Mark Foods to Acquire Bristol Seafood
Mark Foods, a leading U.S. importer, processor and marketer of premium seafood products, will acquire Bristol Seafood, a Maine company known for its premium scallop, groundfish and value-added offerings.
This acquisition expands Mark Foods’ portfolio, adds Bristol’s talented team to the Mark Foods operation and increases Mark Foods’ production capacity and footprint. The Bristol Seafood brand will remain in place and all Bristol employees will join the Mark Foods team. Peter Handy, Bristol’s President & CEO, will continue to lead category management for the species that Bristol is known for, including premium scallop, groundfish, and other value-added offerings. In addition, he will serve as Mark Foods’ Chief Operating Officer, join the Company’s Board of Directors, and become a shareholder.
“We are pleased to enter this agreement, which brings the Bristol team, customers, and suppliers to Mark Foods. With the addition of Bristol, we will be able to support our customers with new categories, enhance our team, and expand our production footprint to include the Northeast region,” said Barry Markman, CEO, Mark Foods. “In addition, we are enthusiastic to explore Bristol’s B Corp Certification and how we can bring these best practices and this certification to our company as a whole. We look forward to welcoming Peter and his team and working together to serve our customers and drive new levels of growth.”
“I am proud of Bristol’s 32-year history showing up as a steady and committed partner for its team members, customers and suppliers, while making a positive impact on our community and the environment. With this transaction, we will be joining a company I have long admired in Mark Foods. I look forward to continuing our work and building on Bristol’s strong legacy as a part of Mark Foods,” Handy said.
This acquisition is the latest in a series of investments undertaken by Mark Foods over the last several years including Arista Industries (2023), Endeavor Seafoods (2021), and Openwater Seafoods (2020).
The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in August 2025.
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Smokey Bones Aims to Hire More Military Spouses
Smokey Bones, the ‘Masters of Meat,’ recently joined forces with Triple Impact Connections, a veteran-owned customer experience solutions firm that primarily hires military spouses. The partnership strengthens Smokey Bones commitment to supporting military personnel and their families by offering valuable employment opportunities that provide stability and growth that can lead to improvements in quality of life. In the U.S., an estimated 50 percent of active duty military are married.
“We are proud to team up with Triple Impact Connections and further our support of the military,” said Hal Lawlor, President of Smokey Bones. “Military families face distinctive challenges, so we applaud our new partners for their commitment to providing employment opportunities for military spouses. Their efforts enable these individuals to contribute economically to the vitality of their families and pursue endeavors of their own while their partners serve and protect our country.”
Smokey Bones utilizes Triple Impact Connections as a tech-enabled contact center partner to support takeout orders and guest service inquiries, helping to streamline operations while reinforcing the brand’s commitment to supporting military families through meaningful employment.
Through this partnership, Smokey Bones guests have experienced improved service, with phone answer times reduced to less than 10 seconds, down from 25 seconds at launch. The Triple Impact employees are well-acquainted with the Smokey Bones menu, ensuring that guests ordering over the phone enjoy an optimal experience. As a result, the average check size has increased by $4 since implementation.
Triple Impact Connections has headquarters in Killeen, Texas, adjacent to Fort Hood, and in Fayetteville, North Carolina, by Fort Bragg. Together, these bases are home to more than 40,000 Army spouses, making Triple Impact specially qualified to provide solutions for all Business Process Outsourcing Solutions needs. The organization services major clients across North America.
“We offer a unique talent pool for customers through our program that employs military spouses. They share the military values of disciplined dedication, loyalty, and efficiency, which drive enhanced services that provide better business outcomes,” said Anthony Marlowe, CEO of MCI, the parent company of Triple Impact Connections. “On average, our team members generate an order value of $37.50 and handle time under three minutes. They strive to offer clients quality service and impactful results, and have directly improved the average check by $4 compared to last year, with this number rising weekly.”
In addition to this new partnership, Smokey Bones has supported the military and their families through community initiatives. Last year, the brand partnered with world-class culinary personality and philanthropist Chef Robert Irvine to raise funds and awareness for the Robert Irvine Foundation, which is dedicated to transforming the lives of service members, veterans, first responders, and their families. Throughout the year, Smokey Bones extends a 20% discount to all active-duty military and veterans.
For more information about Smokey Bones, including menu and locations, visit www.smokeybones.com.
