Latest news with #F&B
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NT Logistics Highlights Single-Source Freight Strategy for Food and Beverage Brands
Tailored freight solutions drive efficiency, reduce costs and enhance cold chain reliability for mid-market food & beverage brands FRISCO, Texas, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NT Logistics (NT), a third-party logistics (3PL) provider based in Texas, today announced it continues to help mid-market food and beverage (F&B) companies navigate transportation complexity through its proven single-source freight model—an approach that blends execution, analytics and strategic insight to deliver operational clarity and cost efficiency. While many 3PLs focus solely on moving freight, NT Logistics has spent more than two decades combining day-to-day logistics management with a consultative support, cost-to-serve modeling and data-driven insights. This integrated strategy is powered by NTelligence, the company's proprietary platform that provides real-time dashboards tailored to customer-specific KPIs. 'We bring full transparency to logistics spend and performance,' said Lynn Gravley, President and CEO of NT Logistics. 'That means our customers can make faster, smarter decisions—with a clear line of sight into what's driving cost and how to reduce it.' Results by the Numbers The company's approach has yielded consistent, quantifiable results across the F&B sector. In one recent network redesign, NT Logistics helped a customer achieve a: 29.6% reduction in deliveries 14.1% increase in weight per pallet 11.0% reduction in mileage 42.0% increase in weight per stop These improvements were driven by analyzing order behavior, rebuilding the network from the ground up and realigning routing and shipment frequency to reduce cost while improving service. Granular Insights Through NTelligence NT's NTelligence platform allows brands to track costs down to the hundredths of a penny at the customer, order and PO level. This level of granularity enables customers to make informed decisions about accessorials, route density and pallet utilization. It also monitors service performance, helping customers manage both cost and delivery reliability. NT's approach—combining multi-stop routing, real-time exception handling, and KPI-driven accountability—is tailored to the demands of food and beverage logistics, where freshness and shelf life are critical. By minimizing transit times and resolving issues as they arise, NT helps reduce delays that can compromise product quality. Partnering for Growth and Efficiency Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution, NT Logistics tailors its model to the unique challenges of growing F&B brands. The strategy includes inbound and outbound optimization, TL and LTL planning and profitability reporting by customer, lane and product type. In one engagement, NT helped a refrigerated food brand take direct control of inbound logistics, ultimately reducing raw material costs and achieving six-figure savings with minimal disruption. 'Our goal is not to increase shipments, but to build smarter networks,' Gravley said. 'We reduce costs—even if it means less revenue for us—because long-term customer success is our priority.' For more information on NT Logistics' single-source solutions, visit About NT Logistics: NT Logistics, Inc., a privately held transportation management and logistics service company headquartered in Frisco, Texas, provides its national customer base with a full array of transportation and integrated logistics services. As a non-asset-based third-party logistics provider (3PL), the company acts as an intermediary for manufacturers and shippers to distribute products. NT Logistics offers a wealth of business arranged transportation solutions that reduce costs, add value to the supply chain and improve performance. Founded in July 1999, the company has additional offices in Lubbock, Texas; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Springdale, Arkansas; Grand Rapids, Michigan and Phoenix, Arizona. Learn more at Media Contact:Makayla CruzLeadCoveragemakayla@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Never mind the movie - just get the popcorn! That's the latest audience trend at the cinema
Step into a multiplex these days and it would seem that the people have come there more for the popcorn and the fizzy drinks than to watch a movie. The F&B (food and beverage) business of cinemas has been holding relatively steady even though movies haven't been doing too well at the box office over the past few months, especially in the Hindi belt, theatre owners and experts said. However, experts said ancillary streams such as F&B can thrive only when new movies start performing well. More importantly, exorbitant F&B rates are pinching viewers across demographics and segments. With even basic popcorn and cola combos priced upwards of ₹700 in some cases, audiences are feeling ripped off. For PVR Inox, India's largest multiplex chain, although revenue from the sale of movie tickets fell 9.9% in FY25, the dip in F&B was lower at 6.7%. F&B spending per head actually rose by 1.5%. The successful re-release of older hits and strategies like showing cricket matches and live events, along with discounts and buy-one-get-one-free offers for F&B have helped exhibitors. According to theatre owners, audience preferences too have changed. 