GLP-1 and alcohol habits: A new wave of research suggests GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may also reduce alcohol cravings and drinking frequency, raising questions for bars and restaurants as appetite patterns shift. Food safety and compliance load: A hospitality industry voice warns that food safety, licensing, employment and council processes pile onto small operators, turning compliance into a major cost and staffing burden. Coca-Cola bottling expansion: Coca-Cola UNITED started operations at a new $350M Birmingham, Alabama campus, consolidating production and distribution and creating up to 50 jobs. Coffee automation: UNSW visited COFE+’s 7th-generation robotic café in Shanghai, highlighting AI-powered beverage prep and 24/7 campus use cases. Hospitality tech upgrade: BeerBoard rolled out SmartBar v3.0, aiming to streamline on-premise ordering, inventory and finance in one workflow. Local food & drink events: Taste of Abby returns in Canada with a Night Market and Bun Run, while Goschie Farms spotlights hop-growing traditions. Retail/brand moves: Juice It Up! opened a Santa Fe Springs, California location, expanding Southern California footprint. Labor pressure in beverages: A strike at The Beverage Market nears week 19 as union leaders cite rising outside legal and strike-related costs.