Bindi Dessert, New York, launched a new line of Panna Cotta to the foodservice community.

While usage of emerging channels is still low overall compared to traditional foodservice segments, strong appeal among younger consumers and continued nationwide expansion by these channels means increased competition for restaurants moving forward, according to “2019 Emerging Channels Consumer Trend Report.”

Buyers Edge Platform, a Waltham, Mass.-based restaurant and foodservice procurement platform, announced plans to open a new office in the EcoCentre Building in Lake Worth Beach, Fla.

Orion Food Systems, LLC, Sioux Falls, S.D., announced plans to merge with Land Mark Products, Inc., Milford, Iowa, to create a fully comprehensive foodservice company.

As customers interact with — and review — brands across a growing number of third-party sites, reputation management is the key area of focus for this group, with 66% planning to focus on "collecting customer feedback" and 51% planning to enhance their ability to monitor and respond to online reviews, according to new research produced by Yext, Inc., New York.

Smithfield Foods, Inc., Smithfield, Va., introduced Smithfield Culinary, the company’s new foodservice portfolio.

Bessemer Investment Partners LLC (BIP), New York, acquired the assets of KorMex Foods, Inc., Houston, Texas, through a new portfolio company platform called MAS Restaurant Group, LLC (MRG).

The Foodservice Packaging Institute, Fall Church, Va., released its 2019 State of the Industry Survey, which shows steady industry volume and profit growth continuing into the remainder of the year.

Five food trends, ranging from ethical dining to multicultural menus, are expected to dominate menu development on college campus dining operations in the next few years, according to a study released by Y-Pulse, Chicago.

Yum China Holdings, Inc., China, opened an innovation center in downtown Shanghai, China.