A company spokesperson stated, "Our additive-free grain chips made from Korean black barley and brown rice align perfectly with the clean label trend among U.S. consumers. We plan to position the product not just as a snack, but as a health-conscious option that supports long-term brand growth in the American market." SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- THE HONEST FARMER Co Ltd, a food manufacturer based in Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk, announced its entry into the U.S. health snack market with the l ...

Author's note: I present an update my best small and mid-cap stock ideas that insiders are buying only to subscribers of my exclusive marketplace, The Insiders Forum . Our model portfolio has roughly doubled the return of its benchmark, the Russell 2000, since its launch. To join our community and gain access to our market beating returns, just click HERE .Shares of salty snack manufacturer Utz Brands, Inc. ( UTZ ) have been roughly been cut in half over in the past year as the market comes to terms with it ...

Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches were recalled in eight U.S. states after a labeling mix-up that could trigger severe allergic reactions in people with peanut allergies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the 70 affected cases were shipped to retailers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Alabama.The move follows a similar recall in July, though the FDA said this latest action is not an expansion and is being taken out of an abundance of caution. The ...

Core Insights - J & J Snack Foods Corp. (NASDAQ:JJSF) reported strong financial performance with an EPS of $1.58, surpassing the estimated $1.06 [1][5] - The company's revenue for Q4 was $410.2 million, slightly below the estimated $413 million, but it achieved an adjusted operating income of $37.7 million [2][5] Financial Metrics - JJSF has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 19.73, indicating favorable market valuation of its earnings [3][5] - The price-to-sales ratio is about 1.03, suggesting investors are paying slightly over one dollar for every dollar of sales [3] - The enterprise value to sales ratio stands at 1.09, reflecting the company's total valuation relative to its sales [3] Financial Health - The enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is approximately 12.02, indicating strong cash flow generation [4] - JJSF maintains a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, suggesting a conservative approach to leveraging debt [4][5] - A current ratio of approximately 2.38 highlights the company's strong liquidity position, ensuring effective coverage of short-term liabilities [4]

Core Insights - J & J Snack Foods Corp. reported a decline in net sales and earnings for the fourth quarter, with net sales at $410.2 million, down 4% year-over-year, and net earnings at $11.4 million, down 62% compared to the previous year [2][3][5]. Financial Performance - Fourth quarter operating income was $11.5 million, a significant decrease of 71% from the prior year quarter [2][9]. - Adjusted operating income for the fourth quarter was $37.7 million, down 10% year-over-year [2][9]. - Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $57.4 million, reflecting a 4% decline compared to the same quarter last year [2][3]. - Earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter were $0.58, down 62% from $1.52 in the prior year quarter [2][9]. Segment Performance - The Food Service segment saw a slight sales decrease of 1.1%, while the Retail Supermarket segment experienced an 8.1% decline in sales [7][14]. - The Frozen Beverage segment reported an 8.3% decrease in sales, primarily due to lower theater volumes following the success of the Inside Out 2 movie last year [7][14]. Cost and Expenses - Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter were $118.8 million, representing 29% of sales, compared to 22.4% in the prior year quarter [8][9]. - Marketing and selling expenses increased by 4.8% to $32.6 million, while distribution expenses decreased by 8.3% to $42.2 million [13]. Strategic Initiatives - The company is launching several major commercial programs in fiscal 2026 and has a robust innovation pipeline focused on healthier product attributes [4]. - A comprehensive business transformation program has been initiated, expected to generate at least $20 million in annualized operating income once fully implemented [4]. Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - The company reported a strong balance sheet with $106 million in cash and no debt, positioning it well for sustainable growth [4]. - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period were $105.9 million, up from $73.4 million at the end of the previous year [29].

Core Concept - The Garden Veggie™ Snack Suit is introduced as a limited-edition product designed for families to enjoy game day snacks without the mess, featuring practical design elements to enhance the snacking experience [1][4][10] Product Features - The Snack Suit includes removable wipe zones for easy cleanup during snacking, allowing families to stay engaged in the game without interruptions [9] - It is made from cotton and dyed using botanical colors, ensuring a unique and safe product that reflects the brand's commitment to natural ingredients [6][9] - The suit features playful catchphrases and a color palette inspired by the brand's vegetable ingredients, enhancing the fun of game day snacking [9] Brand Commitment - Garden Veggie Snacks™ emphasizes its dedication to providing snacks free from artificial flavors and preservatives, using only natural colors, catering to health-conscious families [2][5] - The brand aims to deliver enjoyable snacking experiences that bring families together during game days, reinforcing its position in the better-for-you snacking category [7] Availability - The Garden Veggie™ Snack Suit will be available for purchase starting November 17 for $50, with a second drop on November 24, highlighting the limited availability and exclusivity of the product [4][5]

