In its “Breakfast Consumer Trend Report,” Chicago-based research firm Technomic notes that coffee is playing an increasingly important role in consumers’ breakfast purchasing decisions. Thirty-three percent of consumers who drink coffee at breakfast say they are loyal to a coffee brand or restaurant that serves their preferred coffee, which is an increase from 25 percent who reported loyalty in 2009, it states.
Starbucks Coffee Co., Seattle, announced that since the launch of its mobile payment technology in January, there have been 26 million mobile transactions to date. In the first nine weeks of the program, there were 3 million transactions, and in comparison for the nine-week period starting in October, there were 6 million transactions, demonstrating a significant jump in customer adoption and use.
Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co. will launch its Freestyle machines in all Burger King Corp. company-owned restaurant locations across the United States.
In the next step toward launching two public companies, Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods Inc.’s board of directors announced the appointments of the chairmen and chief executive officers of the future global snacks and North American grocery companies.
The National Restaurant Association (NRA), Washington, D.C., will debut a new Healthier Kids Fare pavilion at its 2012 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, May 5-8, at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
The Jack Daniel Distillery launched its “Operation Ride Home” campaign to assist soldiers and their families in traveling home for the holidays. The distillery joined forces with the Armed Services YMCA of Fort Campbell to work with military officials at the installation to identify soldiers and families with particular needs and financial assistance for travel from the base to their homes throughout the United States this holiday season.
Yao Ming, retired NBA player, owner of the Shanghai Sharks and humanitarian, established his own Napa Valley wine company: Yao Family Wines. The company released its inaugural wine, a 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, under the Yao Ming brand name in mainland China. Yao Family Wines has appointed Pernod Ricard China as the sole and exclusive importer and distributor of the brand in mainland China.
The system of The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, has committed more than U.S. $2 million to “Reunite to Relieve and Rebuild Thailand,” a sustainable flood relief initiative designed to provide emergency relief and rebuilding efforts to help victims of the floods in Thailand.
Anheuser-Busch (AB), St. Louis, and its wholesalers in the state donated $45,000 to help employees of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the wildfires in the state. More than 34,000 acres and 1,500 homes were consumed by the fires, including 98 percent of Bastrop State Park and 22 homes of Texas Park and Wildlife employees. Many more parks employees sustained significant damage to their properties.
Innova Market Insights, Duiven, the Netherlands, has identified 10 key trends that will impact the food and beverage market through 2012 and beyond, it says.
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