Gourmet News

Red Arts Capital Acquires Freshway Foods

Published March 24, 2025

Red Arts Capital, a leading investment firm specializing in supply chain-related and logistics businesses, announced its acquisition of Freshway Foods. Freshway is a trusted supplier of fresh-cut processing, repacking, transportation and logistics services, operating in the Eastern United States. With experience and expertise in the food and beverage industries, Red Arts will offer Freshway strategic, financial and organizational support and ultimately enhance the company’s ability to serve its customer base.

“Freshway has an incredible history, with origins dating back to 1895. Given Red Arts’ focus on family-owned businesses, we were drawn to the company’s compelling story, as well as their unique place in the market,” said Nick Antoine, co-founder, co-CEO and managing partner at Red Arts. “With existing synergies between Freshway’s operating procedures and Red Arts’ experience across the food industry, it made immediate sense for us to join forces and support their growth journey.”

Freshway will continue to be led by Devon Beer, the company’s current president. Devon has been with Freshway since 2000, holding key positions throughout his tenure, including Chief Financial Officer. Under his guidance, Freshway has experienced significant growth and established a prominent presence within the industry.

“I’m excited to work with Red Arts, who are well-known and respected across the industry,” said Beer. “Together, along with the incredible team that we have spent years building internally, I know that we will continue to lead the industry in innovation and service.”

Red Arts acquired Freshway from food supplier and distributor US Foods.

“We are grateful to the US Foods team for their professionalism and collaboration throughout this process,” said Chris Hull, Principal at Red Arts. “Their support ensured a smooth transition, allowing us to focus on continuing Freshway’s legacy of exceptional service and operational excellence.”

For close to 40 years, Freshway Foods has been a leading fresh-cut processor delivering customized product solutions for retail and foodservice customers as well as cross-docking and repacking services. Committed to helping their customers realize operational savings, Freshway Foods is best known for their superior customer service, nimbleness, and solutions-oriented sales approach.

Based in Chicago, Red Arts Capital is a leading investment firm with over $300 million in assets under management, with a focus on supply chain-related and logistics businesses. Red Arts Capital seeks to partner with and invest in proven, successful businesses that are uniquely positioned in their market and led by superior management teams to execute the value creation strategy and generate strong shareholder returns. With sector expertise and a commitment to responsible stewardship and excellence, Red Arts Capital supports its portfolio companies through its operational playbook, world-class network of operating partners, advisory councils and supply chain expertise.

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Jinx Expands Premium Dog Food Offerings

Published March 24, 2025

Jinx, the premium dog food company committed to making high-quality nutrition accessible to all dogs, announced the official launch of a brand-new suite of main meal offerings. This expanded lineup includes Small Breed Kibble, Grass-Fed Lamb Kibble, Bone Broth Stews (wet dog food), Single-Serve Homemades Meal Toppers, and an innovative new product, Kibble Sauce—all designed to enhance your dog’s mealtime with whole nutrition and flavor. Jinx’s new products are now available at thinkjinx.com, Walmart, Chewy, Amazon, and other national retailers.

Jinx Small Breed Kibble is available in the brand’s best-selling Grain-Free Salmon recipe and features smaller kibble pieces tailored for small mouths. The new Grain-Free, Pasture-Raised Grass-Fed Lamb recipe is Jinx’s first poultry-free offering, ideal for dogs with allergies or sensitivities. Additionally, Jinx is introducing their new line of Bone Broth Stews, a wet canned food featuring premium, whole cuts of high-quality protein and vegetables in nutrient-rich, savory bone broth.

Expanding beyond traditional formats, Jinx is also launching Single-Serve Homemades Meal Toppers in three delicious recipes: Chicken, Beef & Chicken, and Salmon & Chicken. These protein-rich toppers are designed to add a nutrient-dense, flavorful boost to your dog’s bowl. Additionally, Jinx is unveiling an all-new, innovative product: Kibble Sauce—a flavor-boosting meal topper made with bone broth. Drizzle it over kibble for an extra burst of savory goodness, available in both Chicken and Beef flavors.

