Gourmet News
Winn-Dixie Donates $100K to Boys & Girls Clubs Chapters
This summer, Winn-Dixie—together with its charitable arm, the Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation—is taking action to fight food insecurity and uplift local youth with a $100,000 donation to five Boys & Girls Clubs chapters across the Southeast. The contribution is part of the grocer’s annual company-wide initiative to help bridge the meal gap many children face when school cafeterias close for summer break.
Through this impactful effort, each Boys & Girls Clubs chapter will receive $20,000 in support—$10,000 in food donations, including lunches, snack packs and take-home meals for families, and $10,000 in direct funding to help cover children’s memberships, meals and enrichment activities throughout the summer. The initiative is designed to help fund the fun and ensure every child has a nourishing, joy-filled summer.
Anthony Hucker, chairman, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Winn-Dixie, said, “Summer should be a season of joy, discovery and possibility—not a time when children worry about where their next meal will come from. At Winn-Dixie, we believe every child deserves consistent access to nourishing food and enriching experiences. Through our partnership with local Boys & Girls Clubs, we’re not only helping fill lunch boxes, we’re helping create safe, supportive spaces where kids can thrive, build confidence and make lasting summer memories. This effort reflects our ongoing commitment to being a community champion and a positive force in the local communities we serve.”
Each of the following Boys & Girls Clubs chapters hosts hundreds of children during the summer months and will receive resources to help ensure no child goes without a meal or a moment of joy:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County
As part of the initiative, Winn-Dixie associates will also roll up their sleeves to support their local Boys & Girls Clubs by unloading food donations, packing nutritious lunch boxes and snack packs and spending meaningful time with the children at each Club.
This hands-on involvement reflects Winn-Dixie’s ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity throughout the Southeast, particularly during the summer when many families lose access to school-provided meals. According to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 56% of Club members live in households that qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches, highlighting the vital role community programs play in ensuring children have reliable access to nutritious food. Through ongoing partnerships with local food banks and nonprofit organizations, Winn-Dixie is proud to help nourish its neighbors in the moments they need it most.
For more information on Winn-Dixie’s charitable initiatives, visit www.winndixie.com/community.
Founded in 1925, Winn-Dixie grocery stores and liquor stores serve communities throughout five southeastern states – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Winn-Dixie is a subsidiary of Southeastern Grocers, LLC, an omnichannel retailer serving customers in brick-and-mortar grocery stores and liquor stores, as well as online with convenient grocery delivery throughout the Southeast. For more information, please visit www.winndixie.com and www.segrocers.com.
The Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation is the charitable arm of Winn-Dixie, dedicated to supporting the communities the grocer proudly serves. The Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation focuses on key issues that matter most to its neighbors, including hunger relief, support for military service members and their families, disaster response and championing belonging, inclusion and diversity by addressing social injustices and bridging gaps in equity. The Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation is dedicated to nourishing and enriching communities across the Southeast, creating lasting, positive change and improving the lives of individuals and families.
For more news of interest to the grocery industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.
Thompson Street Acquires NJ’s Bubbakoo’s Burritos
Thompson Street Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in St. Louis, has acquired Bubbakoo’s Burritos, a New Jersey-based franchisor of fast-casual Mexican-fusion restaurants. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 2008 in Wall Township, N.J. by restaurant industry veterans Bill Hart and Paul Altero, Bubbakoo’s delivers a bold twist on traditional Mexican fare. With a focus on made-to-order food and a vibrant restaurant experience, Bubbakoo’s began franchising in 2015. The brand has since expanded to more than 130 locations across 15 states, primarily along the East Coast and Midwest.
This acquisition comes at a time when the fast-casual category continues to outperform broader foodservice segments, driven by evolving consumer preferences for flavorful, customizable cuisine and growing investor appetite for scalable restaurant concepts.
