This week's Fun Friday starts off with Ferrero's Famous Amos brand recognizing three emerging Black-owned enterprises with $50K in business awards.

Famous Amos, in partnership with the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc (USBC), has announced the winners of its fifth annual Ingredients for Success Entrepreneurs Initiative (IFS). IFS supports pathways for early-stage Black business owners to thrive by providing $50,000 to three organizations each, in addition to mentorship, networking and educational resources. The 2025 winners include:

• Terminal B, a Los Angeles-based fragrance company founded by Chris and Fay Breedlove that produces handcrafted candles and fragrances inspired by global destinations – redefining how we experience travel from home.
• Arcarea Adult Day Center, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based wellness organization founded by Aracelis Rittenburg that addresses healthcare inequities and provides holistic care for seniors with dementia.
• Money Honey LLC, a Los Angeles-based financial coaching company founded by Taryn Ferrer that provides money management strategies and education to help women build wealth.

In addition to being the fifth year of IFS, this year also marks Famous Amos's 50th anniversary, which the brand is celebrating through its Famously You campaign honoring Wally Amos's "famously" authentic spirit. To commemorate the milestone, Famous Amos launched limited-edition Collectors Edition packaging featuring original 1975 graphics. In May, the brand hosted a free block party in Hollywood, recreating the community events Wally Amos organized in the 1970s and '80s. The IFS announcement further celebrates Wally Amos by honoring his birthday, July 1.

Created in 2020, IFS has awarded 12 business owners a total of $600,000 over the past four years, promoting economic empowerment for early-stage Black entrepreneurs. Beyond IFS, USBC provides valuable resources that small business owners can take advantage of, including training, business development and engagement opportunities. More information is available at usblackchambers.org/resources.

Pilot introduces "Fuel Kit" value snack box to kickstart summer road trips

With summer in full swing, Pilot is introducing the "Fuel Kit" as the ultimate flavor fill-up, bringing convenience and value to drivers hitting the open road, packed with all the flavors road trippers crave.

Available through September 2, at more than 340 participating Pilot and Flying J locations, the Fuel Kit lets drivers mix and match their favorites—offering hundreds of possible combinations. The Fuel Kit retails for $8.00, and includes:

• One small bag of Frito-Lay brand chips (up to 4.25-oz) 
• One standard-size candy (up to 2.25-oz)  
• One any-size fountain drink  
• Three hot, crispy chicken tenders  

A recent Pilot survey revealed that nearly 60% of summer travelers crave a mix of sweet and salty snacks while also aiming to maximize their travel budget. The $8 Fuel Kit offers both value and variety, allowing on-the-go snackers to build a custom box tailored to their cravings.   

McConnell's x See's Candies debuts three flavors

Just in time for National Ice Cream Month, two California confectionary icons are back by popular demand: McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, and See’s Candies are teaming up once again for a limited-run collaboration.

Following last summer’s sold-out collaboration, they’re merging their over 175 years of combined heritage once again with three all-new, limited-edition flavors. Here’s the scoop:

• Brown Sugar with Milk Bordeaux – See’s Milk Bordeaux, in ice cream form! Creamy brown sugar enrobed in rich milk chocolate, covered in sprinkles. Churned into McC’s brown sugar-infused sweet cream and loaded up with even more See’s chocolate sprinkles.  
• PB&J with Peanut Butter Patties – See’s smooth and creamy Milk PB patty, churned into peanut-butter-infused milk and cream plus swirls of McC’s house-made raspberry jam.
• Strawberry with Strawberry Creams – See’s creamy strawberry center, enrobed in chocolate, McC’s classic Santa Barbara Strawberry ice cream, and swirls of bittersweet chocolate ganache.

These flavors are now available at all McConnell’s California scoop shops and for $12.00 per pint on McConnells.com.

Even more ice cream: National Ice Cream Day freebies from Kind

National Ice Cream Day (July 20) is almost here, and Mars' Kind brand is once again celebrating with a one-day NYC pop-up and giveaway that consumers won’t want to miss.

Here’s what’s happening: 

• Free Frozen Giveaway (July 17–21): Kind is launching its annual National Ice Cream Day giveaway on its Instagram. One lucky consumer will win a year’s supply of Kind Frozen plus an exclusive Kind-branded cooler.
• NYC Pop-Up (July 20): Kind will host a one-day-only frozen bar pop-up for fans in New York City, serving up Kind Frozen bars for free and giving attendees the chance to win exclusive summer swag to help them chill out in style. 

1. When: Sunday, July 20 | 12:00 – 5:00 pm
2. Where: NYC (181 Mulberry St., SoHo)

Chip City Cookies is coming to Wicker Park (Chicago)

Chip City Cookies, New York City’s fastest-growing cookie brand with over 45 locations nationwide, is opening its new Wicker Park location on Friday, July 18 at 1579 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622.

Doors will be open from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, and the first 100 customers will receive a free cookie with any purchase. 

Chip City Cookies rotates over 100 unique flavors throughout the year, including Peanut Butter & Jelly, Everything Cookie, Oatmeal Apple Pie, Blueberry Cheesecake, S’Mores, Lemon Berry, and the famous Cannoli Cookie. Its weekly menu features a mix of classics, seasonal flavors, and dairy-free options.