Evoca Group has announced the opening of Evoca Nederland, a new commercial branch in Gorinchem, the Netherlands. According to the company, this move aims to strengthen the company’s presence in the region and improve customer service. The office, led by Evoca Nederland's country manager Tjerry Sanders, will act as a central hub for local client activities. A 70-square-metre showroom is also set to open in July 2025, showcasing professional coffee and vending machines from brands including Gaggia, Necta and Saeco. The showroom will highlight the company’s sustainability credentials, total cost of ownership (TCO) and digital innovations. Evoca said that operations will continue as usual while preparations for the showroom are finalised.

Torani has launched its first zero-calorie beverage sauce, which is claimed to be 'one of the first of its kind' to hit the market. As part of its 100th anniversary celebrations, Torani has launched two classic flavours – the French Vanilla and Pumpkin Spice – of zero-calorie sauce, following a report that three in four Americans are avoiding or limiting their sugar intake. Crafted without artificial colours or flavours, the new beverage sauces are the company's first zero-calorie, sugar-free sauce designed specifically for mixing and blending in cold beverages. Made to enhance a wide range of drinks, such as iced coffees, lattes, cold brews, mochas and milkshakes. Domenico Milano, principal food scientist at Torani, said: “At Torani, we’re always pushing the boundaries of flavour innovation and developing a zero-calorie beverage sauce was an exciting challenge". "Our goal was to create a rich, indulgent flavour experience without compromising taste, texture, or quality. Through extensive research and testing, we crafted a formula that delivers the same smooth, decadent flavour profiles as our classic sauces – without the calories.” The French Vanilla sauce will launch in spring, followed by Pumpkin Spice in summer as a seasonal release through the brand's website.

Gummy candy brand Haribo is introducing a new line-up of seasonal products aimed at capturing consumer attention during the Easter holiday. With 92% of Americans who celebrate Easter including candy in their festivities, according to the National Confectioners Association, the company aims to provide innovative alternatives for traditional Easter treats, especially in light of soaring egg prices. Haribo's Easter collection features several new products designed to appeal to both children and adults. Key additions include: Goldbears Easter Egg: Each egg contains six treat-sized bags of classic Goldbears in five fruity flavours – strawberry, orange, lemon, pineapple and raspberry – positioned as a family-friendly option for Easter baskets. Spring Mix: This assortment includes a variety of gummies such as Happy Chicks, Happy Hoppers, classic Goldbears and Goldbears Wild Berry, making it suitable for egg hunts and festive gatherings. Easter Sour Grass: Targeting consumers who prefer tangy flavours, this product offers a sour twist on traditional Easter candy. The candy industry is experiencing shifts as consumers become more selective about their holiday purchases. The rising price of eggs, which have increased significantly in recent months, has prompted families to seek alternative ways to celebrate Easter without compromising on tradition. Haribo's latest products offer a colourful and flavourful alternative to traditional egg-based treats. According to industry analysts, the Easter candy market is projected to grow, driven by the demand for innovative and diverse product offerings. Haribo's strategic introduction of new items positions the brand to capitalise on this trend, appealing to both nostalgic consumers and younger generations looking for exciting seasonal treats.

Red Bull is set to enhance its portfolio of flavoured energy drinks with the launch of its latest product, Summer Edition White Peach, available from March 2 across various retail channels. This move aligns with the brand's ongoing strategy of flavour innovation, which has historically contributed to significant growth within its Editions range. The introduction of the White Peach variant comes at a time when demand for flavoured energy drinks is at an all-time high. Market research indicates that flavoured options serve as a vital entry point for new consumers, making this segment crucial for driving brand penetration and attracting a broader shopper demographic. Red Bull’s previous Summer Editions have successfully drawn new customers, and the company aims to replicate this success with the White Peach flavour. Consumer feedback suggests a strong likelihood of purchase among younger demographics, with many expressing enthusiasm for the flavour profile that combines notes of white peach with a hint of citrus peel. This combination not only adds zest but also complexity to the drink, which is characterised by a smooth, floral finish and an aromatic touch of ambrette. Early reactions from taste tests have highlighted descriptors such as ‘refreshing,’ ‘premium,’ ‘tasty’ and ‘unique,’ indicating a positive reception in the market. The Summer Edition White Peach will be available in multiple formats: a 250ml can priced at £1.70, a 355ml Sugarfree option at £2.10 and a 250ml four-pack retailing at £5.40. This pricing strategy aims to cater to diverse consumer preferences while maintaining competitive positioning within the market. The White Peach variant follows in the footsteps of Red Bull’s previous Summer Edition flavours, including Curuba Elderflower (2024), Juneberry (2023), Strawberry Apricot (2022) and Dragon Fruit (2021).

