Starbucks Doubleshot Energy + Coffee

All channel sales for snacks and non-alcoholic beverages grew 5.1 percent during the four-week period ending Mar. 23, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by Wells Fargo Securities.

As the strategics stake their ground(s) in coffee, independent cold brew remains a vibrant space that the leading companies have yet to fully explore. Industry analysts say independent brands are just getting started.

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson is scaling back founder and former CEO Howard Schultz’s plans for luxury coffee shops, according to The Wall Street Journal. Schultz’s growth strategy included 1,000 Starbucks Reserve cafes selling premium coffee and artisanal bakery items, as well as 30 more locations of its Starbucks Roastery, experience-oriented stores aimed at increasing traffic and improving declining sales.

PepsiCo Announces Incubator Program “The Hive”; Soda Taxes Upheld in Philadelphia, But Unlikely to Spread in Pennsylvania; Starbucks and McDonald’s to Collaborate on Sustainability

Shakeups at three major coffee players: Peet’s announces former Wrigley president as CEO; Dunkin’ Brands promotes Hoffman to chief executive position; Starbucks CFO announces retirement.

National Beverage CEO Sued for ‘Inappropriate Touching’; Just Versus Just: Water and Vegan Mayo Brands Clash Over Trademark Dispute; California Bans New Soda Taxes; Report: Starbucks Has Long Way to Go for Racial Equity

Starbucks Corporation executive chairman and former CEO Howard Schultz announced Monday he will leave the company on June 26, ending his 36 years with the brand he led from its origins as a local Seattle chain to a global coffee juggernaut.

Seattle Approves Head Tax to Corporations Chagrin; New Study Warns Parents Against Giving Kids Sports Drinks; Study: Drinking Coffee In Groups Makes You Feel Good; Illy Coffee Cans Recalled; PETA Joins Fight Against Dairy Pride Act; Trimino Super Troopers Ads Go Online

During an earnings call with investors on Thursday, CEO Kevin Johnson partially attributed the company’s growth during the quarter to its $384 million sale of Tazo Tea to Unilever in November, as well as the strategic decision to close Teavana cafes in order to focus on that brand’s CPG products.

Through an agreement with Starbucks Coffee, Joyride is now producing and distributing Starbucks brand draft cold brew and nitro cold brew for the coffee giant’s foodservice accounts at hospitals, bookstores, colleges and offices in New York, Boston, San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Starbucks Corporation today announced an agreement to sell the TAZO tea brand to Unilever for $384 million, a move that will allow the Seattle-based coffee giant to focus on supporting its other premium tea brand, Teavana.

In this week’s episode of Taste Radio, we spoke with Hint Water founder/CEO Kara Goldin about how her experiences in tech helped shape the business strategy for the brand, which is nearing $100M in annual sales. We also speak with Billy Bosch, the co-founder/CEO of Iconic, who offered insight into lessons learned and key takeaways from his journey as an entrepreneur. And in the latest edition of Elevator Talk, we chat it up with Mikaela Ray, the Owner/CEO, of Mikaela’s. This episode is presented by Sovereign Flavors.

Though convenience store traffic has dipped in 2017, you couldn’t tell from looking around the packed floor at this year’s National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show last week in Chicago. Exhibitors from across the spectrum of food and beverage took over two halls of the McCormick Place for three days, showcasing a range of new products and innovations that will be rolling out to c-store coolers over the next year.

This week’s episode of Taste Radio features a captivating interview with Joth Ricci, a veteran beverage executive with one of the most diverse, interesting and impactful track records of anyone in the industry. Over a 17-year career, Ricci has held roles as president of Stumptown Coffee, president and CEO of Jones Soda and managing director with beverage investment and advisory firm First Beverage Group. We recently traveled to Portland, Ore. to meet with Ricci, who is currently the president/CEO of Adelsheim Vineyard.