'Audiences today seek more than just the traditional popcorn-and-cola experience. Our expanded food offerings now include a full range of meals, and we're observing a clear pattern of individual orders per head, especially in group settings, leading to higher average spends per customer," said Kunal Sawhney, chief operating officer of MovieMax Cinemas. Sawhney added that several initiatives have contributed to strong F&B performance including a diverse menu featuring both snacks and meal options, the ability to pre-order food while booking tickets, and redesigned cafés with specialty counters. In addition, there are auditorium delivery, digital ordering and payment convenience, on-screen promotions, customised menus and flexible pricing. Complete experience Rahul Puri, managing director, Mukta Arts and Mukta A2 Cinemas, agreed that F&B revenue has remained steady and, in many locations, grown despite a dull box office. 'Guests are increasingly seeing cinema outings as a complete experience, and indulgence in quality food and beverages has become a big part of that. Consistent innovation in our menu, value-driven pricing, and strong in-theatre promotions have helped keep F&B performance strong, even when box office content fluctuates," he added. Several cinema chains expect F&B to become a significant contributor to revenue. With strong guest response to value-driven offerings and continued focus on quality, they anticipate an even more important role for F&B in the business. 'Currently, F&B contributes around 34% of our revenue. We expect this to grow to 40% in the next two years," said Bhuvanesh Mendiratta, managing director, Miraj Entertainment Ltd, a company that operates multiplex theatres. However, experts pointed out that the real driver of the film business is new and exciting movies. Even though F&B does its bit to improve earnings, it will always remain an incidental – and not standalone – expense. 'F&B is a demand derived from the film. Also, prices are too high, especially in national chains, and this negative perception built around F&B in general is very sad for the overall business," independent exhibitor Vishek Chauhan said. While single-screen owners operating in smaller towns such as Chauhan are cognizant of the need to maintain reasonable F&B rates, mostly pricing popcorn and colas below ₹100, they said the bigger chains have clearly outpriced at least 90% of the population. 'Multiplexes are seen as a brand for the rich and even when it comes to people who can afford these rates, the narrative around being ripped off stays. The negative perception has been built," Chauhan added.
Wamda
3 days ago
- Business
- Wamda
AI, digitisation could hold the key to MENA's food security challenge
The food and beverage (F&B) industry across the MENA region is undergoing a rapid transformation. As technology continues to reshape customer expectations and business operations, food tech has emerged as a critical driver of innovation—enabling restaurants to operate more efficiently, sustainably, and profitably. A Sector on the Verge of Digital Maturity The convergence of AI, data analytics, cloud computing, and integrated payment systems is helping F&B operators across the region respond to shifting consumer habits. According to PwC, the food tech sector in MENA is projected to grow by 14% over the next five years, supported by rising digitization and a more tech-savvy customer base. From back-of-house operations to the customer-facing dining experience, food tech has become more than a convenience—it's now a necessity for restaurants aiming to stay competitive in a dynamic market. Operational Efficiency Starts with Smart Systems Restaurant Management Systems (RMS), Point of Sale (POS) platforms, and AI-powered forecasting tools are now the backbone of modern restaurant operations. These systems help manage inventory, streamline order flows, reduce waste, and improve scheduling—resulting in better margins and fewer human errors. In 2024 alone, 41% of restaurants surveyed adopted AI for sales forecasting, particularly to minimize food wastage, which remains a significant cost driver across the industry. Real-time insights and remote management tools are making multi-branch operations not only feasible but also scalable. Digitising the Front and Back of House Customer-facing tools—such as self-ordering kiosks, digital menus, and integrated table-payment systems—are transforming the dining experience. These solutions help reduce wait times, improve order accuracy, and create more personalized interactions. Behind the scenes, Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) are replacing printed order slips, improving sustainability and reducing order errors. Inventory management tools offer real-time visibility into ingredient usage, helping restaurants avoid stockouts or over-ordering, and thus enhancing both efficiency and profitability. Customer Experience as a Competitive Edge Consumers today expect speed, personalization, and transparency. A study by Deloitte found that 60% of diners say customer service significantly impacts their dining decisions. Food tech enables restaurants to meet these expectations with smoother interactions, quicker service, and greater accuracy. Self-service tools, real-time order tracking, and transparent payment systems are helping build