Core Viewpoint - 7-Eleven, Inc.'s Laredo Taco Company is launching a limited-edition menu featuring Cheetos Flamin' Hot burrito, taco, and nachos, enhancing their signature dishes with bold flavors [1][3]. Product Details - The Cheetos Flamin' Hot Burrito includes seasoned ground beef, creamy queso, a Monterey-Cheddar blend, and Cheetos Flamin' Hot inside a freshly made tortilla [6]. - The Cheetos Flamin' Hot Taco features seasoned ground beef, melty queso, and Monterey-Cheddar cheese, topped with Flamin' Hot for an extra kick [6]. - The Cheetos Flamin' Hot Nachos consist of crispy tortilla chips layered with seasoned ground beef, drizzled queso, and melted Monterey-Cheddar cheese, topped with Cheetos Flamin' Hot [6]. Availability and Delivery - The Flamin' Hot menu items are available from October 29, 2025, through January 6, 2026, at participating Laredo Taco Company locations [5]. - Customers can order these items through the 7NOW Delivery app, which offers real-time tracking and delivery typically within about 30 minutes [4][5]. Company Background - 7-Eleven, Inc. operates over 13,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada, providing a variety of food options and convenience services [6][7]. - Frito-Lay North America, a division of PepsiCo, is responsible for the Cheetos brand and has net sales of $25 billion [8].

Core Insights - Utz Brands is expanding its presence in California, the largest salty snack market in the U.S., by acquiring Insignia International's distribution assets [1][2][4] - The acquisition includes distribution routes across California and the Midwest, aiming to enhance Utz's market share in these regions [2][5] - In the third quarter of 2025, Utz reported a 3.4% increase in net sales, reaching $377.8 million, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of volume share growth [7] Company Expansion - The acquisition of Insignia International is part of Utz's strategy to broaden its snack offerings in the western U.S. [1][3] - Utz currently holds approximately $79 million in retail sales in California, which is about 1.9% of the local market share [4] - The company has also made recent investments in its Hanover manufacturing facilities, indicating a commitment to growth and modernization [8] Market Context - California's salty snack market is valued at $4.1 billion, presenting significant growth opportunities for Utz [4] - The acquisition aligns with Utz's ongoing efforts to expand its distribution network across the United States, including previous acquisitions in Florida [5][6]

Core Insights - Pringles launches a new line of collectible characters called Pringamabobs as part of its "Once You Pop, The Pop Don't Stop" campaign, which aims to engage fans through mystery boxes and collectible culture [2][4][6] Product Launch - The Once You Pop Mystery Boxes will be available on Pringles' first D2C platform, OnceYouPopMarket.com, and will include two Pringles cans: one with a Mystery Flavor and one featuring a collectible Pringamabob character [2][4] - The boxes will be priced at $19.99 and will be released in limited quantities on November 7, November 14, and November 21 at 12 p.m. EST [4][7] Collectible Characters - The Pringamabobs include six unique characters: Snaxolotl, Crispybara, Puptato, Duckalips, Crunchback Whale, and Pringypus, each with distinct personalities and themes related to snacking [5][6] - The Snaxolotl is highlighted as the rarest character, while others like the Crispybara and Puptato are designed to appeal to fans' sense of adventure and companionship [5] Marketing Strategy - The campaign is designed to tap into the excitement of collectible culture and aims to bring a playful spirit back to snacking, as stated by the US Head of Marketing for Pringles [6] - The new tagline "Once You Pop, The Pop Don't Stop" reflects an evolution of the brand's identity and is supported by a humorous ad campaign [6] Company Background - Kellanova, the parent company of Pringles, reported net sales of approximately $13 billion for 2024 and aims to create better days for 4 billion people by 2030 through its diverse food brands [8]

Core Insights - Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Utz Brands by 23.7% during Q2, owning 36,797 shares valued at $462,000 [2] - Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 95.97% of Utz Brands' stock, indicating strong institutional interest [3] Institutional Activity - Janney Montgomery Scott LLC acquired a new position valued at approximately $196,000 in Q1 [3] - Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings by 7.2%, now owning 7,439,869 shares worth $104,753,000 after acquiring an additional 501,374 shares [3] - Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings by 38.0%, owning 5,671,757 shares valued at $79,858,000 after acquiring 1,560,884 shares [3] - GW&K Investment Management LLC raised its holdings by 19.7%, now owning 1,531,986 shares worth $21,570,000 [3] Analyst Ratings - UBS Group lowered its price target from $13.50 to $11.50, maintaining a "neutral" rating [4] - Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating with a price target of $14.00 [4] - TD Cowen reduced its price target from $14.00 to $12.00, setting a "hold" rating [4] - The consensus rating for Utz Brands is "Moderate Buy" with a target price of $16.07 [4] Stock Performance - Utz Brands stock opened at $10.52, with a market cap of $1.49 billion [5] - The company has a PE ratio of 150.34 and a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 [5] - The stock has a 12-month low of $10.19 and a high of $18.29 [5] Financial Results - For the latest quarter, Utz Brands reported an EPS of $0.23, meeting consensus estimates [6] - Revenue for the quarter was $377.80 million, up 3.4% year-over-year, exceeding the consensus estimate of $374.25 million [6] - The company has set FY 2025 EPS guidance at 0.824-0.847 [6] Dividend Information - Utz Brands announced a quarterly dividend of $0.061, representing an annualized yield of 2.3% [7] - The dividend payout ratio is currently 342.86% [7] Insider Transactions - Director Christina Choi sold 5,703 shares at an average price of $13.63, resulting in a 14.47% decrease in her position [8] - Insiders currently own 16.32% of the stock [8] Company Overview - Utz Brands, Inc. specializes in the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of snack foods, offering a variety of products including potato chips, pretzels, and popcorn under various brand names [9]