Investments Blog

Five new companies have been selected to Kraft Heinz’s incubator program for upstart food brands.

Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ: KHC) announced its latest Springboard incubator cohort on Tuesday, which includes startups ranging from allergen-free nutrition bars that use seeds instead of nuts, to a cold-pressed almond juice.

Kraft Heinz launched its Springboard program in 2018 and announced its first cohort in May. Among the five companies in that class were Chicago startups Poppilu, an antioxidant…

Photographing epic events no longer require a camera — unless you forget your phone

After a name change and a lengthy construction process, Beast Barbecue is now open at 825 E. Hennepin Ave. in Northeast Minneapolis.

The owners behind Minneapolis-based Eli's Food & Cocktails purchased the former Legends Bar and Grill building in March 2018 with the intention of bringing some much-needed barbecue to the area.

Co-owner Jeff Weber said they were planning to open the space around July 4, but ran into construction issues. The team found black mold and corroded plumbing, and had to…

Student loan debt is forcing young Americans to put off major life milestones, including marriage, home ownership and parenthood.

That’s according to a Bankrate survey on student loan debt. The survey was done in February and had a total sample size of 3,885 U.S. adults, per Bankrate.

Americans have a whopping $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. More than 44 million people owe on their student loans, Forbes reports, and the per-person average for 2017 graduates is $28,650. Those ages 30 to 39…

Hotel Saint Louis has opened its 16th-floor rooftop bar at the Louis Sullivan-designed Union Trust building at 705 Olive St. downtown.

Form Skybar offers sweeping views of downtown St. Louis, shareable plates and an extensive list of craft alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. The 2,480-square-foot bar is named after Sullivan's famous line, “form follows function,” officials said.

“This is truly a St. Louis-centric bar with everything designed to be uniquely interesting and, yet, comfortable…

A Dayton-area franchise group is planning to add new locations in 2019.

Birmingham’s newest distillery is gearing up to open its doors for business.

Dread River Distilling Co. LLC plans to open a 24,500-square-foot distillery, tasting room and event space at 2400 Seventh Ave. S. this summer, according to the Birmingham Business Alliance.

One of Birmingham’s largest general contractors, Rives Construction Co. Inc., is the general contractor for the project.

Named after a legend that Birmingham sits on top of an underground river, Dread River is investing $3 million…

Corky’s BBQ co-owner Barry Pelts is fulfilling a vision his late father Don Pelts had for the popular Memphis restaurant.

The local barbecue eatery, which has been around for 35 years, is adding an event facility called Venue 901. The 1,900-square-foot event space, which will open April 1, is estimated to be a $250,000 project and will be located adjacent to the original Corky’s on Poplar Avenue. Graham Reese Design Group is leading the project.

Pelts said Venue 901 is more than 30 years in…

Amazon.com Inc. is considering opening “dozens” of grocery stores in several cities and has already signed leases, according to The Wall Street Journal. The stores could open late this year and early next, though there is a chance the company could change its mind if conditions are not right, according to the report.

The grocery stores would be separate from Austin-based Whole Foods Market, which Amazon bought for $13.7 billion in 2017, and would sell different items at lower prices so they don't…