The last week of 2016 brought a mixed bag of most-read food and beverage stories, led by the news that Hershey has promoted Chief Operating Officer Michele Buck to president and CEO, succeeding John Bilbrey. Buck joined the confectionary conglomerate in 2005 and has been instrumental in expanding the company’s core candy portfolio as well as the acquisitions of barkThins chocolate and Krave beef jerky.
Next up was the decision by healthy fast-casual chain Sweetgreen to go cashless at all 64 of its eateries in 2017, a move that tested well in select locations over the past year and one the company says will make buying lunch safer, faster and more hygienic. The third most-popular story combined both health and indulgence – Nestle’s newest CEO, Ulf Mark Schneider, comes to the candy company from a career in health care and is expected to put the focus on developing new health and wellness products.
Read the entire top 10 list:
- Michele Buck named Hershey CEO
- Sweetgreen will stop accepting cash at all locations in 2017
- Nestle’s new CEO to stress health, wellness
- Plant-based drinks among 2016’s market changers
- Danone CEO on WhiteWave, growth and the many facets of yogurt
- Hostess debuts Deep Fried Banana Twinkies
- Meijer’s Santa commercial wins kudos
- Conagra Brands focuses on pricing discipline and value, CEO says
- How general managers set restaurants on a course for success
- Starbucks adds Bitcoin payment option for app users
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