DEE-ANN DURBIN

I cover the food and beverage industry.

Sweet and salty deal worth $30 billion would put M&M’s and Snickers alongside Cheez-It and Pringles

M&M’s maker Mars is paying nearly $30 billion for Kellanova, the maker of Cheez-Its and Pop-Tarts. The acquisition could significantly broaden Mars’ snacking portfolio and help it expand globally.

Starbucks CEO replaced by Brian Niccol, a fixer who revived Chipotle when the chain was in distress

Starbucks named Chipotle’s Brian Niccol to be its new chairman and CEO on Tuesday. The Seattle coffee giant has been struggling with fading sales and hopes Niccol can engineer a turnaround.

Why Trump’s and Harris’ proposals to end federal taxes on tips would be difficult to enact

If nothing else, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris agree on one thing, at least: Both say they want to eliminate federal taxes on workers’ tips.

Beyond Meat reports better-than-expected sales despite demand remaining weak

Beyond Meat has reported better-than-expected sales in the second quarter despite continuing weak demand for its plant-based meat.

WK Kellogg to close Omaha plant, downsize in Memphis as it shifts production to newer facilities

WK Kellogg Co. is closing one U.S. cereal plant and downsizing another as part of a plan to consolidate its operations in newer facilities.

DoorDash sees record orders and revenue in second quarter even as US restaurant traffic slows

DoorDash set quarterly records for total orders and revenue despite slowing U.S. restaurant traffic.

Proposed US rule would ban airlines from charging parents additional fees to sit with their children

The U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing a new rule that would ban airlines from charging parents to sit with their young children.

Starbucks quarterly revenue falls on weak traffic in US and China

Starbucks’ revenue fell 1% in the April-June period as customer traffic weakened in the U.S. and China.

McDonald’s same-store sales fall for 1st time since 2020 as tapped-out customers hold on to cash

McDonald’s global same-stores fell for the first time in nearly four years in the second quarter as inflation-weary consumers skipped eating out or chose cheaper options.

Kroger, Albertsons agree to temporarily halt merger plans while Colorado lawsuit proceeds

Supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons on Thursday agreed to temporarily halt their proposed merger in Colorado until a judge has considered the state’s objections.

Spicy dispute over the origins of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos winds up in court

A court case could soon settle a spicy dispute: Who invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos? A former PepsiCo executive is suing the company in California, saying it destroyed his career after questioning his claim that he invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Coca-Cola raises full-year sales guidance after stronger-than-expected second quarter

Coca-Cola is raising is full-year sales guidance after a stronger-than-expected second quarter. The Atlanta beverage giant said it now expects organic sales to grow between 9% and 10% this year, up from 8% to 9% previously.

How the departure of one prominent restaurant critic revealed the potential hazards of the job

Restaurant critics appear to have the best job in journalism, enjoying meals a few nights a week on someone else’s dime.

Darden Restaurants buys Tex-Mex chain Chuy’s for $605 million

The parent company of Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House and other chains says it’s buying the Tex-Mex chain Chuy’s as it seeks to expand its dining options.

Tyson Foods heir pleads not guilty to charge of driving while intoxicated

Tyson Foods heir and executive John R. Tyson has pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving while intoxicated.

Stop & Shop closing 32 underperforming grocery stores in the Northeast

Grocery store chain Stop & Shop says it will close 32 underperforming grocery stores across the Northeast by the end of this year.

PepsiCo’s second quarter profits jump but customers slow their purchases after years of price hikes

PepsiCo reported higher-than-expected earnings in the second quarter but acknowledged that after raising prices every quarter for more than two years, customers are not buying as many of its snacks and drinks.

Under pressure from cities, DoorDash steps up efforts to ensure its drivers don’t break traffic laws

DoorDash says it’s stepping up efforts to identify dangerous delivery drivers and remove them from its platform after a flood of complaints from cities.

King Arthur Baking’s CEO on keeping America’s oldest flour company in the mix

America’s oldest flour company opened in 1790, when George Washington was president. But little could have prepared King Arthur Baking Co. for the coronavirus pandemic, when demand for its products jumped six-fold almost overnight.

Do US fast-food customers want plant-based meat? Panda Express thinks so, but McDonald’s has doubts

Do Americans want plant-based options at fast-food restaurants? Two recent moves show restaurant chains are still undecided.

Caesar salad, invented in Mexico by Italian immigrants, is still pleasing palates after 100 years

Caesar salad has something to celebrate: It’s turning 100. According to legend, Italian immigrant Caesar Cardini invented the dish on July 4, 1924, at his restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico.

From ‘latte makeup’ to ‘girl dinners,’ TikTok has launched tons of trends. Will its influence last?

TikTok and its bite-sized videos arrived in the United States as a global version of the Chinese app Douyin.

High orange juice prices may be on the table for a while due to disease and extreme weather

Orange juice prices have always been volatile and highly dependent on the weather. But the record-high prices the world is seeing for OJ right now may be on the table for a while.

Tyson Foods heir suspended as CFO after second alcohol-related arrest

Tyson Foods has suspended a great-grandson of the company’s founder after his arrest on charges of driving while intoxicated. John R.

Waffle House raises worker pay after strikes and pressure from labor organizers

Waffle House is increasing pay for its U.S. workers after a push from labor advocates. In a video message to employees late last month, Waffle House CEO Joe Rogers III said base pay without tips would rise to at least $3 per hour in June and then gradually rise to at least $5.25 per hour by June 202

Poppi faces lawsuit from consumer who questions its gut health claims

Popular soda brand Poppi is facing a class-action lawsuit filed by a consumer who says its products don’t improve gut health as much as their marketing suggests.

Lab-grown meat isn’t on store shelves yet, but some states have already banned it

Lab-grown meat is not currently available in any U.S. grocery stores or restaurants. If some lawmakers have their way, it never will be.

McDonald’s says $18 Big Mac meal was an ‘exception’ and news reports overstated its price increases

McDonald’s is fighting back against media reports it says have exaggerated its price increases. In a post on the company’s website Wednesday, McDonald’s U.S. president said reports suggesting the price of the average Big Mac has doubled since 2019 were false.

Walmart has ended its partnership with Capital One. Here’s what it means for cardholders

Walmart has ended a partnership with Capital One that made the banking company the exclusive issuer of Walmart’s consumer credit cards.

Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection days after closing dozens of restaurants

Casual dining chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The 56-year-old chain made the filing late Sunday, days after shuttering dozens of restaurants.