GoTo Foods Unveils Cinnabon Swirl’s First Store Opening
GoTo Foods, the parent company behind popular chains like Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, and McAlister’s Deli, is set to debut its first-ever original brand concept next month. Named Cinnabon Swirl, the new venture is a creative blend of Carvel ice cream and Cinnabon cinnamon rolls and is set to launch its inaugural location in Hillsboro, Oregon. Originally teased in 2022, the hybrid dessert shop was designed to deliver a fresh experience that goes beyond simply housing two existing brands under one roof. Instead, the company is touting Cinnabon Swirl as a distinctive and standalone dessert destination. On the menu is the Bonini, which features a cinnamon roll cut in half and pressed in a panini press. The indulgent dessert is then filled with soft serve ice cream and served with chopped up “center of the roll” pieces and finished off with caramel drizzle. The menu will also include several varieties of ice cream sandwiches.
GoTo Foods CEO Jim Holthouser said, “We’re positioning this as the ultimate treat. One of the universal truths is that people like a little indulgence. … We’re definitely tapping into that universal truth. With Boomers, there’s the nostalgia play, but with Gen Z, it’s a great opportunity to bring new, younger customers into the fold. What excites them is not just the indulgence, but at the same time, the food is Instagram-worthy.”
The company is betting big on the new concept, with four more locations planned for 2025 in Arizona, California, and Georgia, and 30 more in the pipeline across various venue types, from street-front shops to theme parks and campuses. Beyond just delighting customers, the venture is expected to boost both the Cinnabon and Carvel brands, expanding Carvel’s footprint beyond its Northeast base and giving Cinnabon a fresh image makeover. Holthouser sees this as a major win for franchisees, too, promising a full support system, loyalty programs, and national brand power to fuel success. Looking ahead, GoTo Foods is keeping the concept domestic for now but hints at international potential in the future.
Get a look at the new store concept on this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR6koUEHBb8
Matas Expands AI-Powered Partnership With Algonomy to Enhance Personalization
AI-powered personalization and customer engagement platform Algonomy recently announced the expansion of its long-standing partnership with Matas, Denmark’s premier beauty and wellness retailer. Building on a seven-year collaboration, Matas is now extending Algonomy’s services to its Swedish subsidiary, Kicks.
Leaders from both companies have expressed strong confidence in the expanded collaboration. Algonomy COO Manoj Agarwal said, “Our partnership with Matas has been a testament to the power of personalization in driving customer engagement and loyalty. We are thrilled to extend this collaboration to Kicks, a brand that shares Matas’ dedication to delivering exceptional customer experiences. With Algonomy's Recommend™ solution, Kicks will be able to offer its customers highly relevant and personalized recommendations, further solidifying its position as a leader in the Swedish beauty and wellness market.”
Matas has relied on Algonomy’s Recommend™ to boost customer interaction and increase conversions by providing tailored product suggestions across various digital channels. With the addition of Kicks, the cutting-edge AI solution will now be used to personalize shopping experiences for a wider Scandinavian audience. Recommend™ utilizes sophisticated machine-learning models to generate product recommendations that align with individual customer preferences across touchpoints such as websites, mobile apps, emails, social media, SMS, and even in-store environments.
Read more here: https://algonomy.com/news/matas-extends-partnership-with-algonomy-to-power-personalized-recommendations-for-kicks/
Wahl® Announces Benevolent Beards Contest to Reward Good Grooming and Good Deeds
The Wahl® Benevolent Beards Contest is back for its fourth year, calling on bearded men who maintain their facial hair with style and give back to their communities. The contest, a part of Wahl®’s mission to celebrate kindness and community service, offers a chance for one grand prize winner to receive $5,000 for themselves and an impressive $20,000 for the charity they support. Entrants must be actively involved in charitable work and sport a beard that reflects the brand’s message of spreading goodwill, or as Wahl® puts it, making the world a “bearder” place to live.
Wahl® VP of North America Consumer Steven Yde said, “Wahl® has a long history of serving communities and supporting causes, and we are excited to reward men who share in our dedication to spread positivity and goodwill. This contest is a great way to find men who are generous with their time, talent and treasures, while also shining a light on the charities they're passionate about.”
To enter, participants should submit a video before July 6, 2025, via the official contest page or Wahl®’s social media platforms. The video should show or explain how they support a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. From animal welfare to human services, any cause that makes the world better qualifies. After the initial entry phase, five finalists will be selected and each will receive $500 for themselves and an additional $500 for their charity, along with a Wahl® PRO SERIES™ High Visibility Trimmer. Public voting in August will determine the grand prize winner, who will also receive a visit from the Wahl® Mobile Barbershop offering free beard trims to the local community.
Learn more here: https://bit.ly/BenevolentBeards2025
Original Article Links:
GoTo Foods’ first original concept, Cinnabon Swirl, to open in May
Matas Extends Partnership with Algonomy to Power Personalized Recommendations for Kicks
Wahl® Benevolent Beards Contest Is Rewarding Men Who Make the World a 'Bearder' Place to Live