AFI Labs provides a unified, collaborative setting where clients can quickly create, test, and expand new food and beverage offerings.
AFI Labs was developed to assist our clients in cutting down development timelines while utilizing Alamance Foods’ production know-how to bring products that are set for commercial success.”— Eric Nakata, Alamance Foods Corporate ChefBURLINGTON, NC, UNITED STATES, August 25, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — BURLINGTON, N.C. — Alamance Foods, a top developer and manufacturer of aerosol whipped toppings, cold foams, specialty beverages, and frozen treats, announces the debut of AFI Labs, a dedicated hub for research, development, and commercialization intended to help foodservice operators, consumer packaged goods companies, retailers, convenience stores, and restaurant chains get new products to market faster.
AFI Labs merges deep scientific knowledge, pilot-scale production capabilities, culinary creativity, and commercialization support into one shared space where clients can rapidly develop, verify, and scale fresh food and beverage solutions.
“As consumer tastes shift more quickly than ever, businesses need innovation partners that can go from concept to commercialization with speed, adaptability, and technical assurance,” said Eric Nakata, Corporate Chef. “AFI Labs was developed to assist our clients in cutting down development timelines while utilizing Alamance Foods’ production know-how to bring products that are set for commercial success.”
A Partnership-Driven Innovation Hub
AFI Labs adopts a client-focused approach that backs every stage of product creation—from early brainstorming through commercial manufacturing. Instead of following a conventional product development model, clients collaborate with cross-disciplinary specialists in R&D, process engineering, commercialization, packaging, culinary development, and production.
This partnership model enables clients to quickly assess ideas, improve formulations, confirm manufacturing processes, and confidently roll out products that satisfy changing consumer demands.
Speeding Up Innovation Across Multiple Segments
AFI Labs concentrates on fast-growing food and beverage categories such as:
— Dairy and dairy alternative aerosol whipped toppings
— Dairy and dairy alternative aerosol cold foams
— RTD beverage applications
— Freezer pops
— Drinkable yogurt
The facility serves clients creating products for foodservice, convenience retail, quick-service restaurants, consumer packaged goods, and private label programs.
From Market Understanding to Commercial Achievement
AFI Labs follows a structured innovation process designed to lower development risk while speeding up commercialization:
— Innovation and consumer trend exploration
— Concept development
— Rapid prototype formulation
— Validation and analytical testing
— Pilot-scale manufacturing trials
— Commercial scale-up and production support
By embedding commercialization planning early in the development cycle, AFI Labs helps clients move smoothly from prototype to production.
Technical Knowledge Meets Practical Use
The center houses laboratory, culinary, and pilot plant resources built to mirror real-world client environments.
Capabilities include:
— Bench-scale product development
— Pilot-scale processing equipment
— Product performance evaluation
— Manufacturing validation and scale-up
— Sensory testing and competitive benchmarking
— Culinary-inspired product applications
— Coffee, café, and beverage equipment for client-specific execution
— Small commercial bakery equipment
— Modular plug-and-play kitchens that accommodate client equipment and operational workflows
These resources allow clients to test products under authentic working conditions before market launch.
Tailored Innovation Offerings
AFI Labs delivers a variety of collaborative development services, including:
— Innovation workshops
— Consumer and market trend exploration
— Rapid prototyping
— Customized formula development
— Technical troubleshooting
— Product optimization
— Long-term co-development partnerships
Each engagement is adapted to meet individual client goals, whether creating entirely new platforms or refining existing products.
Designed for Today’s Food and Beverage Landscape
As foodservice operators, beverage brands, retailers, and consumer packaged goods companies continue to look for differentiated products, AFI Labs offers the flexibility, technical know-how, and commercialization capabilities needed to drive innovation while cutting time to market.
With direct access to Alamance Foods’ manufacturing expertise and commercialization resources, clients gain a strategic development partner capable of turning promising concepts into scalable, market-ready items.
For additional details about AFI Labs or to book an innovation workshop, visit www.alamancefoods.com or reach out to the Alamance Foods Commercialization Team.
About Alamance Foods
Alamance Foods is a premier manufacturer and innovation partner serving the foodservice, convenience, retail, and consumer packaged goods industries. The company focuses on aerosol whipped toppings, dairy and dairy alternative cold foams, specialty beverage solutions, frozen treats, and custom food and beverage product development. Through AFI Labs, Alamance Foods collaborates with clients to accelerate innovation from concept development through commercialization and full-scale production.
Marisa Viestenz
Alamance Foods
Marisa.Viestenz@alamancefoods.com
