Haigh’s Chocolates is opening two more Brisbane stores after hundreds of Queensland customers queued for the chocolate maker’s arrival at Westfield Mt Gravatt in August. The Westfield Chermside and Westfield Carindale stores will give Brisbane shoppers three locations to explore the Australian maker’s extensive artisan chocolate range, with the in-store service and complimentary tastings Haigh’s is known for. Haigh’s Chief Executive, Peter Millard, said the excitement and anticipation surrounding the first Brisbane opening had been incredible, with hundreds lining up at the Mt Gravatt store’s doors on opening day. “It was truly special to witness the enthusiastic fanfare and welcome from the community at the opening of our first Brisbane store. With Christmas fast approaching, we have no doubt the Westfield Chermside and Carindale stores will be warmly received and can’t wait to share this year’s festive range with customers,” he said. Westfield Regional Centre Experience Manager Queensland, Kylie Doulman, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Haigh’s Chocolates to two more of our Queensland destinations, Westfield Chermside and Westfield Carindale, bringing one of Australia’s most beloved chocolate makers to even more customers across Brisbane. “Following the fantastic response to the opening of Haigh’s at Westfield Mt Gravatt earlier this year, we know customers will be thrilled to have more opportunities to enjoy their favourite chocolates closer to home.” To celebrate the new openings, the first 50 customers to make a purchase at each of the Chermside and Carindale stores will receive a free Milk Chocolate Midi Frog. Customers who spend $75 or more in-store will also receive a complimentary packet of Milk Chocolate Speckles, with that offer valid from November 4 to November 8, 2026. Haigh’s Westfield Chermside opens on November 4, followed by Westfield Carindale on November 5. Source: Callie Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

Macca’s is putting on Australia’s first McHappy Day Festival, turning one secret restaurant into a free fundraiser headlined by Stace Cadet and Yolanda Be Cool. The restaurant location is still under wraps, but the afternoon will include face painting, temporary tattoos and other family-friendly activities before Stace Cadet and Yolanda Be Cool take over the decks from 2 pm to 4 pm. Every donation made through the festival will support Ronald McDonald House Australia, helping families stay close while children are seriously ill or injured. Stace Cadet is best known for his ARIA Platinum-certified track ‘Energy’, while Yolanda Be Cool’s ‘We No Speak Americano’ remains a dancefloor favourite more than 16 years after its release. “We’ve played some pretty unusual venues over the years, but a Macca’s festival is a first. We can’t wait to get behind the decks, soak up the atmosphere and be part of a really fun and important day for the community. The fact it’s all in support of Ronald McDonald House Australia makes it even more special,” Yolanda Be Cool said. Stace Cadet’s connection to McHappy Day runs deeper than the music. His son Obi was diagnosed with cancer, giving him firsthand experience of the challenges families face during serious childhood illness and the support organisations such as Ronald McDonald House Australia can provide. “As a parent who’s experienced the challenges that come with a child’s serious illness, you never forget the people and support that help you through the toughest moments,” Stace Cadet said. “That’s why McHappy Day Festival means a lot to me. It’s incredible to see music being used to bring people together for such an important cause, helping Ronald McDonald House Australia continue supporting families when they need it most.” Canberra father Justin and his son Luca spent more than 33 months at Ronald McDonald House Randwick after Luca was diagnosed in 2020, aged 10, with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia. Luca underwent treatment while the pair stayed at the House. Limited-edition McHappy Day merchandise will return for 2026, including fan-favourite Silly Socks featuring Grimace and Hamburglar for $6.50 and new Stonewash Cool Caps for $9.95. McHappy Day has raised more than $83 million since 1991, supported each year by thousands of Macca’s crew members and customers. Ronald McDonald House Australia supports more than 89,000 families annually through Ronald McDonald Houses, Family Accommodation, Family Rooms, Family Hubs, Family Retreats, Hospitality Carts and the Learning Program, providing comfort, care and connection throughout a family’s healthcare journey. Annabel Fribence, Chief Marketing Officer for McDonald’s Australia, said, “We’re known for serving Big Macs, but this McHappy Day, we’re serving up DJ sets too. “McHappy Day Festival is a celebration of everything McHappy Day stands for: having fun, giving back and supporting Ronald McDonald House Australia. With Stace Cadet and Yolanda Be Cool headlining, we’re turning one of our restaurants into Australia’s most unexpected music venues and giving the community a whole new way to get behind the cause. “Whether you’re joining us for McHappy Day Festival, grabbing a Big Mac, picking up a pair of Silly Socks or making a donation, every contribution helps families stay together when it matters most.” McHappy Day Festival takes place on Saturday November 14 at a secret Macca’s restaurant, with the location still to be revealed. Source: Omnicom Find more food culture updates on Crumb Wire.

