design and implementation to equipment rental and ongoing support, our team is ready to help you solve water – efficiently and sustainably. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the experts and discover how DAF can transform your wastewater management. Reserve your spot today.

US speciality coffee chain White Rhino Coffee has named Sara Escamilla as its new president and chief executive officer, succeeding founder Chris Parvin. Sara Escamilla / © LinkedIn Escamilla, who has been with the company for six years and most recently served as chief operating officer, takes over as Parvin steps down to focus on family and other pursuits. During her tenure as COO, Escamilla oversaw the brand’s expansion from two locations and 40 employees to 13 cafés employing more than 140 people. She also led the launch of White Rhino’s Dallas-based roastery. Escamilla said: “I’m honoured to lead White Rhino Coffee into its next chapter, building on the incredible foundation that was laid when the company was founded in 2007. Over the past six years, I’ve had the privilege of helping guide our growth – from a small operation with just two coffee shops and 40 employees to a thriving team of 140 across 13 locations." "With over two-thirds of our team made up of women, I’m especially passionate about expanding opportunities for women in leadership throughout our organization. We’ve also launched our own roastery right here in Dallas, and we’re excited to keep sharing our signature Texan hospitality with communities across the metroplex.” The company plans to expand further across North Texas and into additional regional markets, with Escamilla emphasising “sustainable, intentional growth” focused on locally roasted craft coffee and maintaining the brand’s people-first culture. Parvin, who founded White Rhino in 2007, added: “Starting White Rhino was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It’s been incredible to watch it grow into a business that not only serves amazing coffee but also truly cares for its people and its community." "Now feels like the right time for me to step away from the business so I can focus on my family and other personal ventures. I’m leaving the company in the best possible hands under Sara’s leadership. This transition feels right, and I’ll always be White Rhino’s biggest fan.” Top image: © White Rhino Coffee