PepsiCo has helped launch Food For Tomorrow to champion regenerative agriculture across 10 million acres by 2030. The initiative blends data, storytelling, and science to future-proof farming and the global food supply.
Coffee, chicken, and Mexican restaurant chains sizzled early in 2025, but per-store traffic is cooling fast according to Placer.ai data. With coffee prices spiking, QSRs may be brewing a recipe for over-saturation.
Halloween spending is rather strategic in 2025, with consumers craving novelty, better-for-you treats, and – above all else – value. Budget-conscious buying is especially reshaping the candy aisle.
Costco has emerged as a clear winner of today’s difficult macroeconomic environment, enjoying 7.3% same-store sales growth over the year. The club store’s aggressive strategy to expand to 20 more markets indicate it will only get bigger.
Breakfast is losing its sizzle for many restaurants, as diners skip morning meals amid shifting habits. But with smart value strategies, restaurant brands still have a shot at reclaiming the morning crowd.
This fall, the Gen Z food trends are smoky, global, and TikTok-approved, according to Chartwells’ 2025 campus dining forecast. From ube brunch items to Monster Matcha, flavor innovations are meeting students where they scroll.
Smithfield’s IPO stumbled, but its pivot to packaged meats is winning over Wall Street – slowly. Despite strong returns, investors remain wary of ownership optics, GLP-1 headwinds, and valuation lag.
Plant-based products often bear the brunt of the blame for the health issues associated with ultra-processed foods (UPFs), but experts note that meat and dairy UPFs may pose greater risks. With competing definitions and a new non-UPF verification program in the works, consumer education remains key in understanding what really makes a food “ultra-processed.”
Congress brewed up the “No Coffee Tax Act” to slash tariffs and tame surging bean prices. But with climate shocks and record demand, the fix may need more than a legislative shot.
As budget-conscious diners trade down, QSRs face a traffic slump while casual-dining chains surge with value bundles. The winners? Brands that nail the value equation in a fiercely discerning dining economy.
As consumers continue to take their health and wellness goals seriously, GLP-1 drug usage will continue to grow. With as much as 20% of U.S. adults taking or considering the medication, the food and beverage industry must adapt to these consumer need states.
Millennials and Gen Z are often ditching traditional pill bottles, instead opting for functional foods that blend wellness with daily routines. Brands that deliver science-backed, snackable nutrition are winning over younger consumers.
Beef prices have shot past inflation benchmarks, driven by supply shocks, tariffs, and parasite outbreaks. As consumers pivot to poultry, food leaders face a meaty challenge in forecasting demand and managing margins.
Pinstripes’ Chapter 11 filing underscores the eatertainment sector’s struggle with rising costs, weak food offerings, and shifting consumer habits. Experts say the concept needs reinvention – or risk becoming yesterday’s novelty.
Restaurant menu prices are climbing, with burgers, wings, and burritos leading the charge amid rising ingredient costs. New data reveals inflation’s bite is hitting both entrees and profits.
Chipotle and Moe’s are spicing up global growth with bold Tex-Mex debuts across Asia. Partnerships and localized menus will be key.
AI is already transforming foodservice, from smarter supply chains to real-time menu innovation. Industry leaders reveal how even small operators can harness data-driven tools to boost efficiency, agility, and competitive edge.
A new study suggests that eating a daily handful of walnuts may improve sleep quality by boosting melatonin levels and reducing daytime sleepiness. While more research is needed, walnuts also offer a wide range of other perks – from heart health to brain function – making them a smart choice either way.
From prebiotic sodas to clean-label meat sticks, 2025’s fastest-growing F&B brands are rewriting the rules of consumer engagement. Authenticity, health-forward innovation, and bold storytelling are fueling the brands’ momentum.
TikTok’s reported U.S. transfer deal clears a path for continued growth in food-driven commerce and influencer marketing. With $24 billion in economic impact, the app remains a vital ingredient in Gen Z engagement and restaurant discovery.
CEO turnover is accelerating as boardroom patience thins, and economic headwinds intensify. In 2025, only the bold, empathetic, and fast-moving F&B leaders survive the pressure cooker of modern corporate leadership.
Starbucks is diving into the booming “proffee” trend with protein-packed lattes and cold foam, now a permanent menu fixture. As rivals race to meet protein-hungry consumers, functional coffee is brewing billion-dollar growth.
The ripple effects of tariffs are biting the food industry. From cost pressures to shifting consumer habits, even insulated players are feeling the squeeze in a market that’s quietly turning recessionary.
Garage Beer, backed by NFL stars and Taylor Swift buzz, is gunning for shelf space in a margin-thin market. But without distributor loyalty and retail muscle, this celebrity-fueled brand may fizzle fast, according to industry insiders.
AI-driven cuts to middle management may boost short-term efficiency, but experts warn of burnout, disengagement, and workflow chaos. As “The Great Flattening” of organizational charts gains steam, food industry leaders must weigh tech gains against human costs.
Gen Zers crave brands that speak their cultural language, not just sell products. From Oreo’s meme creativity to Doritos’ gamer-friendly tech, authenticity and co-creation are the new path to loyalty.
Inflation, cocoa chaos, and Ozempic-fueled appetite shifts have battered Hershey and Mondelez, but investors still believe in their near-term outlook. A merger may be the lifeline that turns things around.
As more consumers turn to GLP-1 medications, the demand for products high in fiber and protein is booming, but many traditional formulations contain allergens like gluten and dairy, making it difficult for some to find options. However, that’s changing.
Hispanic consumers are reshaping the food industry with health-driven choices, flavor curiosity, and rising purchasing power. Brands ignoring this shift risk falling behind as authenticity and wellness become the new growth frontier.
Self-checkout was pitched as a payroll panacea – but retailers are finding it’s no silver bullet. Shrinkage, tech woes, and customer pushback are forcing grocers to rethink the economics of DIY checkout lanes.
Tariffs, labor shortages, and rising input costs are fueling “foodflation,” squeezing margins and reshaping consumer behavior. As grocery prices climb 23% since 2022, brands face pressure to innovate or lose share to private labels.
Logan’s Roadhouse is red hot as of late, using $11.99 value meals and a top-ranked customer experience to outpace competitors. The steak chain’s comeback proves that consistency and affordability beat flash in the eyes of modern consumers.
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may be sabotaging consumers’ health. Case in point: a new study links endocrine disruption and fertility risks to the very products dominating global food systems.
YouTube’s stealth food marketing is supercharging Gen Alpha’s “pester power,” blurring the line between entertainment and influence. As parasocial bonds deepen, brands gain unprecedented access to young appetites – often without parental awareness.
Fall flavor innovation is heating up as brands blend nostalgia with novelty – think cranberry punch, chai spice, and pumpkin chipotle. With 66% of consumers shifting food habits, the time appears right to capture seasonal cravings.
Recent research has revealed that endurance athletes can improve their performance by consuming significantly more carbohydrates than previously advised, prompting a surge in energy gel sales. However, many athletes are reaching for a cheaper – and tastier – alternative found in kids’ lunch boxes.