“Bubbakoo’s has created an innovative and compelling brand that resonates with a broad and growing customer base,” said Bob Dunn, Managing Partner at TSCP. “Bill and Paul have built something special—an exciting concept with strong franchisee relationships, consistent unit growth, and a passionate following. We are thrilled to partner with the team as they enter this next phase of expansion.”
“We see tremendous opportunity to support Bubbakoo’s continued growth by investing in technology, brand development, infrastructure, and franchisee support systems,” said Joe St. Geme, Managing Director at TSCP. “The Company has built a strong foundation, and our team is eager to help accelerate growth while maintaining the culture and values that have made Bubbakoo’s a success.”
“From our earliest days in New Jersey to now having more than 130 locations across the country, we’ve been incredibly proud to see our vision resonate with guests, franchisees, and communities,” said Mr. Hart, Co-Founder of Bubbakoo’s. “Our growth has always been grounded in our commitment to food quality, hospitality and a culture that values individuality and innovation.”
“Thompson Street Capital Partners brings deep experience in scaling founder-led businesses and shares our passion for supporting franchisees and delivering great experiences to customers,” added Altero, Co-Founder of Bubbakoo’s. “With their support, we’re confident Bubbakoo’s can accelerate its growth into new markets, invest in technology and infrastructure, and continue building a world-class franchise system.”
Sidley Austin acted as legal advisor to TSCP.
Thompson Street Capital Partners (tscp.com) is a middle-market private equity firm that helps transform already exceptional businesses into market leaders. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, TSCP invests globally in the life sciences and healthcare, software and technology, business and consumer services and products sectors. TSCP partners with management teams to increase value by accelerating growth, both organically and via complementary acquisitions.
For more news of interest to the foodservice industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.
Campbell’s Mourns Longtime Board Member Mary D. Malone
The Campbell’s Company and the company’s board of directors mourn Mary Alice Dorrance Malone who recently passed away at the age of 75. Malone was the longest-tenured member of Campbell’s board of directors with 35 years of service.
Malone was the granddaughter of Dr. John T. Dorrance, the inventor of condensed soup and President of the company from 1914-1930, and the daughter of John T. Dorrance Jr., a former chair of the company from 1962-1984. She was elected to the Board in 1990 and served with distinction on many of the board’s standing committees, most recently on the Governance and Compensation & Organization committees.
Keith R. McLoughlin, chair of the board, said, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mary Alice. As a descendent of the company’s founder and a significant long-term shareholder, her contributions to grow and protect Campbell’s legacy were immeasurable. She will be missed in our board meetings and as a friend and colleague. On behalf of my fellow board members, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.”
Malone was an entrepreneur, a private investor, and a philanthropist, having served for many years on the boards of several nonprofit organizations and actively participated in many philanthropic endeavors. Her passion and primary business were equestrian sports. She was President of Iron Spring Farm horse breeding and performance centers in Pennsylvania and Florida, which she founded in 1976.
Mick Beekhuizen, Campbell’s president and chief executive pfficer, said, “Mary Alice was a highly committed director and helped guide the company through many chapters. Her extensive knowledge of Campbell’s history, organization and culture, and her love for our food and iconic brands were invaluable to management and the board. Her positive impact on the company will last for generations to come. Everyone at Campbell’s offers our deepest condolences to her loved ones.”
Malone is survived by two daughters.
Funeral arrangements are not public. The family respectfully requests privacy during this time of mourning.
The board will be considering the election of a new member.
For 155 years, The Campbell’s Company has been connecting people through food they love. Headquartered in Camden, N.J. since 1869, generations of consumers have trusted Campbell’s to provide delicious and affordable food and beverages. Today, the company is a North American focused brand powerhouse, generating fiscal 2024 net sales of $9.6 billion across two divisions: Meals & Beverages and Snacks. The Campbell’s portfolio of 16 leadership brands includes: Campbell’s, Cape Cod, Chunky, Goldfish, Kettle Brand, Lance, Late July, Pace, Pacific Foods, Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Rao’s, Snack Factory pretzel crisps, Snyder’s of Hanover, Swanson and V8.
For more news of interest to the food and beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.
