Kraft Foods profits fell 62% last year. Kellogg also reported lower 2014 earnings, as did ConAgra. One issue is that people are increasingly seeking quick-grab options. Instead of sitting down to breakfast, they are grabbing granola bars, yogurt singles and maybe a piece of fruit as they run out the door. Now fast-food chains are trying to grab some of that action, too. McDonald's is offering free coffee. And others, such as Taco Bell, are first-timers in the breakfast scene.

The majority of coffee consumed in the United States, both in terms of dollars spent and volume, is now "specialty coffee," according to the Specialty Coffee Association of America. Even Chick-fil-A and Dunkin' Donuts are expanding their offerings of coffee that the SCAA defines as made from coffee beans from an "accurately defined area, and which meets the highest standards for green coffee and for its roasting, storage and brewing."

Burger King next week will introduce a spiced-up version of its core fish sandwich. It is the latest chain to fool with a fish dish for Lent, between Feb. 18 and April 4. Last week, Wendy's CEO Emil Brolick told analysts that the chain had imbalanced its marketing by directing 80% of its media spending in 2014 toward the high end. That will change, he said, just as it has at McDonald's, Burger King and others. Lent is one place to achieve that refocus.

Panini America, sporting goods retailer Modell's and New York's MTA are running programs around the NBA All-Star game. Panini is offering an exclusive card set in Modell's that includes LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, John Wall and Marc and Pau Gasol. The MTA has printed 600,000 All-Star-themed MetroCards. Modell's is also the destination for ASG jerseys, shoes and other apparel and goods as well as a bevy of player signings.

At the Chicago Auto Show this week, Toyota revealed a redo of its Avalon sedan. Even though it was the best-selling premium midsize car last year, the update is needed. Sales were down 5.4% to just over 64,000 units in 2014. It's had a nice rebound in January, up 7.4%, but that may be as much about the lower gas prices than some renewed appreciation for the car. For 2016. The new Avalon has a sleeker exterior design, and it comes in five trim levels for the six-cylinder version.

McDonald's put a limited 500ml edition of its Big Mac sauce on eBay last week. Bids went up over $21,000 and social media went berserk. The auction, which is for charity, ended today after 134 bids and sold for $20,600, with one higher bidder pulled out of proceedings when faced with the prospect of spending thousands of dollars on a bottle of, essentially, mustard, onion and fructose corn syrup. What do people think? Here's Marketing's video person-on-the-street poll.

State Farm is expanding its "Born to Assist" campaign with TV, outdoor and Internet marketing, a destination in the NBA House fan experience and more than 100 brand ambassadors located throughout the five boroughs. The NBA sponsor is also helping the NYC Dept. of Education and NBA Cares to refurbish hoops playgrounds. State Farm also has title sponsorship of State Farm All-Star Saturday Night in Brooklyn's Barclays Center; and a Jennifer Lopez special on TNT.

One month following the exit of Target from the Canadian marketplace, Walmart Canada announced plans to expand its footprint with 29 supercenter projects for the company's fiscal year. The company announced it will also expand its distribution network this year to support its food and e-commerce growth in Canada, and will continue to expand and enhance its e-commerce website, walmart.ca.

Patent trolls are often bottom feeders who make millions buying gazillions of arcane tech patents and then suing anyone and everyone who steps onto their bridge. Ford is no exception, having been sued dozens of times in recent years. Ford has inked a deal (or paying protection money, depending on how you see it) with a company that buys errant patents. As autos become digital tech devices, expect more.

Sriracha, the Asian chili sauce in the big bottle, was developed by Vietnamese refugee David Tran. He never trademarked the name, though, and now Sriracha is everywhere. That has been to the benefit of Heinz, Frito-Lay, Subway and Jack in the Box. There's even a Sriracha beer. "Everyone wants to jump in now," said Tran, 70. "We have lawyers come and say 'I can represent you and sue' and I say 'No. Let them do it.'"