Jinx was founded on the belief that happier, healthier dogs start with better nutrition. The company offers a range of thoughtfully crafted recipes made with clean, wholesome ingredients.

“We are so excited to introduce these new products, each expertly formulated to deliver premium nutrition with exceptional ingredients while solving every potential pain point for dog parents. At our core, we are always designing products centered on the idea that your dog is a part of your family,” said Kyle Banahan, president of Jinx. “We love the idea of pet parents layering their dog’s bowl—starting with Jinx kibble as a base, adding our premium wet food or Homemades Meal Toppers, and finishing with Kibble Sauce. This collection was designed to work cohesively for the ultimate mealtime experience for your best friend.”

Pet parents can now shop Jinx’s full collection of kibble, wet food, treats, and meal toppers at thinkjinx.com and at retailers nationwide.

For more information on Jinx and its commitment to premium pet nutrition, visit www.thinkjinx.com.

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Velvet Taco: Weekly Taco Feature Out, Velvet Bowls In

Published March 17, 2025

Velvet Taco, the nationally acclaimed restaurant brand known for redefining tacos with its daring, flavorful creations, announces a groundbreaking evolution of its globe-trotting menu. This March, for the first time in its 13-year history, the taco concept will retire its legendary Weekly Taco Feature (known as WTF) to introduce a bold new menu item: Velvet Bowls.

Ushering in an entirely new era for the anything-but-ordinary taco brand, Velvet Bowls will debut as rotating weekly specials – known as Weekly Bowl Features – across Velvet Taco locations nationwide starting March 19. While WTFs have long been a hallmark of Velvet Taco, this evolution takes its unique combinations beyond the tortilla, reimagining them into curated flavor-packed bowls. This launch establishes the brand’s commitment to adventurous flavors and culinary creativity, offering guests a fresh way to experience its globally influenced combinations.

“Pushing boundaries through relentless innovation is at the forefront of everything we do at Velvet Taco. Weekly Bowl Features are more than just new limited time items, they are revolutionary for the Velvet Taco brand. Each bowl delivers the bold flavor and creativity that guests appreciate from our tacos in a convenient, health-conscious format,” said Clay Dover, CEO of Velvet Taco. “If you love our Weekly Taco Feature, don’t worry. WTFs will be back to stay in April after four weeks of Weekly Bowl Features. We can’t wait for guests to discover the value and uniqueness of our new Velvet Bowls – they are unlike anything available today.”

Fan-favorite tacos have been reimagined into enticing bowls and will run for one week each as Weekly Bowl Features.

March 19- 25: Spicy Tikka Chicken Bowl, featuring crisp tenders or roasted chicken, spicy tikka sauce, raita crema, marinated red cabbage, cucumber and Thai basil.
March 26-April 1: Slow Roasted Angus Brisket, with house-marinated slow-roasted brisket, queso blanco, roasted corn pico, black beans, guacamole, red chile aioli and micro cilantro, complete with two comte cheese crusted tortilla halves.
April 2-8: Mexi-Cali Shrimp, made with blackened shrimp, napa slaw, roasted corn pico, Sriracha aioli, guacamole and micro-cilantro.
April 9-15: Rotisserie Chicken or Steak Bowl, available with rotisserie chicken or grilled steak, queso blanco, roasted corn pico, black beans, guacamole, avocado crema, charred tomato poblano salsa and cilantro. Also to be featured during the final week, the Seasonal Veggie Bowl (not offered as a taco), is a premier vegetarian option featuring seasonal roasted veggies, guacamole, roasted corn pico, avocado crema, pickled onion and napa slaw.

All Velvet Bowls feature a cilantro basmati rice base, while a “Make It Lighter” option to swap rice for a carb-free (yet flavorful) napa slaw is also available. All Velvet Bowls are currently available in DFW restaurants.

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