trust and loyalty among diners—while offering upselling opportunities and operational benefits to restaurants. Data as a Catalyst for Strategic Growth The real power of food tech lies in data. Advanced POS systems and CRM platforms are collecting behavioral insights, sales patterns, and performance metrics that can inform everything from menu design to staffing and expansion strategies. Restaurants using data analytics have seen an average profit margin increase of 8–10%, according to industry benchmarks. Leveraging these insights allows businesses to better align offerings with customer preferences, manage costs more effectively, and identify optimal locations for new outlets. Adapting to the Digital Ordering Economy With 31% of restaurants globally earning over half of their revenue from digital channels, seamless integration with online ordering platforms has become a must. Food tech enables centralized management of digital orders, customer data, and third-party delivery partnerships—reducing friction and improving accuracy. This shift is not just about convenience—it's a structural evolution in how the F&B sector engages with its customers and builds loyalty in an increasingly digital economy. Looking Ahead: A Tech-Driven F&B Future As restaurants across MENA continue to embrace digital transformation, food tech is proving to be both a competitive differentiator and an enabler of resilience. Whether it's minimizing food waste, improving service quality, or making smarter decisions through data, technology is redefining what success looks like in the F&B sector. For startups, investors, and ecosystem enablers, the food tech space presents significant opportunities—from SaaS platforms and AI-powered analytics to embedded fintech and logistics integration. As the sector evolves, those who harness the power of food tech will not only survive—they'll lead.
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair: One-Stop F&B Platform Returns in August
Spotlighting Food Science & Tech Hong Kong, SAR--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2025) - Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair will be staged concurrently from 14 to 16 August 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fairs feature global foods and beverages, tea, and related products, providing a one-stop sourcing platform for F&B importers, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, department stores and e-tailers. The Food Expo PRO open exclusively to trade buyers on the first two days, and welcome public ticket-holders on 16 August. The concurrent Hong Kong International Tea Fair will be open to both trade buyers and public ticket holders for all three days. Together with the concurrent public fairs, Food Expo, Beauty & Wellness Expo, and Home Delights Expo, which will be staged at the same venue from 14 to 18 August, the five fairs are expected to gather some 2,000 exhibitors. Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair: One-Stop F&B Platform Returns in August To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Food Expo PRO: Asia's key trade event for F&B Positioned strategically at the heart of Asia, coupled with its exceptional logistics services and adept supply chain management, Hong Kong serves as a promising platform for global food importers and distributors to extend their reach into markets across Mainland China and the broader Asian region. As a renowned culinary capital of Asia, Hong Kong is also home to a thriving food services industry that captivates locals and visitors alike. Food Expo PRO aims to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a business hub for the food industry in Mainland China, Asia, and the world. It provides a one-stop business platform that helps F&B industry players explore opportunities, build connections and foster innovation. This year, the Expo continues to present pavilions from various countries and regions. Besides pavilions from Mainland China, Japan, Korea and Poland, ASEAN countries like Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam will also participate, showcasing international culinary excellence. As a pioneer in the F&B industry, the Expo has always kept a close eye on several key trends and innovation in order to capture the evolving dynamics of the food industry. Highlighted zone "Food Science and Technology" brings alternative food and future food products to our professional buyers. Hong Kong Food Science and Technology Association will lead a group of Hong Kong companies to showcase their food-tech and packaging products and solutions. To capture the opportunities presented by the silver economy, products such as soft meals and supplements will also be featured in the zone. Recognising the promising landscape of the Halal Market, the Expo introduced a dedicated Halal food and beverage label last year. This year, around 100 exhibitors will feature the label, bringing a diverse variety of Halal certified products ranging from snacks, condiments to seafood. To better promote the potential of halal food sector, the events will delve deeper into the halal food landscape in Hong Kong. The Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, a 5-star rating Halal Friendly Hotel by Crescent Rating, will share insights on how they create exceptional halal culinary experience for Muslim guests. Additionally, the