Brewdog, Kraft Heinz & Nestlé: This Week in Food & Drink

Why is BrewDog Considering Restructuring & a Potential Sale?

Scottish craft brewery BrewDog has appointed restructuring specialist AlixPartners to manage a potential sale of the business, a move which could result in the company being dismantled and sold in separate parts. The brewery, known for brands including Punk IPA and Hazy Jane, has been navigating mounting financial pressures after recording losses for five consecutive years.

In an email to employees viewed by BBC Scotland News, BrewDog described the appointment as a "normal and prudent step", stating it "did not change day-to-day operations, our roles or our immediate plans", according to the BBC. The company issued a media statement explaining that AlixPartners was brought in after "operating in a challenging economic climate".

The potential sale raises concerns for BrewDog's approximately 220,000 individual shareholders, who invested through the brewery's 'Equity for Punks' crowdfunding campaign. According to Sky News, many of these investors could see minimal returns on their average £400 (US$495) stake should the sale proceed.

Why is Kraft Heinz Pausing its Split to Focus on Growth?

Kraft Heinz, the food giant behind Heinz Ketchup, Oscar Mayer and Kraft Mac & Cheese has reversed course on its separation strategy, choosing to abandon plans announced in September 2025 to divide into two independent publicly traded entities.

Steve Cahillane, who assumed the chief executive role in January 2026 following Carlos Abrams-Rivera's departure, says that numerous challenges facing Kraft Heinz could be addressed internally and remain under the organisation's direct influence.

The Water Scarcity Crisis in the Colorado River Basin

As mid-February's chill descends upon the American west, the seven states dependent on the Colorado River face a crisis centred on water scarcity.

The 14 February deadline, once identified as a crucial negotiating milestone for consensus on water management, has passed without agreement.

This second missed deadline represents a significant shift from collaborative diplomacy to federal intervention.

With the US Bureau of Reclamation preparing to impose its own "Record of Decision" by October, the water security implications for the American west and Mexico are becoming increasingly stark.

The impasse is defined by a fundamental disagreement over water allocation between the Upper Basin states, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico, and those in the Lower Basin: California, Arizona and Nevada.

What do Food & Drink Giant Nestlé's Annual Results Tell Us?

Swiss food manufacturer Nestlé has projected that revenue will rise between 3% and 4% in 2026. This forecast, announced on Thursday, slightly exceeds last year’s growth of 3.5% and surpasses the 3.2% estimate previously provided by analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

The company also anticipates that real internal growth (RIG) – a key metric measuring sales volumes – will accelerate throughout the coming year. These projections follow a year in which reported sales reached US$116bn.

Organic growth in 2025 stood at 3.5%, supported by pricing of 2.8% and a RIG of 0.8%.

Innovation in Food Manufacturing: Bühler’s Annual Report

Plant equipment manufacturer Bühler focuses its operations on manufacturing for foods and advanced materials.

With operations in more than 140 countries, it leads innovation in sectors such as animal feed, confectionery, cosmetics and electronics.

It has released its 2025 Annual Report – Multiplying Impact Together – which showcases its efforts to advance its performance, profitability and sustainability.