As restaurant operators continue to recover from the effects of the recession, fast-casual restaurants have received positive marks from analysts. According to Chicago-based Technomic Inc.’s 2011 Top Fast-Casual Chain Restaurant Report, the foodservice segment outpaced the rest of the restaurant industry in 2010, with the top 100 chains growing 6 percent to nearly $18.9 billion. The total units grew 3.9 percent, which was slower than last year, but faster than other dining segments, according to the report.

Odwalla, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Co., developed a line of smoothies for children.

 One of the top reasons shoppers buy JUICES is for their better-for-you attributes, Sarah Theodore, global drinks analyst at Mintel, Chicago, told Beverage Industry in January.  

Chicago-based Technomic Inc.’s Beverage Consumer Trend Report found that beverages sales could help restaurants to boost check averages.

With its associations to lean muscle mass and satiety claims, whey protein continues to be an ingredient of interest to beverage manufacturers. 

The Chia/Vie shelf-stable chia seed smoothie line has grown into a larger bottle size.

 Jamba Juice partnered with Summit Entertainment to promote the “Twilight” movie saga.