Quick Bites Halloween lolly bowls are getting a little hotter this year as Allen’s launches new Swicy Beans alongside returning favourites Black Cats and Mad About Teeth. The two cult favourites already have plenty of history behind them: Mad About Teeth first broke out of Allen’s party mixes into its own bag in 2021, while Black Cats has spent years dividing lolly lovers with its unmistakable aniseed flavour. Shannon Wright, Head of Marketing Confectionery at Nestlé, said, “Halloween is all about sharing treats and having a little fun, so it’s great to be bringing back the spookier cult favourites – Black Cats and Mad About Teeth while introducing a sweet and spicy lolly – new Allen’s Swicy Beans. Lolly lovers need to get in quick as they’re all limited edition.” Swicy Beans are the new addition this year, starting sweet before a spicy kick comes through. They come in a 240g share bag containing 12 individual 20g mini bags, making them easy to split across trick-or-treat bowls. Black Cats and Mad About Teeth are both back in 170g bags, giving Halloween shoppers two familiar options alongside the new sweet-and-spicy release. Black Cats and Mad About Teeth are priced at $5 each, while Swicy Beans are $6. Allen’s Black Cats, Mad About Teeth and Swicy Beans are available now exclusively at Coles stores nationwide while stocks last. Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

A raspberry Slurpee has found its way into a Drumstick cone, as 7-Eleven and Peters turn two familiar Aussie summer staples into one frozen mash-up. The new Drumstick Slurpee takes 7-Eleven’s raspberry Slurpee flavour and rebuilds it as Drumstick’s first-ever sorbet creation, combining raspberry-flavoured sorbet with smooth vanilla and fizzy candy pieces for a little extra pop and crunch. The chocolate tip has held onto its position at the bottom of the cone because, collaboration or not, some things should just remain untouched. Andrea Hamori, Head of Marketing at Peters Ice Cream, said, “Drumstick is always looking for ways to shake up the classic cone experience, and our first-ever sorbet creation is a really exciting milestone for us. “Slurpee’s raspberry flavour is already a huge hit with Aussies, so we wanted to see what would happen if we gave it the Drumstick treatment. The result is something fruity, refreshing and packed with all the fun you’d expect from both brands.” The collaboration has already been a hit overseas and has now landed in Australia, giving the classic cone a fruitier spin without losing the creamy vanilla and chocolate hit people expect from a Drumstick. More than 155 million Drumstick cones are sold annually, while millions of Slurpees are enjoyed each year, making both products a pretty familiar part of Australian summers. Research cited by the brands found 42% of Australian snack consumers agree that flavour collaborations between brands add excitement to snacks. In this case, the experiment is fairly literal: take one of 7-Eleven’s best-known Slurpee flavours, put it in a Drumstick and see what happens. “Slurpee has been part of Australian summers and weekends for generations, so seeing our signature raspberry flavour reimagined as a Drumstick cone is a fun new chapter,” said Rob Kirby, General Manager of Merchandise, 7-Eleven Australia. “This is a collaboration that brings a little nostalgia with something completely unexpected, and is exactly what 7-Eleven does best, so we can’t wait for customers to get their hands on it.” The new Drumstick Slurpee is available now exclusively at 7-Eleven stores across Australia for summer. Source: Wired Co. Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.