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Food and beverage giants are not expected to pursue transformative multi-billion-dollar M&A this year, instead focusing on small acquisitions to control financial risk while positioning in growth categories such as healthy snacks and functional beverages. Executives from companies like Molson Coors, Kraft Heinz, and Hershey outlined their M&A strategies at the annual CAGNY conference.
As the use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs rises, food companies face sales pressure and are beginning to launch smaller portions and high-protein, high-fiber products. General Mills, Nestlé, Danone, and others have already positioned themselves, but the industry remains divided on the drugs' long-term impact.
On August 27, 2026, ABM Equipment released an industry guide that systematically compares nearly all X-ray inspection equipment OEM manufacturers on the market, covering key metrics such as performance, usability, and cost, and integrating end-user and distributor ratings to provide a reference for food processors in equipment selection.
On September 1, 2026, AKA Foods announced the launch of AKA Studio Alchemy (third-generation secure AI platform, now available to all customers) and the invitation-only beta of AKA Atlas (a private knowledge engine for the food sector). Alchemy provides proactive formulation generation, label recognition, and regulatory audit features around the Ideate, Formulate, Sensory, and Audit R&D loop; Atlas builds a validated domain world model, supporting evidence traceability, confidence scoring, automated research reconnaissance, and regional/category branching, as well as localized and isolated deployment.
On August 25, 2026, Alamance Foods announced the launch of AFI Labs, a center that integrates scientific research, pilot production, culinary innovation, and commercialization support, providing foodservice, consumer packaged goods, and retail clients with a one-stop collaborative platform from concept to full-scale production.
Ferrero is relaunching Power Crunch, a wafer-based protein bar brand it acquired in January last year, with a new formula and packaging. The reformulation rebalances ingredients to improve taste while preserving the distinctive wafer format, based on consumer feedback. The new packaging features more color, updated fonts, and imagery showcasing the product, giving it a more modern identity. Power Crunch is also adopting the slogan 'A Lighter Way to Protein' to highlight its light, crispy texture compared to dense bars. Each bar contains 12-14 grams of protein. Despite strong growth before the acquisition, Power Crunch saw double-digit sales declines in the six months prior to May, according to a Ferrero executive. Ferrero has successfully turned around other acquired brands like Butterfinger and Keebler through recipe and packaging changes, and aims to do the same with Power Crunch.
Kraft Heinz will invest $30 million to renovate its Kendallville, Indiana plant, the exclusive manufacturing site for Jet-Puffed marshmallows and Kraft Caramels. The investment will be used to optimize production lines and aligns with the company's previously announced $3 billion U.S. manufacturing expansion plan.
Research released by Spins on Tuesday shows that in the 52 weeks ending June 14, Gen Z and millennials together contributed 81% of the year-over-year increase in private label spending. Gen Z accounted for 43%, millennials 38%, and Gen X 19%. The report notes that future private label growth will increasingly depend on young consumers and recommends that retailers expand in categories with high penetration but low private label share, such as energy drinks, carbonated beverages, juice, pizza, and cold cereal.
Nestlé has reached an agreement to sell its mainstream vitamin, mineral and supplement business to Yellow Wood Partners for $1 billion. The transaction covers 7 brands and the U.S. private-label supplement business, and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027. This move is part of Nestlé's strategy to focus on high-growth businesses.
Chobani will spend $1.2 billion to acquire and expand its Allentown, Pennsylvania plant, which began production in 2021 and was purchased from Keurig Dr Pepper for $125 million. The project is expected to create over 900 jobs, becoming a new growth hub for the company and part of its over $4 billion investment plan in U.S. manufacturing networks.