After 36 years as a staple of downtown Palo Alto’s dining scene, the Italian restaurant Il Fornaio is closing permanently. The restaurant, known for wood‑fired pizzas, classic pastas, and elegant yet warm ambiance, will serve its final meals on January 18, 2026. For decades, it was more than just a place to eat — it was a gathering place for locals, tech leaders, and visitors alike. A hub for community and tech [...]
White Claw producer paused operations, laid off 143 workers in New Jersey
In late 2025, the manufacturer behind White Claw Hard Seltzer and other ready-to-drink beverages conducted a substantial round of layoffs at its New Jersey brewery, affecting hundreds of workers and reflecting broader challenges in the alcoholic beverage market. Layoff timeline Mark Anthony Brewing, the company that produces White Claw, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, and several other ready-to-drink (RTD) brands, filed a WARN [...]
From factory floors to dining rooms: Michigan workers reeling after food industry layoffs
Over the past six months, Michigan’s food and beverage industry has seen several major layoffs and plant closures, affecting hundreds of workers from production floors to dining rooms. Economic pressures, supply chain restructuring, and operational shifts have driven these impacts across manufacturing and hospitality categories. Historic Muskegon plant closure — Cole’s Quality Foods September-November 2025: Cole’s [...]
Trump signs landmark bill: Whole milk returns to America’s school lunches after nearly 40 years
In a move celebrated by dairy farmers, kids, and parents alike, President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act on January 14, 2026, officially allowing whole and reduced-fat milk to return to school meals nationwide. This marks the first time in nearly four decades that students can enjoy milk with its natural fat content in cafeterias — a nostalgic return to the beverage many adults remember from their own [...]
Lab-grown meat, dairy, and seafood are coming — are you ready for them?
The future of food is no longer science fiction. From lab-grown meat to artificial dairy, a growing number of foods on your plate are now entirely manufactured in laboratories. What was once seen as niche or experimental may soon become mainstream—and it’s sparking both excitement and debate. Lab-grown meat: The steak of tomorrow Cultured meat, sometimes called lab-grown or cell-based meat, is created by cultivating [...]
Chick‑fil‑A expansion hits Michigan: 25–30 new restaurants expected by 2028
Chick‑fil‑A is dramatically increasing its presence across Michigan, planning to nearly double the number of restaurants in the state by the end of 2028. The Atlanta‑based chicken sandwich chain already operates around 28 locations in the Great Lakes State. It now has ambitious goals to bring roughly 25–30 new locally owned and operated restaurants across communities large and small throughout Michigan. New restaurants and [...]
