Starbucks have brewed some new additions to its mouth-watering menu. The company introduces the Smoked Butterscotch Latte together with the Teavana Citrus Green Latte, whether hot or cold and other versions of Frappuccino. This latest addition is available in U.S. and Canada only.
Hospitality/Food
Israeli investment firms get $665 million in 2016
Israel is witnessing an increasing number of new venture capital (VC) firms coming up. The country registered an inflow of $665 million VC funding during the first two months of the year. Unfazed with the recent market crash, the funds inflows continue for Israel startups.
McDonald's Introduces Chobani-yoghurt Parfaits and Smoothies, Breakfast Bowls
McDonald's partners with Chobani, a Greek yoghurt-maker company and tests how the yoghurt will come along being incorporated to some of its menu. The fast food chain is adapting to the change to make itself a 'modern and progressive company' as it adapts to the changing tastes of its customers.
American Fruits and Flavors Acquired by Monster Beverages for $690 Million
It was agreed that Monster Beverages will take over on American Fruits and Flavors, its leading supplier of fruit concentrares, flavors and mixes. The beverage company paid $690 million for the acquisition. Since 1990's the two companies have been working together.
Change in Starbucks Rewards Program Makes it Harder to Earn Points and Free Item
Flustered customers complain about the change in the Starbucks Rewards Program. Starting April, points or stars can be earned based on the purchase and not on the visits that customers make. The coffee restaurant said that the change came from the No. 1 request among the loyalty program members.
Latest News
Hong Kong Disneyland reported its first loss since 2012. Fewer tourists had come to visit the resort and theme park, with the biggest decline from Chinese tourists. China’s economic slowdown, along with political instability and the emergence of Shanghai Disneyland is believed to have affected the Chinese tourists.
Whole Foods Market Inc is in the process of cost reduction. To promote sales volume, it's offering discounts and building relations stronger with suppliers. Whole Foods is expecting a savings of $300 million annually.
Import of palm oil by India bounced after its first drop in a year. The growing demand coupled with harvest failure boosted the purchase of palm oil from overseas suppliers.
The company announced that it had broken even in India and six other foreign countries, making the Indian e-commerce the first to achieve that milestone. Zomato, valued at over $1 billion, is going to start another funding round before becoming profitable by mid-2016.
Just Eat said that it has agreed to purchase Rocket Internet's businesses in Italy and Spain as well as Mexican and Brazilian arms from Foodpanda. The company believe that the acquired assets will help it to broaden its vision.
Nestle has decided to acquire the remaining stake of 36.3% in Osem and take the Israeli food company fully private. An offer of $840 million has been made to buy out the shares, and a shareholder meeting has been scheduled in March which should reveal the final decision arrived at by the company.
The Gulf establishment, Adeptio LLC has approached Kuwait's fast-food chain, Americana, for buying out the 66.8% controlling stake held by the Al Kharafi family valued at $1.7 billion. Currently, the investor is conducting the due diligence but the final outcome will be based on the approval of the Americana franchisers.
The lawsuit is cast out by more than 40 customers, led by Chris Howe. The lawsuit stated that McDonald's aired unfair advertisements with the claim that its new menu item contains 100 percent pure mozzarella cheese, while according to Howe they contain filler. The lawsuit tests support the claim, but McDonald's has refuted the claim.
Hershey, the leading chocolate maker, has shifted gear in 2016 and plans to focus more on its newly acquired meat brand, Krave Pure Foods Inc. With changing food habits, the market is now ready to accept snacks that are more rich in protein and less in sugars, and with this move, the sweet maker is all set to tap this niche market.
