News Briefs

Mondelēz International announced Friday that it will take a majority stake in Undercover Snacks, a brand known for crispy, chocolate-covered quinoa snacks. The companies did not disclose the financial details of the agreement, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027.

The deal broadens the snacking lineup at Mondelēz. Dirk Van de Put, the chief executive officer of the company behind Oreo, told analysts that the company's portfolio “needs to evolve towards healthier snacks.”

Undercover will run as a standalone business within the Mondelēz North America Ventures unit. It joins a roster of high-growth brands that includes Perfect Snacks, Tate’s Bake Shop and Hu Chocolate. Diana Levy, the founder of Undercover, will stay on as chief executive officer.

MacEwen Quickie has reopened in Somerset, Ottawa and now offers an expanded store with what the operators call "an improved layout to make your quick stops even easier." 

In a LinkedIn announcement, the Somerset location said the store offers a more comfortable and convenient shopping experience for everyone, and that store owner, Noor, looks forward to greeting customers on their to or from work, school or just dropped by for a snack. 

The new-and-improved Quickie can be found at 287A Somerset Street East, Ottawa, ON K1N 6V7.

READ: MacEwen Quickie opens new location in Thorndale

Catherine Anderson steps into the position after serving as vice president of development for A&W Canada.

In her new capacity, Anderson will lead the company's nationwide restaurant expansion strategy. She will hold direct strategic accountabilities for accelerating new restaurant openings and evaluating complementary brand expansion opportunities to support long-term system growth. Anderson’s portfolio will play a central role in delivering on the company's newly announced corporate strategy.

Susan Senecal, president and chief executive officer of A&W, praised Anderson's track record of building collaborative franchisee relationships and navigating complex development environments, adding that those skills will prove invaluable as the company executes its strategic growth initiatives and welcomes Anderson to the executive team.

READ: A&W's Q3 unveils strategy to target younger diners

The trucking and logistics firm says the profit amounted to 52 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, up from a profit of 36 cents per diluted share a year earlier.

Revenue for the quarter totalled $653.2 million, up from $561.8 million in the same quarter last year.

The firm says the year-over-year increase in revenue included $44.3 million of internal growth, a $37.7-million increase in fuel surcharge revenue while acquisitions added $9.4 million of incremental revenue.

On an adjusted basis, Mullen Group says it earned 52 cents per share in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of 38 cents per share a year earlier.

Murray Mullen, Mullen Group's chair and senior executive officer, says the company is generating excellent results and maintaining a strong, well-funded balance sheet.

In a recent LinkedIn update, Lautner announced his appointment as global head of private label packaged products at Shell.

Private label lines remain a primary driver of margin expansion and store loyalty across the energy and c-store sectors. In his new position, Lautner will lead strategic development, sourcing and global category rollout for Shell’s packaged goods portfolio across its extensive worldwide forecourt network.

The move highlights Shell’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its proprietary in-store brand strategy and delivering high-margin convenience options to commuters around the globe.

A lawsuit challenging U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs targeting Canada has been filed in the United States Court of International Trade.

The lawsuit, filed today by the non-profit Liberty Justice Center on behalf of U.S. food importer Gellert Global Group, argues Trump's use of a Depression-era trade statute exceeds his power as president.

Trump used Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to slap an array of Canadian goods with a 50 per cent levy after trade talks broke down in August.

The same statute was used the following month to ban the import of other Canadian goods, including motorcycles and some alcohol and dairy products.

Liberty Justice Center CEO Sara Albrecht says in a news release that no president should have the power to pull a dormant statute off the shelf and use it to impose sweeping tariffs or import bans.

The lawsuit asks the court to declare the tariffs unlawful and order a refund.