Gourmet News

Josh Abbott Promotes DQ Restaurants in Texas

Published April 30, 2024

Josh Abbott and DQ restaurants in Texas do it again with another exciting collaboration. The two Texas icons have come together with the Josh Abbott Meal featuring the country singer’s favorite childhood meal, runs through May 26 at participating DQ restaurants in Texas.

“I am from a little town called Idalou outside of Lubbock, Texas, and Dairy Queen was always my go to spot growing up,” said Abbott, lead singer of the Josh Abbott Band. “Whether I was heading to Dairy Queen after a basketball or football game, or going to Dairy Queen with my grandpa, I have a lot of great memories with the brand.”

The Josh Abbott Meal features a four-piece Steak Finger Country Basket, a mini M&M’s Milk Chocolate Blizzard Treat, a refreshing Iced Tea, and a collectible limited-edition Josh Abbott cup, available at participating restaurants while supplies last.

When it comes DQ, Abbott said he gravitated to the steak finger basket growing up because it was unique.

“You can go to a lot of places with burgers or chicken, but Dairy Queen has the variety, and I loved the steak fingers.”

“Texans work hard and play hard, and when they are hungry, they come to DQ restaurants in Texas for their favorite Treats & Eats,” said Lou Romanus, CEO of Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council. “We have enjoyed working with Josh the last couple of years who brings his nostalgia and passion for Dairy Queen into this new initiative.”

The two Texas icons joined forces in 2022 to create a fresh new sound for DQ restaurants in Texas with one of the most recognizable jingles in the Lone Star State, “That’s What I Like About Texas.” The country music star brought his distinctive style to the jingle, which has been a staple for the past two decades.

Today, Abbott is building DQ memories with his own kids. He and his family recently visited a DQ location, where he introduced his children to the Blizzard Treat.

“Watching their faces, that sugar rush and the joy was a really cool moment! We filmed it and I am so glad we have that on camera now,” said Abbott.

Abbott founded the Josh Abbott Band in 2006 while attending Texas Tech University. The seven-piece group cut its teeth as a hard-touring act with hooky melodies that deliver real-world stories. The Josh Abbott Band released its seventh studio LP “Somewhere Down The Road” in January. Produced by Dwight A. Baker (Flatland Cavalry), the new album is their first full-length since 2020 and is the first featuring a newly reconfigured lineup. The band is on tour across the country. Visit joshabbottband.com for tour dates.

There are few brands as iconic as the DQ brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned DQ restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas.

The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for DQ franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu along with managing supply/distribution for the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries, including the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas.

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Walmart Launches bettergoods Private Brand Line

Published April 30, 2024

As part of Walmart’s mission to make quality, great tasting food accessible for customers, the retailer launched its latest private brand innovation, bettergoods: a new elevated experience that delivers quality, unique, chef-inspired food at an incredible value.

Bettergoods marks Walmart’s largest private brand food launch in 20 years and the fastest food private brand Walmart has brought to market, highlighting the speed with which Walmart can bring trend and innovation to market at scale.

“Today’s customers expect more from the private brands they purchase – they want affordable, quality products to elevate their overall food experience. The launch of bettergoods delivers on that customer need in a meaningful way,” said Scott Morris, senior vice president, private brands, food and consumables, Walmart. “Bettergoods is more than just a new private brand. It’s a commitment to our customers that they can enjoy unique culinary flavors at the incredible value Walmart delivers.”

Bettergoods joins Walmart’s impressive roster of innovative private brands that bring customers quality products at an amazing value, offering a brand-new, fresh take on the culinary experience with elevated taste, flavor and variety that’s approachable and – most importantly – affordable. Thoughtfully curated by Walmart’s experienced product development team that collaborated with suppliers across the globe to source quality, trend-forward ingredients and flavors, bettergoods brings exciting culinary concepts directly to customers at Walmart’s Every Day Low Prices.

Unlike many private brands that provide direct alternatives to national brand offerings at a lower price, many bettergoods items are totally unique to Walmart, introducing customers to new and exciting flavors and concepts. And Walmart customers can expand their culinary horizons with confidence: Bettergoods products are satisfaction guaranteed – one more way Walmart is committed to providing an exceptional experience for its customers.

