Food Business Review

In the fast-paced world of quick-service restaurants (QSRs), speed and coordination aren’t just important—they’re critical. Every part of the operation must work seamlessly, because even a brief delay or a missed signal can disrupt service, frustrate customers and lower team morale. Customers notice when things go wrong. So do employees. And ultimately, the brand pays the price. R.F. Technologies, Inc. (RFT) understands these challenges firsthand. That’s why the company has spent decades developing practical solutions that help QSRs maintain smooth, efficient and reliable operations. RFT has built its reputation on optimizing restaurant performance and delivering value-driven technologies that support both front-line staff and long-term business goals. For nearly 40 years, RFT has been a trusted innovator in the QSR industry—known for expertly repairing and refurbishing drive-thru headsets, customizing surveillance systems to fit unique restaurant needs and launching advanced technologies designed to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Audio Innovation with Integrated Intel In the drive-thru lane, clear communication can make or break the customer experience. But not all headsets are equipped to handle the high-noise, high-pressure environments of a busy QSR. That’s where RFT’s APEX headset rises above the rest—delivering crystal-clear, high-definition audio for both team members and customers, ensuring nothing gets lost in translation during peak service hours. Taking this innovation even further, RFT introduced APEX Plus, a game-changing solution that blends best-in-class audio with a built-in speed-of-service timer. The first-of-its-kind integration allows drive-thru operators to access real-time performance data directly from the base station or a secondary monitor without the need for additional hardware or complicated setups. With one compact system, operators gain full visibility into communication quality and service speed. “By fusing communication and performance analytics into one platform, we’ve eliminated the need for separate timer and communication systems—less hardware, more cost-savings and greater actionable data at your fingertips,” says Joseph Gierut, President. The result is a more intelligent and responsive drive-thru environment—where coaching and performance feedback are guided by live data instead of guesswork. Managers can easily identify areas for improvement and coach accordingly, helping staff deliver faster, more accurate service.

Top Sports Nutrition Supplement Wholesaler 2025

Every athlete and health enthusiast knows the feeling: a mountain of supplements out there, each promising peak results. But which one actually lives up to the hype and fuels their training, performance, recovery, and long-term health? The answer lies with ALLMAX Nutrition. This Canadian company has been a trusted name in the health and fitness community for over 25 years, offering over a hundred premium, research-backed supplements that consistently deliver on their promises. Every single ingredient in its products is fully disclosed, with no hidden proprietary blends and precise details on exact amounts, extract percentages, and even herb sources when relevant. Each ALLMAX product undergoes rigorous laboratory testing for purity, potency, and safety, including screening for contaminants, heavy metals, microbes, bacteria, and banned substances. So, whether a customer is aiming for muscle gain, joint support, fat loss, or energy, they’re backed by clean, safe, high-performance nutrition. “Our reputation is built on delivering the highest-grade supplements, crafted to pharmaceutical standards in government-inspected, GMP-certified facilities,” says Dr. Trevor Kouritzin, PhD, scientific affairs. “Our air-sealed, pressurized, humidity-controlled manufacturing facilities reflect who we are—defined by precision, driven by care.” Allmax’s Performance Series delivers high-impact sports nutrition, including pre-workouts and muscle-building supplements for athletes and gym-goers pursuing maximum results. For those preferring a minimal, no-frills approach, the Essential Series offers over 40 single-ingredient products, like creatine, beta-alanine, and glutamine, with no fillers or additives. The Natural Line, designed for clean-label consumers, skips artificial flavors, sweeteners, and colors. Widely available in grocery and health food stores, it features everyday staples like collagen, whey protein, fiber, and probiotics for those who value wholesome, natural nutrition. Among the lineup, A Cuts (Amino Charged Energy), a cleaner energy drink alternative, is shaking up the energy game as one of ALLMAX’s bestsellers in the grocery and retail space. It’s loaded with carnitine, essential amino, green coffee bean extract, and natural caffeine. Sugar-free, dye-free, gluten-free, and available in ten delicious flavors, A Cuts delivers the caffeine boost with the added benefits of aminos and green coffee beans. It’s a versatile pick—great for gym-goers, night-shift healthcare workers, or busy moms needing an energy lift.

