Food Roundup: Whole Foods' Setback, Tropicana's Carbon Footprint, and More

Whole Foods motion denied — A Washington D.C. appeals court denied a motion by Whole Foods against the Federal Trade Commission over challenges to the chain’s acquisition of Wild Oats. The FTC is investigating a year after Whole Foods’ purchase, when many stores have already switched over. An attorney for Whole Foods says the company’s due process rights have been violated, and it may refile its complaint. [Source: AP]

PepsiCo measures Tropicana’s carbon footprint — In partnership with the U.K.-based Carbon Trust, Tropicana has become the first PepsiCo brand — and the first consumer brand in North America — to have its carbon footprint evaluated by the trust. Tropicana’s president said the company would use the information to cut down its impact on the environment. PepsiCo is slated to study the carbon footprint of several other products as well. [Source: Food Business News]

McDonald’s expanding in Europe — McDonald’s announced plans to spend $1.1 billion in Europe this year on new restaurants and upgrades. The burger chain is gaining market share even as the shaky economy lures customers away from eating out in general, and the company is moving to push its advantage, while also possibly benefiting from other results of the economic downturn, such as lower construction costs. [Source: Forbes]

Pizza Patrón launches aggressive expansion plan — The Latino pizza chain has concrete plans for 40 new stores and plans to double that number by the end of the year. Pizza Patrón serves American pizza but caters to the Latino market and employs bilingual servers. Currently it operates 90 stores in six states, but its stated goal is to be running 750 restaurants nationwide within a decade. [Source: QSR]

Taco Bell overwhelmed by ‘Customer Appreciation Day’ response — Central Florida Taco Bell franchises drew thousands with their temporary offer of 20-cent tacos for customer appreciation day. One store sold an estimated 16,000 tacos, and another had to send for nearly 10,000 pounds of additional product to replace diminishing supplies. The store owners said they considered the promotion successful even though they lost money. [Source: QSRWeb.com]

ADM to buy German chocolate firm — Archer Daniels Midland announced plans to strengthen its position in the chocolate market by purchasing Schokinag, a German chocolate company. No financial details were released, and the deal is still subject to antitrust approval. [Source: Reuters]