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Food & drink

This Month

Crumbl cookies have taken the internet by storm.

Wall St is going crazy for these oversized, sugary cookies

Biscuit business Crumbl is a viral dessert sensation with more than $1.8 billion in sales. Now private equity is looking for a bite.

A cow at Van Diemen’s Land Company’s Woolnorth. The company, and Bellamy’s, were both acquired by Chinese interests a decade ago.

China Mengniu Dairy sheds $1b on Bellamy’s, reassures lenders

The Chinese dairy giant acquired the local infant formula business off the ASX for $1.5 billion in 2019. It has since wiped most of its value amid big losses.

Nick Molnar, co-founder of Afterpay, says regulation will legitimise BNPL allowing it to compete with everyday spending using credit cards.

Why Afterpay could be coming to a supermarket checkout near you

Eight years after the first calls to bring BNPL under credit laws, Nick Molnar says the new regime will help it compete more aggressively with credit cards.

Jon Adgemis left behind his corporate advisory practice to launch a major hospitality empire.

Adgemis pays out workers in hope of reviving collapsed pubs empire

The former KPMG deal maker has been working on regaining control of five Sydney venues that were once part of his failed Public Hospitality hotels business.

Ross Anderson is the chief executive of Murray Cod Australia, which supplies Aquna-branded fish.

Can the Murray cod finally hook Australia an aquaculture giant?

It’s a fish that can be found on the menu of white tablecloth diners. But shrinking supply of premium species is a big opportunity for this ASX-listed company.

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May

Heineken is big in China.

How Heineken bucked the trend and surged in China

The country’s biggest brewer is using its Dutch partner to reach more of the growing premium segment.

Woolworths and Coles face multiple class actions over alleged misleading discount pricing practices.

ACCC, supermarkets clash over product checks in fake discount case

The competition regulator wants 12 grocery items to be reviewed – down from more than 200. Coles and Woolworths want six different items to be considered.

Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth said Labor was committed to engaging with unions and employers.

Union claims young people voted Labor and now it’s time for payback

The retail union has written to the new workplace minister to ask her to back its case to abolish discounted rates for 18-year-olds and above in retail and fast food.

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Why ice-cream prices are soaring

The price of a key ingredient of the sweet treat has gone parabolic in the wholesale market, setting fresh record highs every month so far in 2025.

Private equity firm Odyssey took control of Sushi Sushi in 2019 and has grown its network to 190 stores.

Sushi Sushi’s PE owners prepare to sell sprawling fast food business

Odyssey Private Equity has brought in boutique advisory firm Luminis Partners to dish up exit options for the business, which has a network of 190 stores.

An early morning in the Kiss vineyard, hand-picking Shiraz.

How younger drinkers are shaping Australia’s wine industry

A top winemaker is defying the market by releasing more shirazes than ever before – and he has the young wine drinker in his sights.

Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell is trying to reset the grocery giant’s relationship with its customers.

‘Line in the sand’: Woolies CEO wants a reset, not a price war

The market has been wondering if Woolworths would start a discount battle to win back shoppers. Is its latest big push the first shot?

Amanda Bardwell took over the top job at Woolworths in September.

Woolworths plots price reset to win back share from Coles

Chief executive Amanda Bardwell says the grocery chain will slash prices across 400 products as part of a broader business repositioning.

Ari Mervis, the executive chairman of Endeavour which owns Dan Murphy’s bottle shops, recently appointed a new CEO Janyne Hardlicka.

Endeavour chair looks to reassure investors on Hrdlicka availability

Despite a strong performance from its pubs, the Dan Murphy’s owner grappled with less demand for alcohol and lingering supply chain disruptions in the third quarter.

Endeavour Group chairman Ari Mervis with incoming CEO Jayne Hrdlicka this week.

Endeavour hopes Jayne Hrdlicka and Ari Mervis don’t spill more milk

Add the Mathiesons to the equation, and there are some big personalities at Endeavour.

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April

Crystal Palace Hotel has sold for about $35 million to pub group JDA Hotels.

Feros family swoops on Sydney’s Crystal Palace Hotel for $35m

The Feros family’s JDA Hotels has big plans for the faded but popular pub in Sydney’s Haymarket area.

AG meat master Martin Kjäll

Rare treat for meat lovers as Swedish king of steaks heads Down Under

The Melbourne diner Meatmaiden is joining forces with Johan Jureskog and his team from the world’s ninth-best steak restaurant for a three-night tour de force.

A general view of the Grill’d Healthy Burgers store at Southern Cross Station in Melbourne.

Burger chain burnt over pay rise amounting to 77¢ a week

The ruling is a key victory for unions and could lead to Grill’d being forced to pay more than 4000 workers full penalty rates for the first time in years.

Richard Wallis has been appointed Flynn Group’s president for the Asia-Pacific region.

Pizza Hut, Wendy’s recruits new boss as it targets mega expansion

Flynn Group, one of the world’s biggest operators of fast-food restaurants, has appointed former KFC executive Richard Wallis to run its regional business.

Pro Medicus co-founders Anthony Hall (left) and  Sam Hupert. Mr Hall has bought a 7 per cent stake in East 33.

Can billionaire Anthony Hall build the next great seafood business?

The businessman made his fortune in medical imaging giant Pro Medicus. He’s snapping up abalone producers, oyster farms and fisheries for his next venture.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/food---drink-hv8