Top Food Mixing and Pumping Equipment Manufacturer 2025

As global food manufacturers grapple with rising hygiene standards, operational complexity, and demand for automation, PROCESSTEC is stepping forward with a bold proposition: intelligent, hygienic processing systems engineered for performance, longevity, and precision. Tailored specifically for the demanding food manufacturing environment—where consistency, cleanliness and reliability are non-negotiable—PROCESSTEC is changing how mixing and pumping systems are built, function, and integrate into daily operations. PROCESSTEC is more than smart equipment—it’s rooted in deep systems thinking. It started with a simple realization: no single machine met every essential requirement—space efficiency, full automation, FDA compliance, easy maintenance and ergonomic design. Instead of compromising, PROCESSTEC engineered systems that checked every box. “We take a holistic approach to design,” says Andreas Duerig, Owner, President, and Head of Engineering. “We don’t just build for one project—we create scalable systems that adapt across operations. Think of it like a harmonica: flexible, repeatable and intuitive.” The Flagship Lineup: Visco Series At the core of PROCESSTEC’s product line is the ViscoTwin, a twin-screw pump designed to manage high-viscosity materials while preventing airlocks and ensuring uninterrupted flow. Partnered with the ViscoMix—an agitator featuring a proprietary stainless steel cone—the system delivers powerful mixing and supports fully automated cleaning. These two innovations unite in the ViscoBlend system, which gently but thoroughly blends different product streams (like yogurt and fruit) using a dynamic blending module called iMix. The system maintains consistent quality and is built for full automation under varying conditions.

Top Artisan Bread Producer 2025

It begins with a scent—earthy, warm and timeless. The kind that drifts from old European bakeries, where handcrafted breads are baked fresh each morning. The crunch of a rustic crust, the tender pull of a warm center and the comfort of something handmade and honest. For many, it’s a taste of childhood. For Breadsmith, it’s a tradition brought to life each morning. Rooted in the time-honored traditions of old-world master bakers, the company has built a proud legacy of authenticity, crafting handcrafted, European-style artisan breads. At Breadsmith, each day begins on a clean slate. Every bread, cookie or scone is made from scratch, using only the highest-quality ingredients with no additives or preservatives. But freshness is just the beginning. Breadsmith’s true hallmark lies in the mindful care that flows from the ovens into the heart of every community it serves. “Our stores are locally owned, operated and rooted in the community. Whether it’s supporting school fundraisers or donating fresh, unsold bread to local shelters, we believe in giving back every single day,” says Tim Malouf, president. Where Every Loaf Tells a Story Breadsmith offers more than 300 unique product recipes, including pie bread filled with house-made fruit fillings, cookies that range from classic chocolate chip to indulgent blueberry cheesecake cookie and even coffee cakes. Beyond flour, water, yeast and salt, every baked good is enriched with the taste of nostalgia and familiar moments. It’s the kind of bread that wouldn’t feel out of place on a grandmother’s kitchen counter: simple, honest and made to be shared. That is why longtime customers who grew up with Breadsmith return as adults with stories that span years.

Top Cooking Cold Pressed Olive Oil Product 2025

Under Morocco’s radiant sun, where ancient soils and vibrant landscapes reflect centuries of tradition, a legacy took root in 1887 and steadily rose into the world’s culinary spotlight—Atlas Olive Oil. Guided by Managing Director Othmane Aqallal, weaves together resilience and precision from the first furrow in Morocco’s unforgiving earth to the elegantly recycled glass bottles gracing North America’s finest tables. The story of Atlas is a saga of generational ambition and an audacious bet on terroir. Rather than seeking out easy sources of raw olives across continents, the company has invested decades in shaping inhospitable terrain, where olive trees endure the brutal extremes of summer, temperatures rising to 123° Fahrenheit, conferring genetic constancy year after year. These olives yield a distinctive oil, characterized as fruity, slightly peppery, and consistently flavorful, highly prized by culinary artisans and discerning consumers. This signature profile, rooted in unyielding patience and single-estate origin, has made Atlas a bestseller on major platforms like Amazon and a familiar name in the kitchens of Michelin-starred chefs. Central to Atlas’s rise is a relentless scientific commitment. The company has invested over USD 1.5 million into clinical research, embarking on studies that traverse Japan, Canada, France, Malaysia, and Morocco. These studies have validated the effects of Atlas’s oils on cardiovascular and cognitive health and propelled product development far beyond traditional culinary boundaries. Under the Olivie brand, Atlas offers olive oils with a uniquely high polyphenol content and functional supplements that have demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials, including double-blind studies improving attention and cognition among older adults. Harnessing Innovation and Sustainability for Enduring Impact The company’s vision extends deep into the sustainability ethos, transforming agricultural byproducts into innovative assets. Every olive branch, pulp fragment, and pit is recycled as eco-friendly barbecue briquettes or biochar. When examined under a microscope, this biochar reveals a labyrinth of micropores adept at capturing water and harboring beneficial soil bacteria.

