Beverage Article Archive

McDonald's Corporation announced global comparable sales growth of 3.1 percent in May. Performance by segment was as follows: U.S. up 2.4 percent; Europe up 2.3 percent; and Asia/Pacific, Middle East, and Africa up 4.3 percent. "McDonald's ability to connect with consumers and deliver the menu choices, everyday affordability, and experience that is in tune with today's lifestyles […]

 McDonald's USA announced the top ten finalists of McDonald's Perfect Pair Contest, which kicked off the national launch of McCafe Frozen Strawberry Lemonade on May 9. The first round of McDonald's Perfect Pair Contest asked consumers to team up with one other person—a friend, co-worker, relative, or significant other—to share why they are as perfect a pair […]

Dunkin' Donuts, America's every day, all-day stop for coffee and baked goods, announced the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with Harrison Kwan for four new restaurants in Montgomery, Alabama. The first restaurant will open in 2012, and the remaining three units will be developed by 2016.   "I am excited to expand Dunkin' Donuts' […]

Carl’s Jr. has once again partnered with Coca-Cola to make everyone a winner—not just once, but twice. Following the smashing success of last year’s campaign, there will be some even bigger winners this year, including two who will walk away with $5,000 gift cards from a major electronics retailer. The My Coke Rewards campaign recently launched at […]

Mark your calendars for Anuga, a distinguished global food and beverage fair held every two years in the prominent Koelnmesse Convention Center, Cologne, Germany. Unlike any other trade show, Anuga’s unique concept of featuring 10 specialized trade show segments in one location has been highly successful in matching exhibitors with their right target audience. The […]

As the four-day National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show comes to a close, organizers have begun to take stock of this year's event. With exhibiters taking up 7 percent more space this year and with the show boasting higher attendance by restaurant operators and other groups, the mood has been mostly optimistic. "We've had great feedback […]

Coca-Cola Co. has partnered with a technology company to allow the new Coca Cola Freestyle fountain dispensers to work hand-in-hand with radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips imbedded in beverage cups. The tagged cups will trigger the computer software in Coca Cola Freestyle machines to pour the customer's beverage. Without the chip, the dispenser won't work. This […]

Jamba Juice Company announced the launch of its new Fruit Refreshers beverages with coconut water. The three new beverages, available in more than 700 stores beginning May 24, are refreshing and thirst quenching drinks that deliver essential electrolytes and the natural hydration benefits of coconut water. The beverage platform includes three delicious flavors. Purely Pineapple is […]

In hindsight, Saxbys Coffee’s declaration of Chapter 11 bankruptcy is the best thing that could have happened. Of course, Joe Grasso and his partner, Kevin Meakim, had no way of knowing it at the time, but the more than 20-month process from which they’ve just emerged has afforded them the chance to finally mold the coffee-shop franchise into exactly the kind of powerhouse they always imagined it would become.

This month marks the 125th anniversary of The Coca-Cola Company, and Coca-Cola Freestyle fans are the ones receiving a gift—19 new brands previously unavailable anywhere. As of May 8th, each of the more than 400 outlets that feature Coca-Cola Freestyle dispensers will offer 125 brand options in celebration of The Coca-Cola Company’s 125 years of foodservice innovation.   […]

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, a Denver-based fast-casual restaurant concept featuring Mediterranean cuisine, announced the roll out of three new menu items: tzatziki sauce, pomegranate lemonade, and mint lemonade. The tzatziki sauce, made from scratch with yogurt, sour cream, cucumbers, lemon, garlic, and other spices, is now a part of Garbanzo’s regular sauce lineup and can top […]

  Dunkin' Donuts and PepsiCo have partnered to introduce the new Mountain Dew Coolatta at Dunkin' Donuts restaurants. A frozen slush beverage that combines the popular lemon and lime citrus flavors of Mountain Dew and the cool refreshment of a Dunkin' Donuts Coolatta, Mountain Dew Coolattas are now available for a limited time at participating Dunkin' […]

Ballyhooed by various cultures for centuries as a miracle fruit, the blackberry is now set to cure the shake cravings of Jack in the Box guests. For a limited time, Jack in the Box restaurants are adding Blackberry to their line of real ice cream shakes. “This is a great time of year to add […]

