Food and beverage brands have represented one of the most active sectors in licensing for quite some time, and the trend shows no sign of waning. As one illustration, in the 15 weeks since January 1, 2024, more than a half dozen food and beverage brands have retained new licensing agents to expand their outbound […]
Archive | Food/Beverage
Fool-Proof Firewater
The last year has brought a burst of collaborations that combine savory food flavors with alcoholic beverages in offbeat pairings. A few years ago, these novelty spirits would have turned out to be April Fool’s jokes. In today’s landscape, however, they are real products that are released throughout the year. And, while the purpose is […]
A Double Dose of Sweetness
Two new candy-based soft drinks debuted in the first week of March 2024: Ring Pop soda from Bill’s Olde Fashioned Soda and Stardust Sparkling Ice drinks from Talking Rain. These are just the latest additions to a growing list of collaborations over the past five or so years that have brought some big names in […]
Boba Tie-Ins Bubble Up
By Karen Raugust on January 25, 2024 in Character/Entertainment, Food/Beverage, International, Licensing, Promotion, Retail
Bubble tea, or boba—a creamy, tea-based drink containing tapioca pearls—was invented in Taiwan and has been spreading around the world, including into the U.S., where boba drink outlets are becoming ubiquitous at malls and elsewhere. The U.S. bubble tea market was forecast to reach $464.29 million in 2023, up 6.9% from $434.11 million in 2022, […]
Chefs Prep More Plant-Based Products
Chefs and food influencers, both vegan and meat-eating, have over the years participated in collaborative initiatives involving plant-based dishes, such as creating limited-time menus in colleagues’ vegan restaurants, introducing other chefs’ vegan menu items in their own restaurants, or participating in pop-up vegan dinner experiences. They have also slowly become more active in partnering with […]
Bringing the Heat
Gen Z and millennials are currently driving strong demand for hot and spicy flavors. The Specialty Food Association and Instacart (with the Harris Poll) are among the organizations that have identified hot and spicy as one of the key flavor trends of 2023. Research and Markets predicts the global market for hot sauces and condiments […]
Toy Companies Offer Tasty Treats
By Karen Raugust on November 16, 2023 in Corporate brands, Food/Beverage, Gifts/Novelties, Licensing, Toys/Games
Plush is always a core category within the toy industry. But it is doing particularly well of late. In 2022, category sales rose 31.1%, according to the Toy Industry Association’s annual sales data developed by the NPD Group (now Circana). That was by far the biggest growth rate for any category tracked, in a year […]
Fresh Produce Tie-Ins Bear Fruit
Marriages of licensed characters and fresh produce have come up regularly over the years, but the sector has been as active this year as any time in recent memory. The deals have taken a variety of forms, from branded packaging to promotional initiatives, and have involved a number of different types of partners, from restaurants […]
Sticking with Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a flavor profile that is always top of mind, but it just seems to be getting stronger and stronger as the focus of flavor-based food-to-food collaborations. The spice is perennially popular with a wide swath of consumers, it is very versatile, it is relevant both during holidays and for everyday use, and it […]
Oodles of Noodle Shop Tie-ins
Asian food and culture, from anime to K-Pop, continues to gain strength internationally, and it follows that players in this sector are active in licensing, collaborations, and promotional deals. A case in point: Ramen restaurants, which have slowly been raising their profile as participants in tie-ins with licensed entertainment properties. A few examples of ramen […]