De'Longhi has announced a restructuring of its professional coffee leadership team, with Guido Bernardinelli stepping down as CEO of La Marzocco to assume the role of leading De'Longhi’s professional coffee division. In this role, Bernardinelli will be responsible for strengthening the holding structure and ensuring strategic alignment across key business areas, including planning, finance, human resources, legal and internal audit. His leadership aims to fully leverage the potential of the companies within the premium coffee market. © La Marzocco A new operations officer will also be appointed to enhance synergies between the companies. As part of the reorganisation, Lorenzo Carboni, La Marzocco’s sales director since 2012, has been named CEO of La Marzocco, while Stefano Barato will lead Swiss coffee machine supplier Eversys as general manager. De’Longhi's CEO, Fabio de’ Longhi, said: "Coffee has been one of the group's main growth drivers over the last ten years and still represents a crucial strategic development opportunity in the medium-long run, both in the professional and consumer segments". He added: “This organisational strengthening in the professional division will allow us to further exploit our market leadership and the excellent technological innovation capabilities of both La Marzocco and Eversys, making the most of common resources and sharing knowledge and best practices useful for delivering more value for the group". "We extend our congratulations to Guido, Lorenzo and Stefano and express our gratitude to all the people for the outstanding work done over the years with dedication and passion which allowed us to achieve extraordinary results."

Emmi is launching Caffè Latte Zero, a ready-to-drink coffee with no added sugar or sweeteners, in what it claims is a first for the UK market. The new product, made with only coffee and milk, targets health-conscious consumers amid growing demand for lower-sugar options. Caffè Latte Zero is made from hand-roasted Arabica beans sourced from Guatemala and Honduras, combined with lactose-free Swiss milk. Georgia Lightbody, brand manager at Emmi Caffè Latte, commented: “We’re really excited to introduce Emmi Caffè Latte Zero to health-conscious coffee lovers. We already offer a number of great-tasting iced coffee drinks with no added sugar or sweeteners, but the launch of Emmi Caffè Latte Zero taps into consumers’ evolving lifestyle preferences for beverages with simpler ingredient lists." "This product, containing premium coffee, fresh milk and zero else, is poised to meet the needs of consumers seeking to moderate their sugar intake on the go, or as an afternoon pick-me up, without compromising on taste or quality in their coffee choices.” According to the company, the product has been developed with sustainability in mind, using 100% renewable energy in production and packaging made from 30% recycled materials. It features a magenta and black design with clear ‘no added sugars or sweeteners’ labelling for strong shelf visibility. Caffè Latte Zero will be available exclusively at Tesco from 3 March 2025 for an RRP of £1.85 for a 230ml bottle.

Fast-casual dining chain Just Salad has secured $200 million in investment from a group led by Wellington Management, with participation from D1 Capital Partners, Neuberger Berman and Stripes. The funding, which values the chain at approximately $1 billion, will be used to support new unit growth, develop new menu offerings, and invest in technology and customer experience improvements. Founded in New York City in 2006, Just Salad operates nearly 100 locations across several US states, including New York, Florida, Illinois and Massachusetts. The company, which offers salads, wraps, warm bowls, soups and smoothies, has positioned itself as a health-focused alternative in the quick-service food industry. According to the company, Just Salad is a Certified B Corporation and operates a reusable bowl programme, which it claims reduces single-use packaging waste by approximately 43,000 pounds annually. The company has also partnered with food waste reduction platform Too Good to Go, reporting that it has saved more than 160,000 meals from landfills and avoided over 430,000kg of CO2e since 2021. Nick Kenner, founder and CEO of Just Salad, said: "The quick-service food industry is in the early days of disruption, and the average consumer desperately wants healthy, craveable, convenient and accessible options... We are proud to partner with world-class investors like Wellington, D1, Neuberger Berman, and Stripes to propel our next phase of growth." "We have a tremendous runway to build Just Salad into a leading national restaurant brand, and this investment demonstrates the confidence in that opportunity and our team's ability to achieve that goal." Michael Carmen, co-head of private investments at Wellington Management, added: "We're excited to invest in Nick and the Just Salad team. Just Salad offers consumers a great product at an attractive price and stands out from other restaurant companies with its strong brand and impressive same-store sales growth. This growth is outpacing others in the fast-casual category and is being driven by increased consumer traffic during the past year." Top image: © Just Salad