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) announced the recipients of its first annual Food & Beverage Product Innovations Awards, which recognize progressive food and beverage products that will make a significant impact in the restaurant industry. The recipients will be showcased in the F&B Product Innovations Gallery (booth No. 7129) at the 2011 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel […]

As part of Caribou’s Happy Everyday sustainability program, guests can receive 50 cents off any drink, any size, any day, when using reusable drinkware. For an extra special perk, the nation’s second-largest coffeehouse chain is offering a free cup of coffee to guests who bring in reusable drinkware on Earth Day, April 22. These efforts […]

Jamba Juice announced that tennis star Venus Williams has joined the company as a franchise partner and will help the brand enter the Washington, D.C., market. James White, chairman, president, and CEO of Jamba Juice, told QSR in an exclusive interview that the Williams family had been fans of the brand in their native California, […]

While there are many millions of coffee drinkers who rely completely on Starbucks to satisfy their coffee urges, more than half of Starbucks’ customers regularly visit Dunkin’ Donuts or McDonald’s for a hot beverage or breakfast over the course of a month. This is among the findings of QSRdna, a massive benchmark survey of the […]

  Centerplate, the largest hospitality partner to North America's premier sports stadiums, convention centers, and entertainment venues, announced a series of new menu concepts and service enhancements for the Greensboro Grasshoppers 2011 Season at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, North Carolina. "We are proud to partner with the Grasshoppers to serve their fans throughout the […]

  Caribou Coffee, the nation’s second largest coffeehouse chain, is offering guests a newly expanded line of beverages with 40 percent fewer calories. Caribou’s new Northern Lite beverages include mochas, lattes, tea lattes, and blended drinks and are available at all Caribou Coffee locations beginning April 11. The new beverage lineup includes Caribou’s first ever […]

  Starbucks-owned Seattle's Best Coffee is debuting the "Declare Your Level Show," a virtual comedy smorgasbord on Facebook that begins April 13 at 1:00 p.m. EST. The brand is teaming with world-famous improv troupe Second City Communications for this first-of-its-kind comedy and coffee extravaganza. Just like a traditional improv show, the Facebook audience will participate […]

Timothy’s World Coffee announced expansion efforts into the U.S., with the opening of a café at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The decision comes at a time of significant growth for Vermont-based Bruegger’s Enterprises Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Threecaf Brands, which operates Timothy’s cafés. “Bruegger’s existing operating infrastructure allows us to bring this famous […]

Planet Smoothie, a Petrus Brands company, announced the launch of Planet Light, which includes more than 20 smoothies under 300 calories. Planet Light smoothies are sweetened with LeanLeaf, Planet Smoothie’s proprietary sweetener made from a blend of Agave and Stevia plants, which is all natural and contains no sugar. With the introduction of Planet Smoothie’s […]

bd's Mongolian Grill is introducing its "Appeteaser Crowd Pleasers" promotion, which promotes its new appetizers line-up and will last through May 15, 2011. Guests can start off their meals with the Appeteasers or enjoy them as their main course, along with soup and salad. bd’s Mongolian Grill is also introducing a pair of refreshing beverages […]

The Brewers Association, the trade association representing the majority of U.S. brewing companies, released 2010 data on the U.S. craft brewing industry. Small and independent craft brewers saw volume increase 11 percent and retail sales dollars increase 12 percent over 2009, representing a growth of more than 1 million barrels (31 gallons per U.S. barrel), […]

Popeyes has reached a multi-year agreement with Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) that will bring Dr Pepper and Hawaiian Punch to more than 1,300 U.S. locations. Dr Pepper, which is currently on the fountain at just over half of Popeyes’ locations, will add close to 700 new availabilities. In addition, Hawaiian Punch will be available for […]

Planet Smoothie, a Petrus Brands company, announced the launch of Planet Pro, a protein meal replacement powder. Planet Pro is offered in light and regular formulas, both of which can be utilized as meal replacements based on their protein, calories, and carb counts. Planet Pro Light features 25 grams of protein, 160 calories, two grams […]