Vegan Protein Distributor of the Year 2025

NURA is at the forefront of innovation in the vegan protein space, delivering premium, customizable solutions designed to meet the growing demand for clean, plant-based nutrition. NURA’s vegan proteins are versatile and can be used across a variety of applications, including ready-to-drink and ready-to-mix beverages, nutrition bars, and other functional formats—making them a smart choice for today’s health-conscious consumer. With a focus on high-protein, clean-label formulations, these solutions are also well-suited for individuals using GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management who require complete, balanced protein sources. NURA initially established its presence with pea protein and has since expanded its offerings to include the BESTEIN® Vegan Protein line—featuring Pea, Fava Bean, Mung Bean, Brown Rice, Chickpea, Hemp, Pumpkin Seed, and Textured Proteins— alongside advanced innovations such as YESTEIN® Yeast Protein and COLLAWISE® Vegan Collagen. Through this robust portfolio, NURA empowers brands to develop sustainable, allergen-free, and nutritionally complete products that meet the evolving needs of today’s consumers. “At NURA, we are deeply committed to ingredient innovation, quality and exceptional customer service. Our team is passionate about helping our customers succeed and staying ahead of what is next in product innovation,” says Caydie Carrizosa, Marketing Manager at NURA. A Diverse and Functional Vegan Protein Portfolio Each ingredient is carefully selected for its functional benefits and broad application potential. NURA’s BESTEIN® vegan proteins deliver clean, consistent flavor and a smooth texture. Made from high-quality sources, BESTEIN® is available in a range of options to support customized specification goals, including low fat, low sodium, and tailored blends to meet specific formulation needs. NURA places quality and consistency at the core of its operations. The company’s ingredients are Organic, Glyphosate-Free, Non-GMO Project Verified, and allergen-friendly—meeting rigorous safety and transparency standards. NURA also heavily focuses on protein innovation, aiming to be first to market with new solutions that meet evolving industry demands. From sports nutrition and bakery applications to functional food innovations, NURA provides highly adaptable, premium ingredients to support a wide range of formulations for its core customers.

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EDITORIAL

The Bold New Era of Food And Nutrition

The food and nutrition industry is experiencing a powerful convergence of tradition, innovation, and wellness. From smart kitchens to cold-pressed supplements, every link in the food chain is being reimagined to meet evolving consumer demands. At the restaurant level, technology solutions are reshaping operations. From automated ordering systems to AI-driven menu optimization, restaurants are adopting smart tools that reduce waste, streamline prep, and enhance the customer experience. These solutions are especially important as kitchens experiment with new, health-focused ingredients that require precision and consistency. One ingredient trend gaining major traction is vegan protein. Once considered niche, vegan protein is now a central feature in both foodservice and fitness markets. Cooking with cold-pressed vegan ingredients, such as protein oils and plant-based isolates, helps preserve nutrients and flavor while supporting clean-label standards. These innovations reflect the growing emphasis on sustainability and performance nutrition. Meanwhile, sports nutrition supplement wholesalers are responding to increased demand for plant-based recovery products. Their clean, coldprocessed formulations are designed to support active lifestyles. Many use direct-to-gym distribution models to reach fitness centers, cafés, and retail chains efficiently. Driving these advancements are the top food mixing and pumping equipment manufacturers of 2025. Their high-precision systems enable reliable production of everything from vegan protein blends to artisan dough. Consistent food quality and process hygiene depend on their expertise, especially as output scales up. Even in a world shaped by advanced technology, tradition continues to thrive. Artisan bread producers are gaining momentum by combining time-honored techniques with smart operations. Using heritage grains and long fermentation processes, they produce bread with distinct character. Integrated logistics systems help them expand their reach without losing their craft identity. This mix of intelligent tools, clean nutrition, and culinary passion signals more than a passing trend. It reflects a new standard. Across the industry, from fitness supplements to fine dining, the future of food is being shaped by those who combine innovation with purpose.