Brands/Products
Noir King Cognac Signs Deal with Prominent Distributor
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Noir King VSOP Cognac, the flagship brand of Firebird Beverage, recently signed a prestigious deal with Savannah Distributing Co. Inc.
The partnership dawns in a historical chapter in the Atlanta cognac scene as this is for the FIRST time an African-American woman-owned cognac company has tied up with Georgia’s most prominent distributor of American spirits.
“We are extremely excited to partner with Savannah Distributing as the exclusive Georgia distributor for the launch of Noir King Cognac VSOP. They are one of the biggest distributors in Georgia and have been around since 1938.
“We chose them because they have a proven track record of success within the spirits industry and we look forward to a long and successful partnership”, stated Michelle DiAugustino, the founder of Noir King VSOP cognac and the first Black women to create and launch a new independent premium cognac brand in the U.S.
In addition to being launched by an African-American woman, what’s also special about Noir King Cognac is its imperial legacy. The FIRST of its kind, the cognac exclusively celebrates the royal lineage of the African American male and is aimed to empower consumers to live their lives at their best.
The brand represents community, style, generational knowledge and the rich tradition of enjoying Cognac.
“Our cognac is the ‘Cognac of Kings’. It is exclusively handcrafted from the finest Eau De Vie in Cognac, France, by 3rd generation Master Blender Mr. Philippe Braastad-Tiffon who has sourced the grapes from the top 4 regions including Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Fins Bois and the Borderies. Layered with tasting notes of orange, vanilla and spice, Noir King Cognac mesmerizes with its smooth richness and classy flavour which altogether make it one of the most coveted collections for the best cellars.”
Interestingly, the concept of Noir King Cognac is inspired by the great Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s- the historical “New Negro Movement” famous for major innovations and landmark developments in art and culture.
“Our brand echoes the great ethos of the historical Harlem Renaissance and Noir King Cognac is poised to inspire a New Renaissance with every bottle. It’s all about living your right to be ‘treated like a king and to drink like a one’. We are all set to dawn in a Royal Renaissance with our exclusive cognac brand.”
Noir King Cognac VSOP is in a very exciting phase right now. The brand is soon to launch in Atlanta, Georgia, then expand into other parts of the State. Once it secures its footing in Georgia, Noir King has plans to expand into the direct distribution markets of California, New York, New Jersey and Florida. Nigeria and Lagos markets are also in next year’s strategic expansion plan.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief executive of Canal+ Africa, Mr David Mignot, has disclosed that MultiChoice is now fully integrated into the media group.
Mr Mignot disclosed this via a statement issued on Thursday, noting that this development marks a new phase in the evolution of one of Africa’s leading pay television operators.
He noted that the integration positions MultiChoice within a global media organisation with an extensive international footprint.
“MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries. The group was founded in France, is listed in London and Johannesburg, and has a strong African presence with operations in more than 45 countries,” Mr Mignot said.
The statement underscores the scale of the combined business, highlighting Canal+’s global reach alongside its significant investments across Africa.
The completion of the transaction is expected to strengthen MultiChoice’s position in the African media and entertainment market by giving it access to the broader resources, expertise and international capabilities of the Canal+ Group, while reinforcing the group’s commitment to the continent.
MultiChoice operates across sub-Saharan Africa through platforms including DStv and GOtv, serving millions of subscribers with entertainment, sports and news content.
By Adedapo Adesanya
FoodCourt, a Nigerian cloud kitchen startup backed by Y Combinator, has suspended operations after months of unpaid salaries and mounting debts to vendors triggered a staff strike and forced the company to halt customer orders, according to a report by TechCabal.
The publication reported that customers first noticed on March 4 that they could no longer place orders through the FoodCourt app after the company disabled ordering as kitchen workers, delivery personnel and branch staff embarked on strike over unpaid wages. The company also owed outstanding payments to vendors.
By April 19, FoodCourt had temporarily shut its last operating branch after suspending activities across its Lagos and Abuja locations while seeking fresh funding and restructuring the business, according to the report.
The company’s chief executive, Mr Henry Nneji, said the decision to pause operations was not caused by a single issue but by a combination of operational, organisational and working-capital challenges.
“It’s important to clarify that the decision to pause operations wasn’t driven by one single issue. We reached a point where it became clear that continuing to patch those issues while operating wasn’t the right long-term decision,” he said.
“The objective is to build a stronger business than the one that existed before the suspension. We fully intend to bring FoodCourt back,” he added in an emailed response.
The company acknowledged outstanding obligations to employees, vendors, riders and service providers, but declined to disclose the number of affected workers or the total amount owed. It said efforts were underway to resolve the liabilities as part of its restructuring process.
It was also reported that the startup’s financial difficulties worsened after expansion into additional locations increased operating costs, while its cloud kitchen model came under pressure from rising labour, logistics, food and marketing expenses.
Despite the shutdown, Mr Nneji said FoodCourt intends to relaunch after completing its restructuring, adding that the company believes demand for its products remains strong.
Founded in 2021 by Henry Nneji and Paul Adokiye Iruene, FoodCourt operates cloud kitchens under multiple virtual restaurant brands through its consumer app. According to TechCabal, the startup had previously disclosed raising $1.7 million, delivering more than one million meals and reaching $4.3 million in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2024.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
To further reinforce its commitment to continuous enhancement of customer experience through menu innovation and quality improvements, Chicken Republic, Nigeria’s leading quick-service restaurant brand and a flagship brand of Food Concepts Plc, has improved its Smokey Jollof recipe across restaurants nationwide.
As a customer-centric brand, Chicken Republic regularly evaluates consumer feedback, dining trends, and product performance to ensure its menu continues to deliver the quality and value to which customers have become accustomed.
The updated Smokey Jollof is part of this ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
The refreshed recipe represents the latest evolution of one of the brand’s most popular offerings.
Developed with a focus on richer flavour, greater consistency and an even more satisfying eating experience, the improved Smokey Jollof reflects Chicken Republic’s dedication to meeting the evolving tastes and expectations of its customers.
“At Chicken Republic, our customers are at the heart of every decision we make. We are constantly listening, learning and looking for ways to improve the experience we deliver.
“The improved Smokey Jollof is a reflection of that commitment. We’ve refined the recipe to deliver an even richer, more enjoyable taste experience while maintaining the flavour profile our customers know and love,” the Managing Director of Food Concept, Mr Olumide Aniyikaiye, stated.
“Great brands evolve with their consumers. This update is not about changing what people love, but about making it even better.
“We are confident that customers will enjoy the improved recipe and appreciate the attention we continue to invest in delivering quality meals every day,” Mr Aniyokaiye added.
The improved Smokey Jollof is now available at Chicken Republic outlets nationwide, allowing customers to experience a more flavourful and consistent version of a fan-favourite menu item.
This latest enhancement underscores Chicken Republic’s broader commitment to innovation, quality and creating memorable meal experiences for customers across Nigeria.
