Weekly Digest #06
08.09.2025
đ Welcome to the Forks & Founders Weekly Bite-Sized Digest a.k.a The Forkâs Lens
Every week, we serve up a quick, flavourful dose of whatâs cooking at the intersection of food, drink, and entrepreneurship.
Expect:
đŽ Sharp founder insights
đ Bite-sized industry trends
đ Tools & tips to level up
đ„ Events & openings worth your time
For founders building food brands, launching products, or just hungry for whatâs next â this oneâs for you.
Markets, Mussels & Mouthfuls
đš Weekly #06: Markets, Mussels & Mouthfuls
đŽ Whatâs Up?
From mussels stealing the sustainability show to cocktail culture being rewritten overseas, this weekâs stories prove that food & beverage remains as dynamic as ever â including in unexpected corners.
đ„ Big Bites: This Weekâs Top Food Industry Moves
Bakkavor flags higher costs ahead of ÂŁ1.2B Greencore takeover
Bakkavor, the UK fresh-food supplier, warned that rising commodity prices and wage costs are now expected to add around ÂŁ65 million in extra costs this year â up from prior estimates of ÂŁ50 million â citing dairy inflation, wage hikes, National Insurance, and minimum wage increases.
Kraft Heinz to split into two companies after a decade of struggle
In a major shake-up, Kraft Heinz plans to separate into two publicly listed businesses named Global Taste Elevation Co. (sauces, spreads, seasonings, including Heinz, Philadelphia, Kraft Mac & Cheese) and North American Grocery Co. (Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles, Lunchables) by late 2026. The split aims to simplify the business, boost performance, and unlock shareholder value, but comes with up to $300M in expected separation costs.
Wetherspoons slashes food & NA drink prices in Scotland on Tax Equality Day
On 18 September, Wetherspoons is rolling out a 7.5% discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks across Scottish pubs, with prices dropping to as low as ÂŁ1.66. The move highlights VAT disparities between pubs (20%) and supermarkets (0%) while spotlighting rising business rates and operational costs.
UK Government proposes ban on high-caffeine energy drinks for under-16s
This policy push aims to restrict sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16, which is a growing public health initiative.
Functional drinks industry continues its boom
Vogueâs Head Anna Wintour has stepped down. The more interesting editorial from their team this week though is that the functional beverage market is accelerating fast; valued at $149.75 billion in 2024, forecast to hit around $248.5 billion by 2030. PepsiCo is entering with products like Prebiotic Cola and through acquisitions like Poppi. Other emerging players include AG1, Dirtea, Trip, and Kin Euphorics.
Elliott Management pushes for a radical turnaround at PepsiCo
Activist investor Elliott has acquired a $4 billion stake in PepsiCo, pushing for actions like refranchising bottlers and shedding underperforming food brands to boost growth.
đ„« Underlying Reasons For the Kraft Heinz Split?
In a striking analysis, The Economist points out that Kraft Heinz isnât alone in facing structural challenges. The entire industry is grappling with:
Slowing demand: consumer shifts toward fresh, healthy, and artisanal options are undercutting commodity brands.
Intensifying competition: from agile startups and private-label rivals eating into market share.
Tightening regulation: e.g. sugar or health taxes, and environmental expectations increasing pressure on traditional food companies.
The result? Major food conglomerates must evolve, or risk becoming obsolete. Brands built for ubiquity must now be nimble, differentiated, and consumer-first to survive.
đ Spotlight Story: Mussels Means Sustainability
A watery revolution is quietly underway in the UK, and itâs on our plates. Mussels are gaining traction fast, thanks to their triple win of affordability, health benefits, and sustainability. No external feed? Check. No chemicals? Check. Farmed on vertical ropes that boost marine biodiversity? Check.
Chefs are experimenting with everything from skewered mussels and spicy broths to mussel burgers and premium tinned versions. Restaurants and home cooks alike are rediscovering this overlooked shellfish â thanks in part to improved farming and processing that tackles freshness concerns. Initiatives like the Wales-based CĂąr y MĂŽr and Lyme Bay fisheries are even revitalizing lost marine ecosystems through mussel cultivation. With minimal cooking time, year-round availability, and serious flavour, mussels are well on their way to becoming one of the UKâs next sustainable protein staples.
(Dropping social media famed Thomas Strakerâs Burnt Chilli and Mussel Flatbread Youtube #short video here for some cooking inspo!)
đ Whatâs Trending? Obviously, Erewhonâs NYC Outpost!
LAâs luxury grocery famed for celebrity-endorsed, $20 smoothies is setting up shop in New York. But this isnât your average expansion: the first East Coast outpost will be a tonic bar inside Kith Ivy, a private West Village padel and lifestyle club helmed by Kithâs Ronnie Fieg.
Members-only access comes with a steep price tag of $36,000 initiation plus $7,000 annual dues. For non-members, Erewhonâs viral smoothies (like the Hailey Bieber âStrawberry Glaze Skinâ blend) will still be available, but only via Postmates or Uber Eats, within a limited delivery radius.
This launch underscores how wellness beverages have become luxury status symbols. Erewhonâs smoothies, often priced at $20+, including celebrity collaborations, have become emblematic of this trend.
Erewhonâs expansion highlights how wellness drinks have become status symbols. Their smoothies are cultural icons in LA, and Londonâs Elevate at the Royal Exchange seems poised to replicate the hype. The question is: who will lead the movement closer to home?
đ The Fork & The Flame
"In food, the future belongs to those who innovate fearlessly, but stay rooted in what people truly crave."
This week shows that growth always comes with growing pains. From skyrocketing costs to bold reinvention, the food world is a mix of challenge and opportunity â and thatâs exactly what makes it so exciting.
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About Forks & Founders
We believe bold food brands deserve bold support. Thatâs why weâve built a collective of seasoned foodies, retail rebels, creative storytellers, and numbers nerdsâpeople whoâve been in the kitchen, the boardroom, and the shop floor. We jump in where you need us most, helping you turn big ideas into bites people canât stop talking about. Because building a food brand isnât just businessâitâs passion, flavour, and a little bit of chaos. Weâre here to make sure itâs the good kind.