event will partner with The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong to present halal certificates to local restaurants. With the evolving coffee culture and growing coffee market demand worldwide, a new Coffee zone will be launched at the fair to reinforce Hong Kong's role as a gateway to enter the booming Mainland China and ASEAN market. The zone will feature coffee bean exporters from Africa, Americas to Mainland China, as well as coffee accessories in the zone. Events such as coffee demonstrations and seminars covering the coffee value chain will also be held concurrently. Food Expo PRO also features a variety of seminars and forums covering the latest developments and market opportunities in the food industry. The Food Tech Symposium will focus on promoting non-additive foods and establishing a "Clean Label" standard in Hong Kong. The event will also explore the progress of additive-free food development in the Greater Bay Area and invite local food manufacturer to share their practical experiences, aiming to advance the "Clean Label" initiative in Hong Kong. Hong Kong International Tea Fair: Brewing opportunities in tea business The concurrent Hong Kong International Tea Fair brings together a wide variety of products including tea, tea-related products, and tea ware. The International Tea Event Space Design Competition 2025 aims to promote tea culture. Participants can present their creative tea-serving space designs through the competition, and the shortlisted designs will be displayed and judged during the fair. Another fair highlight is the Hong Kong International Tea Competition. Exhibitors' teas will be judged in six categories: Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Black Tea, Chinese Black Tea, Raw Pu'er, Others. The entries will also compete for "The Best Aroma Award" and "The Best Taste Award". Visitors can enjoy free tea tasting of winning teas on 17 August. Each day at the fair is filled with different activities and events. The 2 nd Hong Kong International Tea Culture Forum and The 1 st Tea Culture and Tourism Benchmark City (Enterprise) Brand Ceremony will be held on 15 August, with the purpose of creating an international platform for communication, promoting tea culture, and driving the international development of the tea industry. The National and Greater Bay Area KamCha Competition - (Hong Kong Milk Tea) Hong Kong Final will be held during the Hong Kong International Tea Fair, aiming to select the top Hong Kong-style milk tea masters, showcase the skills and unique flavours of Hong Kong-style milk tea production, and promote Hong Kong-style milk tea culture. Other events, such as the 1 st Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Youth International Tea Art Competition 2025, Tea Tasting Sessions, Tea Art Performances, offer an immersive exploration of tea's rich history and latest trends. The two fairs will continue to adopt the HKTDC's EXHIBITION+ model that integrates online and offline elements, extending face-to-face interactions from physical events to smart business platform, Click2Match, which will be open to participants from 7 to 23 August. In addition, the International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products (ICMCM), organised by the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association (MCMIA), together with the HKTDC and ten scientific research institutions and industry associations, will be held at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre on 14 and 15 August to deliver professional traditional Chinese medicine insights into the industry. Websites: Concurrent public fairs: Hashtag: #HongKongTradeDevelopmentCouncil #HKTDC #FoodExpoPRO #HongKongInternationalTeaFair Doris Cheng (852) 2240 4606 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair: One-Stop F&B Platform Returns in August
Spotlighting Food Science & Tech Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair: One-Stop F&B Platform Returns in August Food Expo PRO Hong Kong International Tea Fair ICMCM Food Expo Beauty & Wellness Expo Home Delights Expo HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 June 2025 - Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair will be staged concurrently from 14 to 16 August 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fairs feature global foods and beverages, tea, and related products, providing a one-stop sourcing platform for F&B importers, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, department stores and e-tailers. The Food Expo PRO open exclusively to trade buyers on the first two days, and welcome public ticket-holders on 16 August. The concurrent Hong Kong International Tea Fair will be open to both trade buyers and public ticket holders for all three days. Together with the concurrent public fairs, Food Expo, Beauty & Wellness Expo, and Home Delights Expo, which will be staged at the same venue from 14 to 18 August, the five fairs are expected to gather some 2,000 strategically at the heart of Asia, coupled with its exceptional logistics services and adept supply chain management, Hong Kong serves as a promising platform for global food importers and distributors to extend their reach into markets across Mainland China and the broader Asian region. As a renowned culinary capital of Asia, Hong Kong is also home to a thriving food services industry