Wendy’s optimistic plans for a national breakfast menu that’s expected to ultimately generate $1 billion in additional sales grabbed SmartBrief readers this week. It’s the fourth time Wendy’s has attempted to add breakfast but the first time it’s been done on a national scale with early input from franchisees, and this week’s top story shared Wendy’s executives’ opinions that the new daypart will generate additional sales without cannibalizing existing business.
Cracker Barrel’s $36 million acquisition of Maple Street Biscuit Co. also proved popular with food-and-beverage readers this week. The deal will put the Maple Street banner on Cracker Barrel’s fast-casual chain Holler & Dash.
Grocers also made news that caught readers’ attention this week, including ALDI, whose simple format and lower prices drive repeat visits by US shoppers, according to a recent Kantar report. The survey revealed that 90% of ALDI shoppers believe the supermarket is more cost-effective than its competitors.
The planned exit of Walmart US CEO Greg Foran also made the top 10 this week. Foran, hired as the new head of Air New Zealand, will be succeeded by Sam’s Club CEO John Furner early next year.
Several snack brand stories also drew in readers this week, including Hershey which is debuting the new White Creme with Almonds candy bar and bringing back the Whoppers bar.
Kind Healthy Snacks made news with the first of what it expects to be several acquisitions. Kind bought Creative Snacks Co., which makes granola-based snacks and trail mixes.
Read the entire Top 10:
- How Wendy’s is doing breakfast differently this time
- Hershey unveils new candy bar while reviving another
- Survey: What keeps ALDI customers coming back
- Pillsbury launches brownie bark mixes, new Funfetti products
- Calif. bill tackles lunch shaming
- Kind Healthy Snacks unveils first acquisition
- Cracker Barrel pays $36M for 33-unit Maple Street Biscuit Co.
- Walmart US CEO stepping down
- New snack launches satisfy appetites for protein
- The story behind snack success at PepsiCo
Related stories:
- How did pumpkin spice become the dominant flavor of fall?
- Plant-based meat brands find ways to stand out in a growing field
- Retailers, restaurants tap into a powerful resource that’s in their employees’ own pockets
Interested in aligning your brand alongside the hot topics of the year? Check out what SmartBrief’s Food & Travel editors have identified as trending content topics for 2019 (download).
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