Today in Food Commerce: Panera Ends IPO Plans With HUGS; Aggregators Tap Robotic Delivery

Today in food commerce, Panera Brands’ planned partnership with USHG Acquisition Corp. comes to an end, and Qdoba gets into virtual brands. Plus, a company in Singapore turns wastewater into beer.

Panera Ends IPO Plans With Danny Meyer’s SPAC, Citing Souring Economy

Panera Brands, the fast-casual group comprised of Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bagels, announced Friday (July 1) the end of its planned partnership with Danny Meyer’s special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) USHG Acquisition Corp. (HUGS) to go public via IPO with the latter as a cornerstone partner.

Restaurant Roundup: Brands Automate Food Production, Delivery

Panda Express taps kitchen automation; DoorDash files a patent application for autonomous delivery; and Qdoba gets into the virtual brand space.

Wastewater Beer Offers Revolutionary — but Revolting — Twist on Conscious Cookouts

It being the July Fourth holiday weekend in America — what some Brits still call “that day” — we will be barbecuing and picnicking. On what? Brats and burgers? Veggie chicken nuggets? For those of legal age, why not wash whatever it is down with yummy, recycled wastewater beer?

Grocers Get Creative to Keep Shelves Stocked Amid Supply Shortages

Larissa Russell, co-founder and CEO of Pod Foods, said in an interview with PYMNTS that the company’s partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market enables the grocer not only to keep their shelves full but also to follow industry-wide trends toward challenger brands.