Starbucks has announced plans to eliminate 1,100 corporate roles as part of CEO Brian Niccol's ongoing efforts to streamline operations and improve efficiency at the company. The cuts, which will include both current support roles and several hundred unfilled positions, are designed to simplify the corporate structure and position Starbucks for future growth. In a letter to employees shared on Monday 24 February, Niccol explained that the company had evaluated the size and structure of its global support teams. These changes are part of the 'Back to Starbucks' plan, designed to reduce complexity and increase accountability. “We are simplifying our structure, removing layers and duplication and creating smaller, more nimble teams,” he said. The reductions, which do not affect the retail workforce or investments in store hours, were described by Niccol as a difficult decision. He acknowledged the impact on employees, saying: "I recognise the news is difficult. It is not a decision the leadership team took lightly. We understand the real effect this has on partners’ lives and their families." Severance packages and career transition services will be provided to those affected. This move follows a warning from Starbucks in January , where the company signalled that corporate job reductions would occur in March. The restructuring aims to create smaller, 'more nimble teams' to improve efficiency and better support Starbucks' priorities, especially the in-store experience. Niccol stressed the importance of continuing to hire for critical roles that align with the new structure. “We will continue to hire for priority positions that fit with our new support structure,” he said. Niccol added: "I know this process is challenging and recognise the impact it will have on partners whose roles are being eliminated. Starbucks is what it is today because of the contributions of incredible partners, like you. On behalf of the executive leadership team, thank you. We appreciate all you’ve done for our company, our partners and our customers, and we’ll do all we can to support you." Earlier this month, Starbucks has also announced leadership changes , bringing in two former Taco Bell executives to the role EVP of North America chief stores officer and EVP of chief store development officer. The company also revealed the departures of Sara Trilling, EVP and president of Starbucks North America, and Arthur Valdez, EVP and chief supply chain officer.

Clean Simple Eats (CSE) has launched its first protein-packed carbonated soda, Frosted Lemonade Clear Protein Soda. The new product, which contains 20g of ultra-filtered whey protein isolate per can, will debut at Expo West, a trade show for the natural and organic industry. The caffeine-free soda is positioned as a protein-enhanced alternative to traditional fizzy drinks, with no artificial ingredients or added sugars. CSE claims the drink is low-lactose and designed to be easy on digestion, catering to health-conscious consumers looking to increase their protein intake. CSE's founder, Erika Peterson, said: ​"As a health and wellness leader and brand, we are dedicated to helping others elevate their lives, and are committed to providing the highest-quality products made with all-natural ingredients and zero artificial sweeteners". "We're thrilled to enter the soda space by offering this entirely new caffeine-free drink line to more consumers who are looking to hit their protein goals in even more ways without sacrificing quality or flavour.”   CSE’s ready-to-drink​ Frosted Lemonade Clear Protein Soda is available now for a limited time only. It’s bursting with tart and juicy lemon - a sunshine sipper with a creamy vanilla finish. The brand will launch three more refreshing and bubbly Clear Protein Soda flavors in the coming months.   Frosted Lemonade Clear Protein Soda is available for a limited time in 16 oz. cans, available through the brand's website. CSE plans to release three additional flavours in the coming months.

