For the fifth year in a row, Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies, a franchise specializing in Hawaiian coffees and fruit smoothies, is offering its small smoothie for $2.14 on Feb. 14, to commemorate Valentine’s Day. Sweethearts can enjoy this deal at participating Maui Wowi retail locations across the country, the company says.

The distilled spirits sector achieved accelerated growth in 2016 with supplier sales up 4.5 percent to $25.2 billion, volumes up 2.4 percent to 220 million cases and a seventh straight year of market share gains relative to beer, the New York-based Distilled Spirits Council announced at its annual economic briefing for media and Wall Street analysts, sponsored by Spirited Funds.

Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI) published insights that revealed short- and long-term growth opportunities for consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies by identifying and capitalizing on dynamic consumer trends, particularly those that can command a premium in a particular niche, it says. 

Although 2017 might be in full swing, there still is one more recognition for 2016: Beverage Industry’s Readers’ Choice New Product of the Year. Featuring the monthly winners of the magazine’s New Product of the Month poll, the readers were eager to select which one would emerge as the 2016 winner.

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (CCBCC), Charlotte, N.C., announced that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent with Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co., to expand the company's distribution territory in northern Ohio. 

For the second year, Xyience, a brand of Austin, Texas-based Big Red Inc., announced that it is teaming up with Campus Insiders, a digital destination and content source for college sports fans, to produce a new series hosted by veteran sports journalist Seth Davis, titled “Don’t Mess with Seth.” In addition, the brand is sponsoring a national sweepstakes that will send one fan and a guest on a VIP Experience to the 2017 national college basketball championship weekend in Phoenix, the company says.  

Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, announced that it will be offering free weddings and vow renewals on Feb. 14. As part of the love and romance of Valentine’s Day, anyone 21 and older, with a marriage license, can be wed for free at Lakefront Brewery, the company says. 

The Boston Beer Co. Inc., Boston, announced that Martin Roper, president and chief executive officer (CEO), plans to retire in 2018 after leading the company for more than 17 years. The Board of Directors has created a search committee and retained Korn Ferry to assist in identifying and evaluating the best candidates to succeed Roper as CEO, the company says.

Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. announced an all-new, freshly brewed coffee designed to be the perfect complement to its Original Glazed doughnuts and other treats, the company says.

As the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots prepare to hit the gridiron Feb. 5 for Super Bowl 51, consumers across the country are gearing up as well. Many plan to catch the game on live TV and are figuring out which foods and beverages they’ll want when it’s time to sit down and watch the game.