Top 10: Unilever’s work week, Kroger’s smart cart, love at White Castle

News from Unilever and Tyson made quite a few waves this week among SmartBrief’s food and beverage readers. Unilever announced that its employees will adopt a hybrid model of work-from-home and in-office days, and the company also unveiled a ready-to-drink tea line from its Tazo brand. Unilever, in addition to Tyson, is also preparing for a COVID vaccination program. Additionally, Tyson is introducing four new meal solutions for at-home cooks.

This week’s most-clicked item, though, belongs to Kroger. The grocer has been testing the new KroGO smart cart in a Cincinnati-area store since last fall and will roll the technology out to other stores based on customer and employee insights. 

On the restaurant side, news that White Castle will continue its Valentine’s Day tradition — this time, pandemic-style. The restaurant will turn the parking lots at more than 300 locations into retro drive-ins with carhop service. A report from the National Restaurant detailing restaurant and food trends also garnered clicks.

Read the entire Top 10 list:

1. Kroger is testing a smart shopping cart
2. Mondelez, Kellogg, Conagra, Unilever debut CPG products 
3. Unilever to cease working 5 days a week in offices 
4. Unilever, Tyson prepare vaccine programs 
5. Gelatina de mosaico is a versatile, edible work of art 
6. White Castle to offer drive-in dining on Valentine’s Day 
7. Report: Dining trends reflect pandemic-related changes 
8. Kellogg targets keto market with new Kashi cereal 
9. N.J. school meal distribution viewed as ideal 
10. Tyson rolls out 4 meal solutions 
     

Related stories:

• Foodservice brands move into the grocery aisle
• Increased demand for off-premises ushers in new era of restaurant design
• Is touchless checkout the next frontier for food retailers?

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