Frigoglass Group, a producer of commercial coolers and glass packaging solutions, has joined the European Vending Association (EVA) as a supportive member. Headquartered in Kifissia, Greece, and with nearly 30 years in the commercial cooler business, the company operates in developed European markets and growing regions like India, East Asia and Africa. Maria Pyrrou, marketing manager Europe, said: “As Frigoglass ventures into the autonomous retail solutions sector, joining the EVA will provide us with valuable insights, networking opportunities and access to the latest trends within the vending industry". "We are committed to contributing to the advancement of the sector by working alongside other key players to ensure the continued success and evolution of vending solutions.” EVA director general, Erwin Wetzel, added: “With self-serve retail solutions continuing to complement the traditional vending business, and provide new possibilities for operators and the consumer, having an additional smart fridge manufacturer as a new member will add a new voice to our various committee discussions". "The unique EVA market data will certainly help Frigoglass with vital information and an in depth understanding of market trends, while our network of contacts and events can provide the opportunity to do new business.” Top image: © Frigoglass

Prosus, a global investment group, has reached a conditional agreement to acquire Just Eat Takeaway in an all-cash deal valued at €4.3 billion. This move is set to establish the world's fourth largest food delivery group. Prosus is offering €20.30 per share for Just Eat Takeaway, which is 49% higher than its average trading price over the past three months as of 21 February 2025. The acquisition is intended to enhance Just Eat’s market position in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. Prosus plans to integrate AI-driven efficiencies to improve logistics and customer service. Prosus’ CEO, Fabricio Bloisi, said: “We are excited for Just Eat to join the Prosus Group and the opportunity to create a European tech champion. Prosus already has an extensive food delivery portfolio outside of Europe and a proven track record of profitable growth through investment in our customer and driver experiences, restaurant partnerships and world-class logistics, powered by innovation and AI." "We believe that combining Prosus’ strong technical and investment capabilities with Just Eat’s leading brand position in key European markets will create significant value for our customers, drivers, partners and shareholders.” Just Eat's CEO, Jitse Groen, added: “Just Eat is now a faster growing, more profitable and predominantly European-based business. Prosus fully supports our strategic plans, and its extensive resources will help to further accelerate our investments and growth across food, groceries, fintech and other adjacencies.” Prosus has invested more than $10 billion globally in food delivery and holds stakes in companies including iFood, Delivery Hero, Meituan and Swiggy. Just Eat Takeaway operates in 17 international markets, serving 61 million customers and partnering with over 356,000 restaurants. In 2024, the company reported €26.3 billion in gross transaction value and an adjusted EBITDA of €460 million.

Coca-Cola is set to launch its new prebiotic soda brand, Simply Pop, in a bid to capture a share of the rapidly growing market for health-oriented beverages. This move positions the beverage giant against established players like Olipop, SunSip and Poppi, who have successfully carved out niches in the prebiotic soda segment. Soda consumption in the US has declined significantly over the past two decades, driven by increasing health awareness and the rise of alt-beverages, like cold brews, energy drinks and flavoured waters. However, the prebiotic soda category has seen a surge in popularity, with sales projected to grow from $197 million in 2020 to approximately $440 million in 2024, according to Euromonitor International data. Despite this growth, prebiotic sodas still represent a small fraction of the overall soda market, which is valued in the billions. Starting later this month, Simply Pop will be available to consumers on the West Coast and in the Southeast on the US. The initial product line-up features fruity flavours such as pineapple mango, lime, strawberry, fruit punch and citrus punch, reflecting Coca-Cola's existing Simply juice brand. The new beverages are touted as having no added sugar and containing 25% to 30% real fruit juice, alongside added vitamin C and zinc. Each serving also includes 6g of prebiotic fibre, which is higher than Poppi's offerings but lower than Olipop's 9g. Prebiotics, which are believed to support gut health, have gained traction among consumers, particularly younger demographics like millennials and Gen Z. Coca-Cola's entry into the prebiotic soda market comes at a time when competitors are also expanding their offerings. Olipop recently secured $50 million in funding, raising its valuation to $1.85 billion, while Poppi made headlines for its high-profile Super Bowl advertisement. Both brands have successfully marketed their products as healthier alternatives to traditional sodas, appealing to a health-conscious consumer base. However, the health claims associated with prebiotic beverages have not been without controversy. Poppi is currently in settlement discussions regarding a lawsuit that challenges the health benefits of its products, indicating that regulatory scrutiny may be a concern for the entire category. Coca-Cola's extensive experience in the beverage industry, coupled with its significant marketing and distribution capabilities, positions it favorably against smaller competitors. The company reported revenues of $47 billion in 2024, dwarfing Olipop's estimated sales of over $400 million. Nevertheless, Coca-Cola's previous attempts to capitalize on emerging trends have met with mixed results, such as the discontinuation of its Coke Spiced flavour shortly after its launch.