The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has expanded its leadership team with the appointments of Rafik Farouk and Jackie Lobdell to oversee business development and franchise sales as the brand nears the 600-restaurant milestone.

QuantiPath has appointed Roger Schaller, a molecular diagnostics veteran with experience at Cepheid and Bio-Rad, to its Board of Directors to accelerate the commercialisation of its GenoPATHX food safety platform.

PLEZi Nutrition, a Public Benefit Company co-founded by former First Lady Michelle Obama, has relaunched "PLEZi Hydration" in collaboration with Stephen and Ayesha Curry. Positioned as an "elite performance" alternative to legacy sports drinks, the product utilises real fruit juice to deliver twice the electrolytes and seven times the potassium of category leaders without the use of added sugars or artificial colours.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams has appointed David Stever, former CEO and CMO of Ben and Jerry's, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Bringing over 25 years of consumer-packaged goods (CPG) leadership, Stever is tasked with scaling the artisanal brand's national footprint across its 90-plus scoop shops, 15,000 retail locations, and its newly launched Fellowship Model for franchising.

Amy's Kitchen, a pioneer in the organic prepared food sector, has promoted Paul Schiefer to Chief Executive Officer as part of a planned multi-year leadership transition. Schiefer, a 20-year veteran of the company who previously served as President, is tasked with scaling the brand toward 1 billion dollars in retail sales while maintaining its status as a leading Certified B Corporation.

Pepsi Global has unveiled the Pepsi Football Nation platform, a multi-year initiative designed to integrate the brand into the daily rituals and cultural conversations of global football fans. Supported by a high-profile roster including David Beckham and Vini Jr., the campaign utilises digital innovations.

Sodexo has appointed Orla Muldoon as General Counsel for North America, effective March 23, 2026. Bringing over 20 years of experience from industry leaders, including ADM and Kellogg Company, Muldoon will oversee legal, compliance, and government affairs to support Sodexo's strategic growth and regulatory rigour across the United States and Canada.

Rockstar Energy is marking its return to NASCAR through a multi-faceted partnership with 23XI Racing and championship frontrunner Tyler Reddick. The move signals the start of a broader investment strategy into elite sports and music under the new "LIVE LOUD" brand identity, leveraging Reddick’s historic 2026 season start to drive cultural relevance and high-stakes brand visibility.