Posts by theo@aacs.org.au

Patties Food Group has completed the acquisition of National Pies. National Pies, or Tasmanian Bakeries as it is also known, is a leading third-generation Tasmanian, chilled savoury food business that has created delicious pies and rolls that Tasmanians have loved since Alfred Gough launched the company in 1942. Tasmanian Bakeries will remain a stand-alone business within the Patties Food Group. The Tasmanian Bakeries’ management team and existing staff members will remain in their roles. There are no plans to move operations from Tasmania, with Patties Food Group signing a long-term lease agreement for the site in Hobart. The Patties Food Group look forward to investing in the National Pies brand and markets to continue the business’s incredible growth.

Asahi Beverages has announced the appointment of Nigel Parsons as Chief Commercial Officer, commencing on 1 April 2025. This is a new role at Asahi Beverages, with the chief commercial officer to have responsibility for the Group’s commercial and sales functions across Australia and New Zealand, covering alcohol and non-alcohol. Nigel will continue to report to Group CEO Amanda Sellers. Nigel has been CEO of the Asahi Lifestyle Beverages (ALB) business division since joining the business in March 2021. “I’m delighted that Nigel has accepted the new role of chief commercial officer,” said Sellers. “Nigel has achieved considerable success as CEO of ALB, increasing our market share and sales across our non-alcohol beverages portfolio. Nigel has built exceptional relationships with our customers, which has resulted in significant new partnership deals and an expanded customer base. “The consolidation of the Group’s Australian commercial and sales functions and the NZ business under…

The brand has five new restaurants set to open in the next 18 months. United States-based fast-food chain, Carl’s Jr. plans to expand its footprint in Australia by opening five new franchised restaurants over the next 12 to 18 months after the collapse of their master franchisee last year. “The headlines suggested the Carl’s Jr. brand was leaving Australia, which was incorrect,” Gaven Needham, General Manager Asia Pacific at Carl’s Jr.’s parent company, CKE Restaurant Holdings, Inc., told QSR Media. “It was one franchise group who encountered difficulties, and we stepped in to maintain operations in as many restaurants as possible.” In July 2024, CJ’s QSR Group Pty Ltd. (CJQSR), Carl’s Jr.’s Australian master franchisee, went into voluntary administration, impacting 24 restaurants it directly owned. Twenty-five restaurants, operated by sub-franchisees, remained open. Carl’s Jr. engaged suppliers, landlords, and franchisees to ensure continued business operations and minimise disruptions. Some existing and a few…

The leading global trade fair for sweets and snacks – ISM – is inviting the international industry to discover the most exciting trends and innovations from 2 to 5 February. From sustainable treats, to healthy alternatives, through to spectacular taste combinations – the sweets trade fair is demonstrating what the creative and dynamic industry has to offer. With almost 200 entries the new products database is presenting the most innovative products of the participating companies. Sustainability remains a key theme and characterises the innovations of the sweets and snacks industry – and not only with regards to packaging. The demand for environmentally-friendly, plant-based and locally sourced ingredients grows constantly. At the same time, sustainable production processes and transparency are becoming increasingly more important: consumers are asking more and more often where and how their snacks are manufactured – and acknowledge brands that provide clear answers. At ISM 2025, manufacturers are…

Overall store count drops by 0.1%, but there was growth in stores selling fuel. The U.S. convenience industry stands at 152,255 stores, a slight decrease of 141 stores (0.1%) compared to the store count last year, according to the 2025 NACS/NIQ TDLinx Convenience Industry Store Count. The number of convenience stores selling fuel increased 1.5% to 121,852 stores. Convenience stores sell an estimated 80% of the fuel purchased in the United States. The bulk of convenience stores comes from “A-sized” (1-10 stores) operators at 95,946 locations (63.0% of total c-stores). “E-sized” operators with more than 500 stores account for 34,042 stores (22.4%). Texas continues to have the most convenience stores, growing by 112 stores to 16,416, or more than 1 in 10 stores in the United States. California was second despite a decrease of 8 stores to 12,169, and Florida added 46 stores to 9,732, which was third overall. The…

bp Australia has completed its acquisition of X Convenience, the South-Australian based fuel and convenience retailer. This is a milestone for Australia in the growth of bp’s strategic convenience and mobility business,expanding bp Australia’s network with 49 sites in South Australia and Western Australia. Paul Augé, senior vice president Mobility, Convenience & Midstream, Australia and New Zealand,said the acquisition enables bp to further expand its customer offer in South Australia and ensure astrong national network of sites. “Today is a landmark day for bp Australia. We are thrilled to welcome the X Convenience team to bpand supercharge our quality fuel, convenience and card offers through our refreshed network in SouthAustralia.” “We look forward to learning from each other as we grow our business together.” In May, bp announced it had agreed to acquire X Convenience. Now that the acquisition is complete, X Convenience’s strategically located network complements existing sites supplying…