LBX Food Robotics, a producer in hot food vending, has deployed its Bake Xpress hot food kiosks with partner Nancy Harkey Enterprises across Birmingham, UK, including at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM). Positioned at TSA checkpoints, baggage claim and in food court locations, the custom-branded machines serve pastries, sandwiches, local barbecue, and Italian dishes and pizzas. Bake Xpress is said to be 'the world’s only' UL-certified full-menu hot food vending kiosk, enabling operation in regulated locations like airports. At BHM, the custom-branded machines feature brands like Little Napoli Pizza, Chappie Daddy’s BBQ, and Squoze, offering pizza, lasagna, breakfast sandwiches, burritos and pastries. Renard Mitchell, president of Nancy Harkey Enterprises, said: “The need for expanded food services is well-known by travelers and operators alike. We’ve all been at the airport when everything is closed or the lines at the food counters are long. We knew we needed a new way to serve customers, so we were delighted to engage with LBX to install the Bake Xpress machines." "Not only can we utilise the programmable oven to bake a huge variety of foods, we have full flexibility to leverage our existing partnerships with food brands and to serve regional fare.” The Bake Xpress kiosks use a smart oven combining convection, infrared and microwave technologies to bake foods on demand. The machines meet international safety standards, including Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification for operation in high-security locations like airports and hospitals. Benoit Herve, founder and CEO of LBX Food Robotics, added: “We have put our focus on quality since the company’s inception, and both our machine and the food it serves exemplify this cornerstone objective. Customers realise that it is not enough to just offer a convenience with their vending solution, they must offer delicious food as well. As the only full-menu hot food vending solution certified to operate in airports, we are making it possible to bring a new level of convenience to the traveler experience. #LBXFoodRobotics

Laird Superfood has expanded its Instant Latte range with a new Maca Latte for enhanced energy and vitality. Maca is an adaptogen that is linked to improved sexual health, vitality and energy. The product also includes functional mushrooms for sustained energy without crashes. According to the company, Maca root has been cultivated for over 2,000 years and was historically used in Peru to enhance strength and performance. Jason Vieth, CEO of Laird Superfood, said: "At Laird Superfood we are continually innovating with new ingredients that help enhance daily rituals – like a morning cup of coffee. Maca is becoming more popular but hasn't yet been incorporated into many mainstream and easy-to-use products. Our Maca Instant Latte is a delicious and nutritious way for consumers to restore their vitality every day." The latte is available for $19 via the brand's website and will launch on Amazon soon. #LairdSuperfood #Maca #latte #US

Nestlé-owned Coffee Mate is introducing two limited-edition creamers inspired by HBO's The White Lotus, reflecting the tropical settings of the series’ third season. The flavours, Thai Iced Coffee and Piña Colada, aim to capture the essence of the show’s luxurious resort locations. The Thai Iced Coffee-flavoured creamer incorporates the sweetness of condensed milk, similar to a traditional Thai drink. Coffee Mate noted that this flavour does not include coffee or caffeine. Meanwhile, the Piña Colada-flavoured creamer combines coconut and pineapple flavours, with the company stating that it does not include alcohol. Leonardo Aizpuru, Nestlé's VP of brand marketing for the beverage division and business unit, commented: “We love a good twist at Coffee Mate and can’t think of a better way to celebrate the return of our favorite series, than by partnering with Warner Bros Discovery Global Consumer Products to create limited-edition creamers inspired by The White Lotus." The creamers will be available nationwide starting in January 2025 for $4.49, with prices varying by retailer. #CoffeeMate #US

Belgian supermarket chain Colruyt has temporarily stopped ordering certain products from Dutch coffee company JDE Peet's following a request for additional price increases, according to Reuters . The move comes as JDE Peet's seeks to adjust prices in response to rising global coffee costs. Colruyt, which conducts annual negotiations with its suppliers, previously accepted a price increase from JDE Peet's last summer. However, the retailer expressed concerns about the latest hike, stating in an email to Reuters : “When we look at the price increase Jacobs Douwe Egberts is asking today, we do not think it is justifiable”. Despite the current pause in orders, Colruyt remains optimistic about reaching an agreement. The suspension affects a small selection of products, including Douwe Egberts dessert ground, dessert beans, Senseo cappuccino and Jacquemotte moka. Refreshment has contacted JDE for a comment. JDE Peet's has recently said it plans to raise prices across multiple product categories , including roast and ground coffee, whole beans, capsules and cappuccino, in Brazil. #JDEPeets #Colruyt #coffee