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Sweetgreen Launches Summer Seasonal Menu
This July, Sweetgreen invites guests to savor the season with the return of its Summer Seasonal Menu—a limited-time lineup that celebrates peak summer flavor and the farm partners who bring these ingredients to life. The Peach + Goat Cheese, Elote Bowl, and new Chicken Caprese launch nationwide on July 8, with early digital access available exclusively to SG Rewards members on July 7.
Rooted in close relationships with regional growers and guided by a chef’s touch, Sweetgreen’s Summer Seasonal Menu is a celebration of simplicity, seasonality, and peak flavor. Designed to showcase the best of what summer has to offer, the menu features juicy peaches, fresh tomatoes, smoky roasted vegetables, crisp greens, and creamy cheeses, sourced from trusted farms across the country.
Bringing Back the Best of Summer
This year’s lineup features the return of two of Sweetgreen’s most requested summer menu items, along with a new seasonal build. Each is inspired by the ingredients and flavors that define the season, offering a taste of summer in every bite.
- Peach + Goat Cheese: Juicy summer peaches are lightly tossed with olive oil and fresh basil, then paired with creamy goat cheese, toasted almonds, and Sweetgreen’s signature balsamic vinaigrette. This light and vibrant combination brings together sweet, savory, and herby notes in a nostalgic favorite.
- Elote Bowl: A bold mix of smoky roasted corn and peppers, juicy summer tomatoes drizzled with olive oil, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips—brought together with a zesty lime cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette. A vibrant celebration of peak summer flavor.
- New! Chicken Caprese: Sweetgreen’s take on the timeless Italian favorite. Juicy roasted chicken, fresh pesto pearl mozzarella, and vine-ripened summer tomatoes come together with crisp greens and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. It’s rich, refreshing, and made for sunny days.
“At Sweetgreen, we believe the best food starts with the best ingredients, and summer is a perfect time to celebrate that,” said Nicolas Jammet, co-founder and Chief Concept Officer of Sweetgreen. “This seasonal menu is the result of our deep-rooted partnerships with trusted farmers, and we’re thrilled to bring our guests food that not only tastes delicious, but also honors the people who grow it.”
Farm-Forward Flavor, Sourced With Intention
Staying true to its commitment to intentional sourcing, Sweetgreen continues to partner with growers who share its passion for quality, sustainability, and seasonality. This summer, fresh peaches are featured on menus nationwide, with Sweetgreen’s California restaurants proudly sourcing theirs from Frog Hollow Farm in Brentwood, CA—a longtime partner known for growing some of the country’s most flavorful stone fruit. Since 2021, Sweetgreen has sourced over 33,000 lbs of Frog Hollow peaches to bring their unmatched flavor to guests across the state.
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Sweetgreen for the Peach + Goat Cheese on the summer menu. Their commitment to sourcing directly from farms like ours, where soil health, flavor, and sustainability are foundational, helps tell a deeper story about what good food really means,” said Lael Gerhart, Director of Engagement at Frog Hollow Farm. “When guests enjoy our organic peaches, they’re also supporting our regenerative farming practices that prioritize human and planetary health. Sweetgreen is helping demonstrate what truly responsible, nourishing food at scale can look like—and we’re proud to be part of that vision.”
Each item on the menu reflects Sweetgreen’s long-standing dedication to working with farms that prioritize thoughtful growing practices and deep care for the food they cultivate. The Summer Seasonal Menu pairs culinary creativity with meaningful sourcing, with many locations featuring summer tomatoes from Lady Moon Farms, corn from Ray’s Heritage Farm, bell peppers from Lipman Family Farms, and/or pearl mozzarella from BelGioioso.
Early Access & Seasonal Perks for Sweetgreen Rewards Members
SG Rewards members will receive exclusive early digital access to the Summer Seasonal Menu starting Monday, July 7, through the Sweetgreen app and website. Members also unlock ongoing benefits and a sneak preview of new menu items.
To celebrate the return of its seasonal lineup, Sweetgreen will be popping up this summer with exclusive partnerships, local activations, and surprise-and-delight moments that are available first to SG Rewards members in select cities. From tasting events to limited-edition collabs, it’s Sweetgreen’s way of bringing the season to life beyond the hex bowl.
Signing up is fast, free, and available now through the Sweetgreen app. To stay on top of Sweetgreen news, visit www.sweetgreen.com, and follow along @Sweetgreen on social media.
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