Fun Friday: Mod gets spicy, ‘Hershey’ trailer revealed, Dunkin' goes star-spangled

A Tokyo bakery owner is traveling to LA to launch a Japanese-style boulangerie.

Mike's Hot Honey pizza — Courtesy of Mod Pizza/Instagram

Mod Pizza leans into loyalty, LTOs, and sweepstakes

A few years ago, hot honey was one of the restaurant industry's fastest-growing flavor trends. Today, many brands have moved on to the next menu innovation, but hot honey continues to hold its place on pizza menus across the country. As Mod Pizza launches its Sweet Heat Summer campaign, which runs through August 23, the brand is bringing back Mike's Favorite Pizza, which features Mike's Hot Honey, tomato sauce, mozzarella, aged parmesan, ricotta, spicy chicken sausage, and pickled jalapeños. The return of the pizza to Mod's menu reflects continued consumer demand for sweet-and-spicy flavor combinations, the brand says. The campaign also includes weekly Mod Rewards offers and prize opportunities, as well as a nationwide Coca-Cola sweepstakes that will send one lucky winner and a guest to Italy.

See you at the movies on Thanksgiving

Courtesy of Hershey

"The truth is, candy is not just my business—candy is my obsession," confides Milton Hershey in the first few seconds of the Hershey trailer, just released this week. The movie will debut Thanksgiving of this year. Hershey follows the story of how one couple's vision started a chocolate empire—and through it, changed the world. Starring Finn Wittrock (The Big Short, Don’t Move, American Horror Story) and Alexandra Daddario (The White Lotus, True Detective, San Andreas), the film explores the history of chocolate pioneer Milton Hershey and his wife, Catherine, revealing how a man who failed in business multiple times ended up creating an iconic chocolate empire, and how he chose to channel his success into a legacy of education and community that continues to transform lives today.

A star-spangled Dunkin' lineup of merch, treats

Courtesy of Dunkin'

Dunkin’ is gearing up for Fourth of July celebrations with a lineup of LTO bakery treats inspired by the flavors, colors, and traditions of summer’s biggest holiday, plus an Americana-themed summer merch collection. The baked goods selection includes a Rocket Pop Donut, Stars & Stripes Donut, and Stars & Stripes Munchkins Donut Hole Treats. The brand's fun LTO merch, available here, ranges from t-shirts, to swimwear, to hoodies, to totes and tumblers, hats, cup holders, a boat flag, and more. SRPs start at $22 (Star Donut Boxy Cropped Tee) and top out at $80 (Crabby Drop Shoulder Short Sleeve Sweatshirt and Shorts Bundle).

Paris Baguette offers trip for four to Williamsburg

Courtesy of Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette is celebrating America's 250th, and because no birthday celebration is complete without a gift, the chain and Red Bull are partnering to give one lucky guest the chance to win a trip for four to Colonial Williamsburg, VA. Through July 4, consumers can enter via Instagram for a chance to win round-trip airfare, a three-night hotel stay, tickets to Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens, and more. Additionally, the brand is debuting a limited-time lineup of festive treats inspired by the classic flavors and spirit of an all-American summer, it says, from a shareable berry-filled cake to a red, white, and blue mochi doughnut.

Jinya founder brings Japanese bakery culture to LA

Courtesy of Mikan bakery

A Tokyo bakery owner is traveling to Los Angeles this summer to help launch Mikan bakery & more, a new Japanese-style bakery from Jinya Holdings opening in Encino, CA. To celebrate, Tokyo-based Boulangerie Maison Nobu Chef-Owner Nobu Hoyo will oversee an LTO collaboration featuring four exclusive menu items available only during opening weekend. Inspired by Founder and CEO Tomo Takahashi’s upbringing in Ehime, Japan, the concept brings authentic Japanese breads, pastries, sandos, and more to the San Fernando Valley. Highlights include breads prepared daily by pastry chefs recruited from Japan; citrus-inspired menu items influenced by Ehime, Japan; and the exclusive Tokyo bakery collaboration, available July 3–5 only.