Manufacturers

GoodSAM Founder & CEO, Heather K Terry. Pic: CN

Brands

A good year for GoodSam chocolates

By Anthony Myers

Sustainable chocolate brand GoodSAM Foods has announced a strong first half of 2023 with a record-breaking first and second quarter, driven by an expanded retail reach into US, and industry awards recognition, while exceeding fundraising goals and sales.

HI-Chew creates an experiential pop-up for its latest candy launch

HI-Chew creates an experiential pop-up for its latest candy launch

By Deniz Ataman

FoodNavigator-USA visited HI-Chew's pop-up to speak with Teruhiro Kawabe, Chief Representative for the USA & President, CEO of Morinaga America Inc. and Joanne Hsu, senior brand marketing manager, to discuss the brand's HI-Chew bites launch.

The extra funding will help Tony's Chocolonely expand into new markets. Pic: CN

Business

Tony’s Chocolonely secures an additional €20m funding

By Anthony Myers

Following a successful year of rapid growth and strong progress on sustainability, Tony’s Chocolonely has raised an additional €20m of capital from its existing shareholders to accelerate the delivery of its mission, the Dutch ethical brand has announced.

John Bull rock has been a feature of Bridlington for over 100 years. Pic: JB

Mergers & acquisitions

Serious Sweets buys classic rock maker

By Anthony Myers

The Serious Sweet Confectionery Group (SSC) has snapped up rock maker and wholesaler John Bull Confectioners for an undisclosed sum.

Cadbury's historic Bournville factory. Pic: Cadbury

Reformulation

Cadbury looks to the future with plant-based bars

By Anthony Myers

Mondelēz International has announced major reformulation plans for its historic UK Cadbury brand that will include plant-based alternatives in an effort to cut up to 75% of sugar and fat.

Grupo Bimbo continues acquisition strategy despite lower Q1 profit

Grupo Bimbo continues acquisition strategy despite lower Q1 profit

By Gill Hyslop

Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV acquired Natural Bakery in Winnipeg, Canada, and made a minority investment in Delaware-based Olyra Foods during its first quarter, which saw net profit down 9.4%, citing the sale of its confectionary business in the same quarter...

Pic: NCAA

Marketing

Hershey to continue with NCAA partnership

By Anthony Myers

The Hershey Company is set to remain the ‘Official Confectionery Partner’ of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) after a six-year extension was agreed upon with Paramount-owned CBS and Warner Bros Discovery, which oversee the NCAA’s ‘Corporate...

 7th Heaven Chocolate's new vegan range is available in the US. Pic: 7th Heaven

NPD

Israeli vegan chocolate brand 7th Heaven launches in US

By Anthony Myers

Israel’s premier vegan chocolate brand, 7th Heaven Chocolate, has launched in the United States after two years of research & development on a formula that delivers the same creaminess as milk chocolate.

Peter Boone has left his post as Barry Callebaut CEO for personal reasons. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Breaking

Peter Boone resigns as Barry Callebaut CEO

By Anthony Myers

The Board of Directors has appointed Peter Feld (57, German national) as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Barry Callebaut Group, with immediate effect. Feld succeeds Peter Boone who is stepping down for personal reasons.

Belcolade's new plant-based white macaron. Pic: Belcolade

Free-from

Belcolade launches ‘first of a kind’ plant-based white couverture

By Anthony Myers

Belcolade’s Selection W. Plant-Based Cacao-Trace offers chocolatiers, pâtissiers and other professional chocolate users more choice as it further expands the company’s plant-based portfolio, following the recent launch of its widely acclaimed milk-alike...

And the winner is ... Crash!. Pic: Cadbury

Seasonal

Crash the cat wins this year’s coveted Cadbury Bunny ears accolade

By Anthony Myers

After receiving an impressive number of votes from animal lovers across the country, Crash the Cat from Boise, Idaho, has been crowned the winner of Hershey’s fifth-annual Cadbury Bunny Tryouts, 'Rescue Pets Edition', the company has announced.