Beverage-Snack brands find strength in technologyBeverage-Snack brands find strength in technology

The Beverage-Snack segment is largely comprised of traditional food and beverage items — coffee, doughnuts and ice cream — but it continues to be strong due at least in part to a focus on technology and innovation. 

The aggregate U.S. systemwide sales of the Beverage-Snack segment increased by 11.1 percent to nearly $26 billion in the Latest Year, as the segment’s chains grew their sales at an average rate of 7.7 percent. 

Starbucks fueled much of that growth with a combination of impressive unit performance and new openings. The coffee powerhouse left its Beverage-Snack competition in the dust, increasing estimated sales per unit, or ESPU, by 9.2 percent in the Latest Year. Starbucks also grew units by nearly 5 percent, adding 582 outlets...