Private investment firm Sojourner Consumer Partners has acquired a stake in Hawaii Coffee Company, marking its expansion into the coffee industry. The partnership also includes a collaboration with Anderson Holdings and the formation of SoJoe Coffee platform, a holding company dedicated to acquiring and partnering with high-potential packaged and ready-to-drink coffee companies in North America. Gerard Bastiaanse, president of Hawaii Coffee Company, said: “Sojourner’s experience in the coffee sector and track record with building and improving companies, particularly its expertise with e-commerce and sustainability, are truly differentiated. [The company] quickly understood our business and identified areas where they could help us while committing to uphold our high standards.” Hawaii Coffee Company will continue to operate under its established name and retain its roasting, milling, office facilities and cafés across Hawaii. Top image: © 2024 Hawaii Coffee Company #SojournerConsumerPartners #HawaiiCoffeeCompany

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given Carlsberg the green light to proceed with its £3.3bn (approx. $4.2bn) acquisition of Britvic. The competition watchdog announced its intention to launch an investigation into the deal  – which was agreed upon by the beverage giants in July 2024  – this September. On 17 December, the CMA announced its decision to clear the anticipated acquisition, which is now expected to complete in early 2025. This followed a process of gathering information on whether the deal could be expected to result in a ‘substantial lessening of competition’ in the UK market, with interested parties invited to submit their views on the merger. This initial process was carried out through September and into October. At the time of the CMA’s invitations for comment, a spokesperson for Carlsberg told FoodBev that this process was a “standard step” and “always fully expected”. Carlsberg aims to gain a stronger foothold in the UK market, where it is currently the fourth-largest brewer, through the deal with Britvic. The acquisition will expand Carlsberg's bottling operations across Europe. The £3.3 billion takeover agreement followed a previous takeover bid of £3 billion (approx. $3.9 billion) from Carlsberg in June, which Britvic rejected. #Carlsberg #Britvic #CMA

KBF Enterprises-owned sports nutrition brand Warrior has released its new Creatine protein bars in the UK. Warrior's Creatine protein bars were designed to meet the demand for creatine, a supplement that enhances strength, muscle mass and brain health. Each bar contains 20g of protein and 3g of creatine to boost performance. Available in three flavours – chocolate orange, chocolate peanut and salted caramel brownie – these low-sugar and low-fat bars contain 237 calories and are suitable for vegetarians. Kieran Fisher, founder of Warrior and KBF Enterprises, commented: “...we’ve seen first hand the increasing popularity and growing consumer demand for creatine". “More and more research is revealing the important role creatine plays in boosting our health and fitness regimes and the market for this supplement is set to expand rapidly. Here at Warrior, we’re at the forefront of that and have no doubt that our Creatine Protein Bars will bring something unique to the market, appealling to health-conscious individuals who want to enhance their health and wellbeing and power their workouts." “The Warrior Creatine Protein Bar combines the very best of our...Crunch bars with a powerful boost of creatine and packed with all the essential nutrients to cater to the growing movement of shoppers seeking healthy and convenient options.” Warrior's Creatine protein bar in salted caramel will be available in Asda stores across the UK from 27 December, with the full range available to buy at the brand's website. #Warrior #KBFEnterprises #UK

Irish cashless tipping firm JustTip has secured €1.1 million in a funding round led by ComOp and Enterprise Ireland. The latest investment brings the company’s total funding to €2.1 million. JustTip has seen rapid growth in 2024, with business increasing by over 300%. Founded in 2021 by James Fahy and Ciara Walsh, JustTip operates from offices in Dublin and Manchester. The company addresses key challenges in the hospitality sector, including rising costs, new legislative requirements and "the need to automate core component in the business". The platform is used by over 600 merchants and 13,000 employees across Europe and the UK. JustTip's co-founder and CEO, James Fahy, said: “All tips generated through our systems are collected, pooled, and distributed weekly directly to the employees’ bank accounts bypassing the employer completely. This ensures transparency and fairness, empowering employees with tools to ensure that tips left for them go to them; while also streamlining processes for employers.” He continued: "The newly secured funding will continue the platform’s expansion across the UK, foster deeper relationships within the hospitality industry, and accelerate the company’s product innovation and team growth". “As the hospitality industry continues to embrace digital transformation, JustTip remains committed to driving innovation and setting new standards for excellence. This investment is a huge vote of confidence in our vision and will enable us to continue our rapid growth into 2025 and beyond.” Karen Cohalan, head of fintech, financial and business services at Enterprise Ireland, added:“JustTip and its innovative fintech solution is a prime example of how cutting-edge products and services from pioneering Irish owned companies are delivering solutions for global challenges. This investment round will support the company’s expansion in global markets, as well as accelerating its innovation and growth." Top image: © JustTip #JustTip #cashlesstipping

