We're into the final weeks of the year but that isn't slowing anyone down - Chobani has made one of the biggest plays of the year, potentially unleashing Keurig Dr Pepper across the whole refigerated aisle. But, more on that below.

And, if you've ever stopped to fill up on gas and ended up with a 16" pepperoni pizza instead, you're not alone: chains such as Casey's are discovering that margins are much higher on food than on gas, thus encouraging customers to fill up while they, well, fill up. More at the WSJ. H/T Jeff '91 Unleaded' Klineman.

Alright! On with Sunday newsletter.

FIRST UP! Leave room for creamer: Chobani is taking over your morning routine with its big bucks La Colombe acquisition.

Over at Casa del BevNET Coffee Connoisseur Martín Caballero reports that yogurt and dairy co Chobani has tipped the barista and then some with its big takeover of coffee roaster and retailer La Colombe.

The somewhat surprising purchase is a shakeup in many respects. For one, it means minority La Colombe investor Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) will become an equity stakeholder in Chobani, finally putting the soda giant across multiple refigerated categories such as creamers and yogurts.

It's also not a move without sound logic. Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya was La Colombe's sole investor in 2015 - while the latter was the coffee supplier for Chobani's (now discontinued) cold brews.

Of the three players it's arguable that KDP has the most to gain. Its distribution network and supply chain know-how could help leverage the other partners into new growth areas. And, La Colombe has substantial foodservice interests: don't be surprised to see Chobani take advantage of this.

Read the full story over at N̶O̶S̶H̶.̶c̶o̶m BevNET.com.

🥡 Key Takeaway: As per the release Chobani is looking to streamline La Colombe's operations - with some 'cost synergies' thrown in. For many, the big question is will this finally allow Ulukaya to float Chobani. It's too early to know how this will play out other than confirmation that La Colombe will continue to operate independently.

Not-meat maestro Meati has added to its already impressive investor lineup by recruiting former Olympian Aly Raisman and NBA All-Star Chris Paul as the company continues to work towards the strangest Harlem Globetrotters lineup yet, writes Sports Editor Shauna Golden.

The duo join the ranks of MLB Hall of Famer Derek Jeter and TV personality Rachael Ray amongst other big spenders looking to get in early on the mycelium-based not-meat startup.

Despite this, Meati has had a 2023 of ups and downs. It made its retail debut earlier this year and is now in over 3,000 stores, and raised a hefty $50M in September. This hasn't stopped the company cutting 15% of its workforce during the year, while still looking to grow its team by nearly 100 roles. Strange times.

Read more - and uncover the company's 2024 plans - over on NOSH.com.

NOSH Live Winter 2023 was a hectic two days of discussion panels, networking opportunities and good old fashioned happy hours.

Day one saw one of the most interesting talks with three veteran big CPG leaders revealing how and why they moved into emerging brands, and the lessons that brought them from one sphere to another.

Luckily, the amazing AV team recorded the panel. So whether you were there and want a refresher or the FOMO is proving too much, you can watch the whole session exclusively on NOSH.com.

This week's Community Call (and our last of 2023) sees Oliver Buccicone, CEO, and Lauren Shafer, Marketing Director of Michele's Granola reveal the secrets of limited time offers. The dynamic duo will discuss how LTOs can open doors and increase your consumer base, while also delving into lifecycle management.

Listen up: Community Call open meetings are free to take part in and are as easy as hopping on a 30min Zoom call - except way more exciting, obviously.

Click - hey! - here to register.

"The mission is to help the industry on a global level to innovate"

This week's deep dive comes from the NOSH Science Chief Lukas Southard, who sips into the world of open-source research with a focus on lab grown coffee.

Lukas points to an industry dichotomy - food tech companies claim their IP as their most important asset, yet many have open-source components. Researchers at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland joined the fray this week by releasing a recipe for lab grown coffee.

Open source has been integral to the tech world for as long as computers have existed - so does it have a place in an increasingly tech-centric CPG industry?

Read the full report over on NOSH.com.

What are your thoughts, Sunday readers? Can open source innovation thrive in a market geared towards IP protection, or will the closed garden approach of many food tech startups continue to dominate? Click here to send in your comments.

Notable new products: mushroom pesto and vegan CauliPuffs.

A roundup of some of the more interesting product launches this week.

Distro: Stryve continues beefy expansion, Planting Hope brings Mozaics nationwide.

A look at the latest products being loaded onto the big rigs.

People moves: Mondelēz hires new EVP and chief people officer, Sovos promotes E. Yuri Hermida to president.

Who's going where as 2023 draws to a close.

Brewer - Victory Brewing Company

Pakesburg, PA

Packaging Line Lead- PM - Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Houston, TX

Cellar Brewer - Octopi

Waunakee, WI

Discount online grocery store Martie has raised a smartie $7M in funding led by pre-launch investor Upfront Ventures, writes Big Deals Editor Brad Avery.

Martie sells shelf-stable overstock food, beverages and m̶a̶r̶i̶n̶e̶ ̶l̶i̶f̶e household essentials purchased directly from brands at up to a 70% discount. So far over 2,500 companies have taken Martie up on the offer, from conglomerates such as General Mills to startups like Fly By Jing.

The biz is currently growing a a rate of some 30% month-over-month - impressive for a team of 7. Expect the funding to go into marketing and buyers as Martie looks to ramp up to hosting an average of 3,000 products at any one time within the next 2 years.

Grab the full discount code over on NOSH.com.

🥡 Key Takeaway: Founded by serial entrepreneur Louise Fritjofsson, Martie may have hit on a play that satisfies brands looking to offload excess stock without hurting their appearance and consumers seeking a bargain that's not going to be found in a dollar store. Fritjofsson is confident enough in Martie that she sees it expanding into every possible product category. Think TJ Maxx without the insane clutter.

Special congratulations to the innovation department staff at Frito-Lay who presumably woke up in the office surrounded by empty bottles of vodka and packets of Doritos, put one and one together, and called spirits company Empirical with an idea: nacho cheese-flavored g̶i̶n v̶o̶d̶k̶a eh... spirit.

Not only is the Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese release an uncategorized spirit, its vacuum distillation production method ensures that it tastes like Doritos. If that isn't enough to have your running to the nearest ABC store, the promise of a 'Doritos Bangarang' cocktail recipe surely will.

AND FINALLY: If you're looking for a chaser to your recently purchased c̶a̶s̶e bottle of Doritos spirit (and you happen to be out of the catchment area for Moon Pie Stout), Victory Brewing has you covered with its Tastykate collaboration - a delightful Koffee Kake Ale.

Coming in at a crushable 6%, this pound cake and cinnamon infused beverage will surely be the college dorm sleeper hit of 2024. It brings up the age-old question: if you've never mashed a cupcake into a longneck of lager, have you ever really lived?

If you'll excuse me, after all those heavy spirits and beers I'm off to juice clense with Olivia Rodrigo at Erewhon. Until next week, your host,

Mark Murphy

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