Bettergoods items range from under $2 to under $15, with most products available for under $5. Bettergoods is designed to delight, with 300 items spanning Walmart’s aisles, including frozen, dairy, snacks, beverages, pasta, soups, coffee, chocolate and more. Bettergoods items fall within three distinct category pillars:

Culinary experiences: Culinary experiences items spotlight innovative recipes, elevated ingredients and food-trend forward offerings, including specialty salts and seasonings, like Hot Honey Seasoning at an amazing value under $3, a line of jar soups, including our Creamy Corn Jalapeno Chowder for under $4 and premium Bronze Cut Pasta from Italy for only $1.97.
Plant-based: These products feature distinct green branding and big flavors made to be devoured. Bettergoods plant-based items provide an exceptional eating experience including decadent and smooth Oatmilk Non-Dairy Frozen Desserts customers won’t believe are plant-based for only $3.44 a pint, as well as a plant-based cheese alternative which has an incredible cheesy pull when melted for under $4.
“Made Without”: The Made Without pillar offers a broad variety of options that cater to different dietary lifestyles, like gluten free, or made without artificial flavors, colorings or added sugars. While these items are made without certain ingredients, they don’t lack flavor or texture, like Sweet Cream Dairy Creamer, made using only four ingredients, gluten free, antibiotic free, all white meat chicken nuggets and our Carnitas, Taco or Tinga Seasonings for under $2.

Tasting is believing, and customers can shop select bettergoods products now, in stores and on Walmart.com for curbside pickup and same day delivery, with the full line continuing to roll out over the coming months. With bettergoods, Walmart is continuing its mission to democratize access to quality, delicious and innovative foods that customers crave at the Every Day Low Price Walmart delivers.

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Amazon Launches Unlimited Grocery Delivery for Prime, EBT Users

Published April 29, 2024

Amazon has launched a grocery delivery subscription benefit for Prime members and customers using EBT in more than 3,500 cities and towns across the United States. At $9.99 per month for Prime members, this subscription offers unlimited grocery delivery on orders over $35 from Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and a variety of local grocery and specialty retailers on Amazon.com, and provides access to even more convenient delivery and pickup options.

Customers with a registered EBT card can experience the same grocery subscription benefits without a Prime membership for just $4.99 per month. A free 30-day trial is available so customers can see how this grocery delivery subscription works for them.

“This new grocery subscription benefit provides even more value and savings on delivery fees for customers who regularly order groceries from Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and the variety of local grocery and specialty retailers on Amazon.com,” said Tony Hoggett, senior vice president of worldwide grocery stores at Amazon. “Our goal is to build a best-in-class grocery shopping experience—whether shopping in-store or online—where Amazon is the first choice for selection, value, and convenience. We have many different customers with many different needs, and we want to save them time and money every time they shop for groceries.”

For customers who prefer to purchase their groceries more regularly—whether ordering delivery or pickup—this new grocery benefit will save them even more time and money on Amazon’s vast selection of nearly 100,000 grocery items across Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and local grocery and specialty retailers. Here are the details:

For $9.99 per month, Prime members in more than 3,500 cities and towns have access to unlimited grocery delivery on orders over $35 from Whole Foods Market, Amazon Fresh and the variety of local grocery and specialty retailers available on Amazon.com. Prime members who subscribe to the new grocery delivery subscription benefit will also continue to enjoy exclusive savings in Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market stores—on top of all the other savings, convenience, and entertainment that come with Prime—in one single membership.
As part of Amazon’s work to help low-income customers more affordably shop for groceries, customers with a registered EBT card can receive a discounted subscription fee of $4.99 per month to receive the grocery delivery subscription without a Prime membership.
Subscribers will also have access to unlimited delivery for orders over $35 from local grocery and specialty retailers like Cardenas Markets, Save Mart, Bartell Drugs, Rite Aid, Pet Food Express, Mission Wine & Spirits, and more where available.
Grocery delivery subscribers receive convenient delivery and pickup time slots for grocery orders from Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh. This includes one-hour delivery windows at no extra cost where available, unlimited 30-minute pickup on orders of any size, and priority access to Recurring Reservations for their weekly grocery order.
The subscription pays for itself in as little as one delivery order per month from Whole Foods Market, or one delivery order per month from Amazon Fresh for under $50.

Amazon piloted its grocery subscription with Prime members in Columbus, Ohio; Denver; and Sacramento in late 2023. In a recent survey of grocery subscribers from the pilot, more than 85 percent of respondents shared that they are extremely or very satisfied with the unlimited free delivery benefit. Some of the top reasons customers shared for staying a subscriber following the trial were saving money on delivery fees and the service making their grocery shopping experience more convenient.

Prime members and customers with a registered EBT card can learn more about how Amazon is making grocery shopping easier, faster, and more affordable through the grocery subscription benefit, and sign up here.

Prime members who shop at Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market can score exclusive deals both online and in-store. Eligible Prime members can earn unlimited 5% back on their purchases when using their Prime Visa online at Amazon.com, or when shopping online or in-store at Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market.

Amazon is continually innovating to provide customers with great selection, value, and convenience in groceries and every day essentials, both online and in physical stores. With its portfolio of offerings, including Whole Foods Market, Amazon Fresh, and Amazon Go, Amazon offers a broad range of brands and shopping options for all customers—with extra benefits for Prime members. In addition to its own stores, Amazon partners with grocery and specialty retailers globally, enabling customers to order delivery from their favorite stores through Amazon’s website.

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