Lavazza has expanded its Nespresso-compatible capsule range with the introduction of two new flavours: caramel and chocolate. The caramel-flavoured coffee capsules combine Central and South American arabica beans with a natural caramel aroma. The blend has notes of toffee and biscuits, offering a smooth finish. Meanwhile, the chocolate-flavoured capsules blend Brazilian arabica and robusta beans with a rich chocolate aroma. The result is a 'full-bodied, well-rounded' espresso with chocolate flavours and hints of vanilla. The capsules, available on Amazon for an RRP of £4.25, are free from artificial additives and made with real caramel and chocolate powders for an authentic taste. #Lavazza #UK

The Coca-Cola Company has announced that Henrique Braun has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective 1 January 2025. Braun currently serves as EVP and president for international development, overseeing the company’s operating units for Latin America; Japan and South Korea; ASEAN and South Pacific; Greater China and Mongolia; Africa; India and Southwest Asia; and Eurasia and Middle East. In this expanded role, he will now be responsible for all of Coca-Cola’s operating units worldwide, adding oversight of the North America and Europe units. He will report to chairman and CEO James Quincey. Braun joined The Coca-Cola Company in 1996 in Atlanta. Since, he has progressed through roles of increasing responsibilities in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America, in areas including supply chain, new business development, marketing, innovation, general management and bottling operations. Prior to his current role, Braun served as president of the Latin America operating unit from 2020 to 2022, and as president of the Brazil business unit from 2016 to 2020. From 2013 to 2016, he was president of the company’s Greater China and Korea business unit. During his time with the company he has served in regional, business unit and corporate functions. Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I am energised and honored to take on this broader role and look forward to partnering with James, our executive leadership team, bottling partners and associates to deliver on our total beverage strategy and drive growth across the company and our system worldwide”. Chairman Quincey added: “Henrique has built an impressive track record of driving our growth strategy along with numerous operational accomplishments, all while keeping the consumer as the center of decisions. He has proven to be a trusted, strategic leader with a reputation for developing talent and delivering results.” #TheCocaColaCompany

Nescafé has partnered with KitKat to launch a new latte in the UK. The latte combines Nescafé coffee with KitKat’s 'chocolatey-wafer' flavour. The launch is part of a series of Nestlé's confectionery collaborations, including the Aero Peppermint Mocha and Quality Street Green Triangle Mocha , which, according to the company, have become top-sellers in the in-home coffee market this year. Made with fresh milk, the latte contains under 100 calories per serving when prepared as instructed. Ingrid Hayes, marketing director for Nescafé at Nestlé UK & Ireland, said: “We are thrilled to continue our collaborations with iconic Nestlé confectionery brands. The chocolatey-wafer flavour of KitKat perfectly complements the aromas of Nescafé coffee. We’re excited to be bringing more unique and indulgent experiences to coffee lovers in the UK." “We’re also proud of the fact that real milk goes into the Nescafé frothy coffee range, produced here in the UK at our Dalston site, with milk sourced from dairy farms across Ayrshire and Cumbria.” Packaged in individual sachets, Nescafé KitKat Latte is currently available nationwide. #Nescafé #KitKat #UK #coffee #latte

Major coffee roasters in Brazil are set to raise prices due to climate disruptions affecting crops and increasing raw coffee costs. Reuters reported that major coffee companies plan significant price hikes, impacting consumers in 2025. Dutch coffee giant JDE Peet's – owner of brands like Douwe Egberts, L'Or and Tassimo – plans a 30% price increase in Brazil in the next year. Traders and documents seen by Reuters reveal the company is raising prices due to "climate issues" driving up the costs of roast and ground coffee, whole beans, soluble, capsules and cappuccino products. Other major roasters, including German coffee company, Melitta, and Brazilian coffee roaster, 3 Corações, are also implementing significant price rises. 3 Corações will raise prices by 11% in January, following a 10% increase in December. Meanwhile, Melitta hiked prices by 25% this month after a 'recent' 12% rise. Melitta stated that it continues to face rising coffee costs due to the "climate situation," while 3 Corações cited climate issues, increasing demand and economic instability as factors behind its price hikes. Reuters  said that 3 Corações confirmed the price increases, noting it had absorbed part of the rising costs. However, with ongoing increases in green coffee prices, the company said it was necessary to gradually pass some of those costs onto consumers. The rising coffee prices echo broader market disruptions. Reports have highlighted how adverse weather and supply chain challenges drove prices to 27-year highs , creating pressure across the industry. #JDEPeets #3Corações #Melitta #coffee