that captivates locals and visitors Expo PRO aims to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a business hub for the food industry in Mainland China, Asia, and the world. It provides a one-stop business platform that helps F&B industry players explore opportunities, build connections and foster innovation. This year, the Expo continues to present pavilions from various countries and regions. Besides pavilions from Mainland China, Japan, Korea and Poland, ASEAN countries like Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam will also participate, showcasing international culinary a pioneer in the F&B industry, the Expo has always kept a close eye on several key trends and innovation in order to capture the evolving dynamics of the food industry. Highlighted zone "Food Science and Technology" brings alternative food and future food products to our professional buyers. Hong Kong Food Science and Technology Association will lead a group of Hong Kong companies to showcase their food-tech and packaging products and solutions. To capture the opportunities presented by the silver economy, products such as soft meals and supplements will also be featured in the the promising landscape of the Halal Market, the Expo introduced a dedicated Halal food and beverage label last year. This year, around 100 exhibitors will feature the label, bringing a diverse variety of Halal certified products ranging from snacks, condiments to seafood. To better promote the potential of halal food sector, the events will delve deeper into the halal food landscape in Hong Kong. The Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, a 5-star rating Halal Friendly Hotel by Crescent Rating, will share insights on how they create exceptional halal culinary experience for Muslim guests. Additionally, the event will partner with The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong to present halal certificates to local the evolving coffee culture and growing coffee market demand worldwide, a new Coffee zone will be launched at the fair to reinforce Hong Kong's role as a gateway to enter the booming Mainland China and ASEAN market. The zone will feature coffee bean exporters from Africa, Americas to Mainland China, as well as coffee accessories in the zone. Events such as coffee demonstrations and seminars covering the coffee value chain will also be held Expo PRO also features a variety of seminars and forums covering the latest developments and market opportunities in the food industry. The Food Tech Symposium will focus on promoting non-additive foods and establishing a "Clean Label" standard in Hong Kong. The event will also explore the progress of additive-free food development in the Greater Bay Area and invite local food manufacturer to share their practical experiences, aiming to advance the "Clean Label" initiative in Hong concurrent Hong Kong International Tea Fair brings together a wide variety of products including tea, tea-related products, and tea ware. The International Tea Event Space Design Competition 2025aims to promote tea culture. Participants can present their creative tea-serving space designs through the competition, and the shortlisted designs will be displayed and judged during the fair. Another fair highlight is the Hong Kong International Tea Competition. Exhibitors' teas will be judged in six categories: Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Black Tea, Chinese Black Tea, Raw Pu'er, Others. The entries will also compete for "The Best Aroma Award" and "The Best Taste Award". Visitors can enjoy free tea tasting of winning teas on 17 day at the fair is filled with different activities and events. The 2Hong Kong International Tea Culture Forum and The 1Tea Culture and Tourism Benchmark City (Enterprise) Brand Ceremony will be held on 15 August, with the purpose of creating an international platform for communication, promoting tea culture, and driving the international development of the tea industry. The National and Greater Bay Area KamCha Competition – (Hong Kong Milk Tea) Hong Kong Final will be held during the Hong Kong International Tea Fair, aiming to select the top Hong Kong-style milk tea masters, showcase the skills and unique flavours of Hong Kong-style milk tea production, and promote Hong Kong-style milk tea culture. Other events, such as the 1Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Youth International Tea Art Competition 2025, Tea Tasting Sessions, Tea Art Performances, offer an immersive exploration of tea's rich history and latest two fairs will continue to adopt the HKTDC's EXHIBITION+ model that integrates online and offline elements, extending face-to-face interactions from physical events to smart business platform, Click2Match, which will be open to participants from 7 to 23 addition, the International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products (ICMCM), organised by the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association (MCMIA), together with the HKTDC and ten scientific research institutions and industry associations, will be held at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre on 14 and 15 August to deliver professional traditional Chinese medicine insights into the #HongKongTradeDevelopmentCouncil #HKTDC #FoodExpoPRO #HongKongInternationalTeaFair The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
